SCUTTLED SHIPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24676, 31 August 1943, Page 3

SCUTTLED SHIPS

20 SUNK IN - DOCKS OTHERS REACH SWEDEN VESSELS WITH IiEFXIGEES Peed. 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 30 An authentic report states that E0 Danish warships were scuttled in the Copenhagen naval docks. They included the defence ship Peder Skrarn, of 3500 tons, with a main armament of two 9.4 and four 5.9 guns, also nine submarines, two new coastal destroyers and two torpedoboats. German bombers are reported to have sunk the Danish defence ship Niels luel, 3800 tons, when it tried to escape from Tse Fiord. The crew reached the shore and were confined to a castle. All Danish warships on patrol duty esi ;pea to Sweden. Renter's correspondent in Stockholm savr, six Danish warships, including gunboats and torpedo-boats, have arrived at Malmo and Landskrona, in Sweden Another message says seven warship* arc reported to have reached Landskrona carrying a large number of civilians, including • members of the Danish Government, The Swedish radio says Danish warships and crews arriving in Sweden have been "taken in hand" by the Swedish military authorities. Several sailing vessels carrying refugees have arrived in Sweden.

Some or the civilians arriving at Swedish ports say that the first day of martial law in Denmark was marked by big explosions, blazing dumps and fighting in the streets. The correspondent of the Associated Pi •ess in Stockholm says the Danish Isavy is estimated to comprise two coast defence ships, 13 torpedo-boats, 12 submarines, 21 minesweepers, six minelayers and the Royal yacht. According to the Swedish radio a German cruiser and six smaller warships have anchored off Copenhagen. About the time they anchored Swedish snti-aircraft guns in the Malmo area opposite Copenhagen opened fire on a German aircraft which approached the Swedish coast. Later another German aircraft flew over territorial waters off Helsingor, where tho Sound is only a lew miles wide. SWEDISH SYMPATHY STOCKHOLM DEMONSTRATION (Reed. 9.50 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 30 A demonstration of Swedish sympathy for Denmark occurred at an athletic meeting between Danish and Swedish athletes in the Stockholm stadium. The president of the Swedish Sports Union, in a speech to a large crowd, assured the Danes of Swedish sympathy. He expressed the conviction that they would soon be free. The crowd cheered when the Danish Flag was hoisted and sang tho Danish national anthem. Renter's Stockholm correspondent says all Danish newspapermen are reported to have decided to resign. Danish newspapermen in Stockholm already have organised tho distribution of Danish news. DESPERATE OUTBURST "CANNOT LAST LONG" LONDON. Auk. 29 Tho Times says the fighting in Denmark is a desperate outburst. Even if it is organised it cannot last long, but it is not a hopeless fight, for tho Danes have always been convinced of Germany's ultimate defeat, and have been chafing under the stigma of tho great betrayal of 1940 in which they were tricked into apparent acquiescence of German occupation. There is speculation in London ■whether members of the Danish Government have escaped to establish a .Government in exile.