Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany

Starting with the invasion of April 9, 1940, Norway was under military occupation of German forces and civil rule of a German commissioner in collaboration with a Norwegian fascist government. The occupation ended May 10, 1945, after the capitulation of German forces in Europe.

Background

Having maintained its neutrality during World War I, Norwegian foreign and military policy since 1933 was largely based influenced on three factors:

Related Topics:
World War I - 1933

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• Fiscal austerity promoted by the conservative parties
• Pacificism promoted by the Norwegian Labour Party
• A doctrine of neutrality, on the assumption that there would be no need to bring Norway into a war if she remained neutral

These three factors met resistance as tensions grew in Europe in the 1930s, initially from Norwegian military staff and right-wing political groups, but increasingly also from individuals within the mainstream political establishment and, it has since come to light, by the king, behind the scenes. By the late 1930's, the Norwegian parliament had accepted the need for a strengthened military and expanded the budget accordingly, even by assuming national debt. As it turned out, most of the plans enabled by the budgetary expansion were not completed in time.

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Although the principle of neutrality was held sacrosanct until the invasion was a fait accompli, it was known throughout the government that Norway, above all, did not want to be in war with Great Britain. Several incidents in Norwegian maritime waters, notably the Altmark incident in Jøssingfjorden, put great strains on Norway's ability to assert its neutrality. By the fall of 1939, there was an increasing sense of urgency that Norway had to prepare to not just protect its neutrality but indeed to fight for its "freedom and independence." Efforts to improve military readiness and capability, and to sustain an extended blockade, were intensified between September of 1939 and April of 1940.

Related Topics:
Altmark incident - Jøssingfjorden - 1939

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Norway managed to negotiate favorable trade treaties both with Great Britain and Germany under these conditions, but it became increasingly clear that both countries had a strategic interest in denying the other access to Norway.

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