740.0011 European War 1939/2002: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 9—10:50 a.m.]
871. My 866, April 9, 10 a.m.13 A special announcement has just been made over the German radio at 10:50 which after referring to [Page 145] earlier British violations of Norwegian neutrality, to the inability of Norway to defend its neutrality, and to the lame protest made by Norway in the matter of the British laying of mines in its waters, stated that Germany has decided to remove this northern area from the field of British aggression. A special communiqué of the German Army high command was then read which stated that the German Army since early this morning had taken over the protection of Denmark and Norway, that all branches of the German armed forces were being employed, that landings had been made and extensive mine barrages laid.
Embassy unable to communicate with Legation at Copenhagen.
- Not printed.↩