Evening star., 1940-04-14
London
Continued From First PAGE. }

M. S. Warspite, accompanied by a
strong force of destroyers using
minesweeping and other appliances
advanced up the ford to attack the
German destroyers. some of them
already damaged, who were shelter
ing in the harbor, and also to en-
gage any shore batteries which
might have been greeted.
According to reports which have
been received from the commander
In chief, Vice Admiral Whitworth
hoisting his flag on the Warspite,
commanded the attack, which was
extremely successful.
Enemy opposition was not found
to be remarkably severe.
"A field howitzer which had been
mounted ashore was put out of ac-
tion by the fire of H. M. S. Co.'S
sack.
Four Sunk in Narvik Bay.
-Four German destroyers were
shattered and sunk in Narvik Bay.
Three others fled up Rumbans
FJord, a small inlet eight or nine
miles long behind Narvik town.
These also were pursued and de-
stroyed.
"At the moment of issuing this
communique, the Admiralty is not
precisely informed as to conditions
IN Narvik town.
Parties OF men, possibly German
soldiers, have been seen escaping
from it over the hills, and further
details are awaited.
This destruction of seven of the
enemy destroyers was not achieved
without some loss. Three British
destroyers were damaged in the
night. but not seriously, and the
British loss of life is believed to have
been very small.
No estimate can be made at pres.
ent OF German losses in personnel
but the seven destroyers sunk mus,
nave counted over 1000 men.
"The Admiralty has sipnaled ron.
gratulations to Commander er-in-chie,
Admiral Sir Charles Forbes. to Vice
Admlral Whitworth, and to the of.
f1cers and men engaged in this Wig.
orous, daring and skillfullv conduct.
ed action, which may we'll tend tf
clarity the situation on this part Of
the Norwegian coast.
Operations are still proceeding. ;
Whitworth Man Of Hour.
BY directing the audacious attack
Vice Admiral William Jock Whit.
worth, on the bridge of the War.
spite. became the new man of thu
hour to Britons, who love nothins
more than good sea fight.
10 maneuver warship the siz,
OF the 30,600-ton Warspite with it.
eight 15-inch guns into the narrow
rock-studded ford leading to Mar.
vik called for superseamanship.
The Stockholm radio broadcast =
report that several large British
warships were effecting landings al
Narvik under heavy bombardment
from German warplanes and lane
forces. Heavy losses were reported
on both sides.
The prospect also arose that thu
men fleeing Narvik, if they were
German troops, would run into
Norwegian forces reported gather.
ing in the vicinity.
Bringing All Help.
King Georges message to Kine
Haakon, assured the Norwegian
monarch that the allies "are bring.
ing all help in their power" to breal
Adolf Hitler's hold on the Scan.
dinavian kingdom.
King George expressed. my pro.
found admiration and that of tn,
whole British Commonwealth TO,
the dignity. courage and tenacit,
shown by your majesty and YOU
people,"
Deeply sympathizing with Nor.
way in her hour of trial, I assur,
your majesty that my government
in full cooperation with the French
government, are bringing all help il
their power to Norway so that alliet
forces, fighting side by side with tn,
Norwegian, may prove this lates
outrage by Germany to have beer
as rash as it was wicked" Kinf
George added.
The kings message was preceded
by a special broadcast in which