TROOPS NOW CONCENTRATE TO THE NORTH

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 187, 4 May 1940, Page 11

TROOPS NOW CONCENTRATE TO THE NORTH

Explanation By Mr. Chamberlain ; Balance Still Against Nazis

Press Association and British Official Wireless. LONDON, May 2. The War Office issued the following statement: — “Allied forces which have been carrying out delaying operations south of Trondheim during the past few days have now, after repulsing many enemy attacks, been withdrawn in the face of ever-increasing enemy strength. They were successfully embarked at Andalsnes and other ports in the neighbourhood. This was done m spite of incessant German efforts to destroy these ports and communications by air action. “Operations are continuing in the Narvik area and detachments have been in contact with the Germans.

“There is nothing further to report from Namsos.” [The latest London report states that Allied forces are now concentrating to the north of Trondheim.]

In a statement in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister. Mr. Chamberlain, announced the decision to abandon the idea of taking Trondheim from the south. He said it became evident some days ago that it would be impossible, because of the German local air superiority, to land artillery and tanks, which would be necessary if the Allied troops were to withstand the enemy .drive, and that it was accordingly decided last week to withdraw the troops from south of Trondheim and to transfer them elsewhere. Thanks to the powerful forces the Navy had been, able to' bring to bear, and to the determination and skilful dispositions of General Paget, who was in command of the British land forces in the area, and backed by the splendid courage and tenacity of troops, the whole of the forces had been withdrawn from Andalsnes under the very noses of German aeroplanes without losing a single man in the operation. Mr. Chamberlain said that though it had not been possible to capture Trondheim, he was satisfied that the balance of advantage lay up to the present with the Allied forces, for if they had not achieved their objective neither had the Nazis achieved theirs, while the German losses were far greater. He expressed deep admiration for the manner in which all ranks had performed their tasks in the area south of Trondheim. The casualties had not been heavy in proportion to the scale of operations. The German losses, however, he believed amounted to many thousands. Regarding a warning that while the Norwegian enterprise must not be permitted to become a mere sideshow, the Prime Minister said it must be viewed in the perspective of the wider strategical considerations of the Allies, confronted in the west with a powerful foe ready and able to strike blindly and ruthlessly in any direction. Mr. Chamberlain described his statement on the Norwegian campaign as being of an interim character, and he held out the hope that he would be able to say a good deal more early next week. He anticipated that the House would desire to have a debate afterward. This debate had now been fixed for Tuesday.