NAZI OBJECTIVES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 April 1940, Page 5

NAZI OBJECTIVES

SEA AND AIR BASES AND IRON SUPPLIES MILITARY PROBLEMS INVOLVED. AN EXPOSED BATTLE FRONT. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. April 9. The latest German aggression is directed in' the opinion of observers in London, to two objectives—the securing of sea and air bases in southern Norway from which to menace British shipping and ports, and an attempt to secure supplies from the Swedish iron mines. On that assumption observers are by no means persuaded that the action taken will accrue to Germany’s advantage. It is pointed out that German action in Norway must be conducted on a long, narrow front, fully exposed to attack from air and sea, in exceptionally difficult country and with long and easily-intercepted lines of communication. Again, while Germany may hope that her invasion of Denmark will temporarily relieve the German food shortage by securing a diversion to Germany of butter, bacon and eggs formerly exported to Britain, Denmark's production of all three commodities depends fundamentally on imported feeding stuff’s. In 1938 these included approximately 300.000 tons of maize, 300,000 tons of oilseed, and 675.000 tons of oilcakes. These will all be intercepted if Germany makes Denmark a vassal State. Britain on the other hand, can obtain adequate supplies from elsewhere of commodities hitherto imported from Denmark. Direct communication between the Scandinavian capitals and London is interrupted and little is known here of the hour to hour developments of Germany’s latest aggression upon weak and defenceless neighbours.