ORDERED OUT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21648, 8 May 1940, Page 7

ORDERED OUT

RETURN OF BRITISH TROOPS “Race Went Against Us” General Ironside’s High Praise United Press Association—By Electric Tel egraph—Copyrigh t (Received May 7, 7.0 p.m.) LONDON, May 7. Welcoming British and French troops from Central Norway, who landed at a northern port on May 5, Generrl Sir Eu lund Ironside said: "Tell your people how well you fought. You returned with your tails up. Do not think you were driven out of Norway; you were ordered out, and the great thing is that your discipline brought you out.” Continuing, General Ironside said: "You were an advance guard, and we thought we would be able to get you guns and aeroplanes which would have made it possible to fight such a machine as opposed you, but, as you know, very soon the race went against us." The men made no sign as he read the War Secretary’s message congratulating them on their stand south of Dombaas, and praising the withdrawal as an operation worthy of the British Army’s highest traditions, but when General Ironside added: “To that I wish to add my little thanks," soldierly restraint broke down. They clapped, cheered, shouted and whistled, those behind climbing on the backs of those in front as General Ironside passed down their lines.

General Paget, who conducted the withdrawal of troops from southern Norway, revealed that his men were 100 miles from their base when he re-

ceived the order to withdraw. That it was successfully carried out was mainly due to the splendid endurance and fighting qualities of the units engaged. They fought five separate rearguard actions on the way back. The men told vivid stories of the air attacks to whicli they were subjected. A sergeant of the Royal Engineers, who served in the last war, said: "The shelling and machine-gunning was less heavy (than in the last war, but the air bombing was something fearful. At one time 40 aeroplanes were over us and simultaneously they dropped 400 bombs. The Germans did not discriminate between Red Cross ambulances or anything else. They just bombed everything off the road. Spies were everywhere. Every move we made was known to the Germans almost as soon as we made it.”

Another sergeant, with nine years’ regular service, praised the gallantry of the withdrawing troops. “It was wonderful rearguard fighting, especially as the men had nothing for 36 hours.”

Tribute to British Forces

The Norwegian Prime Minister (Professor Koht) gave an interview to the newspapers, reviewing events in Norway during the past few weeks. Norwegian forces in central Norway had been dispersed, he said, but there still remained In the north an army yet unused in this war, which would give a good account of itself. It was the best trained section of the Norwegian forces. Professor Koht had discussed with tile Foreign Secretary (Lord Halifax) and the First Lord of the Admiralty <Mr Winston Churchill) the future of the war. He said that Norway had made no appeal to Sweden for help, and he paid a tribute to the work of the British forces in Norway. "I have seen British marines hi action, and I know how well they do their work,” said Professor Koht. The suggestion that Norwegian troops had been sacrificed to cover the embarkation of the Allied force at Namsos was refuted by Protestor Koht. He said that the Norwegian forces had already been withdrawn. Soviet Aggression Feared

■The reason for this army being held ready in the north is easy to understand," said Professor Koht. “We were afraid of possible Russian aggression. Finland was attacked, but not Norway. We were afraid that they might come to our country, and therefore, we organised a northern army and trained it well.”

Although these forces were well equipped they would need the support of aircraft and a fuller provision of anti-aircraft guns. Professor Koht said he had discussed with the British Ministers cooperation In the future conduct of the war, but he emphasised that the liberty of Norway would only be fully assured by the final victory of the Allies.