Germany invaded Norway on April 9, 1940, simultaneously attacking Norway's coastal cities from Narvik in the far north to Oslo in the south. Narvik was the scene of fierce battles between German forces and the Allies, who landed troops by sea in support of the Norwegians. Narvik changed hands several times. However, British, French, and Polish forces were finally withdrawn in June 1940 due to the success of the German campaign in western Europe. German victory in Norway secured access to the North Atlantic for the German navy, especially the submarine fleet, and safeguarded transports of Swedish iron ore for Germany's war industry. Narvik was the only all-weather outlet for Swedish iron ore.
Narvik. For weeks, German mountain troops and naval marines have been heroically holding their posts far from home and disregarding death in the face of superior English and Norwegian forces. Our brave troops prevent the English from occupying the rail spur leading from Narvik to the Swedish iron ore mines. As soon as Narvik was occupied, our forces blew up the rail line as a precaution. The enemy faces us here with superior forces and equipment and is constantly attempting to gain new ground. But, our soldiers are on guard. The English will be thrown back, as they have often been in the last weeks. Our air force supports these heroic units of German forces in every way possible. Additional units of mountain troops are parachuted in to strenghten our defenses.
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