How Germans Maintained Control in Norway and Denmark in 1945: The Role of Collaboration and Military Strategy

The German occupation of Norway and Denmark in 1945 presented a unique challenge, given that the majority of Wehrmacht forces were focused on defending the homeland in Berlin. However, the German Reich managed to maintain control through strategic military deployments and collaboration with local authorities. This article explores the factors that contributed to this persistence, including the roles of collaboration and military strategy.

The Role of Collaboration

One of the key factors that enabled the German forces to maintain some level of control over Norway and Denmark was the collaboration between Nazi Germany and local authorities. Notably, the Occupation brought a new Nazi-friendly government in Norway through the Quisling administration, named after Vidkun Quisling, who was the prime minister under German occupation.

In Denmark, the police and other authorities were also required to obey orders from the German occupation forces. While some officials complied with these demands without hesitation, others engaged in covert resistance, risking their lives to oppose the occupation and provide information to Allied forces.

Military Strategy and Deployment

Germany’s military strategy during World War II included the maintenance of large numbers of troops in Norway and Denmark, despite these forces being of little use in the defense of Berlin. This decision was an example of Hitler’s determination to assert control over all areas under German influence, regardless of the strategic value of these regions.

However, by April 1945, it had become impossible to evacuate the German forces from Norway, as the situation had become dire. Many German divisions were indeed transferred from Norway to reinforce the Eastern and Western Fronts in early 1945, but by this time, the situation in Norway and Denmark had already been sealed.

Strategic Importance of Denmark and Norway

Denmark and Norway maintained their strategic importance due to their geographical position and the potential military operations that could have been conducted from these territories. Denmark, with its land connection to the Reich, was a critical position as the entrance to the Baltic Sea. Holding this area would have allowed for far-reaching operations into Germany, which was in itself a strategic advantage for Germany.

In contrast, while the Allied forces remained focused on the campaign in Berlin, there was no immediate threat to Norway and Denmark. The Allied forces were concentrating on the Reich, and the German forces in these two regions were isolated and engaged in little significant battle. Once the Reich was almost completely occupied, the German forces in Norway and Denmark were no longer a threat and surrendered accordingly.

The Context of Control

It is important to note that Norway and Denmark were not truly conquered by Nazi Germany. The people in these regions, as well as Finland, the Baltic states, and others, had more in common with German culture than with the Nazi regime per se. The cultural and historical ties were much deeper and longer-lasting than the 12 years of Nazi rule.

Conclusion

The German occupation of Norway and Denmark in 1945, despite being nearly obsolete, was sustained through a combination of collaboration with local authorities and strategic military deployments. The geographical and strategic importance of these regions, coupled with the priorities of the dwindling German forces, ensured their control until the final stages of the war.