Operation Weserübung Nazi conquest of Denmark & Norway

Background First serious engagement after the phony war Both countries had declared neutrality Odd invasion since these countries represented Hitler’s master race perfectly Planned around the same time as Invasion of Poland Named after the Weser River in Germany (Nazis trained here for the invasion) Nazi Germany vs. Denmark & Norway – Britain and France help some (they’re already helping Finland) – Brits blockade and mine Scandinavian waters Planning involved a quick sweep through Denmark and multi-pronged amphibious attack on Norway

Preemptive Allied Invasion?? Hostilities increase with the Altmark Incident – British ship and German tanker get into a skirmish, during skirmish it emerges that Allies were mining neutral Norwegian water (Operation Wilfred) Norwegian sovereignty violate = upset Norway With loss of trust Allies consider preemptive invasion of Norway to prevent Nazis from gaining foothold and stop USSR advance in Finland (R4 Plan) After Altmark Hitler realizes this and calls off invasion of France in favor or Weserubung – Allies look like unprepared wimps, again Leads to big debate in House of Commons were Churchill is finally able to get support to overthrow Chamberlains government and set up his own Nazis use this as defense and reason for waging aggressive war at Nuremberg Trials (doesn’t work) but issue of preemptive warfare (call Bush doctrine) in US is still debated today

The Battle April 9, 1940: – Nazis attack Denmark from top and bottom – Norway attacked at 6 strategic places on the coast Start by moving all U-Boats to the North/Baltic sea, then use Blitzkrieg then navy and army attack Land attack comes at 4:15 am Danes and Norwegians not ready Most Allied forces helping with Winter War = Allies not ready Invasion of Denmark lasts six hours Norway holds out until June 10, 1940 Unlike most other conquests, very few citizens and leaders executed by Nazis

Why not Sweden? -According to Hitler there was no need since they were surrounded: -Sweden encircled by then-Nazi friendly USSR and German conquests -Racism was also a major part of it

Reasons for the invasion Hitler claims it is to protect these neutral countries from the Brits and French attack, but really: – Norway: Nazis desperately needed iron ore to fight Had been importing from Northern Norway and Sweden But, as Nazi aggression increases, Hitler worries about economic embargo  invades Norway to secure iron Also easy to invade UK from there via surprise attack – Denmark: Controls the gateway to the Baltic

Legacy Nazis had planned to capture kings of both countries but think better of it later Denmark: – Legendary Danish resistance begins (supposedly no Jews die) – Spy for UK for the rest of the war – Since Hitler does little to Denmark this may have caused him more harm than good Norway: – Allows many Jews to run to Sweden as they hold out – Germans gain precious natural resources – Allows for a much more potent attack on the UK – Allies make Norway out to be the “little nation that could” Made many people wonder about Hitler’s main goals  he turns on the one people he was supposed to like, the blond haired, blue eyed Aryans Give Allies more propaganda and leads to bad Nazi PR to invade the neutrals