The Invasion of Norway and the Low Counties
Started in the spring of 1940, April 8th. Hitler invades Denmark and Norway.
The purpose is two fold for Hitler. This war was a war or resources. Wars are typically fought over such.
1) The British had landed in Norway declaring their help for Finland = Threatened the steel that came from Sweden. Sweden stayed neutral.
2) It provided a much more forward base for German U-boats.
Provides the word Quisling to the English dictionary. He collaborated with the Nazi's.
All Norwegian shipping goes to the British. Hugely valuable for the British as they kept getting their ships sunk by U-boats.
Norway felt they had a choice and prevented their Jews from being shipped to the Holocaust. Teachers refused to promote anti semitic policies and curriculum, so eventually the Nazi's backed off.
Hitler begins his attack on the west in the neutral 'Low Countries' May 10th, 1940.
Tumes to surrender:
Netherlands = 4 days
Belgium = 18 days
Luxembourg = 2 days
The British Expeditionary Force and the French tried to defend Belgium but arrived too late.
End up getting trapped along the coast.
The purpose is two fold for Hitler. This war was a war or resources. Wars are typically fought over such.
1) The British had landed in Norway declaring their help for Finland = Threatened the steel that came from Sweden. Sweden stayed neutral.
2) It provided a much more forward base for German U-boats.
Provides the word Quisling to the English dictionary. He collaborated with the Nazi's.
All Norwegian shipping goes to the British. Hugely valuable for the British as they kept getting their ships sunk by U-boats.
Norway felt they had a choice and prevented their Jews from being shipped to the Holocaust. Teachers refused to promote anti semitic policies and curriculum, so eventually the Nazi's backed off.
Hitler begins his attack on the west in the neutral 'Low Countries' May 10th, 1940.
Tumes to surrender:
Netherlands = 4 days
Belgium = 18 days
Luxembourg = 2 days
The British Expeditionary Force and the French tried to defend Belgium but arrived too late.
End up getting trapped along the coast.