BATTLES IN NORWAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 April 1940, Page 6

BATTLES IN NORWAY

DEFENDERS ADMIT SOME WITHDRAWALS STOUT RESISTANCE AT VITAL POINTS. GERMANS USING TANKS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day. 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 17. Although the Germans are claiming more successes in Norway than can be substantiated, the Norwegians admit withdrawals, principally in Southern Norway, where nevertheless the defenders are holding up the invaders attempts to consolidate their front in vital districts. A Norwegian communique states: “Enemy forces of the Ostfold Army, comprising 3,000 men under General Eriksen, have taken refuge in Sweden, where they were interned. “Our troops from Kohgsvinger took up positions just northward of lhe town. We also withdrew without loss to new positions in the Hadeland area, but we are holding ground on both sides of Lakemjosen.” “ The communique adds that the enemy suffered severe losses at Holmedale, but achieved some gains at Bergenstalen. The Norwegians, continuing fierce resistance, took prisoner 150 Germans and held up enemy attempts to advance northwards from Hon efoss, whore, according to other sources. German tanks are operating, creating a deep impression on the inhabitants. The Germans clearly are endeavouring to establish themselves on the railway between Trondheim and the Swedish frontier in order to prevent Ihe British pushing southwards.

RAILWAYS TO SWEDEN GERMANS CLAIM CONTROL. (Received This Dav. 12.30 p.m.) BERLIN. April 17. The Official News Agency states that all four railways between Norway and Sweden are under German control. GERMAN CLAIMS SUCCESSES EVERYWHERE. ATTACKS ON BRITISH SHIPS AND AIRCRAFT. (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) BERLIN. April 17. A High Command communique claims that German troops have occupied the iron ore railway from Narvik to Sweden.. Forces from Trondheim have reached the Swedish frontier and captured the railway to Meraker. The railway between Oslo and Kornsjoe has been occupied. The communique adds: “Our naval forces protected the transport of supplies to Norwegian ports during the defence of Narvik against superior forces. Two-thirds of the crews from detsroyers which were put out of action joined our land forces. A submarine sank a Tribal class destroyer in the Shetlands. The Air Force attacked naval units and sank a submarine and cruiser 95 miles north from Molde Fiord and also registered two hits with heavy bombs on a large transport. Lockheed. Hurricane and Sunderland planes were shot down. One of our machines has not returned.”

REPORTS & RUMOURS REACHING SWEDISH FRONTIER. THE POSITION AT NARVIK AND ELSEWHERE. (Received This Day, 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, April 17. Heavy German bombing silenced Norwegian batteries at Hegre. The Swedish newspaper ‘’Aftonbladet” reports the German capture of Storlien. German ski patrols, carrying automatic rifles, are operating as scouts ahead of the main body troops, enabling swoops against lightly-garri-soned posts. Reports arriving at the Swedish frontier suggest that the Germans, after four days of terrific effort, broke the Norwegian grip on the heights overlooking Narvik and Rombaks Fiord. It is also reported that the British Expeditionary Force and small units of Norwegians are making valiant efforts to rout strong German forces in a series of battles along the twenty-mile stretch from Narvik to the Swedish frontier. Small parties Of Norwegians and Germans, some of whom are wounded, have crossed the frontier.

TALL TALK BY GOEBBELS WAR IN DECISIVE STAGE. GERMANS NEVER MORE UNITED. (Received This Day, 1.25 p.m.) BERLIN, April 17. Dr. Goebbels, in a speech at the conclusion of the Winter Relief Campaign, said: "The war has entered a decisive stage. Germany’s success in Denmark and Norway puts her in a position to win the war. There is no doubt that plutocratic warmongers would destroy the Germans and split Germany into little parts. Germans have never been more determined or more united. Six hundred million marks were collected in the first wpr time winter relief campaign. A scraj> metal reserve is being built up sufficient for the duration of the war. Germans are ready for any sacrifice for victory.”