Hitler’s Cardinal Error

Northern Advocate, 10 May 1940, Page 5

Hitler’s Cardinal Error

“I sympathise with Admiral Sir Roger Keyes’ desire to plan and lead a violent attack on Trondheim, and repeat the immortal glories of Zeebrugge. but I am sorry this impulse has led him to cast aspersions on his old shipmates,” said Mr Churchill, referring to the Admiral’s speech earlier in the debate. “I have complete confidence in their sagacity, their massive good sense, and their professional knowledge. "I believe the Fleet has confidence in them. “I cannot recede from my statement that this invasion by Hitler is a cardinal, political and strategic error. “I love to hear the German wireless lies about all the British ships sunk so many times over, and to survey the fool’s paradise in which the Nazis keep their deluded serfs and robots. Berlin Claims. “The Germans claim the sinking or damaging of 11 of our battleships, ’ said the First Lord. “Actually two were slightly damaged, but neither was withdrawn from service. “In one day they claimed that three aircraft-carriers were seriously damaged. Actually one was slightly damaged by a near miss. “She is still in, service. “They claim the sinking or damaging of 28 .cruisers. “Actually one cruiser and one aircraft ship were damaged. “We lost 11 trawlers in Government service.

“That explains all these ‘battleships.’ ” Advantages Still With Allies. “It seems to me that in spite of Hitler’s overrunning of Norway, the advantages rest substantially with us,” said Mr Churchill. “Hitler lost ten lives for every one of ours. “Hitler has compelled a large part of Scandinavia to enter the Nazi Empire of ‘Hungryland.’ “He has committed an act of selfblockade. “Our control of seaborne commerce should become even more effective now that the Norwegian corridor no longer exists. • “Denmark, after her fbod resources have been exhausted, will no longer be a channel for trade. “British and French mercantile firms can now rely on the invaluable cooperation of the Norwegian merchant fleet, the fourth largest in the world. Sweden Could Have Helped. British and French shipping losses since the outbreak of war total barely 800,000 tons, and captures and building have already compensated for three-quarters of that. “If Sweden had come to Norway’s rescue—if large numbers of her troops could have entered Trondheim —if her air bases had been at the disposal of the Royal Air Force—a 'Very different position might soon have been established. “The Swedish action is like that of many other people who criticise the British Government.”