HAD PREPARED TO MEET ENEMY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 295, 10 September 1941, Page 7

HAD PREPARED TO MEET ENEMY

Expedition’s Journey STRUCK SWIFTLY AND SECRETLY (Received September 9,10.20 p.m.) LONDON, September 9. A Canadian eye-witness of the landing in Spitzbergen said that the Allied formation, commanded by a Saskatchewan officer, struck swiftly and secretly. The Canadians made the first landing from warships and troopships and garrisoned the settlements. Some of them are now back in England, bringing with them large numbers of Norwegian miners and their‘families. Throughout the whole hazardous voyage from Britain there was not a single Nazi raid on the expedition, which' comprised a formidable flotilla of warships with Fleet Air Arm planes. Detachments of British and Norwegian troops supported the Canadians, who manned the island’s guns and defence positions. Before leaving Britain the troops were told that they -were going on army exercises somewhere in Britain, and only a few senior officers knew more than this. First of all they went to a special coastal training area, where the units were instructed in invasion tactics and beach assaults. The flotilla eventually sailed, but it was not till the troops were inside the