German Grip on Denmark Now Complete

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 208, 2 September 1943, Page 5

German Grip on Denmark Now Complete

DARING ESCAPE OF DANISH WARSHIPS Received Thursday, 12.20 a.m. LONDON, Sept. 1. Serious disturbances Drone out in Copenhagen last night, says the Stockholm Svenska Dagbladet. The Germans brought artillery into position m tne streets and the Gestapo and S.S. troops occupied all the Copenhagen police stations following the unanimous refusal of the Danish police to take the oath of allegiance to the German commander, General von Hanneken. The latest Danish arrests include all the trade union leaders and many university professors, pastors and industrialists. The Germans are patrolling the streets of Copenhagen in armoured cars firing on groups exceeding five. Reports from Stockholm state officially that a number of Danish warships arrived at the Karlskrona naval base from the ports to which they escaped. The transfer was carried out under the Swedish Naval Command with Danish crews manning the ships. Germany’s grip on Denmark is now complete. Refugees are still arriving in Sweden in small motorboats, fishing smacks and even canoes. How many have been lost in the bid for freedom will never he known. The Germans rammed or bombed many ships. Eleven Danish warships made a daring “second escape” from the Germans through the narrow channel between Helsingborg and Malmo towards the Baltic Sea under the noses of the patrolling German warships, plane 3 au-i shore batteries. The Danish ships reach ed an unrevealed Swedish port undetected.

Th 3 German New 3 Agency says the big Danish coast defence ship, Niels luel, previously reported sunk by Ger man bomb 3, has returned to its base after being ordered to do so by a Ger man bomber, also by order of the Dan ~h Admiral T/edel. At least or; 3 newapapa. wc.3 r u')’ ! 3’ri verttrday afier the inter ruption as a result of the. journalists' resignations. The Berlin radio quoted it as saying that the King’s health is

“believed to be satisfactory.” Swedish newspapers quoting refugees say arrests of Danish influential persons continue. They include Pastor Kaj Munk, who has been an outspoken Nazi critic.

The Afton Tidningen states that the German Minister, Werner Best, has resigned and is leaving Copenhagen mmediately. The German News Agency put out a statement affirming that Germany, after marching into the northern areas in April, 1940, has been very lenient with Denmark. The Danish Government, though warned, proved incapable of ending the activities of enemy agents. The German commanders by determined action smashed within a few hours the activities of British agents, who with their associates and victims, have’ been rendered harmless. All other measures taken are purely of a preventive nature.

The Germans are doing their utmost to seal off Denmark from the rest of the world. They are increasing thenair and sea blockade between Sweden and Denmark, and have suspended the airlines between Denmark and Switzerland.

Danish refugees are still trickling through the German cordon in small boats, but it is difficult to get news from them because they are placed under a strict guard on arrival at Stockholm. Some of those interned are unwilling to talk for fear of German reprisals on their families, which is enhanced by their suspicion that German spies are numerous in Sweden. Nevertheless, it is learned that clashes between the Danes and Germans continue, especially in Copenhagen. The death-roll is stated to be mounting as the Cermr.m try to enforce martial lav; to check the wave of sabotage and rnrest. The picture, pieced from frag ments from refugees, is one of brief and bloody resistance in several centres which were quickly crushed, after

which general strikes broke out in at least mne cities. The fate of King Christian, the JSoyai family, and Government officials is the subject of conflicting reports. The jjerlin radio confirms that the Danisn Cabinet resigned on Sunday and the German News Agency announced that the Danish army and navy had been disarmed. The Swedish Government announced that Danish military officials and civilians will be treated as political refugees and interned for a short period until housing and employment are arranged. Sweden take's the view that the Danes are npt from a belligerent country.

The Daily Express’s Stockholm correspondent reports that the German:: have moved a panzer division from Norway to subdue the people of Denmark. Cadets at the v aegersberg mill tary school near Copenhagen are reported to have put out of action three German tanks and 11 armoured cars in a fight lasting 36 hours before they capitulated.