CAPTURE OF NARVIK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 May 1940, Page 6

CAPTURE OF NARVIK

OPERATION CAREFULLY PLANNED

BRITISH HOLDING ENEMY AT BODO.

DELIBERATE NAZI ATTACK ON HOSPITAL.

(British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.20 a.m.) RUGBY, May 30. An eyewitness account states that the Allies’ final assault, which resulted with the capture of Narvik on Wednesday, lasted for 24 hours.

While British warships shelled the German position, French, Polish and Norwegian troops closed in on the town from north, south and east. The British fleet started the bombardment on Tuesday morning. French troops, in military landing craft, crossed the fiord under fire and made a successful landing on a headland near Narvik, attacking through strongly-defended, wooded country. Polish troops crossed the hills south of the port and opened a vigorous attack, while Norwegians were working in from the east. Occasional Verey lights told the Navy the positions of the Allied forces and barrages were laid down. , British forces south of Bodo, 120 miles south of Narvik, opposing the northward thrust of the Germans from the Namsos area, have kept up a magnificent resistance in the best traditions of the British Army. Scottish, Welsh and Irish regiments have been concerned. The Germans advanced in mass formation and sustained very heavy casualties.

In the recent heavy bombing of Bodo, although the town was badly damaged, civilian casualties were much lighter than was at first thought possible. This is principally due to the gallantry of British rescue parties. German warplanes set fire to a hospital and machine-gunned the wounded as they were being evacuated, also putting fire engines out of action. The behaviour of the Norwegian nurses earned the highest admiration of the British troops. NIGHTLY RAIDS ON ENEMY AERODROMES' IN NORWAY. “EXPLOSIONS OUTSIDE TOWN.” (Received This Day, 12.35 p.m.) LONDON, May 30. British planes nightly raid Germany’s Norwegian aerodromes. No raid alarms are sounded and the Germans explain the raids as “explosions outside the town.” The Norwegian High Command stated that the Allies were mopping up along the railway from Narvik and south of Narvik.