POWERFUL ALLIED DRIVE IT HAMAR

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 97, 24 April 1940, Page 7

POWERFUL ALLIED DRIVE IT HAMAR

FIERCE BATTLES. Fighting 200 Yards Apart At Trondheim. NAZIS ADVANCE NORTHWARDS United Press Association. —Copyright. (Received 1..T0 p.m.) LONDON', April 23. Air fighting dominates reports of Allied and enemy activities in Norway, but the Germans apparently are attempting wider land operations. According to Swedish reports, the invaders are marching northward from Ren a, while eastward small Norwegian forces are retiring to the Swedish border. German 'planes are systematically bombing villages before the advance of mobile columns. Kena suffered particularly. The inhabitants fled to the forest. The invaders also raided other villages between Elverum and Trysil. Allied troops are making a powerful drive on the Hamar front and have arrived at Moelr, between Hamar and Lillchamar, which the Allied forces are reported to have occupied. Opposing forces are fiercely engaged on the Trondheim front. The distance between positions at some points is onlv 200 yards. The Norwegian Command confirms that the Allies control the railway l>etween Andalsnes and Lillehama. Mountain artillery has been transported to Lillehama. A Norwegian news agency reports fighting in the valley between Lake Josen and Lacrdalsoeren. British warships at Namsos shot down four German 'planes. Reported Canadian Prisoners. The Germans claim to have taken prisoner a number of Canadians participating in furious fighting northward of Lillehama, but it is authoritatively stated in London that Canadian units are not serving in Norway, although the B.E.F. may include individual Canadians. "The Times ' Stockholm correspondent says a big combined movement of Norwegian and Allied troops has begun on the Narvik front. French Alpine units and British forces are reported to be participating in cleaning-up oi>erations from Harstad down to Gratangen Vallev. aiming to encircle 1">00 Germans who are building fortified lines and are livinoff the land. Another Allied force is moving towards Elvergaard. This town is the. only possible landing ground in the Narvik sector.