Norway?

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In WWII, why did Germany take Norway? If I remember correctly, it was because of oil, but in HoI, Norway has only 10 oil total to its name. As Germany, I have no wish at all to conquer Norway because I have nothing to gain. But historically, Hitler must have seen a reason. What's the deal?

 

[unmerged(11272)]

He didn't want allies taking advantage of the steel and resources (if I remember correctly), and it was also a good point for Germany to base some of it's navy and such to strike Britain.

 

[Ingtar]

He also needed Narvik as a port in the Winter. The Swedish ports were too icy for the iron ore barges part of the year.

 

[unmerged(576)]

I have no idea why this has been moved from HoI, it is very relevant to the game.

The problem with HoI is that resources are so easily accessible via the world market which means you have little need to invade another country for them. That's why you don't do it in HoI

Do remember that Hitler also invaded Norway for the heavy water plants, for an air base over the Barents and to prevent the Allies from gaining the iron ore (it wasn't oil that anyone was after). Churchill had actually planned to invade Norway himself, but Hitler beat him to it.

 

[unmerged(14078)]

Originally posted by GeneralPuddles
In WWII, why did Germany take Norway? If I remember correctly, it was because of oil, but in HoI, Norway has only 10 oil total to its name. As Germany, I have no wish at all to conquer Norway because I have nothing to gain. But historically, Hitler must have seen a reason. What's the deal?

why did Germany invade Norway?

- The industry relied on the Swedish iron ore, which during winter was sent via Narvik, in northern Norway

- The Kriegsmarine had good staging points from bases in Norway.

- Air control. It would be dangerous for British ships to sail in those waters. Possibility to bomb UK from Norway.

- Regional control. The Soviets and UK/France both wanted to get foothold in that region. By taking it first the region was secured.

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Why isn't it essential in HOI for Germany to take Norway?

It would be to easy to defeat German "ai" by simply blocking the steel delivery with the RN. The German "ai" would probably be unable to even reach Norway with a human UK player.

Those air thingys aren't really important in HOI which results in historical important operations becoming worthless.

Regards/
Klaus

 

[unmerged(2695)]

Norway did not have oil in 1940. But Germany needed the naval bases and wanted to preempt any Allied operations against the Swedish ore mines through Narvik.

 

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also do not forget that Norway borders Russia - this was of extreme importance to Hitler.

 

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Not in October 1939 when the palns were first aired. Then the german navy had their base on the Murmansk coast.

 

[Norgesvenn]

Norway did have strategic resources of importance to the German armaments industry, such as bauxite. Fish oil also seemed to have some use.

Else than that, I think the most important reason was to secure the Swedish steel and ore deliveries through Narvik.

Don't forget that traitor beyond belief Vidkun Quisling also visited Hitler, urging him to help Quisling setting up a National Socialist regime.

 

[unmerged(502)]

Originally posted by Hardu
Not in October 1939 when the palns were first aired. Then the german navy had their base on the Murmansk coast.

are you saying that controlling Russia's northern border was not important to Hitler in October of 1939? When did it become important?

 

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Originally posted by webbrave
also do not forget that Norway borders Russia - this was of extreme importance to Hitler.

Wasn't that border very... ehm... short?

 

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Originally posted by Kirov
Wasn't that border very... ehm... short?

100 km or so, but Murmansk and Russia's Northern fleet are fairly close.

 

[unmerged(469)]

There as also the factor that the Altmark affair made Hitler realize that he couldn't rely on British respect of Norwegian neutrality alone to protect German shipping in territorial waters.

 

[peo]

The invasion was mainly to secure the shipments during winter.
Hitler was also afraid that the Brittish might use a preemtive strike and occupy Narvik and Kiruna thus stopping the shipments.

Narviks importance reduced over time in the war though.
More and more iron ore went via the baltic and Hitlers dependnce on Swedish ore was reduced once France and Benelux had been taken.

 

[pithorr]

Originally posted by webbrave
100 km or so, but Murmansk and Russia's Northern fleet are fairly close.

So why Germans didn't ceoss such important border and just seized Murmansk?

 

[King of Men]

Two reasons : Norwegian roads and Russian roads.

 

[unmerged(4253)]

So was it worth it, concidering Germany lost so many vessles?

 

[Norgesvenn]

Originally posted by CoolElephant
So was it worth it, concidering Germany lost so many vessles?

The invasion? It cost them Blücher in the Oslofiord, but other than that, it was the Norwegian navy that was shot to pieces, not to mention the excuse for an airforce Norway had. Gloster Gladiators weren't that great a match for the Luftwaffe.

 

[unmerged(234)]

Originally posted by CoolElephant
So was it worth it, concidering Germany lost so many vessles?

Well the cost was not high. It secured the ore from Sweden, wich was vital at least until France was conquered (and put Sweden under considerable German pressure, you have seen the lenght of the Swedish-Norewgian boarder?). It gave Germany an excellent staging point for submarines and aircrafts harassing the convoys from US/UK to Murmansk

So I would say it was worth it, from German view.

 

[unmerged(4253)]

But didn't they lose like 10 destroyers and half of their transports?