TAKING OFFENSIVE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 121, 20 April 1940, Page 7

TAKING OFFENSIVE

ALLIES AND NORWEGIANS PREPARATIONS IN NORTH (United’ Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received April 20, 9.20 a.m. LONDON, April 19. The Stockholm correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain refers to the reported arrival of British officers at Hamar, about TO miles north of Oslo, which the Norwegians are prepared to evacuate for an Anglo-Norwegian offensive farther north, probably at Eleverum, thirty miles to the east. In the meantime the Norwegians have erected barricades 10ft. high across the highway to impede the German advance from Oslo. The Germans are rushing small tanks and troops in buses to Hamar.

NORWEGIAN CONFIDENCE

Another source says the Norwegians are' confident they can hold the invaders, who are only about twelve miles from Hamar, advancing On both sides of the Glommen River.

Reports from Oslo state that, while all is quiet, there are still detachments of armed Norwegians in the woods. The telephone wire to Oslo is frequently cut and there are other acts of sabotage. A Berlin report says the Norwegian Minister and staff have been ordered to leave Germany within 24 hours “owing to the hostile attitude of King Haakon and the lormer Government.” POSITION AT NARVIK. The British United Press correspondent at Lulea (at the head of the Gulf .of Bothnia) says there is no foundation for reports that the British have occupied Narvik. It is understood the British have hot yet begun their attack. • ~ _ A Stockholm message says English and Germans clashed on the 4 rond-lieim-Namos railway. The Germans had arrived by air.