Bombs on Paris
Early this week German aeroplanes have twice bombed the town and district of Le Havre, and on Monday afternoon large numbers of bombers dropped more than r,000 high explosive or incendiary bombs on suburbs of Paris. The figures of casualties suffered were 254 killed and 652 wounded, of whom the great majority were civilians. The German communiqué claims that the bombs were dropped on aerodromes and indus- trial plant of the French Air Force, but in fact they fell far from military objectives. Flying at over 30,000 feet, it was im- possible for the aeroplanes to aim effectively at specific targets, and in fact the attack amounted to an indiscriminate bombard- ment of an open city, and was a wanton violation of the rules of war. The use of the new syren bombs was an indication of the fact that terror was part of their purpose—a form of assault only effective in lowering civilian morale. Retaliation has been instant. French machines attacked the vicinity of Munich and Frankfurt, but military objectives only, and British aeroplanes bombed munition-factories and refineries in the Ruhr. On such occasions the British fly low to make sure of their objectives. The Nazis would do well to remember that every blow on Allied open cities is likely to recoil upon them- selves. Le Havre, with its docks, it is fair to say, was a legiti- mate target.
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