AT SPITZBERGEN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 282, 10 September 1941, Page 5

AT SPITZBERGEN

THE LANDING DESCRIBED. EVACUATION OF NORWEGIANS. NO INTERFERENCE BY ENEMY. (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, September 9. The force which landed in Spitsbergen evacuated almost the whole of the Norwegian mining population numbering between 700 and 1000. This was done to prevent reprisals such as the Germans adopted after the raid on the Lofoten Islands. Only a few wandering Eskimos and Laplanders were left behind. The belligerent nations left 'Spitsbergen, alone during the first year of the war, firstly because it is so far north, and, secondly, the fact that the Russians possessed a milling concession on the'largest island made the Germans hesitate. Tims the Norwegian civil administration at Spitsbergen remained practically independent. For the greater part of the year Spitsbergen is blockaded by ice.

The miners who have now arrived in England report that the current export season started a month later than usual. A large stock of coal had accumulated because only a. few small cargoes wont out in June and July. The Germans, while preparing for the campaign against Russia, seized all supplies of fuel in Norway, including Spitsbergen’s coal, which was needed for war transports along the Norwegian coast. When Germany attacked Russia, Spitsbergen entered the zone of operations and changes were made in the original export scheme. Only two ships were s,ent at a time from Northern Norway to Spitsbergen, indicating that the Germans feared Allied action and proving that it was their. intention to use this Norwegian coal for their own purposes only. Not a single Quisling was found at Spitsbergen. One Norwegian miner said there was no lack of food, but tho population was relying more and more on tinned supplies. “We are very good Norwegians,” ho said. “Everyone wanted to get away to fight for Norway.” Swift, Secret Stroke. A Canadian eye-witness of the landing said the Allied formation, oom.manded by a Saskatchewan officer, struck swiftly and secretly. The Canadians made the first landing from /varships and troopships and garrisoned the settlements. Some of them are’ now hack in England, bringing With tTiem Inrge numbers of Norwegian miners and their families. Throughout the whole of the hazardous voyage from Britain there was not a single Nasi raid on the expedition, which comprised a formidable flotilla of warships. Fleet Air Arm planes and detachments of British and Norwegian troops supported tho Canadians who manned the islands’ guns and defence positions. Before leaving England the troops were told that they were going on army exercises somewhere in Britain. Only a few senior officers knew more than this. First of .all they went to a special coastal training area, where tho units were instructed in invasion tactics and beach assaults. The flotilla eventually sailed, but it was not till the troops were inside the ships that they were told where they were going. They cheered lustily.

A day out from Spitsbergen, the officers were handed operational orders. It was not known whether Cormans were on the islands, so plans were prepared for opposed and unopposed landings. The imposing flotilla reached Spitsbergen at -6 n.ni., after destroyers and aircraft had reconnoitred ahead. The troops crowded thcrails as the ships moved down a long fiord.

A lieutenant and some signalmen, armed to the teeth, made the first landing from small boats with Bren guns in the bows to take over a wireless station. The next party ashore took over another wireless station. The Norwegians rushed from their shacks to greet thorn. Negotiations With Russians. After these initial moves the commander and interpreters went ashore for the official landing at a Russian town. A score of stolid Russians, including the town’s officials, surrounded them. There was no .sign of animosity as the troops entered the centre of the community, where they ceremoniously greeted by the Russian commissar. A British officer passed round Russian cigarettes, and negotiations were rapidly carried out under large pictures or Al. Stalin and other Soviet leaders. Within an hour tl/o Russians and the Canadians were fraternising. Destroyers, trawlers, Russian lighters and motor-boats plied between the ships and the dock, bringing ammunition, explosives and supplies ashore. In the meantime, a destroyer took the Norwegian detachment and a Canadian landing party to the Norwegian settlement down the fjord, whore the Norwegian mayor, representing the Norwegian Government in London, road a proclamation informing the people of the landings. The Norwegians seemed glad to leave Spitsbergen. They hold farewell parties, and also on the last night a dance, when British, Canadian, and Norwegian troops danced with Norwegian girls. Next morning, hundreds of evacuees boarded a destroyer, which took them to a troopship which, sailed for Britain. The journey was uneventful.