CAMPAIGN IN NORWAY

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23001, 22 April 1940, Page 9

CAMPAIGN IN NORWAY

ALLIED CONTROL FROM NARVIK GERMAN PROGRESS IN SOUTH (feaiTlßH OJTICIAL WIRELESS.) (Received April 21, 8.40 p.m.) RUGBY, April 20. A number of reports from Stockholm and the Swedish-Norwegian frontier indicate that co-operation between the British and Norwegian forces is being developed from Narvik—complete control of which is considered only a matter of time—down to the region of Trondheim. Other unconfirmed reports suggest that the German troops at Trondheim are experiencing difficulties in obtaining supplies, because of the dominance of the sea route by the BritiF 1 Navy and the difficulties of landing at the aerodrome because of melting snows and the damage by British bombs. Varnes aerodrome is stated to have been abandoned since the Allied air attack. In the south, the Germans appear to be slowly expanding the area under their control, and it is considered by some correspondents that following the reported German capture of Flisa, 36 miles south-east of Elverum, the battle for Elverum has now begun. King Haakon and the Norwegian Grown Prince are stated still to be with members of the Nygaardsvold Cabinet, who are moving from place to place. In the Oslo area, it seems that the German troops are seriously nampered by obstructions to communications and are suffering from a'cood shortage. A German proclamation issued in Oslo admits that great delay has been caused in this way- in food transportation, and a good deal of labour and expense has been involved in repairing the damage. "If supplies do not reach various centres any quicker than at present, the German authorities will have to con mandeer trucks and cars to effect an improvement in the transportation of foodstuffs," it says. "Also, if necessary, the local authorities must take imand energetic steps to have the damage repaired." "Keeping Germans Guessing" The British publi'- are greatly impressed by the news that British and French troopa have been convoyed up to the present to Norway without effective interference by the

German air force or navy. This achievement is regarded as highly creditable from the point of View of speed, secrecy, security and supplies, and is a suggestive comment'on the German boast to dominate the North Sea. Successive warnings have been made to the public to realise that all reports of British landings must, be received with great reserve. It woui' be contrary to the public nnterest to make any official statement at present, for it could only have the effect of giving valuable information to the enemy, enabling him to utilise his limited resources in Norway to greater advantage. The public agree with the military authorities that there is everything to be said for keeping the Germans guessing as lon.-VBs possible as to the British intention. The public are well content for the present in the knowledge that the latest thrust of Nazi aggression has been and is being met with effective counter-ac-tion by the Allies. ■ - m The Secretary of State for War (Mr Oliver Stanley) in a broadcast, said that during the last few days a new war front had presented itself to the Allies in Norway, which r d been wantonly invaded by German troops as part of a settled plan of aggression against peaceful neutral cduntries, ■ ■ - , ■ _ Already the Navy and Air Force had proved themselves more than equal to the occasion, and now the Army was ready to do its part. "This is going to be a stern and bitter war, We cannot afford to lose it. We have only to consider the tragic fate of Poland and other countries to realise what would become of us if we did. ' •'Even less can we afford to make a draw of it and be compelled to fight another in a few years, Civilisation cannot survive either a German victory or a third world war. EXPLOSIONS OFF ;.•" /.SWEDEN - -(Received >-■ April' 81, 7 p.m.) . STOCKHOLM, April 19. Violent detonations in the direction of the sea, which lasted for Ave hours, shook houses and smashed windows on the west • coast of Sweden this morning.