PROUD ACHIEVEMENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 118, 17 April 1940, Page 7

PROUD ACHIEVEMENT

BRITAIN TURNS TABLES. IMBBENTROP’S EMPTY BOAST. (British Official Wireless.) Received April 17, 9.42 a.m. RUGBY, April 16. Although reserve is displayed in discussing the matter in detail, pride and satisfaction arc expressed in al| the newspapers at the remarkable achievement of landing troops within seven days of the German assault on Norway. The Times says: “Russia has indeed done Germany a bad turn here, for had it not been for her attack on Finland — an attack which Germany condoned and facilitated, and which prompted the formation of the expeditionary force to help that country six weeks ago—exceptional foresight would have been required to secure the dispatch now of any force so quickly. In the second place, the speed and scale of the operations to assist Norway should prove a powerful reagent to the poison of fear of Germany which Hitler has endeavoured to instil into all liis neighbours. “Only last week von Jtibbentrop told foreign journalists in Berlin that ‘the German forces will see to it that no Englishman or Frenchman shows his nose in Norway or Denmark for the rest of the war.’ How empty and foolish to-day looks that blatant boast, pitched in the characteristic Nazi key.” The Manchester Guardian says: “Wo have established ourselves in whatever ports we have chosen. We can pursue our harrying of the German lines at sea, confident that the German troops on land will be checked in their advance as surely as they are denied a way of retreat.” NAVAL BLOW. In estimating the significance of Germany’s naval losses, newspaper commentators lay emphasis on the fact that the ratio of loss is even more important than the numerical total. The Manchester Guardian does not hesitate to say that the Germany Navy is no longer a fleet in being. The Guardian also expresses surprise that major units of tire German navy like the Gniesenau and the Admiral Scheer should have been despatched on their mission without a screen of destroyers. Students of naval warfare declare that seldom in history has so glaring a case of useless wastage of material been seen.

Referring to Germany’s grave tactical mistake in not providing an adequate escort for her transports, tho Guardian says tho German High Command had taken the suicidal course of sending valuable transports without protection across sixty miles of disputed water.