IN DENMARK

Grey River Argus, 1 August 1940, Page 12

IN DENMARK

GERMAN YOKE. Vivid glimpses of the conditions in Denmark after the Gentian invasion of that country are given m a letter received in Christchurch by a Danish woman married to a New Zeaiand&r. Written on May 3 at Copenhagen by his sister, the letter was taken out or Denmark by an American professional man and ni s wife when the American nationals leit Denmark. It bears a New York postmark of May 27, and is believed to be the first received m New Zealand since the German occupation. Correspondence from Denmark with the outside world is strictly prohibited except for 25-word personal messages that may be transmitted on special forms through the international quarters of the Red Cross at Geneva.

Here are extracts translated from Danish in which the letter was written :—

“Copenhagen was occupied on Apm 9 at 5 a.m., but I was not aware of this unt.i aoout b a.m. wh.n a neighbour rushed in as I was making tea in my kitchen. As we looked up in the sky there were immediately overhead a large number of aeroplanes circling over the city. The roar of the motors was terrific.

German troops were posted in almost every street, and squadrons or motorised units rushed through the town and environs.

“Since the occupation there have been no ferries and no trains between Copenhagen and Jutland. Civilian movements and action are very restrainted. A close guard is maintainea on all foodstuffs; no one may kill even a chicken without German permission.

“As from May 1, no petrol has been issued to anybody other than tne German troops. Horse cabs have ready made their appearance, and « is quite interesting to see the return of the coachmen after their absence lor so many years. “It is horrible to read in the newspapers about the fighting in Norway Still more horrible is the sight or huge numbers of corpses that come along th e shore on the west coast. Bodie s of poor young men—young men who have had to fight, yet what they’re fighting for none of them seems to know.

“I try not to think of what has happened, as both the mental and physical strain is hard. “After the German occupation everything has become irightfuliy expensive the increased prices being still further increased by an over-all T 1 per cent, sales tax. With the cessation of our coal supplies from Britain, gu» and lighting can be used only sparingly. to keep within the limits or the rationings. I myself cook a hot joint on Sundays, and then have it cold for the rest of the week. In this way I save gas for other heating. “Despite all these changes from our usual life, I must say there is a most remarkable orderliness among the people; there are no demonstrations. "We have a complete black-out, and every night when people are abroad they must wear white armlets. Bicycles, too, are now painted white.”