GERMANS FLEE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 117, 16 April 1940, Page 7

GERMANS FLEE

NARVIK ABANDONED. NORWEGIANS’ BATTLE LINE. LONDON, April 15. A message from Stockholm states that the Germans have abandoned Narvik and are escaping to the mountains, ivhcro they are being pursued by Norwegian troops. This message confirms the recent Admiralty suggestion that the men who were seen escaping to the hills from Narvik were Germans. Heavy snowfalls have given the Norwegians a brief respite and enabled them to complete their mobilisation. They have established an approximate battle line in south-eastern Norway close to the Swedish frontier, running from the vicinity of Haldcn and Sarpsborg northward to Kongsvingcr and westward to Eidsvold. A tiny army is established on the east hank of the Glommcn River. Germany has already claimed the capture of all the abovementioned points. Guerrilla fighting has broken out in the mountains round Oslo, where the Norwegians are using ski patrols. A later report snvs that the Germans have reached the Swedish frontier, advancing from Haldcn. and taken over a frontier post at Korns,joe. Three thousand Norwegian troops who crossed into Sweden at Kornsioe have been disarmed and interned. Fighting continues at Eakkcstad. Swedish and Finnish volunteers have arrived at the front. HOSTILITIES IN SOUTH. It is reported from Stockholm that five large German transports arrived at Oslo Fiord on Saturday, enabling the Germans to launch heavier attacks on the Norwegian lines. A communique issued by the Norwegian General Staff admits a slight German success in the vicinity of Sarpsborg. It says that the Germans captured Larvik, Kongsberg and the village of Ycje, 50 miles from Kristiansand, and it adds that the situation at Trondheim is unchanged. The Germans are flying reinforcements to Trondheim from Oslo. The Norwegian naval headquarters say that naval forces shot down three German ’planes, and the crews were taken prisoner. Another ’plane made a forced landing in Southern Norway and three more made forced landings in Sweden. A German communique states that the troops have consolidated their positions at Trondheim, Bergen, Stavanger and Christiansand. They are continually advancing from Oslo northward, eastward and westward. The communique says that 100 Norwegian officers and 1500 men have laid down their arms during the fighting in South-Eastern Norway.