NORWEGIAN TROOPS RALLY TO COLOURS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 87, 12 April 1940, Page 8

NORWEGIAN TROOPS RALLY TO COLOURS.

STIFF RESISTANCE.

Consolidation After First Confusion.

INVADERS PRESSED BACK

United Press Association. —Copyright.

(Received 2 p.m.) LONDON", April 11. The Norwegians, temporarily nonplussed under the first shock of the invasion, are now flocking to the colours. Increasing resistance is a salient fact emerging from the confused position of Norway.

A correspondent of the Stockholm paper "Aftonbladef says the Norwegians are barricading and guarding all bridges on a long front running south, east and north of Oslo, parallel to the Swedish border. Invaders Pressed Back. Other sources indicate that the Norwegians elsewhere are holding up or pressing back the invaders, notably at Bergen, which the Norwegian troops apparently recaptured, although Swedish reports declare that the Hermans are holding the fortresses at the entrance to the harbour.

On the contrary, the Gorman news agency claims that the (ioniums not only hold Bergen besides other ports originally occupied, but have reinforced troo|ks. at Bergen. Oslo and Stavanger. A Swedish journalist sending a message from occupied territory reports that the Hermans are transporting troops by air from advanced Danish bases, while according to a message from Maratrand, Sweden, more German warships and transports have arrived in the Oslo Fiord.

The correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says the Norwegian commander at Bergen reported a big concentration of invaders at Trondheim. against which the Norwegians, whose coiiiinaiider-iii-i'hief is now General Otto Rugc, are preparing a strong attack. Defenders Advance from North.

The Norwegians are reported to be advancing from the north and attempting to cut off the Germans who are operating between Trondheim and the Swedish frontier.

Meanwhile Norwegians at Stordal held up the Germans advancing from Trondheim. Further difficulties to the invaders are likely to result from the blowing up of the railway between Oslo and (.'harlot tenberg. Germans Trapped at Narvik? The "Brit Un Press" correspondent on the north Swedish frontier says the German* at Narvik are likely" to be trapped.

The Norwegians believe that the British destroyers' attack caused the blocking up of Ofoten Fiord, one of the channels leading to Narvik, where three German troopships, each carrying 4000 men, are reported to have arrived on Tuesday night, despite the British naval onslaught.

The Swedish radio declares that a battle occurred near Xarvik. Also the Norwegians repulsed the Germans between Oslo and Elverum. A communif|ue declared that the Government and Parliament still exist since the withdrawal from Oslo. A Stockholm message eays a battle between British and German forces is reported to be raging furiously in Trondlieim Fiord. British 'planes attacked German warships and aircraft this evening. The Berlin Official News Agency claims thet bombers badly damaged ii British aircraft carrier in the North Sea. Two more British destroyers are claimed to have been eunk. making the total six. The British air attack on Trondheim is reported to have been repulsed.