Hitler's Northern Stronghold
The German occupation of Norway during the Second World War stands as a significant episode in both Scandinavian and European wartime history.
Though initially determined to remain neutral, Norway's strategic importance in the conflict became apparent to both the Axis and Allied powers.
On the 9th April 1940, Germany launched Operation Weserübung, an unexpected assault that quickly overwhelmed Norwegian defenses.
This invasion not only ensured German control over the Norwegian coastline but also safeguarded crucial supply routes for the transportation of Swedish iron ore, vital to the Nazi war machine.
...harsh military rule, economic exploitation, and widespread repression...
The occupation, which lasted until May 1945, profoundly impacted Norway’s political, social, and economic landscape.
During this period, the country endured harsh military rule, economic exploitation, and widespread repression, while at the same time fostering one of the most effective resistance movements in occupied Europe.
The events that unfolded during these five years left deep scars on Norwegian society but also played a critical role in forging its post-war national identity.
...a focal point in the broader conflict...
This article delves into the complex history of Norway’s occupation, examining the strategic motivations behind the invasion, the establishment of German control, the day-to-day realities for the Norwegian populace, and the organized resistance efforts that ultimately contributed to the nation’s liberation.
By exploring these elements in detail, we gain a deeper understanding of how this small, neutral nation became a focal point in the broader conflict of the Second World War.
The sections that follow will chronologically and thematically analyze the prelude to the invasion, the military occupation, resistance efforts, and the long-term consequences of German control on Norway.
Through this examination, we aim to highlight the resilience of the Norwegian people and the enduring legacy of this period in shaping modern Norway.
Norway’s Strategic Importance
The German occupation of Norway was not an arbitrary decision; it was driven by Norway’s considerable strategic value within the context of the conflict.
Both the Axis and Allied powers recognized the critical advantages that control over Norway would provide, making it a focal point of contention early in the war.
To understand why Germany chose to invade Norway in 1940, it is essential to explore the nation's geopolitical significance and the political climate leading up to the invasion.
...a perfect base for naval and submarine operations...
Norway’s extensive coastline, stretching over 2,500 kilometres, was of immense strategic importance during the Second World War.
The country's western coast, with its deep fjords and access to the North Atlantic, offered a perfect base for naval and submarine operations.
German naval forces, particularly the Kriegsmarine, were eager to utilize these coastal waters to launch attacks on Allied shipping routes and to disrupt the supply lines vital to the United Kingdom.
Control over Norwegian ports would allow Germany to extend its reach into the Atlantic and protect its maritime routes from potential Allied blockades.
...ensured the uninterrupted flow of iron ore to Germany...
Furthermore, Norway was crucial for securing the supply of iron ore, an essential raw material for the German war machine.
Although the iron ore was mined in neutral Sweden, it was shipped through the ice-free Norwegian port of Narvik, especially during the winter months when the Baltic Sea ports were frozen.
Controlling Norway ensured the uninterrupted flow of iron ore to Germany, a critical factor in sustaining its armament production.
For the Allies, particularly Britain, preventing this flow was a strategic necessity to weaken Germany’s military capabilities.
...in the face of escalating tensions in Europe...
Despite its strategic importance, Norway sought to maintain its neutrality in the face of escalating tensions in Europe.
Historically, Norway had remained neutral during the First World War, a stance that had preserved its independence and spared it from the devastation experienced by many European countries.
As the next World War loomed, the Norwegian government was determined to repeat this strategy, believing that a strong declaration of neutrality would protect the nation from becoming embroiled in another global conflict.
...undermined by its limited military preparedness...
However, Norway’s commitment to neutrality was undermined by its limited military preparedness.
The country had maintained a relatively small and underfunded military force throughout the interwar years, under the assumption that its non-aligned status would protect it from foreign aggression.
As a result, by 1940, Norway was ill-prepared to defend itself against a well-coordinated invasion by a modern, mechanized army like that of Nazi Germany.
...delayed by indecision and diplomatic concerns...
Despite its hopes for neutrality, Norway found itself increasingly caught in the crossfire between the Allies and the Axis powers.
The British were aware of the strategic importance of Norway and had considered plans to preemptively occupy Norwegian ports to cut off Germany's access to Swedish iron ore.
However, these plans were delayed by indecision and diplomatic concerns, allowing Germany to act first.
...accelerate plans for an invasion...
By early 1940, Germany, under Adolf Hitler’s direction, had become increasingly concerned about potential Allied moves in Scandinavia.
Reports of British interest in Norwegian waters prompted Hitler to accelerate plans for an invasion.
Operation Weserübung, the code name for Germany’s assault on Norway (and Denmark), was developed to pre-empt any Allied intervention and secure control over the region before Britain could take action.
...vital for sustaining Germany's military-industrial complex...
The invasion plan was driven by multiple objectives.
Firstly, it aimed to protect the iron ore shipments from Sweden, which were vital for sustaining Germany's military-industrial complex.
Secondly, it sought to establish a series of bases along Norway’s coast to bolster the Kriegsmarine’s operations against the Allies, thereby strengthening Germany's strategic position in the North Atlantic.
Operation Weserübung was unique in that it combined elements of naval, airborne, and ground assaults, demonstrating the versatility and speed of Germany’s Blitzkrieg tactics.
By launching a surprise invasion of Norway on the 9th April 1940, Germany was able to quickly secure key cities, ports, and airfields, effectively outmaneuvering both the Norwegian defenders and the hesitant Allied forces.
...marked by indecision and delays...
Although the Allies, particularly the British, recognized the strategic importance of Norway, their response was marked by indecision and delays.
Early in the war, Winston Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty, had advocated for mining Norwegian waters to prevent Germany from using them for transporting iron ore.
However, concerns over violating Norwegian neutrality and reluctance from other Allied leaders delayed these efforts until it was too late.
...hampered by diplomatic hesitations...
The British and French governments had also discussed plans to land troops in Norway to forestall a German invasion, but these plans were hampered by diplomatic hesitations and logistical challenges.
As a result, when Germany launched Operation Weserübung, the Allies were caught off guard and unable to respond effectively in time to prevent the German forces from rapidly establishing control.
Norway’s strategic position in Europe, combined with its valuable resources, made it a critical target for Germany’s expansionist ambitions during the Second World War.
...a swift and successful invasion...
The failure of the Allies to act decisively allowed Germany to carry out a swift and successful invasion, marking the beginning of a challenging period of occupation for the Norwegian people.
Understanding the geopolitical and political factors leading up to the invasion provides crucial context for examining the impact of the subsequent five-year occupation on Norway’s society and its lasting legacy in the country’s history.
Operation Weserübung
The German invasion of Norway, codenamed Operation Weserübung, was a meticulously planned military campaign designed to secure Norway's strategic resources and coastline.
It was launched on the 9th April 1940, as part of Nazi Germany’s broader effort to consolidate control over Northern Europe, ensuring access to critical resources and naval positions that would prove essential to the German war effort.
This marked the first time Germany employed its Blitzkrieg tactics in a maritime setting. Unlike traditional land invasions, this operation involved a complex combination of naval, airborne, and ground forces to overwhelm the Norwegian defenses swiftly.
Early in the morning of the 9th April German forces simultaneously struck key Norwegian cities, including Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger, and Narvik, with both naval landings and airborne assaults.
During Operation Weserübung, mountain troops were extensively deployed. Operation Weserübung was geographically extensive, targeting both Denmark and Norway simultaneously. It involved coordinated land, sea, and air assaults across a vast area, from the southern Danish border to Norway's northern ports, ensuring rapid control over key cities, airfields, and coastal regions.
Bundesarchiv.
https://www.tracesofwar.nl/articles/911/Duitse-Troepen-voor-Weser%C3%BCbung.htm
The Donau, one of the largest ships used to deport Jews from Norway to Germany. From Germany, hundreds of Norwegian Jews were deported to Auschwitz. Norway, 1943.
German prisoners of war being processed prior to embarkation from Norway to Germany. Here prisoners rest at the embarkation camp at Mandal prior to boarding boats for Germany.
http://www.iwmcollections.org.uk/media/images/Photographs/Image/BU_009775.jpg
