Princess Martha Of Norway Lies In State
THE
CHINA MAIL,
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1954.
COMMERCE
Crown Princesss Martha of Norway, who died in Oslo last week, lies in state in the Norwegian capital. The entire Norwegian Royal Household were entled to her bedside in the State Hospital before she died. The Duke of Gloucester is lo
represent Queen Elizabeth at the funeral. Express Photo.
Norway's New Army Training Manual Causing Controversy
Oslo, Apr. 13. the
If a nation teaches her soldiers
World War II techniques of "silent killing" and commando warfare, is she endangering her civilisation and culture?
That is the question being discussed in Norway following a report that a the Liberal evening published by
newspaper, "Dagbladet," commando-type instruction book had been used in the training of a Home Guard unit.
holds barred" methods of warfare Quotations of the "no advocated in this instruction hook have led critics to question whether the brutalisation of the recruits implied in such training would not, in the end, produce a nation of barbarians who would have no culture civilisation left to defend.
Hepresentatives
of the de- fence forces have pointed out that such information is neves-
fur sary only a a protection the soldiers who in an extreme emergency ought to be prepared for n kinds of wartare if they *** are to play their part in
thetr fending
country
saving their own lives.
It was also stated
Home
Guard units
and
that the longer this kind training although the book approved
available and
of
19
to
them.
bave time for
"No one can say what kinds of attack our soldiers, parlicu larly those in the Home Guard, might be up against in any new Home Guard wor," snld instructor. "And it is only fair to our men that they should be forewarned and know how to deal with such situations.
But "Dagbladet" claimed that same of the methods described In the commandu training book must be regarded as violating the Geneva Convention, and 11 against the recruits protested being trained to criminal acts.
Оле
method of particular
prisoners, known Immobilising
the as the "leg lock,"
paper described as "andistic torture." This method
involves crousing the prisoner's legs round a tree or telegraph pole in such a way that he sits holding on by hands and unable to move legs.
man
that
the
or
defence stressed "Ar: we to set the same wrote. thing happening tromani | authorities ab of making their able to defend their lovoldiers allow the ertinaal
pruces
In the most effective country e; almue unopposed?"
way. while at the same time Other contributors to the dis-keeping in mind that húman cussion claimed that all kinds dignity which is a vital part of of warfare ure
The brutal.
Scandinavian civilisation in hand-to-
culture. killing of a mon hand fighting by breaking his neek or stabbing him with
brutal bayonet ure than lying
un aircraft high over towns or camps and drop- ping high explosive bumba
no
inore
on
J2-
the unsuspecting people below. Some of those who took part
and in sabotage
underground realstauer
in ocupled work
uh: Norway during scribed silu tone in which more or less brutal methods of self- defence or silent killing could be necessary, not only to save the commando's own life, tit also those of his friends, and to prevent himself from being cap- tured when he might give away secrets under torture.
und
One contributer quoted from the Norwegian "Soldier's Hand- book"; "To defend your country does not only mean to prolect our geographical territory and the lives of individust citizens. It also means safeguarding our culture, our social and politien? liberty and our free institu- tlons."--China Mail Speelut,
Transfer Of RN Funds
Criticised
TRADE Funnel