BATTLE AT NARVIK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 April 1940, Page 5

BATTLE AT NARVIK

Referring to the engagement at Narvik. Mr Churchill said a submarine had sighted six German destroyers and the Admiralty decided to allow the commander of the destroyer flotilla to ' judge as to whether he should attack or not. but intimated that whatever happened, the Admiralty would stand by him. The commander went up the fiord and by the destruction of the supply ships, the action had simplified the task which might be ahead of them. Mr Churchill denied reports that the British had occupied Bergen and Trondheim. ATTACK ON ENEMY CRUISERS R.A.F. machines, said Mr Churchill, made a determined attack on a German cruiser at Bergen and one hit was scored. No trace of the cruiser could be found later. The Fleet Air Arm renewed the attack and three bombs hit a cruiser at Bergen. Sixteen machines took part and fifteen returned. A reconnaissance plane later flew over and could find no trace of the cruiser, but there was a sheet of oil a mile long on the water. A formation of eighteen torpedo-car-rying planes sought a German cruiser believed to have been at Trondheim. She had vanished but they hit a destroyer with a torpedo. Mr Churchill said a British force had occupied the Faroe Islands, between the Orkneys and Iceland, a position of great strategic importance. Britain would guard these islands until the time came to hand them, back to Denmark. STRATEGIC OUTLOOK Referring to the general strategic position, Mr Churchill said Hitler had made a great blunder. German communications along the Norwegian corridor had gone for ever, and by his move Hitler had doubled the efficiency of the Allied blockade. German warships along the Norwegian coast would have to fight a vastly superior force and already Germany had had her cruiser strength heavily cut down. Preparations for the invasion of Norway and Denmark had been made many months before and the movement of troops in ships had begun before the Allied minefield was laid. It had been known for several months past that ships were being fitted as transports. Germany’s action, he said, was a warning to other neutrals which might be threatened that it was not of the slightest use blaming the Allies for not being able to give more protection to them, when they held the Allies at arm’s length until they were attacked on a scientifically-pre-pared plan. Germany’s action, he said, suggested that it might be only the preliminary to far larger events on land.

NAZI LOSSES AT SCAPA FLOW The number of German planes shot clown since Sunday is 21. One Dornier bomber was brought down in 35 seconds. Eight were brought down on Wednesday night at Scapa Flow. About 60 German bombers took part, without doing the slightest damage. The naval base at Scapa Flow has been immensely strengthened during the winter months. French Army leave has been cancelled. ANXIETY IN BERLIN GRAVE-FACED AND SILENT CROWDS. LONDON, April 11. An Amsterdam message says neutrals in Berlin state that the population is becoming uneasy. The crowd which is constantly outside the Chancellery is now grave-faced and silent. Official circles no longer show signs of triumphant gloating as when Denmark was occupied. A semi-official commentary said recent events mark only the successful beginning of an audacious enterprise.