Skip to main content

Historical documents

130 Mr S. M. Bruce, High Commissioner in London, to Mr R. G. Menzies, Prime Minister

Cablegram 226 LONDON, 9 April 1940, 1.37 p.m.

MOST IMMEDIATE FOR THE PRIME MINISTER MOST SECRET

First news of German move against Norway and Denmark received here
early this morning. Further information being received
continuously. Position appears to be that Denmark occupied without
resistance. Four German warships steaming up Oslo Fjord have been
fired on by Norwegian batteries and attempted landing South Oslo
Peninsula resisted. German warships have entered fjords at Bergen,
Trondheim and Stavanger with certain number of troops. Norwegian
Government has moved to Lake Miosen and Norwegian Minister for
Foreign Affairs [1] after informing United Kingdom Minister [2]
that German warships approaching Oslo had been fired on stated 'So
now we are at war'. Whole German fleet believed to be out and
latest Admiralty report is that naval engagement now going on off
Bergen.

Views here with regard to position conflict and I have difficulty
in making up my mind whether German action against Norway is a
dangerous gamble or a sound strategical move.

BRUCE

1 Professor Halvdan Koht.

2 Sir Cecil Dormer.


[AA: A981, GERMANY 66]
Last Updated: 11 September 2013
Back to top