Bombs on Dublin
It is not easy to understand the mentality of the Germans who ordered the bombardment of Dublin in the early hours of last Saturday. Planes were first heard over the city soon after midnight, and the last bomb was dropped about two hours later. Flares were sent up from the ground to indicate that Eire was neutral territory, but the aircraft continued to cruise about, bombs being dropped in several parts of the city, but with most deadly results in a populous working-class area. It was here that the casualties were heaviest. The explanation of this piece of deliberate barbarism is not far to seek. It is not that the Germans really expect to persuade the Irish that the culprits were British, for it is easy enough to recognise the German machines and to establish the German origin of the bombs. The outrage is obviously another example of the German fear- propaganda; it is to inform the people of Dublin what they may expect if they give the least assistance to Britain by lending air-bases or by any other means. The Nazis are fanatical believers in the potency of fear inspired by ruthlessness. If they understood the Irish better they • would know that that is not the way to ensure their neutrality. History has proved in every century that coercion in Ireland does not pay.
Previous page
