Invasion of Norway and low land countries
- April 8 and 9 1940 Hitler invades Denmark and Norway
- Purpose is two fold for Hitler:
- 1) The British had landed in Norway declaring their help for Finland = Threatened the steel that came from Sweden
- 2) It provided a much more forward base for German U-Boats
- Provides the word Quisling to the English dictionary
- All Norwegian shipping goes to the British
- Hitler begins his attack on the west in the neutral ‘Low Countries’ May 10, 1940
- Times to surrender
- Netherlands = 4 days
- Belgium = 18 days
- Luxembourg = 2 days
- The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and French try to defend Belgium but arrive too late
"The whole of northern Norway was covered with snow to depths which none of our soldiers had ever seen, felt, or imagined. There were neither snow-shoes nor skis - still less skiers. We must do our best. Thus began this ramshackle campaign."
-Churchill
-Churchill
FUN FACT: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/feb/25/norwegian-prison-inmates-treated-like-people
Subjunctive Question
Why are Britain and France basically sitting back and letting Germany take over all these lands ?
Summary
After invading Norway and Denmark Hitler moved onto the Low countries and easily took over the Netherlands in a matter of 4 days. It took them however 18 days to take over Belgium ,and Luxembourg was taken in 2 days. The BEF and France were unable to hold Germany from taking over a large section of Europe.