Invasion of Norway

Invasion of Norway. The German occupation of Norway began with the Operation Weserübung invasion, which was launched by Adolf Hitler and the Wehrmacht in conjunction with the Invasion of Denmark (1940). This campaign was supported by the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe, with key figures such as Erich Raeder and Hermann Göring playing important roles. The invasion was opposed by the Norwegian Army, led by Haakon VII of Norway and Johan Nygaardsvold, with support from the United Kingdom and France.

Background

The Anglo-German Naval Agreement and the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact set the stage for the European theatre of World War II, with Nazi Germany seeking to expand its influence in Scandinavia. The Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union had drawn attention to the region, and Winston Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty, proposed a British occupation of Norway to prevent German U-boats from using Norwegian ports. However, the Norwegian neutrality policy, supported by Sweden and Denmark, was eventually compromised by the Altmark Incident, which involved the Altmark (ship), Richard Kellett, and Henry Denham.

German Invasion

The Operation Weserübung invasion began on April 9, 1940, with the Battle of Oslofjord, where the Blücher (cruiser) was sunk by Oscarsborg Fortress and Colossus (batteries). The XIX Corps (Germany) and XXI Corps (Germany) were deployed, with General Nikolaus von Falkenhorst as the commander of the invasion force. The Luftwaffe provided air support, with Stuka dive bombers and Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters, while the Kriegsmarine contributed with Scharnhorst-class battleships and Gneisenau (ship). Key figures such as Eduard Dietl and Ferdinand Schörner played important roles in the invasion.

Norwegian Campaign

The Norwegian Campaign was marked by several key battles, including the Battle of Drøbak Sound, where the Norwegian Navy and Royal Norwegian Navy Air Service engaged the German Navy. The British Expeditionary Force (World War II) and French Army were deployed to support the Norwegian Army, with Major-General Pierse Joseph Mackesy and General André-Gaston Prételat as commanders. The Soviet Union and United States also provided support, with Joseph Stalin and Franklin D. Roosevelt playing important roles in the international response to the invasion.

Major Battles and Events

The Battle of Narvik was a key engagement, with the Allies attempting to capture the strategic port city of Narvik. The Battle of Vinjesvingen and Battle of Hegra Fortress were also important battles, with the Norwegian Army resisting the German invasion. The Evacuation of Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain were related events, with the Luftwaffe and Royal Air Force clashing in the skies above England. Key figures such as Hugh Dowding, 1st Baron Dowding and Hermann Göring played important roles in these events.

Aftermath and Occupation

The German occupation of Norway lasted from 1940 to 1945, with Reichskommissar Josef Terboven as the ruler of the occupied territory. The Quisling regime was established, with Vidkun Quisling as the leader of the Nasjonal Samling party. The Norwegian resistance movement was active throughout the occupation, with key figures such as Max Manus and Gunnar Sønsteby playing important roles. The Soviet Union and United States continued to provide support to the Norwegian government-in-exile, with Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt maintaining close relationships with Haakon VII of Norway and Johan Nygaardsvold.

Conclusion

The Invasion of Norway was a significant event in World War II, with the German occupation of Norway lasting for five years. The Norwegian Campaign was marked by several key battles, including the Battle of Narvik and the Battle of Vinjesvingen. The Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine played important roles in the invasion, with key figures such as Hermann Göring and Erich Raeder contributing to the German war effort. The Norwegian resistance movement and the Allies ultimately contributed to the defeat of Nazi Germany, with Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt playing important roles in the international response to the invasion. The Yalta Conference and the Potsdam Conference were significant events in the aftermath of the war, with Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill, and Harry S. Truman shaping the post-war world order. Category:World War II