The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-17
Casualties Kept Silent

init transmission of the number of casualties caused by the Italian bombs).
 He said he had watched the re- ligious celebrants carry their dead to the miracle-working shrine of the Virgin of Tinos and plead in vain that their lief be restored, and how patriarch of the church made use of loudspeakers set up for the cere- monies to quiet the crowd of 10000.
 The Ardena's first class salon was given over to the wounded and turned into temporary hospital. Nurses and first aid specialists had been rushed to Tinos from nearby islands to care for the casualties.
 Watson said survivors of the Hene blamed Italy for the torpedoing.
 "As fishermen, who had put out to rescue survivors, came back from the burning ship with three dead and 30 wounded" he said, "a youthful Greek officer, his arm shat tered, stood in the prov of the fish, ing boat and cursed the Italians.
 Crowd Takes Up Cry.
 "The crowd quickly took up the cry"
 Watson said the wounded were carried through winding streets and up a long flight of stone steps to the Shrine of the Virgin by wor- shippers "beSeeching her for a mir acle."
 From the heights of the Shrine and the church we could see the blazing guardian ship below, its bow turned toward the sky and slowly sinking" he said. "The Helle now lies in about 20 fathoms."
 The pilgrims, he added, assembled that night to hear the broadcast assurance of Premier John MetaxaS that they would be given "the full protection of the Greek navy" in returning home.
 A moment before the torpedoing, the town. its streets newly white washed and flower strewn, had been a place of gaiety.
 The crowd was delighted that the Helle had been sent to lend dignity to the occasion.
 Suddenly the Bomb.
 Suddenly there was terrific roar as the Helle disappeared from view in smoke" he said. '"T.he crowd was struck dumb. The blast shook the entire waterfront, and the patriarch called for courage and ool-headed- ness.
 "A few seconds later something hit the solid stone breakwater with ter- rife impact and there was an ex- plosion. Huge chunks of stone were hurled among men, women, chill dren and some donkeys loaded with the few belongings the pilgrims owned.
 "As I ran towards the waterfront the crowd began shouting 'Subma- rine' and then I saw it, about half a mile offshore.
 T heard another roar as a third torpedo struck a hidden rock.
 "The horror stricken pilgrims made a silent lane for the maimed and the dying-four were killed and 20 were seriously wounded when the stone breakwater was blown into the air-and sobbing mother, carrying in her arms a child in a blood soaked communion robe, came run- ming towards me crying:
 "'God will punish them, God will punish them! My little Tina was so good
 Italian Communlque
 Rome, Aug. 17-(UP)-A high aasxnxoapA a,,v,yv.,,v,in,ra aatd fodou that British troops were fleeing along all fronts" before the Italian drive through British Somaliland. The announcement said that the | climax of the Somaliland battle | had been reached yesterday.
 yesterday was the fifth day of the bloody battle for the conquest of British Somaliland and it has marked the peak of the battle" the comnunique said.
 'The enemy is fleeing on all fronts. Italian air forces violently bombed military objectives and i warships anchored in the port of Alexandria for over one hour.
 "One of our planes did not re- turn following this action, Another plane scouting over the Red Sea did not return"
 Italian dispatches from Addis Ababa in the last few days have told of Italian victories over Brit ish forces defending a serni-circular uefsnse line south of Berbera cap ital and principal port of British somaliland. British warships were reported to have left their base ct Alden. at the southern entrance Of nomination in the i0th district, is completing q campaign efeaniza- lion set-up and is opening head. quarters on East Main street. ... Senator W Esan, seeking senoml- nation In Che same district. iy due back today fFnln d MalmA Vnna.