military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (06/02/90)
Wednesday, 1 May, 1940 German forces link up between Oslo and Bergen, as Allied defenders defeat a counterattack near Narvik. The German situation in Narvik is critical. 4000 Norwegian troops surrender near Lillehammer. The evacuation of Alesund is completed, and that of Namsos continues despite heavy German air attacks which wreck one destroyer. President Roosevelt urges Premier Mussolini to remain neutral in the European conflict. Britain meanwhile orders her merchant fleet to avoid the Mediterranean, because of Italy's uncertain status in the war. Mussolini assures the US envoy that Italy has no intention of immediately joining the war. Hitler orders Fall Gelb to commence on 5 May. French intelligence believes the invasion will begin between the 8th and 10th. A group of 50 Pittsburgh citizens creates a small furor by offering a reward of $1 million to anyone who can kidnap Adolf Hitler and deliver him for trial before the League of Nations. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker Moderator, sci.military military-request@att.att.com (614) 860-5294 Send submissions to military@att.att.com "...in a war which has pitted sea power against military power, in regions where great air strength is available to military power, sea power has dared to challenge this combined strength and to date has more than held its own." - Admiral William V. Pratt, USN, Retired.