Final Assault Begun On Narvik

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23003, 24 April 1940, Page 9

Final Assault Begun On Narvik

GERMANS RETREATING TO TRONDHEIM (united rsEis Association—copyright.) (Received April 23, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 23. Router’s correspondent on the Swedish-Norwcgian frontier says fierce fighting Is occurring between British and German forces at Stiktestafl. The Stockholm correspondent Of the British United Press quotes an authorised Norwegian military source as stating that the Allies have begun the final assault on Narvik,. The Germans have been surrounded in three groups, namely, 1000 in the town itself, 1500 at Gratangen, which is 25 miles north, and nearly 2000 on Rombak heights. The French and Norwegians are reported to be operating at Gratangen. British troops landed at Reis fjord, between Elvegaard and Narvik * The Allies’ positions In Norway are obscure, but optimism prevails that the initial operations are proceeding according to plan* The Germans are reported to be failing back both north and south of Trondheim, and French forces are mopping up the north of Narvik. British and Norwegian troops appear to be extending their control of strategic lateral roads and railways eastward and south-eastward from Andaines and Vaerdalsoren, It is reported that British troops from Romsdals fjord have occupied the railways to Bovre, including Dombaas. The Norwegians are searching for German stragglers in this region, arrayed In white for purposes of disguise. They have > converted parachutes to overalls. The positions east and north-east from Oslo are confused, with conflicting Claims from each side to Hamar and Elverum, and reports of fighting south of these towns.

The Norwegian Legation in Stockholm confirms the recapture of both Hamar and Elverum by British and Norwegians, supported by tanks. Reports from the Swedish-Nor-wegiah frontier state that British and German troops are fighting at Vaerdalsoren, north-east of Trondheim, at the junction of the road from Trondheim to Greng with the road to the Swedish frontier. The German Official News Agency states that, German troops, advancing rapidly from the south, captured Lillehamrner. It also claims that German aeroplanes bombed and set fire to Namsos and Andalsnes. The British positions at Natnsoß were Bombed for six hours. The German High Command, in a communique, reports. - “Enemy naval units- yesterday again bombarded Narvik, But no4r©ops w=ire landed. German forces in the Trondheim area reached important points. No serious fighting occurred. Contact has been established with the land forces operating in the Oslo, Kristiaag&nd, and Stavanger areas. A British destroyer Was hit by a bomb. Two Allied merchantmen and two submarines were destroyed.. Eight Allied aeroplanes. were brought down in Norway and on the West-

em Front. Three German aeroplanes are missing.** The British War Office has issued a brief communique tO-night about the fighting in Norway. It states: - “In our operations in support of the Norwegians our troops. Who were landed at many places, have achieved considerable success in the face of great difficulties. They have made touch with the Norwegian forces, to whom they are giving every support in their pdwer.” . That is the only official announcement, but a report from a German n§ws agency admits that the Norwegians are resisting bitterly north of Oslo. This probably refers to the TTamdt- sector. where British and French are supporting -the Norwegians. This report Should be taken with reserve, as there is nothing official to confirm it. Aoart from the laconic official communiaue. the news reaching England from Norway comes almost entirely through Sweden, and is based On reports, inevitably sketchy, which are carried across the frontier. These are treated with appropriate reserve by the newspapers which, recognising the necessity for withholding information Which mav be Of Value to the eftemv. commend the brevity of the Allied Communiques.