Chapter 15
Dem der drømmer.
The Danish Military was defeated and forced to retreat, unable to defend their own homeland, they fled to Norway. The morale is low and they fear that a German Invasion of Norway is imminent. There is not much time for talking, if dreams are to become true, the allies have to work hard.
7th of February 1940 18:00 Oslo Harbor Norway.
W. Prior is making a speech for the danish soldiers that made it to Norway, the morale is low and the men are exhausted.
W. Prior: "Alright men, we lost, Denmark is now under German Control. There is not much we can do now, to change that fact. We faced an overwhelming opponent that have invaded all its neighbours in a quick fashion, except Switzerland. I have just recived the news from Copenhagen, Prime minister Stauning have negotiated how the occupation will occur, Denmark is lost and our King is now hostile of the madmen in Berlin.
Our brothers in Norway might share our fate, but men we have a choice. We can fight for our brothers freedom from German tyranny, to make sure that the Norwegians will share the same fate as us. 200 years ago Denmark and Norway was one and the same, by rulership king. Today the Danes and Norwegians will stand united, not by the bloods of monarchs, but by Scandinavian Brotherhood and our common desire to protect those we hold dear.
I know many of you have family, friends and children in Denmark, now in the claws of not just some tyrannic German dictator. But a monster that is only obsessed by power and control. A dictator that want to assimilate everything into the "perfect" German and eradicate anything not deemed assimilable or is opposing these mad "ideals". Not even the Germans are German enough for Hitlers liking.
I will ask your all this question: "Do you want the Norwegians to share the fate of Denmark?"
The Soldiers: various responses of "No"
W. Prior: Then let us get into action, the plan is simple. The Homeguard will guard the Ports in Southern Norway and the Infantry Will act as reserve and reinforce any port that is attack by the Germans.
The 8th of February: Iceland Declares independence. With the Occupation of Denmark, the Icelandic parliament have declared their own foreign policy, in order to protect Iceland from the terrors of the war. This event is seen as a great betrayal, by the Danish Military, as Iceland have a small military industry, the army hoped could supply what is left of the Danish Army. The Icelandic Goverment have announced, they will vote to decare neutrality or rejoin Denmark in the Fight against the Germans.
The 18th of February: Germany Declares war on Yugoslavia, Yugoslavia joins the allies in response.
The 28th of February: The Croatian part of Yugoslavia declares independence and have joined the Axis, no one knows if this uprising was funded by the axis or came by its own." But was is know, all Yugoslavian and British forces in Slovenia, is now encircled"
With the Croatian uprising, a dire situation now seems hopeless.
The 8th of March 1940 The Second Vienna Award, have granted Hungary northern Transylvania. In responce, Hungary have joined the Axis.
The 9th of March 1940 The Garrision of Bornholm, somehow managed to escape and now continues the Fight under British Command, which on the same day, was returned to Danish Command.
The 9th of March 1940 A German invasion of Bergen Is underway, the Danish infantry is now responding and move in to oppose the German Invasion
Most likely, the Invasion will be repelled by the combined arms of Denmark and Norway.
The 10th of March Finland surrenders to the Soviet Union, losing some territory, but otherwise keeps its independence.
The 11th of March The Germans are now launching a major invasion of Stavanger, the garrison will most likely not hold, if it does not receive reinforcements.
Reinforcements are underway, so there is no way the Germans get a port.
The 16th of March 1940 Yugoslavia Capitulates.
The 19th of March 1940: The Battle of Stavanger is over, The Danish and Norwegian Forces where able to repel the invasion.
Germany Suffered Significant losses and resulted in a Significant Danish-Norwegian Victory at the 1st battle of Stavanger.
The 21st of March 1940 Denmark, with British support have established military factories in Greenland, in order to supply the Danish army. Further Construction is underway
The 1st invasion of Bergen have also concluded, Many Germans died or where captured as POW (Prisoner of War)
All battles fought in the 1st Battle of Bergen, Germany lost over 20.000 men, due to 2 German divisions, landed on a beach with no supply, they where not able to capture a port, so they where forced to surrender.
The 27th of March 1940. The Germans managed to secure the port of Stavanger, the local garrison was overwhelmed, after giving the Germans heavy resistance and forced to retreat, the Danish army have launched a counter offensive, in order to retake the port, before the Germans can organise a Defense and invade Norway.
This could be the most important battle for Norway.
The Danes are disorganised but the Germans does not have any sort of organisation. The Second battle of Stavanger have begun.
Due to The Resistance The Danish Garrison offered and the arrival of the Reserve forces, the Germans did not even have 30 minutes to organise a defence of the Harbour, once all divisions left the transport boats.
Danish Machine-gun fire, combined with Danish artillery barrage, made the Germans suffer heavy losses and they could not take cover, due to their extreme concentration of men, the transport boats where also sunk by a Danish Artillery bararge, making any resistance or attempt of retreat by the German army at Stavanger, pointless.
The 30th of March The Danish Counteroffensive in Stavanger was a major Success. The Germans where too disorganised to defend their position and surrendered to the Danish army. 6 German divisions was captured that day.
The Largest Danish Victory so far the casualty rate almost 1 dane for 129,2 German. Most lost German soldiers are now prisoners of war, they are getting send over to Britain, in order to secure they will stay as prisoners, even if Norway fall in German Hands. The Danish army did well under the leadership Wilhelm Wain Prior.
Now with the End of March 1940, Denmark have been occupied for over a month, Yogoslavia have fallen and most of its territory is now controlled by a Croatian uprising and battles still being fought in Africa. Even as the war coninues and have awoken the people in Europe to the Nazis tyrrany, there are still People sleeping and dreaming.