SPEEDY HELP

Evening Star, Issue 23553, 17 April 1940, Page 7

SPEEDY HELP

BRITISH FORCES IN NORWAY A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT milNlMrS FISLIBN MAST RECALLED (British Official Wirelea.) Preu Association— By Telegraph-Copyright RUGBY, April 16. (Raemved April 17, at 9.42 a.m.) Although reserve is displayed in discussing the matter in detail, pride and satisfaction are expressed in all newspapers at the remarkable achievement of landing treeps within seven days of the . Gorman assault on Norway. ‘The Times' says: “Russia indeed has done Germany a bad turn here, . . for had it not been for her attack on Finland—an attack which Germany condoned and facilitated, .and which prompted the formation of an expeditionary force to help that country six weeks ago—exceptional foresight would have Been required to secure the dispatch now of any force so quickly. In tba second place the speed and scale of the operations to assist Norway should prove a powerful reagent to the poison of fear of Germany which Hitler endeavoured to instil into all his neighbours.’’ Only last week von Ribbentrop told foreign journalists in Berlin that “ German forces will see to it that no Englishman or Frenchman shows hia nose in Norway or Denmark for the rest of the-war.” How empty and foolish to-day looks that blatant boast pitched in characteristic Nazi key. The ‘ Manchester Guardian ’ says: .. “We have established ourselves in whatever ports we have chosen. We can pursue our harrying of the German line# at sea confident that the German troops on Jand will be checked in their advance as surely as they are denied a way of retreat.” CANADIANS INCLUDED LONDON, April 16. (Received April 17, at 8 a.m.) The keenest interest is still concentrated in the Narvik landings. It is understood that a number of Canadian troops are included in the British Expeditionary. Force.’;: FRENCH PARTKIPATIDN LONDON, April 16. (Received April 17, #t 8 a.m.) The Paris Press suggests that the a French -, participated in the landings. There has been no official statement regarding this, but a Paris correspondent says it is thought that when the full story is revealed it will be seen that the French share will prove as glorious as that of the British. The , ‘ Parisien’s ’ headline is “ New Allied . forces disembark at several points.” LONDON REPORT (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 16. (Received April 17, at 11.45 a.m.) It is reported that the Allied forces which landed in Norway included French and Canadians. TRUTH NOT REVEALED NfALATABLE NEWS Fl» BERMANY LONDON, April 16. The Germans are still trying to cover up the fact that British troops have landed in Norway at many points and have driven the invaders out of , Narvik. The recapture of Narvik and the surrounding country is confirmed in a communique, froin the Norwegian Government, which states that this shows that the help being extended by the Allies is assuming great proportions. . IN PRAISE OF NORWEGIANS A DIPLOMAT'S VIEW (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 16. (Received April 17, at 11.30 a.m.) The view that Allied forces can be landed on many of the Norwegian fiords, which cut deep into the country, was expressed by Sir Charles Wingfield, a former British Minister to Norway. The configuration of the country, he said, lent itself to such possibilities, and with the Navy giving access to them he felt sure that Britain would bear shortly about the landings and the movements of troops. He said he was certain that tho Oslo troops had only surrendered through being given treacherous orders not to resist. Speaking of the Norwegians, he sddod: “ One of the essential facts is that they are a very friendly people. Our troops coming to their help will meet with the most friendly'reception, and will not lack capable guides in their operations. They are a hardy -race.”

“A GRADUAL PROCESS " BUILDING UP A FORMIDABLE FORGE LONDON, April 16. (Received April 17, at 10.15 a.m.) The building up of a formidable force properly equipped to undertake the Norwegian campaign is a gradual process, and brilliant results cannot at once be expected. This opinion is expressed in competent military circles, where it is also emphasised that the landing of British troops in less than a week after the German invasion must be regarded as a highly creditable performance. Whereas the German stroke had been planned carefully for months the British military authorities had but a few hours in which to organise a counter-stroke, which necessitated a great variety of considerations as far apart as the type of oil for motor engines and clothing for the personnel. Although landing in a welcoming and friendly country, it should he appreciated that it is impossible for the expeditionary .force “to live on the land,” a factor the importance of which is increased when it is realised that the control, points of railways are nt present in Nazi hands. Consequently it has been necessary to despatch not only the ordinary accompaniments of a modern army, including anti-aircraft defences, and not only provisions, but also the means whereby local transport over tracks and roadless country can be utilised. The British Army is not unused to campaigns of this kind, and, although many years ago, the triumph of organisation which culminated in the Battle of Magdala may be remembered. fThe fortress of Magdala in Abyssinia stood on a plateau protected by precipices. In 1860, having seized the British Consul and other foreigners, the Emperor Theodore carried them off to Magdala and refused to release them. An expedition was, therefore, fitted out under Sir Robert Napier, and on April 13, 1868, the fortress was taken by storm. It was then utterly destroyed. Napier was created Lord Napier of Magdala. The fortress was later rebuilt.] “MONSTERS OF WICKEDNESS“ NR CHAMBERLAINS INDIGNATION LONDON, April 16. (Received April 17, at 12.40 pm.) Mr Chamberlain, during a visit to the National Free Church Council, said that after the latest outrage of those monsters of wickedness in Germany who seemed to have shut the gates of mercy , against mankind, all his thoughts were occupied with how to counter that stroke. EFFECTIVE ORGANISATION TRANSPORT OF ALLIED FORCES FRESH PROBLEMS FOR NAZIS LONDON, April 16. (Received. April 17, at 10 a.m.) • Behind yesterday’s brief British communique referring to the landings lies a story of the organisation and cooperation of the three fighting services. The nucleus of the Expeditionary Force was already available, having been prepared for Finland. Transports were ready at East Coast ports, and thousands of troops were waiting along tho coast. Units which for weeks had been in camps, barracks, and billets moved down to the ports of embarkation at night time. The transports were loaded with additional heavy equipment, including guns, tanks, and ammunition, and finally, an escort of destroyer* and aeroplanes was assembled. Only a handful of high staff officers knew the exact destination, though every soldier and bluejacket knew they were bound for somewhere in Norway. It is too soon to estimate the influence of the Allied landings of forces on the German movements, says a military expert, but at whatever points have been chosen they will have an immediate effect in distracting German attention and, for that reason alone, will relieve the pressure on the Oslo area. It is already known that the Norwegian mobilisation in North Norway has been completed,, and it will therefore be possible shortly for the Norwegian Sixth Division, based at Harstad (north of Narvik) to take over a considerable part of the country’s defences. The Allies will soon have a formidable mobile fighting force whose movements are likely to absorb the entire attention of the invaders. HARSH TERMS ULTIMATUM TO NORWAY GERMAN MINISTER'S DEMANDS STOCKHOLM, April 16. (Received April 17, at 8 a.m.) The Norwegian Government, in a further statement detailing the severe demands of the German Minister when he called at the Foreign Office in Oslo after the beginning of the invasion, said the Minister demanded that there should be no opposition to the occupation. He enumerated measures involving the virtual taking over of the country. M. Koht consulted! the Cabinet, which refused to accept them. King Haakon and Prince Olav and the Government then left Oslo. The German Minister the next day conversed with the King by telephone, and said Berlin was no longer content with the previous terms, and that a new Government had been appointed, headed! by Professor Quisling.