HEROIC DEFENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 191, 13 August 1940, Page 5

HEROIC DEFENCE.

NORWEGIAN FORT. GUNS OF NAPOLEONIC ERA. The first story of the 23-day defence of Hegra fortress, in mid-Norway, by volunteers armed with guns of the Napoleonic era, was told recently, says an Associated Press message to American newspapers. Sub-Lieutenant Hellandsoe Skien, one of the defenders just released from imprisonment, said the resistance was so astounding that the German commander in Trondheim issued an official tribute. The German tribute, Skien reported, said: "The men of Fortress Hegra, having defended themselves bravely for 23 days, now have hoisted the white flag. "German soldiers give credit for the gallant resistance, and consider the tenacious defence as proof of fine military quality. "Capitulation was due to food shortage. Only one day's ration was left. The water pipes were destroyed by artillery fire 19 days before the capitulation. The lighting plant bad been out 18 days. The crew had to melt snow to get water. "The fortress had no communication with any Norwegian units during the entire siege." Lieutenant Skien said the fortress was manned by 190 men. Ammunition, he said, was abundant. The guns were two of 7.5 centimetres, four of 10.5, four of 8.4, and 15 machine•runs, only five of which were workable. There were no anti-aircraft guns. The fortress, he said, was unoccupied when the invasion started. "Xone of us ever had seen it before," he declared. "We were quartered in a tunnel and? we literally slept in water as the tunnel dripped constantly," Lieutenant Skien related. "The Germans first attacked with infantry, which we repulsed. A subsequent patrol was destroyed, except for one German who was taken grkoner.

' "The Germans then began artillery fire and aeroplane bombing. Every foot within the fortress area was covered by bomb bits. Artillery duels often were at only 1000 or 1500 metres (750 to 1100 feet). "We had two doctors but only bandages and morphine, no other medicines. Many of our mei. got pneumonia. During the entire period no one had his clothes off." Hegra fortress surrendered on Hay 4.