Nazi Strategy To Paralyse Norwegian Forces

Northern Advocate, 12 April 1940, Page 5

Nazi Strategy To Paralyse Norwegian Forces

(Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, April 11. The correspondent of the “New York Times” at Narvik, says the German strategy appears to be to control railways and roads in the interior, using small forces co-operating with destroyers at sea, in the hope of paralysing the Norwegians and reducing them to guerilla fighters. Narvik’s capture was incredibly quick, the action lasting half an hour. In another half hour the Germans had established headquarters in the town and began climbing hills to establish fortifications. Civilians Stupefied. The correspondent adds: saw Germans facing hastily assembled “When we arrived on the scene we Norwegian guards in the market place. The Germans had machine-guns. “We stood on one side by a concrete wall and an officer waved away a curious oncoming crowd and demanded that the Norwegians surrender. “They were not ready for action, and, being only armed with rifles, they retreated before the Germans, who occupied the Post Office and railway. “The civilians were stupefied as the Germans advanced in the main street.”