British Fighter Planes In Norway; Frozen Lake As Drome

Northern Advocate, 27 April 1940, Page 9

British Fighter Planes In Norway; Frozen Lake As Drome

(Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, April 26. A NORWEGIAN COMMUNIQUE ANNOUNCES THAT BRITISH FIGHTER PLANES HAVE ARRIVED, AND ARE NOW taping WATCH OVER GUDBRANDSAL VALLEY. A War Office communique says that strong enemy forces, supported by medium artilierv, armoured fighting vehicles, and lowflying aircraft, heavily engaged Allied troops in Southern Norway. Limited 'withdrawals were necessary. There was no engagement, but patrols were active in the area, north of Steinlcjacr. There is nothing to report from the Narvik area. An Air Ministry communique reports that the vigorous offensive by large numbers of R.A.F. planes against enemy air bases in Norway and Denmark was continued throughout yesterday and last night.

Attacks on Stavanger Attacks were also made on four large ships north-west of Stavanger, also the seaplane base at Stavanger, where a number of fires were caused. One formation of R.A.F. aeroplanes encountered and destroyed an enemy flying boat. Patrolling British planes shot down an enemy bomber over the North Sea and attacked two enemy flying boats, seriously damaging one. Five of our aircraft are missing. Anti-aircraft guns and fighter planes shot down six enemy aircraft in Norway and damaged eight others. Some of our fighters engaged in operations in Norway, were damaged by bombing attacks. British fighters in Norway landed on a frozen lake, which was successfully converted into a temporary air base, despite enemy bombing attacks. French Reinforce British It is not considered that there is any danger at present concerning the situation at Steinkjaer. The Allies will be able to re-estab-lish the situation. They are now holding their position. Crack French troops have been landed, and are ready to reinforce the British forces. The situation at Trondheim is that the British and French troops have made contact with the Norwegians. The Germania are pressing hard from the south, supported from the air. Anti-Aircraft Batteries Landed. British and French anti-aircraft batteries have been landed at Namsos, north of Trondheim, and are protecting further landings of Allied troops from the German bombers, says the special correspondent of the Swedish newspaper “Allehanda,” who is with the Allied forces northward from Trondheim. Gunfire from the Norwegian-occu-pied fortress of Hegre has destroyed a German military establishment outside Trondheim, and the only good air base in this sector. Allied troops advancing along the Gud brands Valley have been subjected to heavy bombing by the Germans. The latest Norwegian communique, however, announces that British fighter aircraft have now arrived in Norway and are keeping watch on the valley. Heavy Snowstorms. The Stockholm correspondent of the British United Press quotes reliable informants as stating that heavy snowstorms early in the week blocked the roads from Dondas to the Oster Valley, via the Dovre Valley, and also from Jerkin through the Folia Valley, and prevented the Allies from impeding the German columns, which were sweeping up the Oster Valley, after wiping out the volunteer corps of Swedes, Norwegians and Finns northward of Elverum. The Allies were thus compelled to make a long detour by railway, via Staren, in order to contest the German advance toward Trondheim. Narvik Snowbound. Although the German left wing has not progressed in the Gudbrands ValJey as rapidly as the centre thrust, some ground has been gained northward of Lillehammer. The Germans claim to have captured Ringehu, and also that their air force has cut the railway between Andalsnes and Dondas, and between Dondas and Jerkin. German machines destroyed five Norwegian aeroplanes. ‘ Narvik is still snowbound.

Last night’s Norwegian official communique says that during attempted landings the Germans used Norwegian fishing boats, with civilian crews as a protection. The communique adds:— “One Norwegian fisherman has been killed in this warfare, which is a violation of international law.” Norwegians Gain Time The Commander of the Norwegian forces (General Rige) has issued the following proclamation to his troops:— “We have had to withdraw several times in the past two weeks, but these withdrawals were necessary in pursuing my plan of gaining time until help arrives. “You have fought spiritedly and courageously, in spite of being powerless against much of the enemy’s warfare, but the time for withdrawing is now past. “Allied troops are now with us and more are arriving, so, stand by, keep together still closer, and we shall fight the battle to victory.”