Hitler’s Pre-Emptive War: The Battle for Norway, 1940 (99 page)
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Authors: Henrik O. Lunde
Tags: #Bisac Code 1: HIS027100
The Allies obtained the willing service of the 4.8 million ton Norwegian merchant fleet. The service and sacrifice of this fleet was a vital factor in the survival of Britain, particularly in the critical period 1940-1942.
The German invasion had a profound effect on Norwegian policies over the next two generations. There was no return to the policy of neutrality. Norway embraced collective security and became a charter member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. While Norway has elected not to become a member of the European Union, there remains strong support for the traditional security system that came into being after the war.
Maps
Ships passing in the night. On April 8, 1940, German flotillas, in a surprise operation, were able to slip through the teeth of British naval superiority to begin the invasion of Norway.
Above: British warships attacking the Germans on the approaches to Narvik. Below: The Battle of Bjørnefjell on April 16 saw German troops surprising and defeating a larger Norwegian force, thus securing the all-important railway line to Sweden.
The Battle of Tretten, in which the Germans defeated a combined British-Norwegian force, and the British 148th Brigade all but ceased to exist.
The area between Trondheim, Norway’s ancient capital (bottom), and the city of Namsos (top).
The region south of Narvik along Norway’s central west coast.
The Allies repeatedly attempted to break the German grip on Narvik until events in France forced efforts to cease.