Denmark hoped to be respected as a neutral in World War II, but, fearing Nazi aggression, concluded a nonaggression pact with Germany early in 1939. This isolated Denmark from the rest of Scandinavia but preserved its lucrative trade with Britain until the actual occupation of the country, which began in April 1940.

The Danes were well aware that, militarily, they could do little to resist German aggression. At the time of the occupation, in April 1940, the Danish army consisted of a mere 14,000 men, a number that included 8,000 brand new draftees. The navy manned coastal defenses and had only two major but obsolescent ships. There was no separate air force, but, between them, the Danish army and navy divided 50 obsolete aircraft.

Thanks to the anti-Hitler sabotage of German intelligence chief Wilhelm Canaris, the Danes were given several days' notice of the impending German invasion. However, although they learned of it on April 4, 1940, Danish military authorities did nothing to prepare for the attack until April 8, when Copenhagen was reinforced, as was the border with Germany. These steps were to no avail, and, beginning on April 9, the Germans easily took the country, encountering almost no resistance from the Danish army and absolutely none from the navy.

The first German troops crossed into Denmark at 4:15 a.m. By 6 in the morning, Copenhagen was occupied. In the meantime, a successful Airborne Assault (the first in any war) was launched south of Zealand. Effectively paralyzed, the Danish government ordered a ceasefire and accepted German occupation. . .

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