GERMANY'S MOTIVE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 147, 15 April 1940, Page 4

GERMANY'S MOTIVE

WHAT underlying, and deeplaid plan was behind the Nazi invasion of Norway, only Hitler and his ill-advised counselors know. What was Germany's motive? The immediate ones that occur in mind are to secure hegemony in Scandinavia, and commandeer Scandinavian resources and to use the Norwegian coast a,s a base for operations against ship;pCng in the North Sea. The fact that Britain laid mines along the Norwegian coast can have had only a small part in inducing the German invasion—this invasion was manifestly the result of long preparation. Are the advantages mentioned sufficient to warant the risk taken by Germany? Was she desperately afraid of the blockade, and had. to take a desperate course of action to endeavour to brea,k it? Time alone will give us the answer to these questions. And time alone will answer many other questions. How much were the Allies prepared for this move? No doubt the Allies have been watching this position very closely, and though Germany's attack seems to have been brilliantly executed it would be safe to assume that the Allies have not been caught wholly napping. Nothing is likely to be possible in regard to Denmark, now completely occupied by Germany. Now we know a naval action is in progress. How quickly the Allies can bring their forces into action in Norway will be a vital factor as Germany will no doubt endeavour to make the quickest possible use of road and railway facilities to over-run the invaded territory. When there were previous fears of invasion the opinion was held that Germany would seize merely the southern portion of Norway, from Bergen southwards, as this would give her submarine bases, but this might not give her full control of Sweden, whose fate is sealed if she does not take 'immediate action. What will be the reaction of the world to this unwarranted invasion . The effect upon America must be tremendous, and it is possible that this action will ultimately draw the United States into the war. Tremendous alarm has been aroused in Belgium and Holland, who are preparing their defences for immediate action, the first Italian press reaction seems to have been not entirely unfavourable to Germany though the invasion apparently caused tremendous surprise; whilst the only report from Russia is that the German Ambassador had a four hour conference with |M. Molotov. Was he placating the latter, or was he arranging for the distribution of Scandinavia between the two countries according to a pre-arranged plan? In one thing it seems almost certain that the Germans miscalculated. They expected Norway to submit as did Denmark, and the retarding actions being fought by the Norwegians may give time for the arrival of Allied help. Thus it may be that for once Germany's ruthless plans have miscarried.