Nazis In Norway

Northern Advocate, 1 August 1940, Page 10

Nazis In Norway

Will Germany attempt an invasion of this country from Southern Norway? That the air bases Germany has acquired in Scandinavia are designed to have an important part in future attacks upon Britain is clear, says the diplomatic correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian.” Neither the Scandinavian airfields nor those of the Low Countries have yet been used in serious measure because the German Air Force is concentrated upon attempting to break through the new Western Front offensive. The German Staff is concerned with one thing at a time.

The future use of the Scandinavian naval bases as departure points for troops to bo used against Britain depends also upon the outcome of the land and air operations in France There could be no serious attempt to land forces in ships against us while the British Navy was at sea, and troopships could only pass if the German Air Force was in a position both to clear and to maintain a naval passage for them.

Nevertheless, the Germans in occupied Norway appear to be making preparations to. use the opportunity that military success in the west might give them. Certainly their forces far exceed the needs of a garrison, and, as would appear from some reports reaching this country, are beyond what is required for maintaining their position against the Norwegian and Allied forces in the north. The German aim would seem to be an attack on the East Scottish coast, if and when circumstances should favour so bold an enterprise.

Norwegians Without Power.

Southern Norway is completely governed by the German invaders. The Norwegians no longer have any power. Quisling and other former tools of the Nazis count for nothing now. The Nazis quickly realised that these tools had no support among the Norwegian people, who are solidly hostile to the invaders and offer a not inconsiderable passive resistance. Quisling still attempts to ingratiate himself with the Germans and seeks the active cooperation they do not want. The Naziimported higher officialdom, supported by the Gestapo, subordinates everything Norwegian; the Press is severely censored; German guards are stationed outside public buildings; in the streets German police patrol. German troops are to some extent exposed to anti-Nazi propaganda. Leaflets, such as one circulated by the German Socialist Party asking them whether their real enemy was the nations the Nazis have set them to fight and to oppress or Hitler and the Nazi leaders themselves, may well receive added force from tne strong it' silent hostility they encounter from their Norwegian victims.