1940-04-23 — Page 7

HONGKONG DAILY PRESS

"HITLER, THE AMATEUR

CABLES

STRATEGIST”

Made Sailors Victims BRITISH NERVES ARE PRESERVED

Of Great Gamble

BRITISH NAVY NOT SO OBSOLETE AFTER ALL

LONDON, April 2 Renter)-"Hitler, The Amateur Strate- gis," was the subject of a talk from Daventry yesterday by the Naval Observer of the B.B.C. The Naval War Manual, he said, lays great stress in appreciating the situation, and he pro- posed to appreciate the situation in Norway.

FOR SOMETHING ELSE

Li

THAN EXCITED HEEL - CLICKING

STOCKHOLM, APR. 22 (REUTER)—IT IS BELIEVED THAT GEN, CARTON DE WIART COMMANDS THE BRITISH TROOPS IN NOR- WAY and Swedish paper correspondents are much impressed by the difference, in atmosphere prevailing with the British compared with what they have seen at the German Staff quarters at Trondheim,

One correspondent says: "British medlately an air raid warning is nerves are preserved for something given, they state, the British troops else than excited saluting and heel-disappear "like leaves in a gust of clicking and berole postures every wind and no German observer minute of the day as displayed by plane, however low-flying, would the Germans. With the British, seem to have detected a single an atmosphere of informal eff-khaki uniform,” elency prévalls which is most im- It seems that the transport of pressive."

British troops below Gudbrandsdal CONCEALMENT SKILL is now in full swing: Their equip- Another feature which struck ment and armament arouse neutral observers is the British miration but nothing, is known Which, among his possible soldier's skill in concealment. Im- about their total numbers. courses of action, was best for

The Royal Navy had recently been very successful off Nor- way and quite astonishingly so. In fact. Why, first of all, and what was Hitler's object? He wanted to overrun Norway for the transport of iron ore, and to get air" bases within easy reach of the coast of Britain.

ALLIED TROOPS him to adopt? Hitler obviously

· ADVANCING

Continued from Page 1 Trondheim, and thirdly, the Narvik section where news has been most obscure.

The British air force attacked Aalborg again last night and In- flicted further damage. The air- men taking part in the second at- tack found a number of fires, which were started by Saturday's raid, still burring.

If Hitler relled on his own air force to defeat the British Navy he has lost twice over. He not only falled to stop the British Navy's' splendid achievements, but failed to gain in superiority in the air. The control of air bases in Norway is essential for streng- thening his troops.

As the Norwegian campaign de- velops, the German chances there of victory are getting remote. Hit ler is expected to make another wild stroke to save his face and obser- vers in Europe are speculating who may draw the next number in the

decided to employ the same tac- sics that he had used in the past. Dr. Goebbels was probably con- fident that the propaganda situa- tion in Scandinavia was 100 per cent, and it was likely that he had every reason for his con- fidence, for the British have been slow to realise the value of pro- paganda.

HITLER BLUNDERS

f

ΠΟ

Admiral Raeder.

doubt. pointed out the various difficulties attending an action on a country with such a long coastline exposed to the enemy. Hitler, probably replied with his old slogan that the British Navy was an obsolete plaything and that it would have ttle chance of proving effective as. Norway would automatically capitulate.

some

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ad-

NAZIS SEIZE AMERICAN LORRIES IN BERGEN

Big Shipment Taken Over

To Transport Troops

WASHINGTON, "Apr 22 (Reuter)-One of the great military mysteries of the German campaign in Southern Norway-how they transported troops through the country quickly-has been reveal- ed here.

二

The Germans seized four hundred American lorries, valued at U.S. $350,000 at Bergen!

This report, which has been re- ceyed by reliable diplomatic sour- ces in Washington seems to clean up the enigma which has puzzling military

Appendicitis Operation At Sea

W

LONDON, Apr. 22 (Reuter) The

been observers ever since the invasion of Norway started.

This conflict between an expert and an amateur led to amazing disposition

Military observers were puzzled of German ships. The first convoy to Oslo seems to have been well-escorted entire squadron of cruisers and

at the speed with which the Ger- man troops were taken through by naval craft. but

Norway. Where and how did the then des destroyers, returning from Norway Germans obtain the heavy" mo- troyers, which are of great value stopped one hour while a warship's torised un'ts required for this? in this sort of work for combat-surgeon performed an operation of ting submarines (such as attack-acute appendicitis.

Now it appears that the entire ing transports) were then sent up All the vessels formed a protec-made in Detroit for military use shipment of four hundred lorries into Narvik Fjord.

tive ring round the warship during Soch afterwards the Renown the halt.

jin Finland was seized and driven no chances and noted disquieting sighted a battlecruiser and a During the operation a German from Bergen by the Germans on signs are now prevalling. In north cruise which only managed to flyingboat delivered an attack, the first day of the invasion. Sweden. It provided fresh reason escape in a blinding snow-storm. one bomb bursting near a destroyer for the preparedness by repeated These, too, were on their way to bu; no damage was done.

sinister lottery.

TAKING NO CHANCES » Germany's neighbours are taking

... German aircraft flying over Narvik, presumably, but it was Swedish territory. The number is dangerous to send them to be bot- reported to be 28 and certainly tied up in a flord like that, where four have been put put of action, they were

open to artacks by one by Swedish fighters, two made mines. from the air, and so on. forced landings and the last crash-. ed into the sea near Gothenburg. The points at which the planes were seen do not give the Impres-

SAILORS NOT ENTHUSIASTIC One could not blame the Ger- man seamen for being half-heart-

slon that they were strayed ma-ed. Those who understand naval chines losing their way.

It is suggested in some quarters that the Germans are trying to photograph Swe- dish defences while others

다.

NAVAL AWARDS

The full list of Naral awards to members of the Cossack's boarding party, which res-zed the English prisoners on the Altmark has arrived and may be inspected in this office. The latest list of casualties in the R.A.F. is also available for inspection.

D

tactics must have realised that they were being made the victims of a wild gamble. They must have appréciated the principle that you must concentrate your forces. not split them up on а AMSTERDAM, Apr. 22 (Reuter wide front when faced with The Dutch trawler, Erin of superior odds.

Ymulden. was machine-gunned in The Naval Observer said that the North Sea by a German plane The people are sharing the press he had talked with an officer of but the Erin, succeeded in reach- Indignation of the violation of a destroyer which captured a Ger- ing port. Swedish neutrality and It is report- mah supply ship whose master ed that the Swedish Minister: in must be familiar to many, for he

ask whether they are attempt- ing to find out the positions of 'Sweden's anti-aircraft de-

fences.

ALLSOPPS

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1940. —PAGE 7

ITS CLEARS

ITS GOOD

IT'S 100% BRITISH

SOLE AGENTS:

CALDBECK, MACGREGOR & CO., LTD.

2, CHATER ROAD,

Hamar Is Retaken

BRITISH TROOPS

SUCCESSFUL STOCKHLOM, April 22 (Reuter Unconfirmed reports here state Hamar. The reports are given much that British troops have recaptured

Norwegian official announcent. reserve, but they follow

2

British troops, equipped with tanks and other heavy armament, are reported to have come partly by rail and partly by road.

ORDERED BY FINLAND The lorries were ordered by Fin- Colonel Weiss, German Com- land before the armistice with mander of Trondhjem, is reported Russia and they were bound for to be making hurried preparations. Helsingfors for work in connec- to meet the Allied attacks from tion with the defence preparations North and South. ¦ and reconstruction work. They were shipped from New York and reached Bergen two days before the invasion started, and it was Intended to drive them overland

to Helsingfors.

LIFEBELTS FOR BRITISH NAVY.

· MELBOURNE. Apr. 22 (Reuter) Australia has received an order for 20,000 lifebelts for the use of the British Navy.

The rebelts have been specially designed in Australia.

Berlin 15 strongly protesting had commanded a trans-Atlantic DENMARK – INVADED. THREE

against the violating of Swedish liner to Europe. territory by German aircraft.

When taken prisoner, and asked

Reliable reports received in Lon-his own opinion of what he was don today indicate that Norwegian trying to do, he shrugged his troops are recovering from the shoulders and sald bitterly that effects of demoralisation caused by orders were orders. He admitted treachery.

TIMES IN 100 YEARS

TWICE BEFORE, in the last that his chances of getting hundred

years, Denmark has

It is contended that the Ger-through to Narvik were very re-suffered invasion from Germany, mans would

never have sent mote but he had to obey orders to in 1848 and in 1864. troops to Narvik without having

do that. command of the sea, nor would they have landed troops by para- chute if they had expected rests

tance.

COMPLETELY CONFUSED

NEW CONSTITUTION On Saturday, which was Hitler's

In January, 1848, King Christian more transports v birthday, two were sunk by the British Navy.

proclaimed a new Danish constitution which incorporated The Naval Observer concluded:

the Duchies of Schleswig and "I wonder if Hitler, the great

As far as landings of British amateur strategist, still insists Holstein in the Danish State.

The Duchles demanded' that

1850, the dispute dragged on for several years. The trouble come to a head again in 1863.

On Christmas Eve Saxon and Hanoverian troops marched into Holstein,

Bismarck played one of his smartest tricks by making the | Danish government believe that

Great Britain had threatened to. defend Denmark.

Denmark défled Prussia and German troops crossed the Elder on February 1, 1864, The campaign Was soon

over.

troops are concerned, the German that the British Navy is an ob- they should be incorporated as a and on August 1 the King of Den- appeared to have been completely solete plaything." confused. Reliable, Information received in London shows that hitherto the British landings were

carried out very successfully with practically no losses.

F.M.S. GIFT SINGAPORE, Apr 22 (Reuter)-~

The country in which the British The Legislative Council approved are in operation is very difficult of the £1,000,000 gift to the Bri. and mountainous, requiring the tish Government for Imperial De- employment of small mobile forces. fence. The only artillery which can be

utilised is light mountain guns.

It is understood that the Nor- wegians are rallying very success- succeeded

State in the German Confederation mark resigned both Duchies to and Prussian troops were march-the Emperor of Austria and the ed into Holstein.

King of Frussia,

BISMARCK'S TRICK

After peace had been signed between Denmark and Prussia. In

126 YEARS OF PEACE Norway has not been involved in a war since 1814, in which year the Danish King ceded Nor- way to Sweden.

after El

4

COMMENDED BY

Norway became a "fres, inde- PRESS

pendent and indivisible Kingdom, Continued From Page:1 united" with Sweden under one furnished triumphant King." and with an independent in barring the way has also fully and, in a number of places, with, the stand they made at proof of the value of seapower. Parliament of her own.

The union lasted until 1903, the British have made contact with Kongsvinger and later at Elverum. The result of the clash, in which them. In eastern Norway especial-The time thus gained is of the the Germans may well have hoped when it was dissolved ly the British and Norwegian con- utmost value for the Allied ex- to damage our Fleet severely, has Norwegian plebiscite.

been, in fact, to cripple their own tact was established very success-pedition which is now in a pos- so that, at the moment, our re-whose wife was Princess" Mau, Denmark. Prince Charles of fully and more speedily than could tion not only to prevent the Gerlative preponderance is have been anticipated.

greater the youngest daughter of King Trondheim, but to isolate both than it was a fortnight ago and we Edward VII, was elected King of

a position to Norway find ourselves in make other use of a proportion of Haakon VII.' our Naval forces if the interna- tional situation should appear to demand It.

No confirmation is available

of the reported capture of Elverum and Hamar.

GARRISON ISOLATED With Trondheim threatened by Allied forces both from the north

mans, from Oslo, from reaching

Trondheim tow and the fjord. It would appear, however, the correspondent adds, that this is only one of the Allled objectives.

...l -

under the name of

Since the beginning of this war, Norway and Denmark have together lost 80 ships, with the loss of nearly · 700 lives, as a result of Nazi piracy.

1

GERMANS LEAVE HAMAR

PARIS, April 22 (Reuter)-- Allled troops аге continuing to pour into Norway without suffering any losses. Not a single Allied troops transport or supply ship was sunk either through naval or air action.

Military quarters here are na- turally mose cautious as regards military operations in the Trohd- heim district and merely assert- ed that the plan of the campaign is being methodically applied.

Between the Gommen river and the Halling valley," the Norwegians: are withdrawing towards печу positions under pressure of two German divisions, amply provided with the most modern war terial.

23-

Press reports from Sweden sert that the British and Nor- Hamar. wegians have occupied

ITALY ADMITS

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EVEN ITALY DESIRES AN

ALLIED VICTORY

Paper Warns That Norway

May Be A Feint

LONDON, April 22 (Beuter) Two phases of the war in the North were dealt with by two British newspapers on Sunday.

The Spectator says that the neutrals are likely to be convinced only by military success.

Every neutral, even Italy apart from some of the Fascist leaders, desired an Allled victory, so that the immediate result of a serious setback to Hitler in Scandinavia would be a pro- nounced swing to the Allied side.

The Allied troops therefore must be poured into Norway until they outnumber any German troops which can be sent there by sea or by air,

The Catholic paper Tablet partly supports this view but adds a warning against any elamouring for more ships to be sent to the Skaggerak and more forces landed in Norway.

that the i The paper points out

I is believed that the Germans Allied General Staffs must consi- have evacuated Elverum.

der the possibility that the Ger- man invasión may be intended. merely as a gigantic diversion.

"The Norwegian venture may be "ALLIED LANDING

merely a feint and a real thrust ROME April 22 (Havas)~Ad- may be made through Holland and mitting for the first time in lead-Switzerland or Belgium.

ANGLO - SOVIET TRADE PACT

MUST REMAIN

IN THE AIR LONDON, Apr. 22 (Reuter)-No

Ing articles that French forces While therefore the Allies must are in Norway; Italian military take advantage of Germany's correspondents in Scandinavia strategic weakness in Norway further Russian views on the new forecast a lengthy and difficult they must be fully prepared for trade agreement with Britain are war in Norway,

the real "theatre of war being expressed pending a reply to the According to these correspon carried on elsewhere at a moment's statement by Lord Halifax, the denta the Allies landed at "three notice.

Foreign Secretary, to M. Maisky, places, namely Namsos, Molde and

GERMANS TRAPPED ·

Russian Ambassador in London. Laerdel. Allled troops at Namsos STOCKHOLM, Apr. 22 (Reuter)

So long as Rusata allows goods are estimated at two British and-In the past few days, half of to pass through her country for one French divisions the latter Trondheim's 70,000 inhabitants Germany, an Anglo-Soviet trade consisting of Crack "Chassurs (havo evacuated to the hills out-agreement must remain in the alt.

side the town. - Alpine" regiments.

PARIS, Apr. 22 (Reuter)-Com- The correspondents believed Round Narvik German

on the possibility of forces menting that the Allies will soon be landare said to be virtually trapped. trade talks between Britain and Ing at Orkedal, 35 kilometera. Á constant stream of German Russia, the newspaper Le Matin, south of

Trondheim, The

"We hope England and Ger- seroplanes is seen flying towards says:

France will entrenched there. mans are belleved to be firmly Narvik.

distinguish clearly It is believed that they are tar the risk of such negotiations.

"A policy that resulted in maki ing provisions rather than troops ing M. Stalin an arbiter, even at as food is very. short there.

the price of a new betrayal--this DIFFICULT TERRAIN

time at the experise of Germany- STOCKHOLM, Apr. 22 (Reuter)

PLANES OVER BELGIUM

BRUSSELS, Apr. 22 (Reuter)According to a message from would be full of danger." The

British communique which states Norway the presence of

TEA STOLEN "If people are, as is natural,

that foreign planes flew over Bel-troops in eastern Norway has and south, a German column Scandinavian reports that Bri- eagerly waiting for news they are

gian territory yesterday, this come as a surprise and has great- Nineteen chests of tea, valued from Oslo is apparently trying to tish troops have landed at An- doing, so in a spirit of calm, feel-

morning states that several werely cheered the Norwegians

at $827, were stolen between am- fight its waY ACTORS the country dalsnaes. south of Trondheim, ing that this crisis has been com-

recognised as German and two The nature of the country in set on Sunday and yesterday morn- to relieve the garrison isolated and made a dash to meet the petently and rapidly met and that

identified as British

this area will considerably assisting from the godown of Olivier the town, says Reuter's military Germans on the eastern side of a good beginning has been made any other neutral State. She has The anti-aircraft defences took the Allied forces since any further Chine in Des Voeux Road, West correspondent.

Lake Micesa, indicate that Oslo in repairing the damage done by lost 52 merchant ships," of a total | vigorous action and protests will German advance will have to be The lock of the godown door, was So far, the Norwegians have itself may be the main objective.

Germany's foul blow."

tonnage of 120,000, and 392 11ves. be made in Loridon and Berlin, made over difficult terrain. found to have been forced

Norway has suffered more than