TREMENDOUS TASK

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

TREMENDOUS TASK

ALLIES’ PROMPT ACTION. DIFFICULTIES NOT MINIMISED. (British Official Wireless.) Received April 27, 10.17 a.m. KUGBi, April 2G. The initial advantage held by the German land forces in the Norwegian campaign is one which inevitably attaches to a Power which, in defiance of international law, treacherously attacks a friendly country. Britain’s immediate task was to send as speedily as possible troops ready to support the Norwegians, who no less were taken unawares. Transport, in particular, presented grave difficulties owing to the fact that undeveloped ports in little-frequented fiords, with improvised facilities for landing stores and equipment, bad to be employed. The first landing had, indeed, to be carried out by the men with what they could personally carry. It is generally conceded by students of military affairs that, with Germany in possession of the most important ports, an immensely difficult task faced those responsible for the Allied transport arrangements. Similarly, in regard to air support for the troops, the Allies must, it is recognised, for the present be at a disadvantage. Germany at occupied five of six aerodromes in Norway and at flic same time took possession of an air base in Denmark. Meanwhile, both Norwegian and Danish aerodromes are being made extremely difficult to use owing to the attack of our Air Force, but the advantage still lies with the enemy.

RISKS MUST BE TAKEN. The risks inherent in a. campaign of this kind are apparent. . Those risks, however, were minimised by the speed shown in taking them. II the Allies had delayed their action the whole of Norway might have fallen into German hands. It was, therclore, with a full recognition of the exceptional difficulties and the possibility of temporary setbacks in the early stages that the campaign was entered upon. It is in the light of these considerations that military circles in London regard reports that certain parts ot the advanced British forces are having a difficult time. Nothing, however, has so far occurred to modify in any, way the determination to press on with tile campaign with the utmost vigour. The facts regarding the position northward of Trondheim were faithfully stated in last night s War Office announcement: “An advanced detachment of a larger force pushed forward towards Trondheim from the direction of Namsos. The Germans, moving reinforcements by water inside Trench lieim Fiord, threatened to cut oft the advanced troops from their main body. They, therefore, withdrew, bun were not‘followed up bv the enemy, who is now reported to be digging in at the head of the fiord. Our troops suffered some loss.” SUPREME FAITH. The Ministry of Shipping has announced by Royal Norweguin Dcc - that all Norwegian slops ol non than five hundred tons gross have been plat ed at the disposal of the N«»' ve f?. Government. To put the decree into effect, a Norwegian shipping an tiadt mission has been established in Lou The magnitude of the Allied task in Norway is not underestimated, eithe in British Press or by the But* public, and neither is the efficiency and power of the Nazi fighting machine in any way minimised. . ' r , The initial advantage gained bv Geimany in the sudden, , vvell-organi-ed, and long-planned invasion is widely up predated, and consequently the handicaps imposed on the Allied relieving forces arc well understood. Ko one doubts the eventual outcome of the campaign and the inevitable difficulties 1 and disappointments wdl only increase the determination of the fighting forces and the people alike to bring about the successful liberation of Norway at the earliest possible moment. While there is a general appreciation of the rapidity with which the Bntis forces were sent to the latest scene ol Nazi aggression, it is realised that thesj troops ware those most readily available, and it was necessary to land them at unprotected ports which did not possess adequate facilities for arge military operations, especially the landin<y of cuns. . £■ The contrast between this state of affairs and those resulting from the German action whereby the Nazis were able to seize the principal ports and centres of communications is lully real bed as is the enormous advantage possessed by Germany as a result of her control of the airports and her present mastoiy understood that at the present very great material advantages will be with Germany on and as they were at the beginning ol the last war. Then, as now, the Allied people remember the words of the great Napoleon—“m the world there are two great powers—the power of the sword and the power of the Spirit In the long run the power ot the Spirit will always prevail. Whatever advantages seem to acci into the sword of Nazi Germany, they will always remain transitory. Lie Spirit of Justice anc l Truth is with the Allies. _