About September 9. the city was shelled by field guns as well. Two officers and 2 clerks who returned to the Consulate General for some necessary records had just left 1 room of the office when a shell entered the room and explodeda difference of 2 minutes barely saving their lives. Officers who went out in cars endeavoring to find food for the refugees of Amercian. British. and French nationality who had come to them for help. had to pass through streets raked by artillery fire. Nightly the sky was red from fires in many quarters. the number of civilians killed reached into the thousands and some of the bodies were hastily buried in lawns and nearby parks. others lying in the streets as the clerks went out on necessary errands. For 12 days the staff found themselves living in the midst of a battlefield. responsible for the welfare of a large number of civilian refugees. and yet not in a position to fight back. As the Germans advanced across Europe over the bodies of helpless countries which had no chance of resistance. the same story comes back. of bomb attacks. damage and destruction of American property. and the narrow escape of our officers who were still on duty. staying to destroy codes and confidential documents to prevent their falling into German hands. In Norway. the Germans made many attempts to kill the Norwegian royal family. who were compelled to move frequently.
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refugees