INVADERS STEMMED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 119, 18 April 1940, Page 7

INVADERS STEMMED.

IN SOUTHERN DISTRICTS. NAZIS FORCE OSTFOLD. / Received April 18, 12.30 p.m. LONDON, April 17. Although the Germans are claiming more successes in Norway than can he substantiated, the Norwegians admit withdrawals, principally in Southern Norway, where nevertheless the defenders are holding up the invaders’ attempts to consolidate their front in vital districts. A Norwegian communique states: “The enemy forced Ostfold (the district south of Oslo), and the army, comprising 3000 under General Eriksen, have taken refuge in Sweden, where they were interned. Our troops from Kongsvinger took up positions just northward of the town. We also withdrew without loss to new positions in the Hadeland area (north of Oslo), but we are holding ground on both sides of Lakemjosen.” The communique adds: “The enemy suffered severe losses at Holmedal (on the west coast north of Bergen), but achieved some gains at Bergenstalen. The Norwegians, continuing their fierce resistance, took prisoner 150 Germans and held up the German attempts to advance northwards from Honefos.y (north of Oslo) where, according to other sources, German tanks arc operating and creating a deep impression on the inhabitants. The Germans are clearly endeavouring to establish themselves on the railway between Trondheim and the Swedish frontier in order to prevent the British pushing southwards.” . The Berlin News Agency states that all four railways between Norway and (Sweden arc under German control.