BRITISH IN CONTACT WITH NORWEGIANS

Southland Times, Issue 24104, 18 April 1940, Page 7

BRITISH IN CONTACT WITH NORWEGIANS

Germans Fall Back From Narvik NAZI TRANSPORTS HELD UP IN DENMARK (United Press Association —Telegraph Copyright) (Received April 17, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 17. The British forces in northern Norway have now made contact with the Norwegian Army. The German forces that were driven out of Narvik are reported to be retreating along the railway line towards the Swedish border. The correspondent of the United Press of America in a message from the border near Narvik, says that the British have a solid foothold below the town of Narvik after bitter fighting all day. The Germans are reported to be falling back. Their retreat is believed to be hopeless, as warships in the Kombak Fiord can bombard the railway. It is thought in Ottawa that the Canadians in Norway are probably men who volunteered for Finland. It is understood that the Ist Division is still training in England. Reports from American official sources abroad indicate that Germany has only 10,000 troops in Norway, plus whatever she has been able to fly there. It is estimated that these do not exceed 1000 daily. Germany sent six divisions to Denmark, but has only attempted so far to transport two to Norway. Originally she attempted to send 30,000 troops, but the Allies sank transports carrying 8000. Seventeen loaded transports are at present held up in Denmark. Germany has concentrated opposite the Belgian and Dutch borders 40 divisions. In the Siegfried Line and Greater Germany altogether there are 193 divisions, or 2,900,000 men mobilized. It is understood that 187 divisions are in Greater Germany, but the whereabouts of only 108 are known. The Swedish Official News Agency reports that Germany is transporting reinforcements to Trondheim by air in a steady stream from the Copenhagen air field and bases in Jutland.