740.0011 European War 1939/455
The Chargé in Luxemburg (Waller) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 20.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that during the past week violation of Luxemburg neutrality by aeroplanes of German, French and English nationality has been steadily increasing. On March 26th some twenty fighting planes cruised over the Grand Duchy, and during an hour I watched a portion of them repeatedly repulsed by French anti-aircraft guns. During other days following the noise of planes flying very high was frequently audible, even when the craft themselves were invisible. Yesterday a combat took place over Bettemburg during which machine gun bullets from both sides literally rained down on the town, fortunately without any more serious damage than the breaking of one window. The day before yesterday planes flying very high over Diekirch provoked anti-aircraft fire from the German lines aimed at such an angle that two or more shells fell in the outskirts of that town, without,—happily,—doing more damage than making two holes or pits some five feet in diameter.
Owing to its small size and geographical location no part of the Grand Duchy is entirely safe from the danger of falling bullets from aerial combats, or from shrapnel aimed from Germany or France at [Page 185] aeroplanes. Yesterday a stray shell exploded in Grevenmacher, fortunately without damage to any person.
Respectfully yours,