FEAR OF INVASION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 54, 1 September 1943, Page 5

FEAR OF INVASION

MARTIAL LAW A RESULT

LONDON, August. 31

Fear by the Germans of an Allied invasion -of Denmark is believed to have been a major factor in determining the application of the severe measures against the Danes, says Reuters Stockholm correspondent. A German statement that the new measures are necessary to protect the European coastline is the first admission of this.

More than 500 Danes, mainly members of the army and navy, with some policemen and civilians, have so far reached Sweden.

Danes are escaping to Sweden in warships and small sailing ships, making a dash through the German blockade under cover of darkness. A small motor-boat with 60 officers, and soldiers reached Hoganas last night. A modern minesweeper reached Trolleborg today, and a ferry boat from Denmark arrived at Helsingborg, but it carried no passengers.

Refugees from Denmark arriving in Stockholm say sporadic fighting between Danish troops and Germans was still going on last night. It is reported that 450 Danish civilians and soldiers were killed in severe street fighting in the Svendborg area. At the Jaegersborg barracks, outside Copenhagen,, the Danish Royal Guards machine-gunned German tanks, destroying three. The casualties on both sides were heavy.

At Naestbed, 37 miles south of Copenhagen, 600 Danish guards ceased fighting only when their ammunition was exhausted. They had previously rejected an ultimatum for surrender.

Reuters Stockholm correspondent said that fighting between Danish and German troops near Copenhagen continued yesterday afternoon. A general strike occurred on Sunday in a number of areas, including Skagen, Aalborg, Viborg, Aarhus, and Svendborg. The Danish radio said that all travel in Denmark is banned except within the immediate radius of a town. ABDICATION REPORTED. Oslo radio says that King Christian of Denmark has abdicated. A Stockholm message says the entire Danish Royal family is interned at Amalienborg under a German military guard. The members of the Government' are either in prison or under house arrest. Danish circles in London learn that a number of political arrests have been made in Denmark, including the chairman of the Conservative Party (Mr. Fibiger} and the Parliamentary leader j of the Conservative Party. j The 72-year-old head of the Jewish j community in Copenhagen, Mr. C. B. Henriques, and 50 other prominent Jews, have been arrested, as also have scores of prominent politicians, professors, 'and journalists.

All Danish regular and reserve officers have been arrested, and all Danish soldiers on leave have been ordered by the German command to report immediately to the local German commanders on penalty of. being courtmartialled. N

The German news agency stated that "complete calm prevails in Denmark. The police are carrying on their duties, and all work has been resumed. The Danish newspapers will be published tomorrow."

Observers expect that the Danes will be forbidden to listen to foreign broadcasts, and it is possible that their radio sets will be confiscated.