Chapter 9 - The Plan Revealed
On the morning of Friday, March 5th; the King, his top generals, and closest advisers met in Christiansborg Palace.
After the King and everyone was seated around the large table, General Sommerfeldt spread out a large map of the Southern coast of Norway. On it the lines of attack that had been determined after months of planning and covert scouting, were drawn out.
On the night before the attack troop transports disguised as cargo ships would arrive in Kristiansand harbor and dock. Once the official declaration of war was given to the Norwegian ambassador in Copenhagen the 1st Zealand and Sjællandske Divisions would begin unloading right onto the docks. Meanwhile, amphibious landings would be carried out in nearby Arendal and Kragerø by the 2nd Jutland and Jydske divisions respectively. General Esseman would then set up the 1st Corps HQ in Kristiansand.
The 2nd Jutland and the Jydske divisions would then make their way along the coast toward Oslo, while the 1st Zealand would move in land before also turning toward the Norwegian capital, their object being to cut off any forces in the city, preventing retreat into the mountains. The last thing anyone wanted was Norwegian forces escaping and then harassing the occupation forces in a protracted partisan war.
The Sjællandske division would be ordered to capture the port at Stavanger before moving north to Bergen. Once Bergen was captured the Danish Royal Navy would setup a forward fueling base in preparation for the second phase of the invasion, Narvik.
The Royal Navy’s flagship the Niels Juel would lead a taskforce up the coast taking General Mertz’s 2nd Corps, the Prinsens division and land in Narvik.
The king pondered what he had been told for several long grueling moments before shaking his head in agreement.
“Gentlemen, it appears that we have a plan; how long until your final preparations are complete?”
“The first week of August your majesty” Sommerfeldt replied.
“Good; the as long as the weather is good Operation Slartibartfast will commence on August 13th.”
Index
Chapter 8 - Contacts Grow Cold -
Jan - Feb 1937
Chapter 10 - The Dogs of War -
April - July 1937