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Newspaper
High Point Enterprise
Location
High Point, North Carolina, United States of America
Date
Apr 09, 1940
Page
1
Prime Minister Chamberlain told the House of Commons Britain will send full aid to Norway as German forces seize Denmark and Norway. Allied naval moves into northern waters are planned to support Norwegian defense, with Britain and France coordinating relief efforts.
Berlin reports German high command details use of ferries armored trains and naval vessels to occupy Denmark. Troops landed at Middelfahrt Korsoer Nyborg and seized bridges and Seeland island near Copenhagen. German forces occupied Copenhagen at dawn including citadel and radio stations. In parallel sea forces operated along Norway and Denmark coasts. Chamberlain noted Britain’s mines and naval activity as signs of a planned move into Scandinavia.
German troops, supported by infantry, navy, and air squadrons, seized Oslo and Copenhagen by afternoon after a dawn invasion praised as a rapid stroke. Denmark accepted German protection after a formal note, while Norway's government withdrew to Hamar as German advances continued along the coast.
Census Taker John L. Oliver arrived at the Roy Wecklin home when a doctor detained him to boil water for delivery. The baby was born safely, but Oliver will not be paid. Only births before April 1 are recorded.
Postmaster General James A. Farley arrived in Asheville to dedicate two post offices and planned stops at West Asheville Enka and Chandler before heading to Canton for a Federal building ceremony. He will remain overnight and continue to Boone for another dedication then travel to Salisbury to return to Washington.
Reports from London and Paris indicate naval engagements between Allied and German fleets along the Norwegian coast amid a heavy storm. Unconfirmed dispatches claim the German battleship Gneisenau and possibly others were sunk, with details unclear.
German Ambassador Count Hans Georg Viktor von Mackensen met with Mussolini in Rome after a prior talk with Foreign Minister Galeazzo Ciano. The meeting’s purpose was undisclosed though reports suggest Mackensen relayed Germany’s actions in Scandinavia and discussed the war outlook and Italy’s stance. Norwegian Danish and Swedish diplomats remained uninformed about any official replies.
President Roosevelt and Secretary Hull hurried to Washington to assess European war news and chart the U S course. Plans drafted to extend combat areas around Scandinavia, protect American shipping, and designate belligerency status while awaiting full government action.
Stockholm dispatches say Oslo capitulates to German troops at 4 PM local time. The police chief resigns and is replaced by German officials. Norwegian forces guard a defense line between Oslo and Hamar while the government moves to the village of Hamar. About half the population is reported to have evacuated.
Illinois and Nebraska held farm belt tests on the Roosevelt third term movement and Dewey for the Republican nomination. Dewey faced Nebraska and Illinois contests with Garner allies opposing the third term and Senate races, while Roosevelt ran unopposed for Nebraska in the Democratic camp.
The map shows three Allied mine fields off Norway to block iron ore shipments to Germany. Soon after the mine laying, Nazi forces invaded Denmark and Norway to protect Scandinavians from Allied subjugation.
German news agency said a "new Norwegian government" had been formed in Oslo. Hull said the administration studies applying the neutrality act to Scandinavian areas involved in the European war. The Allied War Council met at No 10 Downing Street with France represented by Reynaud and Daladier.
Belgrade April 9. The German government demands that Yugoslavia Hungary Bulgaria and Romania accept German river police along the Danube to secure Germanys vital supply route. Hungary Yugoslavia and Romania reportedly rejected the demand earlier while Bulgaria was said to have agreed.
In London on an April day the BBC announced Allied full aid to Norway, prompting the public to declare that real war had arrived after seven months of mobilization. Crowds rushed for papers, lines formed for late editions, and groups murmured that this is it.
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