German occupation of Denmark (1940–45)
The German occupation of Denmark from 1940 to 1945 occurred during World War II, following Germany's invasion on April 9, 1940, despite Denmark's attempts to remain neutral. Strategically situated, Denmark was vital for German military operations, particularly as a launch point for attacks on Norway. Initially, the Danish government chose a policy of cooperation with the occupiers, which allowed for a degree of normalcy in daily life, despite the underlying resentment among the populace. However, by 1943, resistance to the occupation intensified, leading to strikes, sabotage, and a more aggressive German response to dissent, including the implementation of oppressive anti-Jewish policies.
As the war progressed and German military fortunes declined, Danish resistance became increasingly robust, with growing public support for underground movements against the occupiers. The turning point came on May 4, 1945, when German forces surrendered, prompting widespread celebrations among the Danish people. The official liberation followed on May 5, when Allied British forces entered the country. While the occupation resulted in significant hardships and loss of life, Denmark's collaboration during the initial years of occupation complicated its post-war narrative. Ultimately, the resilience and bravery of the Danish resistance played a crucial role in shaping the national identity and memory of this tumultuous period.
German occupation of Denmark (1940–45)
The German occupation of Denmark (1940–45) was a period during World War II in which German forces commanded by Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler controlled Denmark. Despite Denmark’s attempts to remain neutral during the war, German forces took over the country for its strategic location and resources on April 9, 1940. Although Danes largely complied with their occupiers at first, by 1943, Danish resistance and sabotage had risen to high levels, leading to harsher German domination. German forces in Denmark surrendered on May 4, 1945, as the war drew to a close. Allied British forces liberated the country the following day. 
Brief History
In the 1930s, Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler began positioning Germany as a military superpower. Germans, stinging from their loss in World War I (1914–1918) and its crushing effects, rallied to the cause. By the end of that decade, the German armed forces had grown into a seemingly unstoppable force. Hitler began a conquest of neighboring countries that led, in September 1939, to the declaration of World War II (1939–1945).
By spring of 1940, German forces had already conquered Poland and made headway into other countries. Hitler and his generals planned for victories throughout Europe and created strategies to move them to this goal. One of the earliest steps in this process was to take over Denmark, a small nation in northern Europe.
Denmark had attempted to stay neutral in the war and had signed a nonaggression pact with Germany in 1939. Regardless, German leaders wanted to gain control of Denmark due to its position. Situated on a peninsula in the North Sea, Denmark had strategically valuable ports and air bases. It would also provide a stepping stone for a German attack on Norway and a defensive post against attacks from the opposing Allied forces.
In violation of the 1939 treaty, German forces attacked Denmark on April 9, 1940. Some Danish forces attempted armed defense, but the might of the Germans was far too great. Within hours, Danish soldiers gave up. The government in Copenhagen, fearing further destruction, issued a formal surrender. Denmark fell under German control, a state that would remain until the closing days of the war.
Overview
Despite Hitler’s reputation for violent oppression, Denmark and its government experienced little change in the early stages of the German occupation. Although most Danes were against the occupation, they sought to cooperate with and appease their overlords enough to retain much control over their day-to-day tasks and avoid destructive retribution.
The Danish government continued its work with minimal interruption, with most Danish officials retained. Only law enforcement institutions came under strong German influence, with the occupiers seeking to find and arrest any dissenters. For most Danes, life under the Germans changed little. Even most Danish Jews escaped oppression at the hands of the murderously anti-Semitic Nazis. Only the strains of the war around them, such as rationing and closed borders, brought a noticeable effect to the average Dane.
As time passed, however, many Danes strayed from their policy of cooperation and collaboration. A small but growing resistance to the Germans formed. Pockets of dissenters printed anti-German newsletters. Later, large bands of factory workers began to strike to halt production of military goods. Other Danes brawled with German soldiers or conducted sabotage attacks against railroads, businesses, and equipment used by the Germans.
By 1943, the hostility of the Danish people toward their German occupiers had reached a crisis level. German officials insisted that Danish leaders execute convicted saboteurs, but the Danes refused to comply. On August 29, the occupying forces declared a state of emergency, ending their passive control of Denmark and grabbing power aggressively. Germans took over the Danish government and armed forces, although not before the Danish navy scuttled several ships to ensure they could not be used for the German war effort.
With the German control established, conditions in Denmark became quickly and decidedly harsher. German-led police units arrested and executed saboteurs and other dissenters. In addition, Nazi policies against Judaism went into effect, with German police units searching the country for Jews to be sent to concentration camps. The police arrested more than four hundred Jews, but more than seven thousand others managed to escape to Sweden, a neutral country where they would be safer, with extensive help from the overall Danish population.
As the Germans tightened their grip, the Danish resistance intensified. Strikes, riots, and acts of sabotage increased in 1944. The resistance became so strong that Allied nations unofficially began to view Denmark as a fellow ally. The German occupiers, in turn, elevated the level of repression. Germans dissolved the Danish police, deporting them to concentration camps, and staged revenge killings of Danish citizens. Denmark was torn by internal fighting, raids by German-led police, shortages of food and supplies, and instability of government and other social structures.
In the broader war, Germany had suffered a number of crushing defeats. By 1945, German armies were faltering and retreating. All but the staunchest Germans knew their effort was lost, and German forces surrendered in massive numbers. On May 4, the occupiers of Denmark surrendered, despite the fact that Allied armies had not yet reached the peninsular nation. The news traveled quickly via radio, leading to widespread expressions of joy and relief. Danes poured into the streets to celebrate. Many also lit candles in their windows, starting a tradition symbolizing their restored freedom.
The official liberation of Denmark occurred the following day, when Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery led British forces through the country. Although the liberation was marked by joy, the victorious Allied nations hesitated to embrace Denmark due to its eager collaboration with the Germans in the first years of the occupation. Soon, however, the deeds of the resistance outweighed that, and Denmark was accepted among the victors.
Denmark’s losses in World War II were significant, although extremely small compared to those of many other nations. About nineteen Danish soldiers died during the initial invasion of 1940. During the war, thousands of Danes served in the armed forces of both sides, leading to combat losses of about four thousand soldiers and sailors. More than eight hundred resistance fighters lost their lives, along with approximately nine hundred civilians. About six hundred resistance fighters and other Danes died in German-run concentration camps.
Bibliography
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