RETREAT FROM KVAM Graphic Story Of Stout Defence By Three British Battalions: Dour Yorkshiremen
London, To-day.
A GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION of the success of three actions in the Norwegian campaign enabling three British battalions, fighting by day, to with- draw during the short hours of darkness 103 miles over a single track railway down the Gud- brandsdal and Romsdalen to the sea, was given yesterday in London by an officer of General Paget's Staff.
Holding a position at Kvam for 48 hours in the face of incessant air attacks, to which they were un- able to reply except by machine-gun, a battalion of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry suc- cessfully held up the German advance until or- dered to withdraw.
A German column led by tanks and armoured cars made contact with the British troops early on the morning of April 26, firing somewhat indiscrimin- ately into houses on the roadside as they advanced.
Throughout the day Nazi ski troops vainly endeavoured to work round the snow covered hills to pierce the flanks of the British battalion.
When darkness fell the K.O.Y.L.I. withdrew with precision down the -railway line to the little village of
GENEROUS
TRIBUTE TO M. DAUTRY
London, To-day.
A SENTENCE AND THE NAZI VERSION
London, To-day.
Mr. Lloyd George's comment In the Commons debate on Wednes- day, when Mr. Churchill said he would take complete responsibl!- ity for everything done by the Admiralty and would take a full share of the burden, that "Mr. Churchill must not allow himself to be converted into an air raid shelter to keep splinters from hit- ting his colleagues," was trans- formed by a German Trans- Ocean broadcast into a surprising statement.
Mr. Lloyd George was made to Bay: "I hope Mr. Churchill will hot take refuge in air raid cel- lara to protect himself against splinters of shells hitting his Ministerial colleagues or Admiṛ. als.”—British Wireless. ..
BRITAIN'S
A tribute to the French RELATIONS
Production Minister, M.
Otta, where a battalion of the Green Dautry, was paid in a speech WITH SOVIET
Howards-together with one of the Yorks and Lancs Regiment, had pre- pared a defensive position.
Severe Fighting
Here on April 28 severe fighting took place the troops often being engaged
hand to hand.
Such was the effect of the British resistance, the staff officer said, that it was noticed the Nazi troops after that day seemed unwilling to press home attacks and when the action was broken off that night the British troops withdrew unmolested to trains con- cealed in a tunnel about three miles behind the front line.
A great tribute was paid by the staff officer to the efficiency and de- votion 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 demoli- tion of bridges proceeded according to pian and in no case did planned de- molition fail "to be blown."
Next half was made at Dombaas where, because of the successful de- struction of bridges, the troops ob- tained one day's much needed rest and it was not until April 30 that the enemy again made contact having re- ceived machine gun replacements by air.
K.O.Y.L.I. Again
During the afternoon the K.O.Y.L.I. again fought splendidly and at nine in the evening entrained at Dombaas station.
.
It was anticipated this battalion would go directly to Aandalsnes and there embark but the train was derail-
by the British Supply Minis- ter at Cardiff.
Mr. Burgin said: "M. Dautry has achieved in France spectacular results in the enormous growth and ex- pansion of his armaments production programme, He thinks in multiples, he works at terrific pace and he has the great faculty of making friends.
He is idolised by the workpeople and, what is so important for a politician and Production Minister, is left alone by colleagues. But he too has difficulties with machine tools, with raw materials and with skilled labour. Fortunately, such is the collaboration between the two countries-officers of his Minis- try are in my office in London, officers of my Ministry are in his office in Paris that we frequently can come to one another's aid."-British Wire- less.
ATTACKS ON WIDE FRONT IN FRANCE
Paris, To-day.
Last night's French war communi- que stated that during the previous night's infantry actions, which took
enemy
London, To-day.
Questions were asked in the Commons yesterday after- noon concerning trade rela-
SOVIET'S OFFER OF BALTIC PACTS
New York, To-day. The Soviet has proposed to Sweden and Finland pacts similar to those negotiated last year with Estonia, Lat- via and Lithuania, according to "a usually reliable source,' says the Stockholm corres- pondent of the "Christian Science Monitor.”
:
The correspondent adds the pro- posal is believed to be receiving seri- ous consideration in Stockholm' and Helsinki.
It is reported the Soviet pro- posals include a plan for joint for- tification and defence of the Aaland Islands.
It is further reported that if the proposals are accepted, the Soviet is willing to restore the Karelian pro¬ vinces to Finland.
The correspondent is of opinion that Sweden, faced with a choice be- tween German domination
and gravitation towards the Sovlet, might choose the latter as a lesser evil. Reuter.
tions between Britain and POLITICAL
Russia and Britain and Italy.
The Foreign Under-Secretary said His Majesty's Government had under consideration a communication receiv- ed on April 29 from the Soviet Gov- ernment.
TRUCE
DUBLIN
IN
Dublin, To-day.
A political truce was an-.
His Majesty's Government had now asked the Soviet Government to furnish them with further informa- tion so that they could judge whe-nounced in the Dail yester- ther the obligations undertaken by day by Mr. William Cos- it possible for that Government present to conclude a trade agree- ment with the United Kingdom on the lines which His Majesty's Gov- ernment had in mind.
the Soviet Government would render
at grave, leader of the opposi-
tion.
Mr. Cosgrave said his party did not propose to contest the by-election in Galway for the seat rendered vacant Mr. Butler, in another reply, said by the death of the Government sup- the discussions between representa-
porter, nor did he propose to move a tives of the British and Italian Gov-writ for the Kilkenny vacancy due ernments were continuing and His to the death of the member of his Majesty's Government hoped they own party. might lead to useful results.-British Wireless.
NO RIGHT TO
CRITICISE
place on a large front, the IN SWEDEN
everywhere were repulsed.
During the day there was activity of both artilleries to the west of the Vosges and in the region of Wissem- bourg-Reuter.
Mr. Cosgrave said he would not move the Kilkenny-writ until the Premier said the danger of civil disturbance was past.
It is understood both by-elections will be postponed for three months. -Reuter.
AIR LOSSES
Stockholm, To-day.IN NORWAY
The "Social-Demokraten," organ of the Social Democra-
London, To-day. Interesting figures relating, to aerial
ed and the troops had to march 17 and artillery attack without means tic Labour Party of Sweden, activity in Norway are circulating in
miles.
on
It says much for their morale, the staff officer says, that in spite of having fought hard six hours April 30, suffering a trainwreck and then marching 17 miles, they, read ly deployed again at 6.30 in the afternoon of May 1 and eally held the enemy until dark when they again entrained and, reaching Aandalanes, embarked, being the last troops to leave. Norway. The staff officer described the Ger man troops as efficient and very well trained.
The staff officer paid high praise
Territorials to these British
who held the enemy in spite of both air
of replying
Fantastic Claims
says that Sweden has no right authoritative quarters, where it is to reproach Britain; she was stated R.A.F. losses comprised 56 air- craft out of over a thousand employed never asked protect Nor-in the operations, which included 04 way and never undertook attacks on enemy bases-54 in Nor- officer said, was satisfactory. Only this until the Germans way, nine in Denmark and one on
The position of rations, the
staff
the most advanced troops, who must always rely upon such provisions as moved.
Sylt,
German losses were considerably higher, the destruction of 163 aircraft being confirmed, while it is probable that some 40 more will never fly again.
British Wireless.
they have with them, did not receive The Swedes (the paper continues), regular adequate supplies.
who have done and are doing nothing He described German claims relat-for their Norwegian brothers have no as moral right to criticise Britain for the ing to the capture of materials. "fantastic," adding he did not think failure of her help.
The paper pays tribute to British the democracy is restored to health by that there were such quantities taken Into Norway. The British troops | democracy, which allowed such a de- its own strength.
and bate, to be held in open-session with took out all they could carry
One thing is certain: Britüin. will destroyed as much of what was left the whole world listening. There are take the war far more earnestly than as they were able-British Wireless, weaknesses in such a democracy, but before-Reuter,