Denmark And Norway
Operation Weserübung
Hitler began to consider a campaign in Denmark and Norway (both nations were supposedly neutral, ironically) after he realized the Allies would mine the coast of Norway to prevent vitally important iron ore from reaching Germany. Although actions had not been made yet, Winston Churchill had recommended mining the route from Narvik, Norway, to Germany, because over 90% of German-Norwegian ore trade took that route. He determined an expedition against the two countries would secure transportation routes and create a staging ground for submarine attacks against the United Kingdom. He became all the more determined after the British HMS Cossack boarded in neutral Norwegian waters the German Altmark seizing prisoners of war also held violating of the neutrality. Hitler was infuriated and ordered his own plan for Norway to be initiated. Code-named Operation Weserübung "Exercise on the Weser," it dictated the German army movements to secure major cities (including Oslo, Trondheim, and Bergen) and to capture the kings of both nations to instigate a quick surrender.
Denmark
Before Hitler could advance on Norway, Denmark had to be secure. Invasion was set for early morning April 9th, 1940, and would take place parallel to the Norway invasion. It was not expected to take long or inflict severe losses for Denmark was flat, making it perfect for German military strategy. Around 4:00, the German ambassador to Denmark requested an audience with the Prime Minister and shortly afterward informed him that Germany was occupying Denmark. He could cooperate or Copenhagen (Denmark's capitol) would be bombed. In fact, the invasion had already started nearly a half-hour ago, at 3:55, when Gedsar was attacked. Ships ferried infantry, tanks, and armored cars into this port as well as Korsør and Nyborg, which had been captured a few minutes later. Moving northward, the soldiers met little opposition and quick capitulation. At 4:15, German infantry marched across the border into the Jutland peninsula at Sæd, Rens, Padborg, and Krusaa. The Luftwaffe bombed down most of the Danish air force on the ground and dropped near the Storstrøm Bridge the first paratrooper attack at 5:00. Copenhagen had been attacked at 4:20 and captured about an hour later. Denmark capitulated to German demands at 6:00. As a result, the Nazi occupation of Denmark was relatively light and most Jews were sent to safety (out of 8,000 or so only 477 were deported and 70 killed). Later in the war, Denmark would put up a valiant resistance effort, but for now much was quiet.
Norway
PRequel
While one army was attacking Denmark, another was carrying out a larger, and far more important invasion in Norway. A day earlier, a Polish submarine had sunk a German troopship off the coast of Lillesand, but it was reported to late. A second ship would be spotted in the evening and a brief skirmish ensued. At 4:15 the following day, the Blücher would sink from heavy damage inflicted by gunners at Oscarsborg Fortress. The severe damage led the German naval officers to delay the naval offensive, giving the government time to evacuate.
PAratroopers
On April 9th, paratroopers attacked three airports (one near Oslo, another near Kristiansand, and the third in Sola) to disable Norwegian airplanes before they could take out. Despite opposition the attacks were successful.
The Invasion
Five naval attack groups attacked Norway plus a sixth minesweeping group. They targeted Narvik, Trondheim, Bergen, Kristiansand, and Oslo. Within the first twenty-four hours, the first four had fallen and a coup announced over the radio. Next, several towns were tactically and terror bombed after the German Navy engaged the British navy. Although Narvik was originally captured by the British, it was the sight of a devastating German naval defeat. However the Allied efforts on land were not nearly as successful, only holding back the Germans until May. On June 10th, the Norwegian forces at home surrendered, but at the orders of the government-in exile the soldiers abroad continued to fight for the Allied cause until the end of the war.