November 30, 1939; Russians Invade Finland:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1939:

Helsinki, Nov. 30.—In a sweeping invasion by land, sea and air, the mighty armies of Soviet Russia attacked Finland with shells and incendiary bombs today, compelling the Finnish government to announce a state of war against the Soviet Union.

At 2:50 p. m. (6:50 a. m. Kansas City time), after military and naval successes had given the invaders a foothold in various sections of the country, the Russians concentrated upon a new and blistering aerial attack upon Helsinki.

The fourth air raid of the day on the beautiful capital came at 7 o’clock and killed more than 200 persons.

SEVENTEEN PLANES BOMB CAPITAL.

Two squadrons of Russian bombers—-one composed of ten planes and the other of seven—roared over the city this afternoon, dropping Incendiary bombs which started disastrous fires in densely crowded areas of the capital.



This map shows the course of Russia’s invasion of Finland today by land, sea

and air. BIqws fell at varioiis points and planes bombed Helsinki, the republic’s capital,

and its airport. The historic port of Viipuri (Viborg) was in flames. As Russian ar-

tiller pounded Terijokl, Soviet troops crossed the border north of Leningrad in force.

Suojaervi, strategic Finn defense area, and the “Fishermen’s peninsula were cut off.

A TORCH OF WAR

Great Fires Blaze in Helsinki the Stricken Capital of Finland

_______________________________

 

BOMBS INTO A CROWD

Women and Children Are Hit While Packed Near a Central Station.

__________________________________

Mothers Throw Themselves Over Offspring to Protect Them From Splinters

 

SPIRITS UP IN H0RR0R

The first full and complete eye witness description of today' series of Russian bombing raids on Helshiki was received in New York this afternoon. The cable was sent after the terrific 7 p. m. raid which set large areas, of the city ablaze and killed and wounded an estimated 250 persons.

November 29, 1939: FINLAND FEARS ATTACK:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1939:

Broken Pact Reply Is

Carried Back to
Moscow
SITUATION T E N S E

Anything Is Possible,

Declare Helsingfors
Statesmen

By LYNN HE1NZERLING
HELSINGFORS, Nov. 29—(AP) — Finland today sent Soviet Russia a soberly considered reply to Russia's denunciation of the Soviet-Finnish non - aggression pact, which accompanied g r a v e frontier tension between the two powers. Officials declined to comment on the Finnish reply's nature or tone pending delivery to the Kremlin. Government leaders conferred most of the day on the note. A draft of the answer to the Russian charge of "profound hostility of the government of Finland towards the Soviet union," which Moscow cited as grounds Tuesday night for denunciation of the Finnish-Russian non-aggression pact, was completed about midnight. Contents of the note remained a secret pending transmission and any last-minute changes.
We Are Not Afraid'
While the cabinet conferred in the partly blacked-out capital, phlegmatic Finns, questioned on the street as to their hopes and fears, would say little except,
"we are not afraid".

 

FINLAND FEARS

ISLAND ATTACK

Gulf Holdings to Be First

Seized, Helsingfors
Predicts

HELSINGFORS, Nov. 29—(UP)—Finns believed today Russia might start an invasion of their country by seizing four unfortified islands in the Gulf of Finland.

These islands—Hoagland, Lavansaari, Tycarsari and Seiskari—had been included in Russia's territorial demands. They are defenseless and the Soviet fleet is known to have been active in their vicinity lately. What Finland would do if they were seized was only a guess but people in the street reflect the idea Finland would fight to resist aggression.

 

 

NEW POWDER KEG . . . Russian-Finnish relations strained anew

today with Moscow charging, and Helsingfors denying reports of

another border incident near Leningrad (in map above). Russia was

strengthening her Baltic fleet and Finland refused to withdraw her

frontier troops unless the Soviet followed suit. Finns believe Russia

will first attack Gulf of Finland sea islands

 

Soviets Reinforcing

Baltic Fleet As
Crisis Near

WAR INEVITABLE'

Ultimatum Expected
To Give 18 Hours
To Capitulate

MOSCOW, Nov. 29—(AP)—Soviet Russia today broke off diplomatic relations with, Finland. The break in relations came just as the Soviet people were instructed to listen to their radios for an important announcement by Premier Viacheslav Molotov.

Vladimir Potemkin of the Soviet foreign office handed a note to the Finnish minister explaining the reasons for breaking off relations.

The Finnish minister had not had an opportunity to deliver a reply by the Finnish government to the Soviet note sent to Finland yesterday, demanding that Finnish, troops retire from the frontier north of Leningrad—which Russians alleged was "threatened" with attack by the Finnish army.

Baron Airjo-Koskinen, the Finnish minister, was advised of the Soviet action just one day after the Soviets had denounced their non-aggression pact with Finland and almost at the same time the United States was offering- its good offices to settle peacefully the dispute.

SOVIETS CLAMOR
FOR WAR ACTION

Demands Growing, British Report After Hearing Broadcast

LONDON, Nov. 29. (UP)— The Moscow radio was heard today broadcasting that "the Soviet people are demanding action against Finland and this demand is growing every minute".
The broadcaster denounced the Finns in abusive terms and announced Soviet workers had passed resolutions demanding "punishment of the Finns who have lost their senses".
The broadcaster said resolutions were pouring in from factories and troop garrisons ridiculing the Finnish suggestion for a mutual withdrawal from the frontiers.

November 28, 1939; New Pressure on Finland

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1939:

Praise Crew Of

Rawalpindi For
Heroic Action

Hopeless Odds Faced

During Battle With
Deutschland, Says
Neville Chamberlain

London. — (UP)— British warships searched the fog-bound North Atlantic for the nazi sea raider Deutschland today as Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain praised the crew of the armed merchant cruiser Rawalpindi, for a brave but hopeless fight against the German pocket battleship.

Those men must have known as they sighted the enemy that there was no chance for them," the prime minister told the house of commons in reference to the battle in which the Rawalpindi was sunk with loss of probably 260 men off Iceland.

No Thought OF Surrender
"But they had no thought of surender. They fought at their guns until they could fight no more. Then many of them went to their death, they carried on the great traditions of the royal navy."
Chamberlain disclosed that most of the men were naval reservists and naval pensioners called up for the war.

 



Soviet Russia denounced today her non-aggression pact with

Finland and rejected the Finns' reply to a note charging that four

Russian soldiers had been shot while on duty along the border. The

Finns had claimed that the Russians had been killed by their own

shells. A new demand was made by Russia for the withdrawal

of Finnish troops from the border region.

Red Army

Ready For
Hostilities

Non-Aggression Pact

Is Thrown Overboard
As Russia Rejects
Reply To Demands

Moscow. — (UP) — Soviet Russia today denounced its non-aggression pact with Finland, rejected the Finnish explanation of an incident arising from alleged gun fire across the frontier and renewed demands that Finnish troops be withdrawn from the border.

Finland's attitude, P r e m i e r Viacheslav Molotoff charged, is evidence of "deep hostility against the Soviet Union, with a desire to bring the present crisis to a head."

Red army forces on the border previously had been ordered to return any fire from the Finnish sideand to "annihilate" those responsible.

Approach Showdown Rapidly
Molotoff's statement of the Russian position to Finnish Minister Baron Aano Koskinen appeared to be pushing the Finnish-Russian crisis rapidly toward a showdown. Russian messages from the Leningrad area opposite Finland indicated that the red army was prepared for action. Previously, the Soviet naval forces, centered off Leningrad, had been described as ready for any eventuality. Molotoff said that Russia denounces the pact because of Finland's anti-Soviet policy, which he said was Inconsistent with the treaty.

 International

At-A-Glance

(By the Associated Press)

Berlin. —
Germany announces British heavy cruiser of London class torpedoed and destroyed near Shetland Islands; German experts say British fleet cleared from North Atlantic.
London.—
King George declares sea lanes being kept open; Chamberlain announces British-French blockade of German exports to start December 4; British ships
land 105 German prisoners from captured vessels.
Helsinki. —
Russia denounces her non-aggression pact with Finland, latter's foreign office spokesman says.
Moscow.—
Soviet radio promises peace if Finland meets Russian terms.
Paris. —
France prepares for first wartime parliament Thursday.

 

 

 

 

Soviet Russia denounced today her non-aggression pact with

Finland and rejected the Finns' reply to a note charging that four

Russian soldiers had been shot while on duty along the border. The

Finns had claimed that the Russians had been killed by their own

shells. A new demand was made by Russia for the withdrawal

of Finnish troops from the border region.

 

 

November 27, 1939; FINNS MUST YIELD, SOVIET DEMANDS

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1939

BLOWS STRUCK

AT BRITISH
SEAPOWER

Capture German Freighters;

One Later Destroyed
AVOWED REPRISAL
For Mine-Laying Warfare;
Cite Nazis' Need For Cash
And Credits
( Associated Press)
London, Nov. 27.
An order in council for the seizure of German exports was signed today by King George VI as an avowed reprisal for German minelaying warfare.
The order for the complete blockade of Germany will be published in the London Gazette tomorrow and probably will become effective in a few days.
The action came as new shipping losses were reported by the admiralty.
The Holland-Amerika 8,859-ton freighter Spaarndam sank in the Thames estuary. The crew of about 40, and one passenger, an elderly woman, were rescued by a pilot cutter.
(The line announced at Amsterdam the ship was sunk by a mine below London)
Capture Freighters
At the same time, the admiralty disclosed the capture of two German freighters, one of which later was destroyed by a German submarine as she was being taken to a British port by a prize crew.

_________________________________________

 

Germany Sympathizes With

Soviet Demands Upon Finns

( Associateded Press)

Berlin, Nov. 27.
Germany sympathizes with Russia's demands upon Finland, according to information service Dienst Aus Deutschland, which often reflects foreign office views.

"The opinion prevails here," said the service, "that a first-class power of the rank of the soviet union had the undeniable right to secure for itself access to the sea and by an amicable arrangement with its neighbors to safeguard vital defense interests."

Previously authorized quarters had stated that Germany officially was disinterested in the dispute between Russia and Finland except to "read with extraordinary interest that Russia regards England and France as responsible for Finland's unyielding stand."

Authorized sources said today that Prime Minister Chamberlain's "idle prattle about a new pan-European order of things is Utopian and has no connection with realities.

________________________________________

 

BORDER FORCES

WARNED TO
WITHDRAW

Helsinki Appears Ready To

Turn Down Ultimatum

NAVAL WARFARE

Continues As Most Active
Phase Of Conflict As
More Ships Go Down

Foreign Situation
MOSCOW—
Soviet soldiers call for "strictest measures" against Finland following report of border incident with 13 dead or wounded; Russia demands withdrawal of Finnish frontier troops.
HELSINKI—
Finland expected to refuse Russian demand for troop withdrawal.
LONDON—
King signs order for seizure of German exports; ship losses continue heavy.
ROME—
Italy grants "extraordinary winter leave" to army reservists.

________________________________________________

( Associated Press )

London, Nov. 27. The Russian - Finnish dispute flared to grave proportions today as troops of Russia's red army staged mass meetings, called for "strictest measures" and warned Finland that "ten days were enough to conquer Poland."

These demonstrations followed a "border incident" yesterday in which the Russians charged the Finns with killing four and wounding nine red soldiers. Moscow sent an ultimatum-like note to Finland demanding withdrawal of Finnish border garrisons.

Finland denied there had been any shooting from the Finnish side and appeared ready to refuse the Russian demand.

November 26, 1939; GERMANS EXECUTE BOMBING RAIDS:

THIS WAS REPORED TODAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1939:

BASE ATTACKED

Berlin Tells Large Scale Offensive  By A i r.

Special Wireless to I. N. S.

BERLIN Nov. 25.—Direct bomb were scored on four British warships late today in an attack by a German air squadron about 550 miles north of Germany's coast, it was announced tonight. Despite the most intense anti-aircraft fire, all the German warplanes returned safely to their base after the spectacular raid, it was claimed.

The air bombing of the British, naval concentration was believed to have been carried out either at or In the vicinity of the Orkney Islands north of Scotland, where Britain's main wartime naval base Is situated at historic Scapa, Flow. The Orkney islands and the Shetland Islands, both of which were raided today by , German planes, ore located approximately 500 to 600 miles north by west of Germany's naval-air base of Wilhelmshaven.

ADDITIONAL DAMAGE.

The German claim that four additional British warships were damaged by German bombs was contained in an announcement by the official news agency, DNB, read over the Berlin radio.

_______________________________

 

2 RAIDS MADE Device to Destroy Mines ClaimedBy Allies.

LONDON, Nov. 25.—(INS)—German warplanes late today executed two more bombing attacks on a British warship fleet in the North Sea, but scored no hits and inflicted no casualties or damage, the admiralty said in an official communique tonight.

Contrary to a Berlin announcement which claimed four warships were damaged by the rain of bombs, the communique said "many bombs were dropped" but that all had missed and had spent their explosive power in the sea.

The official notice of the Nazi attacks was issued shortly after a large concentration of airplanes was reported in action near the Orkney Islands, not far from the great British naval base at Scapa Flow.

DETECTED IN ACTION

Whether these planes were part or all of the same German squadrons which hurtled bombs on the British -warships, was not disclosed An air ministry statement said merely that the mass of planes had been "detected" In action. No details of battle were added.

Air raid sirens were sounded and anti-aircraft batteries were fully manned for possible action against what may have been a German air armada larger than any which heretofore have appeared over British soil.

The air raid alarm lasted 37 minutes.

_______________________________.

 

Strong Appeal to Be Shaped During Week of Prayer

VATICAN CITY, NOV. 25—(INS) Pope Pius XII may renew his appeal for world peace within the next few weeks in stronger, more ardent terms than heretofore, it was understood in Vatican circles tonight.

The Pope has been increasingly s saddened by the European war, it was learned, and the possibility of its extension until the conflict threatens Christian civilization has worried him.

He intends fervently to pray for peace during a week of spiritual exercises beginning tomorrow. This will be climaxed, it was said, by strong peace plea to the world to be made during one of the next few Sundays preceding Christmas.

______________________________________

 

 

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1939 ANTONIO LIGHT.          5                                                      

Ruin Is Ultimate Price of World War

The British people were told by Sir John Simon, chancellor of the exchequer, in a radio address the other day that the war is already costing England six million pounds sterling EVERY DAY. ". , That would be THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS at par. No wonder he characterized the present European conflict as "the most expensive war that has ever been fought." It is idle to think England can afford, or ever pay for, such a conflict.

They already bankrupt, impoverished and war pauperized nations of Europe cannot afford it, nor can they ever pay for it or in any manner profit from it. Most of them probably will not even survive it as independent nations. Why must such a war be fought?

These nations of Europe are absolutely ruining themselves. They will be completely bankrupt, and in the end will be prostrate before the Communist invasion which they all know impends.

They should think about the common end of COMMUNIST RULE AND RUIN which is in store for them all.

 

November 25, 1939; SEIZURE OF NAZI EXPORTS ON THE WAY:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1939:

Britain's New 10,000-Ton Cruiser is Now Being

Repaired But Admiralty Fails to Reveal Exactly
What Happened to Vessel—20 Members
of Crew Wounded—Minesweepers
Make Big Haul of German
Mines

LONDON, Nov. 25—(C.P.)—The British admiralty announced Friday night that the ne\y 10,000 ton cruiser Belfast had been damaged "by a torpedo or a mine" in the Firth of Forth on Nov. 21.

Exactly what happened to the vessel was not disclosed but 20 of the crew were reported wounded. Five are in hospital with minor head wounds and the others were reported to have been treated in a naval hospital.

The condition of all was said to be satisfactory. One report said that after the incident other vessels hurried to the Belfast's assistance. Persons in a nearby train saw her return damaged to harbor.

GERMANY CLAIMS HEAVY DAMAGE DONE
(The German high command claimed in Berlin that a submarine heavily damaged the Belfast, a new 10,000-ton cruiser in the Firth of Forth in the second serious raid on that base.)

The Belfast was launched March 17, 1938. She carries 12 six-Inch guns and 12 four-inch anti-aircraft guns and can make 32 1/2. knots. The admiralty announced that repairs to the Belfast have already begun.

 

Six Neutrals File Protests
Against Britain's
Reprisals

CONFIDENT FINDING
METHOD-BEAT MINES

LONDON, Nov. 25.— (C.P.)—Neutral protests failed to sway Great Britain today from her determination to intensify her economic war on Germany by selling German exports.

The list of countries which have made or plan to make represent a plans against the allied decision includes The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Japan, Sweden and Denmark. The last three were added today.

The only great powers among the neutrals who have not Indicated their attitude are the United Slates and Soviet Russia.

There were indications Britain would reply that protests should he addressed to Germany, whose mine campaign called for the export blockade,
SEIZURE MAY START
ON TUESDAY
An order-in-council, Implementing the British decision to seize German exports is expected Tuesday. While a fleet of trawlers and minesweepers combed the sea lanes for explosives laid, British authorities said, by Nazi airplanes and-submarines, the royal navy Issued a call to deep sea fishermen between the ages of 18 and 45 w volunteer their services.

 

THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1939

Hitler And The

Low Countries
If Hitler does in fact Invade The Netherlands and Belgium, It will be for the same reason that he Invaded Poland because he and his regime have reached a point where they must have wars and violence In order to continue to exist at all.

• • •

As a national enterprise of the German people, the Polish war was obviously as costly a blunder as a statesman ever made; it entailed the destruction of the German power in the larger part of that region from the Baltic to the Balkans which Germany has always regarded as her national sphere of influence.

For Hitler did not go to war to establish the German power In eastern Europe: on the contrary, until he went to war, the German power was for all practical purposes Irresistible in eastern Europe.
What Hitler did in August was to sacrifice the power he already had in order to be allowed to wage a triumphant and meaningless little war. He did not fight that war to gain something Important for his country; he gave up things of the highest importance to his country In order to fight the war.
If now he attacks The Netherlands and Belgium, it will not be because there is anything to be gained for Germany. It will be because he must again sacrifice the real interests of Germany In order to obtain temporary relief for his regime from the suffocating effect of Inactivity and frustration. He -will now be moving toward a tangible objective. He will be moving because, If he stands still, he will fall down.

• • •

 

November 24, 1939; DUTCH LOSE TWO LARGE SHIPS:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1939:

By PAUL RISLER,

Havas Staff Writer) '*
(C.P.-Havas)
BELGRADE, Nov. 24— Adolf Hitler sent a elegram calling off a German attack on The Netherlands a scant four hours before it was scheduled to start Nov. 12, this H a v a s correspondent learned today on good authority.
An absolutely reliable source confided to me the following story:

Hitler decided early in the month to invade The Netherlands, c h o o s i n g Sunday, Nov. 12, as the date. The Munich bomb exploded on Wednesday, Nov. 8. On the morning of Nov. 9, arriving in Berlin from Munich, Hitler called together the' five generals who form what Nazi officers call his private general staff.

Colonel - General Walthor von Reichenau called attention to reports that the visit of King Leopold of the Belgians to The Hague meant Belgium would aid The Netherlands should that country be attacked.

French Claim 11 and British

Nine to Prove Air
Superiority
ALLIES WITHIN THREE
OF JOOTH PLANE

PARIS, Nov. 24.— (A.P.) —The allies reported today continuing triumphs In aerial combat on the western front as the ,war turned skyward in a manner reminiscent of the dog-fights of the last war.

In. contrast with the grim, waiting game on the ground, the French sated their aviators shot down 11 German Messerschmidt planes in the past three days.

Dispatches from Royal Air Force headquarters in France said British fliers destroyed nine German, planes in two days,

GERMANY DISPUTES RESULTS

(Germany also reported an increase In aerial warfare but disputed the results. News agency reports in Berlin said German fighters shot down five planes with one German loss in six separate encounters over northwestern France in the past two days,)

The official French communique today said: "Nothing of Importance to report during the night”, On Nov. 23 eight German scouting planes brought down on French territory, four by the R.A-F. and four by the French Air Force. One of our fighters has not returned to it’s base.

Steamship Mangalore and

Tanker Slierdrecht are
Latest Victims
EXPERTS SHAPE PLANS
COMBAT NAZI MINES

LONDON] Nov. 24.—(C.P.)— The 8,886-ton British steamship Mangalore was sunk by a mine off Britain's east coast today. A crew of 77 were all rescued.

The crew was landed at a port on the east coast. Twelve members of the crew, 11 of them, Lascars, suffered injuries which necessitated hospital

treatment. Eight other men were less seriously hurt. The force of the blast hurled some of the men into the water. The vessel is owned by the Hrocfclebank company of Liverpool.

The sinking: of the 5.133-ton Netherlands tanker Sliedrecht by a submarine was disclosed today with the landing of five survivors in a northwest coast Port.

The flve were 7 1/2 days In an open boat before they were rescued by a trawler. The vessel had a crew of 31.

BOARDS TANKER
One of the survivors asserted the. submarine commander examined the ship's papers and said he would have to sink the Sliedrecht although told she was in neutral bound for a neutral. port.

The commander, the survivor added, refused to take the crew aboard his submarine tor transfer to another ship, saying, there was no room

November 23, 1939; Netherlands Halts All Shipping:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1939:

War Situation at a Glance

(By the Associated Press)
LONDON—
Destroyer Gipsy, seventh acknowledged naval loss- of war,
beached after hitting mine Tuesday, 40 crewmen missing, 21 injured; Nazis
repulsed in raids on east coast and Shetland Islands but British seaplane
set afire; 6,660-ton Italian freighter Fionana hits mine but stays afloat;
British intercept 4,110-ton German freighter Bertha Fisser off Iceland;
Sir John Simon says war costing Britain $23,580,000 a day.
PARIS—
French announce same torpedo boat sinks two Nazi submarines
in three days; British-French planes reported downed eight German
planes on western front, losing only two French craft.
BERLIN—
Nazis serve notice of swift retaliation against Britain's unrestricted
blockade of Nazi exports; declare 11 merchantmen, including
eight British, failed to reach Britain since Churchill proclaimed Nazi submarine
menace overcome; two captured British agents accused of direct
connection with Munich bomb plot.
AMSTERDAM—
Netherlands shippers cancel all sailings on government's
advice.
NEW YORK—
Private information received by Associated Press indicate
new 10,000-ton British cruiser Belfast damaged slightly by mine.
HONGKONG—Japanese report advance units within 10 miles of
Nanning, immediate objective in drive to severe Chinese "lifelines."

 

Action Follows British

Threat to Seize All
German Exports
HAZARDS STUDIED

Fact Noted Dutch Ships

Have Been Carrying
Nazi Goods Abroad

(By the Associated Press)

Amsterdam, Nov. 22—Sailings of all Netherlands ships from Netherlands ports were cancelled today by their owners acting upon the advice of the government. The step followed by one day Great Britain's announcement that all goods of German origin on the high seas would be subject to seizure, regardless of the nationality of vessels carrying them.

There was no explanation for the cancellations, but it was noted the Netherlands ships have been taking German goods abroad. A total of 10,000,000 tons of German exports were transshiped from Rotterdam and Amsterdam in the first nine months of this year

German Planes Reported

to Have Hit, Ignited
English Seaplanes

SUCCESS IS CLAIMED

British, French Assert
8 Nazi Planes Downed
on Western Front
(By the Associated Press)
London, Nov. 22.—German bombers were reported to have hit and set afire a British seaplane in a raid on the Shetland Islands today, while the British and French asserted they had downed eight German aircraft on the western front.

Mine warfare off Britain's east coast added to its toll the 6,660-ton Italian freighter Fianona, 16th vessel to run afoul of mines or torpedoes off the British Isles in the past five days. The ship was badly holed as she struck a mine last night but | still was afloat today, her crew of | 33 reported safe.

Openly Declare Captives

Among the Important
Catches of War
MEN ARE IDENTIFIED

(By the Associated Press)

Berlin, Nov. 22.—German authorities today accused two captured British secret service agents, of direct connection with the M u n i c h bomb plot which Adolf Hitler escaped by 11 minutes November 8. Making no secret of their belief that the captives were one of the most important catches of the war,

Nazi officials said the two agents were responsible jointly with two other men for the bombing. The explosion killed eight persons shortly after Hitler left the Munich beer hall.

Otto Strasser, a German longtime enemy of Hitler who lives in France, and Georg Elser of Munich were blamed with the two Britons, who were captured at the Netherlands frontier the day after the explosion.

Elser Confession Claimed
They were identified by the Gestapo as Captain Richard Henry Stevens, 42, chief of the European division of the British secret service, and Sigismund Payne Best, 54, an intelligence officer for the British general staff during the World war.

Previously the secret police had blamed British instigators for the explosion, but had not mentioned Stevens and Best as connected directly.