Wairarapa Times-Age TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1940. PRELIMINARIES IN NORWAY.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 April 1940, Page 4

Wairarapa Times-Age TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1940. PRELIMINARIES IN NORWAY.

TT is made clear in the later news of the Norwegian campaign that the Allies are not yet in a position to push on Io a speedy and decisive engagement with the main body ol tne invading German forces. The least satisfactory feature disclosed is that, the Germans are still conveying'some reinforcements to Norway by sea, as well as by air. According Io the military correspondent of the London “Times, indeed, they are able to send reinforcements with less difficulty than the Allies. That this should be- so seems rather strange, in view of the overwhelming defeat of the German navy in the early stages of the campaign and the destruction ol a large number of German transports and supply ships. Apparently, however, some enemy transports are still contriving, in spite of Allied naval patrols, to cross the Skagerrak to Oslo Fiord.

The strength of the enemy forces in Norway is still a matter of conjecture, but. they are at all events fairly numerous and include more or less powerful mechanised units as well as air squadrons which for the time being are more advantageously placed in some respects than those of the Allies, Holding, as they do, all the principal seaports and airfields ol southern Norway, as well as considerable stretches ol railway and other communications, the Germans are well placed lor the time being to use their available forces with maximum effect. The Allies, on the other hand, are hampered as yet by their limited foothold and particularly by the lack ol landing grounds from which their aircraft, would be able to attack the enemy at short range. No doubt these disabilities will be overcome steadily, but they are in themselves f ormidable.

Taking account of the difficulties by which they were and still arc confronted, the Allies appear to have made good use of their time and opportunities to date. It was stated recently that the German strategic plan in Norway was to establish a short line extending from the head of Trondheim Fiord to Storlein, on the Swedish border. Enemy forces are at present endeavouring to drive northward through the Gudbransdal and Osterdal valleys which run from the Oslo region to the vicinity of Trondheim. The objective of these attacks is a junction with the Trondheim garrison and the establishment of the line mentioned. The Allies, however, are opposing the enemy advance in both valleys and are building up their strength in the area around Trondheim Fiord, on the south, where they hold important ’ railway junctions. Allied forces based on Namsos are placed to strike at Trondheim from the north, but have not yet achieved any very important advance. It is evidently of great importance that the Germans should be prevented from establishing themselves on the short line extending from Trondheim' to the Swedish border.

The military correspondent of “The Times" has stated that prospects of the immediate capture of Trondheim have disappeared. While lhe rate of Allied progress remains to he determined, however, ii is fairly clear that possession of Trondheim will be at stake in the first major conflict of the war in Norway. To the Germans, Trondheim -would be Ihe seaward anchor of a short and strong defensive line. In Ilie hands of the Allies, Trondheim would be a convenient and commodious port of entry and gateway for an advance south through the great inland valleys to Oslo.

In. the south, meantime, German forces based on Bergen and Oslo are endeavouring to effect a junction and are being opposed in that attempt- by the Norwegians. The ability of the Norwegians to hold up the invaders no doubt must depend largely on the speed with which the Allies’ operations are developed further north.

Apparently the Allies are in no great haste to deal with the isolated German garrison, which is still holding out at; Narvik. This force is described as being pocketed beneath a cliff, on the outskirts of the tqwn, with its only way of < escape leading up a mountain face, along twelve miles of mountain paths.

Assnining that the Allies draw freely on their resources to that mid, there should lie no doubt that the war in Norway will in due time be brought to a thoroughly satisfactory conclusion. Whatever their strength may be, lhe Germans meantime are possessed of convenient bases and lines of eonimunietition. On the other hand, it is yji'csiiinably open to lhe Allies to isolate the invaders completely by sea, and to a considerable extent by air as well. Allied bombing planes have been rendering magnificent service since the opening of the campaign and now that fighter planes are also being brought into action il may be supposed that one of Hie greatest initial handicaps under Which the Allies laboured is in a fair way to be overcome.