BIG ENCOUNTER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 115, 13 April 1940, Page 7

BIG ENCOUNTER

AIR AND NAVAL FORCES. ' BRITISH CONCENTRATION. Received April 13, 10.30 a.m. STOCKHOLM, April 12. There are unmistakeable signs that a big naval and air battle is now in progress at the mouth of Oslo Fiord. Observers at Stromstad (to the south-east) report heavy explosions, after which a large ship sank in flames. The Swedish newspaper Allehanda reports a big concentration of British forces in Poison Fiord, near Namsos, to the north of Trondheim. Two battleships, four cruisers, and four destroyers entered the fiord.at 5.30 p.m. yesterday. followed by a large forre of air units. Two destroyers entered Namsos harbour. The German-controlled Oslo radio station admitted that some Norwegian civilians had been tried and executed for alleged sabotage. The announcer added that everyone caught- committing salxitago against German troops would be shot without mercy. GERMAN ACCOUNT. The Berlin day communique reports a quiet day at Bergen and Stavanger, except for ojie unsuccessful British air attack against Stavanger. “The German units, operating round Oslo enlarged their occupied area on all sides. Our naval units continued their operations and, as reported, sank two British destroyers at Narvik. Our ’planes scoured the Norwegian coast, along which a great number of antiaircraft batteries have been established. ’Planes operating in the northern part of the North Sea located and attacked enemy warships 140 miles north-west of Trondheim. The ’planes twice hit a heavy cruiser, which was put out of action. No events of importance are happening oil the 'Western Front.”