HEAVY ENGAGEMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 126, 27 April 1940, Page 9

HEAVY ENGAGEMENTS

ALLIED OPERATIONS IN NORWAY MAIN GERMAN ROUTE BLOCKED (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) , ltcceivcd April 27, 9.52 a.m, RUGBY, April 2G. Authentic information regading the operations in Norway is still scanty. There is apparently little change at Narvik, where the Allied troops in effect have surrounded the area where the Germans landed and are closing in. Operations here are probably delayed owing to the exceptionally severe weather. Authoritative military quarters in London indicate that the Allied troops are still digging in just north of Stenkjaer, in Central Norway.. News reached London to-day that the Osterdal Yalley, in •East Norway, is blocked. This valley constitutes an important route for German communication with Trondheim.

LIMITED WITHDRAWAL. A War Office communique states: “The Allied troops in Southern Norway have been heavily engaged south of Dombas by strong enemy forces supported by medium artillery, armoured lighting vehicles and low-flying aircraft. Limited withdrawals have been necessary. “In,the area north of Stenjaer there has been no engagement, but patrols have been active. There is nothing to report from the Narvik areas. “Among other objectives oil tanks at Villo, on Oslo Fiord, were attacked, and large fires were seen. A large transport was also attacked in this fiord. “North-west of Stavanger attacks were made on four large ships and on the seaplane base at Stavanger, where a number, of fires were caused. One formation of our aircraft encountered and destroyed an enemy flying-boat. Patrolling British aircraft also shot down an enemy bomber over the North Sea and attacked two enemy flyingboats, seriously damaging one -of them.

“Five of our aircraft are missing. Six enemy aircraft have been shot down by our anti-aircraft' guns and fighters in Norway, and eight others have been damaged.-Some of our fighter aircraft engaged in operations in Norway have been damaged by bombing attacks.”

It is not considered there. is any danger at present • concerning the situation at Stenkjaer. The Allies will be able to re-establish the situation and are now holding their positions. Crack French troops . have landed and are ready to reinforce the Britons.

At Trondhim British and French troops have made contact with the Norwegians. The Nazis are pressing hard from the south supported from the air.

FIRM RESISTANCE. NORWEGIAN DEFENDERS. NEW SPHERES OF OPERATIONS. LONDON, April 26. The Norwegian commander (General Huge) has issued the following proclamation to the troops: “We have had to withdraw several times in the past two weeks, but these withdrawals are necessary in pursuance, of my plan of gaining time till help arrives. You iiave fought spiritedly and courageously despite being powerless against Much of the engmy’s warfare, but the time for withdrawing has now passed. Allied troops are now with us and more are arriving, so stand by and keep together still closer and we shall fight the battle to victory.” It is learned in London that* British fi< liter ’planes have arrived in Norway. Tliev are keeping a watch along the Guiibrandsdal Valley.

In the Osterdal Valley there is heavy fighting round Boros (on the railway between Hamar and ironcllieimU to which, a Norwegian communique says, the Germans have advanced. Later reports Horn Sweden sav that the German troops who had entered Roros had boon driven out bv British and Norwegian troops and were retreating southward.

\ Stockholm message says the Germans. after briefly occupying Roros hastily withdrew southward leaving the town in No Man’s Land. SNOW BLOCKS ROAD,3. The Stockholm correspondent of the British United Press quotes reliable information that heavy snowstorms early in the week blocked the roads from Dombas to the Ustordai V alley bv way ot the Dovre Valley and also Rum jerkin through Folia \ alley (between Dombas and Roros) and prevented the Allies from impeding Geilnan columns sweeping up the Osterdal Yalley after wiping out a vo unteti corps of Swedes, Norwegians and I inns northward of Elver urn The Allies ueu thus compelled to make a long detour bv the railway via Storen in ° rdei to contest the German advance ton aid Though the German left wing is not progressing in Gudbrandsdal Yaley rapidly as the centre thrust some ground was gained northward ot Lilleha miner. The. Germans claim the cap turo of Ringebu (north of Lillehamme ) and -also that their air force cut the railway between Andalsncs and Dombas and between Dombas and Jerkin and destroyed five Norwegian planes The special coriespondent of tne Stockholm newspaper All , eh 2sj“ the Allies northward of I rondheim says that British and I-renc" antiaircraft batteries have boon antled at Namsos to protect further Allied landings from German bombers. Gunfire from the Norwegians fortress at Hey e destroyed a military establishment outside Trondheim, the only good air base in this sector. Narvik is still snowLast night’s Norwegian official communique says: “During attempted landings the Germans used lNorweg ian fishing-boats with civilian crews as a protection. One Norwegian lishcrnian has been killed in this warfare, v, i is a violation ol international law.