AIR BATTLES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 April 1940, Page 6

AIR BATTLES

FOUGHT NEAR OSLO STATION AND AERODROMES BOMBED. FORTRESS GUNS STILL FIRING. (Received This Dav. 12.40 p.m.) LONDON. April 9. The British United Press Oslo correspondent says air battles between Norwegian and German planes occurred over Fornebo Airport, near Oslo, in the afternoon. German bombers dropped bombs, hitting six Norwegian planes on the ground. Two Norwegian and four German planes crashed in the ensuing encounters. A great exodus of Oslo's inhabitants began in the morning, to the sinister accompaniment of distant gunfire as the southern forts defied the Gorman warships. The authorities frequently interrupted the Oslo radio programme and gave instructions to the inhabitants remaining overnight how to meet the threat of aerial, bombardment, but before darkness set in the Germans penetrated the city defences, captured the radio station, occupied the principal, buildings and are now patrolling all. strategic points. All is quiet tonight in the immediate vicinity of Oslo, but the guns of the Oskarsberg fortress, which have been ring all day are reported to’ be still thungcring against the invader.

LANDING AT NARVIK MADE FROM GERMAN WARSHIPS. (Received This Day. 12.40 p.m.) LONDON, April 9. The Norwegian Admiralty issued a statement that the Germans bombed the Oslo East station three times. There were no direct, hits, but several persons are reported to have been injured when the airport near the capital was attacked. A German warship reached Narvik and landed a small detachment, "probably after an engagement with the Norwegian navy."

TRANSPORT BY AIR TWO COMPLETE DIVISIONS TAKEN TO NORWAY ACCORDING TO DUTCH REPORT. (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) LONDON. April 9. An Amsterdam message says the German Army, after long training in transportation by air. used a large number of planes carrying 30 men apiece for Ihe transport of two complete divisions to Norway. The route taken was presumably via Russia, enabling the occupation of towns in northern Norway, including Narvik. The German News Agency announced that German pilot stations had been csatbJishccl on the west coast of Norway. LEAFLETS DROPPED DANES TOLD TO KEEP CALM. (Received This Day. 10.25 a.m.) LONDON. April 9. pifly German warplanes dropped leaflets on Copenhagen., announcing the occupation and exhorting calmness. Warships then entered the roadstead and disembarked troops. The News Agency says a strong Air Force squadron participated in the operations, patrolling the whole of the North Sea. Danish and Norwegian coasts and Heligoland Bight.

ANOTHER CAPTURE CARGO MAINLY OF BAUXITE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. April 8. Another captured ship, the Morea (1927 tons) has arrived in the Thames. Her cargo mainly comprised bauxite, the aluminium ore imported in large quantities by Germany. WESTERN FRONT FRENCH REPORT ARTILLERY ACTIVITY. IN AREA. EAST OF MOSELLE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. noon.) RUGBY. April 9. A French morning communique reports artillery activity to the east, of the Moselle.