ALLIED CONTROL WIDENS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 122, 22 April 1940, Page 7

ALLIED CONTROL WIDENS.

INVADERS’ DIFFICULTIES. BRITISH SEA DOMINANCE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 20. A number of reports from Stockholm and the Swedish-Norwegian frontier indicate that co-operation between the British and Norwegian forces is being developed from Narvik, and complete Allied control is considered to be only a matter of time for the area from Narvik down to the region of Trondheim. Other unconfirmed reports suggest that the German troops at Trondheim are experiencing difficulties in obtaining supplies, because of the dominance of the sea route by the British Navy and the difficulties of landing at the aerodrome due to the melting snows and the damage by British bombs. Varnes aerodrome is stated to have been abandoned since an Allied air attack. In the south the Germans appear to be slowly expanding tlie area under their control, and it is considered by some correspondents that following the reported German capture of Flisa, 36 miles south-east of Elverum, the battle for Elverum has now begun. ENEMt HAMPERED. King Haakon and tlie Norwegian Crown l'rinee are stated to be otiii with memliti'S 01 tile Nygaardsvoiu Uabinet, who are moving uoin place 10 place. La the Oslo area it seems that the German troops are seriously hampered hy obstructions to their communications and are suffering from a iood shortage. A German proclamation issued in Oslo admits that great delay has been caused this way in food transportation and a good deal ol labour and expense involved in repairing the damage. “It supplies do not reach the various centres any quicker than at present the German authorities will have to commandeer trucks and cars to effect an improvement in the transportation of foodstuffs,” it is declared. “Also, if necessary, the local authorities must take immediate, energetic steps to have the damage repaired.” BRITAIN HEARTENED. The British public lias been greatly impressed by the news that the British and French troops have been convoyed up to the present to Norway without effective interference by the German Air Force or navy. This achievement is regarded as highly creditable from the point of view of speed, secrecy and security, and it supplies suggestive comment on the German boast to dominate the North Sea. Successive warnings have been made to the p.ublic to realise that all reports of British landings must be received with great reserve. It would be contrary to the public interest to make any official statement at present, which could only have the effect of giving valuable information to the enemy, and enabling him to utilise h.s limited resources in Norway to greater advantage. The public agrees with the military authorities that there is everything to be said for keeping the Germans guessing as long as possible as to the British intention. The public is well content for the present in tlie knowledge that the latest thrust of Naxi aggression has been, and is being, met with effective counteraction by the Allies.