NORWAY SEVERED

Grey River Argus, 18 April 1940, Page 7

NORWAY SEVERED

BY THE INVADERS From Trondheim to Sweden [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, April 16. According to unconfirmed reports received in Stockholm, the Germans have severed southern Norway from the North by capturing the heights of Skuradalsvolden, opposite Storlien. thus reaching points three miles from the Swedish frontier, directly east from Trondheim. . The Germans are reported to have rushed troops by train from Trondheim through the area still under Norwegian control. Kongsvinger has fallen, after heavy bombing. Swedish sources state that the Norwegians have evacuated the town and fortress. Heavy fighting is continuing in the nearby woods. The Germans have blown up the radio station at Nottoden, whose broadcasts annoyed them. Meanwhile, the Norwegians are stubbornly holding the fortifications at Hegre, and are also maintaining their resistance at various points in southern Norway. The Germans vainly attacked Elverum, the defenders of which are strongly placed on the Glommen River, and heavy snowfalls are impeding the German motorised units. “Suicide” patrols of Norwegian skiers are harrassing German detachments. The invaders are believed to have evacuated Halden because their forces are needed elsewhere. The whole of Lower Ostfold is plastered with proclamations, exhorting the inhabitants to obey the Germans, or suffer dire penalties. BERLIN, April 16. The High Command states: The day was quiet round Trondheim and Bergen. The pacification of southeast Norway is progressing steadily. Our Air Force continued its activities in the North Sea. and as far as Narvik. A British’ plane trying to penetrate the Heligoland Bight was shot down, and another was forced down west of the Skagerrak. One German plane failed to return.

NORWEGIAN REPORT (Received April 18, 1.20 a.m.) LONDON, April 171' The Norwegian Commander-in-Chief;. in a communique, stalled: — “Norwegian forces have retreated eastward after an attack by a strong German force at Eidsvold. J “Norwegian skiers successfully counter-attacked the enemy’s flanks “Three German planes made forced landings. 7 “The Germans bombed Molde. ’ “We wiped out a German patrol, and shot down two German planes The fate of several is uncertain.” German Gains NORWEGIAN OFFICERS BLAMED (Received April 18, 1.20-a.m.) STOCKHOLM, April 17. The Germans are gaining the upper hand, and are taking many prisy oners, at Bjoerfjell, after a fierce tattle, lasting five hours. The Norwegians, with -inferior equipment, were outnumbered, by 4 to 1. They tried repeatedly to:'reach - Sweden, but the German fire mowed them down. yi There are further reports of trbach-. ery on the part - of some Norwegian officers. One junior officer related that he shot his captain, who had ordered his troops to surrender. A, Norwegian artillery unit fired on its own troops, either through a- mistake or through treachery. The German Legation says that the remnants of the Norwegian Army have used up most of its ammunition. A GERMAN OCCUPATION I LONDON,- April 16. German troops retreating from Narvik are reported to have occupied Bjoerfell, a station on the “iron ore”, ’ail way.