The Dominion SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1940. THE FIRST PHASE IN NORWAY

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 187, 4 May 1940, Page 10

The Dominion SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1940. THE FIRST PHASE IN NORWAY

What Mr. Chamberlain in an earlier speech described as ’'the lirst phase of the war in Norway” has ended with the withdrawal of the Allied forces from the area south of Trondheim and their successful embarkation at Andalsnes and other ports in'the vicinity, lhe objectives in this phase, following the naval successes at Narvic, were to render assistance to the Norwegians and facilitate the escape and safety of their King and Government, delay the advance of enemy forces from southern Norway, and if possible attack and hold Trondheim pending the arrival of strong reinforcements. According to Mr. Chamberlain all these were achieved except the capture of Trondheim. . . . Whatever in the opinion of those best qualified to judge may pe the real military significance of the abandonment of the 'lrondheim enterprise, in its psychological effects it is admittedly important fhorn the enemy’s point of view. As was to be expected, the Germans have made the most of the episode for propaganda purposes both in then own country and in the neutral States. As also was to be expected there has been a depressing reaction in Sweden. The British Government was bound to take this aspect of the situation into consideration in making its decision. In the step it has taken, therefore,, it has not only displayed great morpl courage>but also a determination not to be swerved from the tnain lines of the Allies general war stiategy. The most satisfying feature of the campaign is that the German hopes of an easy conquest of Norway have been frustrated by the delays and heavy losses suffered through the intervention of the Allies. Furthermore, the enemy must reckon on these delays and losses as a continuing liability. In studying this latest development, therefore, the heavy credit balance on the Allies’ side from the operations in Norway should not be overlooked. As will be noted, from the striking figures supplied to the House by Mr. Chamberlain, these opeiations have been carried out with casualties relatively light compared with those suffered by the enemy during the three weeks’ period of campaigning. The abandonment of a single local enterprise is to be measured by its relative significance in the whole perspective of the war. We are on the threshold of a very critical period of the conflict. The future is obscured by the fog of uncertainty concerning the next move of a powerful and treacherous enemy. It is imperative, therefore, that the resources and energies of the Allies should be conserved for major contingencies, not dissipated by local enterprises which may prove to be traps, pinning down forces and valuable material that could serve more effective purposes elsewhere. But the evacuation of the Andalsnes area does not by any means imply a retreat from Norway. There is not the slightest suggestion in Mr. Chamberlain’s speech that anything of the kind is contemplated. As one correspondent, broadcasting, says: “We shall begin again, on a considered plan, and, what is more, we shall begin on our own timetable.”