THE RAID IN NORWAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 28, 2 January 1942, Page 4

THE RAID IN NORWAY.

The outstanding feature of the raid upon Vaagso and Maaloy Islands, off the coast of Northern Norway, was the precise co-opera-tion of the Navy, Army, R.A.F., and the Royal Marines. To this "clockwork co-operation" its brilliant success was entirely due. Not at' any stage did anything occur to impede its progress, and though the Germans on Vaagso Island strongly resisted the landing, and caused casualties to the British force, they were all accounted for. Not only were the garrisons on the two islands either wiped out or captured, but their guns, ammunition and supplies were - destroyed, as well as ships, oil tan.ks, a radio station which has been causing annoyance to the 8.8. C., and an industrial plant owned by the island's Quisling. Iti all eight vessels were rendered useless, five of them merchant ships and the others armed units. While the raid was in progress'bomber planes attacked a convoy and an aerodrome with good results. Though the operation cost the British forces a number of bomber and fighter planes, and some casualties on land, it must be regarded as a splendid success achieved at small post. The Nazis have tried to make light of it, but the British account entirely disproves their story, and makes it clear that Berlin is anxious to cloak its full effects, partictilarly from the Norwegians, some of whom in their ldyalty escaped with the British raiders. The Lofofcn attack last year (which has been repeated in the past week with excellent results) proved the possibilities of surprise landings, and this latest one emphasises the destruction that can be wrought in a short space of time when they are carefully planned and execiited according to clockwork precision.