IN GOOD ORDER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 May 1940, Page 6

IN GOOD ORDER

THE BRITISH WITHDRAWAL FROM NORWAY

FINE CONDUCT OF TROOPS.

BATTLES BY DAY & TRAVEL AT NIGHT.

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received This Day. 11.35 a.m.) RUGBY, May 9. A graphic description of a succession of three actions in the Norwegian campaign, enabling three British battalions, fighting by day, to withdraw during the short hours of darkness, 103 miles over a single-track railway down the Gudbrands and Roms valleys to the sea, was given today in London by an officer of General Paget’s staff.

Holding a position at Kvam for 48 hours, in face of incessant air attacks to which they were unable to reply except by machine-gun, a battalion of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry successfully held up the German advance until it was ordered to withdraw.

A German column, led by tanks and armoured cars, made contact with the British troops early in the morning of April 26, firing somewhat indiscriminately into houses on the roadside as they advanced. Throughout the clay Nazi ski troops vainly endeavoured to work round the snow-covered hills to pierce the flanks of the British battalion. When darkness fell, the Yorkshires withdrew, with precision down the railway line to the little village of Otta, where a battalion of Green Howards —together with one of the Yorkshire and Lancashire Regiment—had prepared a defensive position. Here on April 28, severe fighting took place, the troops often being engaged hand to hand. Such was the effect of the Brtiish resistance that a staff officer said that it was noticed that the Nazi troops that day seemed unwilling to press home their attacks, and when the action was broken off that night the British troops withdrew unmolested to trains concealed in a tunnel about three miles behind the front line. NORWEGIAN ASSISTANCE.

The staff officer paid a great tribute to the efficiency and devotion to duty of the Norwegian railway and telephone services, which at great risk gave magnificent help to the British troops. As the troops withdrew, the demolition of bridges proceeded according to plan, and in no case did the planned demolition fail “to be blown.” The next halt was made at Dombas, where, because of the successful destruction of bridges, the troops obtained one day's much-needed rest, and it was not until April 30 that the enemy again made contact, having received machine gun replacements air. During the afternoon, the Yorkshires again fought splendidly, and at 9 p.m. again entrainfor Dombas Station.

It was anticipated that this battalion would go directly to Andalsnes and there embark, but the train was derailed and the troops had to march 17 miles. The staff officer, states that it says much for their morale that, in spite' of having fought hard for six hours on April 30, Suffering a train wreck, and then marching 17 miles, they readily deployed at 5.30 p.m. on May 1, and easily held the enemy until dark, when they again entrained and reaching Andalsnes, embarked, being the last troops to leave Norway. The staff officer described the German troops as efficient and well-trained. He paid high praise to those British territorials who held the enemy in spite of both air and artillery attack, without the means of replying. FANTASTIC ENEMY CLAIMS.

The ration position was satisfactory. Only the most advanced troops, who must always reply on such provisions as they had with them, did not receive regular and adequate supplies. lie described German claims relating to’the capture of materials as fantastic, adding that he did not think there were such quantities taken into Norway. The British troops took out all they could carry and destroyed as much more of what was left as they were able.