BRITISH ADVANCE ALONG RAILWAY LINE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 93, 19 April 1940, Page 7

BRITISH ADVANCE ALONG RAILWAY LINE.

FROM NARVIK.

Meet Desperate German

Resistance.

HEROIC NORWEGIANS,

United 'Press Aesociation.—Copy right. (Keceived 1 p.m.) LONDON, April 18. The British United Press special correspondent says that superior German forces captured Rombaks heights overlooking fiombaks Fiord, after a week of resistance by heroic Norwegians amid blood-stained mountain snows.

The Stockholm radio thie morning announced that the British were advancing across the railway from Narvik to Sweden, along which the Geirnians were fighting desperately.

A German High Command communique says that British forces yesterday attempted to land at Herjang Fiord, near Elvegaaxd, but were re.puleed. It adds that the British air attack on Trondleim was unsuccessful.

British n«r«l forces shelled Stavanger from long range and damaged four aeroplanes, the communique says, adding: "Our Air Force attacked Britieh naval units and sank a cruiser already announced, also registered direct hits on a deetroyer, a light cruiser and a heavy cruiser. One lieted heavily.

"Our advance continues in the Oslo district. Troops are advancing north from Kongsvinger. The Air Force attacked two Norwegian torpedo boate. One was forced ashore and was abandoned."

Further German Claims. A German official news agency claims occupation of the entire territory southeastward of Oslo, extending to the Swedish frontier. The Germane also claim occupation of the fortresses of Oscareburg ami Drobak, dominating Oslo i'iord. The German High Command asserts tluit transport supplies in Norwegian h.irhoiir.s have continued despite bad weather. The IJ.A.F. is reported to have ihv-tmved seven German 'pinlies and hit ii petrol store at Trondheini on Tiresday. A .< uTinan news agency cluims that the British lost nearly 30 'plane* in the last few ilay«s, not including losses raueed when" an aircraft-carrier was damaged oil Thursday of last week. They a<lmit the loss of tea German ih.iits in the same period.