Picture of Cra ven Politicians

Northern Advocate, 10 May 1940, Page 5

Picture of Craven Politicians

“It is an. injury 10 our capacity for making war that we should be forced to detail this story,” said Mr Winston Churchill. “We do not learn from the German leaders truthful accounts of all thenmotives, and I hope it will be the last time we shall confer this benefit on them.

“We decided to speak thus plainly because of fhe cataract of unworthy suggestions and actual falsehoods that have been pouring out to the public in the last few days. “A picture has been drawn of craven politicians hampering the admirals and generals. “There is not a word of truth in the suggestion that 1 proposed more violent action to the Prime Minister and the War Cabinet, and that they restrained me. “I thought our expert advisers were right, and I see no reason to alter my view. “The situation rapidly grew worse. Withdrawal or Destruction. “The German thrust north from Oslo developed at an enormous pace, and the Norwegians were unable to hold the mountain passes and could not destroy the roads and railways. “The possibility of tne arrival of large German forces south of Trondheim had to be forgotten. “The intense German bombing of Namsos and Andalsnes prevented the landing of large reinforcements and even of artillery and supplies for the troops that had already been landed. “It was, therefore, necessary to withdraw the troops or leave them to destruction by hverwhelming forces. “The decision to withdraw was undoubtedly sound.

“The withdrawal of 12,000 men—less than a division —was accomplished with the greatest skill and good luck. Naval Attack Prospects. “The question arises whether, if we had persisted in a direct naval attack, it would have been better. “I have always believed the Navy could carry troops into Trondheim Fiord and land them to come to grips with the enemy. “I would have been glad to take all responsibility for the attempt, provided that it was supported by the experts. “Even if the opinion that we could have mastered Trondheim on April 25 is correct, could we have brought a sufficient army south from Trondheim to repel the invader? “I cannot believe there was the slightest chance of ultimate success in a struggle between an army based on Trondheim and the German army based on Oslo. “The Germans could be reinforced more quickly than we, and there were no means by which their air superiority could have been overcome.

Saved From Entanglement. “We would have been committed for a forlorn operation on an ever-in-creasing scale. “I believe the decision to abandon the Trondheim plan saved us from a disastrous entanglement. “We are now fighting hard for Northern Norway, and particularly for Narvik, where the conditions are more equal. “We are in possession of the Narvik Aerodrome.”