was denmark occupied by germany in ww2

was denmark occupied by germany in ww2

Officially Germany claimed to be protecting Denmark from a British invasion.[4]. At the capitulation, the refugee administration was handed over to Danish authorities. All existing bank accounts were also scrutinized. The Danish government was dominated by Social Democrats, including the pre-war prime minister Thorvald Stauning, who had been strongly opposed to the Nazi party. The Norwegian Army, which received help from an Allied expeditionary force, was unable to resist the superior German . By Monday 23 July, all old notes were officially outlawed as legal tender and any note not declared in a bank by 30 July would lose its value. As with the Faroe Islands, the United Kingdom occupied Iceland (to pre-empt a German occupation) but later turned it over to the United States, before that country entered the war in 1941. The Danish text only explicitly said that the government recognized that Kryssing had been given a new command, it did not sanction the creation of the corps, which had already happened without its creators asking the government's consent. Middle Ages. Seeing that his attack was failing, the German regimental commander radioed for support and three German Henschel Hs 126 aircraft soon appeared. Two German tanks and a motorcycle proceeded unsuspecting towards the barracks, which were defended by the anti-tank unit from Lundtoftbjerg. The Nazi paper Fdrelandet proclaimed the creation of the corps on 29 June 1941.[21]. In the camps, there was school education for children up to the upper secondary level, work duty for adults, study circles, theatre, music and self-issued German newspapers. On 9 April 1941, the Danish envoy to the United States, Henrik Kauffmann, signed a treaty with the U.S., authorizing it to defend Greenland and construct military stations there. [15] The Danes knocked out the three leading armoured cars, forcing them to pull back. May 5, 2015 marks the 70thanniversary of the liberation of Denmark from Nazi Germany, so the latest installment of American Chimera's e-archeology project of digging up my old Manion's International Auction House listings and Trendline articles features a special piece published in 2000. [50] Some historians argue that the relatively accommodating policy which did not actively resist the occupation was the only realistic way of safeguarding Danish democracy and people. Ziemke, Earl F. (2000 (reissue from 1960)). In pursuing this course the large Danish political parties also sought to protect Danish society from harsh measures which might be introduced by the occupiers and from the Danish Nazis (the National Socialist Workers Party of Denmark). Denmark's International Legal Status during the Second World War,". Resistance would have been suicidal and without any chance of success. The Danish government was later able to renegotiate the Germans' arbitrary exchange rate between the German military currency and the Danish krone to reduce this problem.[15]. In 1939 Denmark signed a 10-year non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany but Germany invaded Denmark on 9 April 1940 and the Danish government quickly surrendered. On 22 June 1941, the German authorities in Denmark demanded that Danish communists should be arrested. [citation needed], After the end of hostilities, over two thousand German prisoners of war were made to clear the vast minefields that had been laid on the west coast of Jutland, nearly half of them being either killed or wounded in the process. Believing that further resistance would only result in the futile loss of still more Danish lives, the Danish cabinet ultimately decided to bow to the German pressure "under protest". [16] There was a general feeling that the unpleasant reality of German occupation must be confronted in the most realistic way possible, given the international situation. The Germans set up a 37mm gun 300 meters (yards) away, but it managed to fire only one round before being knocked out by two rounds from a 20mm gun. Danes were concerned both about the negative economic effects of the German proposals, as well as the political ones. At a cabinet meeting the same day, it was suggested to seek a written confirmation of this promise in an addendum to the protocol. Denmark also rejected demands for the transfer of Danish army units to German military use. [18] The authorities would not enact special laws concerning Jews, and their civil rights remained equal with those of the rest of the population. Historically, Denmark had a large amount of interaction with Germany. The period of occupation thus ended reasonably peacefully, and in most places people could take to the streets and celebrate the new freedom. Database (in Danish) of Danish seamen and soldiers in military service with the allies. The decision to occupy Denmark was taken in Berlin on 17 December 1939. Within days, most of them had escaped Denmark to neutral Sweden. Therefore after only a few hours it was decided to surrender. On April 9, 1940, German troops invaded the country and quickly occupied Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Narvik. In October the Germans decided to remove all Jews from Denmark, but thanks to an information leak from German diplomat Georg Ferdinand Duckwitz and swift action by Danish civilians, the vast majority of the Danish Jews were transported to safety in neutral Sweden by means of fishing boats and motorboats. There was sporadic fighting between the Danish and German armies. Due to the relative ease of the occupation and copious amount of dairy products, Denmark earned the nickname the Cream Front (German: Sahnefront).[11]. [32][33] The coastal defence ship HDMSNiels Juel attempted to break out of the Isefjord, but was attacked by Stukas and forced to run aground. General Prior wanted to remove Kryssing and his designated second-in-command but decided to consult the cabinet. Stauning remained prime minister until his death in 1942, as head of a coalition cabinet encompassing all major political parties (the exceptions being the tiny Nazi party, and the Communist Party which was outlawed in 1941). [29] During the discussions, several formations of Heinkel He 111 and Dornier Do 17 bombers from Kampfgeschwader 4 roared over the city dropping OPROP! The plenipotentiary, Renthe-Fink was replaced by Werner Best and orders to crack down in Denmark were issued. [22] Scavenius reported this decision to Renthe-Fink. Approximately 6,000 Danes were sent to concentration camps during World War II,[38] of whom about 600 (10%) died. Hvad der virkelig skete", "Die Deutschen Besatzungspolitik in Dnemark", Prices on food 19401945: Nazi price policy in occupied Denmark, "Hvad var det, der skete den 29. august 1943 tidligt om morgenen? Most received prison sentences of under four years. [14] The Danish CO ordered them to northern Haderslev. Hvad der virkelig skete, Prices on food 19401945: Nazi price policy in occupied Denmark, http://forsvaret.dk/FKO/Nyt+og+Presse/Arkiver/Nyhedsarkiv/Nyheder/2003/29+aug+2003.htm, http://www.snopes.com/history/govern/denmark.htm, Den Danske Brigade "Danforce", Sverige 194345, Dnemarks wirtschaftspolitische Reaktion auf die Besetzung des Landes 1940/41, Ob man an die kleinen Kinder gedacht hat ? But this was established by the occupation. summarized key points in the German invasion. In his first monograph, author Kay Sren Nielsen states that in the archives of the Danish weapons manufacturer DISA (Danish Industrial Syndicate), 203 German soldiers were claimed to be killed in Jutland. [42] Some historians argue that the relatively accommodating policy which did not actively resist the occupation was the only realistic way of safeguarding Danish democracy and people. This had specified that Denmark only had police-like obligations. From 1918 until 1944 Iceland was self-governing, but the Danish king (King Christian X) was the head of state of both Denmark and Iceland. a diplomat accredited to the Sovereign, a post awarded to Cecil von Renthe-Fink, the German ambassador, and then in November 1942 to the lawyer and SS general Werner Best. No legislation discriminating against Jews. At the capitulation, the refugee administration was handed over to Danish authorities. [14] They opened fire, killing the motorcyclist and blowing the tracks off one tank, sending it crashing into a house. [41], The policy of the government, called samarbejdspolitikken (cooperation policy) is one of the most controversial issues in Danish history. The Danish people were divided about what the best policy toward Germany might be. (Jutland, for instance, was wide open to a panzer attack from Schleswig-Holstein to the south.) 0.4% of the then Faroese population. While lying in wait, they managed to capture two German dispatch riders. The government had foreseen the possibility of coal and oil shortages and had stockpiled some before the war, which, combined with rationing, prevented some of the worst potential problems from coming to the country. Their only strong interest in Denmark, that of surplus agricultural products, would be supplied by price policy on food rather than by control and restriction. [14] Bolstered by retreating units, approximately 400 Danes defended the town. Just over 3,000 Danes died as a direct result of the occupation. Many people criticized the process for victimizing "small" people disproportionately, while many politicians and businesses were left untouched. Dethlefsen, Henrik. Author (s): United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, DC. Does Baylor Scott and White random drug test? The building of the camp was for the sole purpose of keeping Danish Jews and other prisoners within Denmark's borders.[38]. [19] Two German tanks lined up adjacent to one another and opened fire. The success most often alluded to in regard to the Danish policy toward Germany is the protection of the Jewish minority in Denmark. At a cabinet meeting the same day, it was suggested to seek written confirmation of this promise in an addendum to the protocol. During years of occupation the Danish economy was more and more aligned on meeting German demands, which mainly meant agrarian products. All banknotes issued since the changeover date remain valid indefinitely; earlier ones are not valid. Contemporary European History 14.03 (2005): 295315. there was serious concern that the Danish economy was so dependent upon trade with Britain that the occupation would create an economic collapse, and Danish officials capitalized on that fear to get early concessions for a reasonable form of cooperation;[13] Overall this represents a very low mortality rate (ca. When the Germans ignored this, the Danes opened fire from 300 meters (yards) out, knocking out the lead armoured car and killing its driver. Refugees were gradually moved from over 1,000 smaller locations to new-built camps or previous German military barracks, some of which held over 20,000 refugees. Just over 100 soldiers died as part of Allied forces. After initial inadequacy, food rations became more sufficient. Danish soldiers were disarmed that afternoon, and those captured were allowed to return to their units. Very few stayed in Denmark for good. Scavenius felt strongly that he was Denmark's most ardent defender. Erik Scavenius argued that Denmark should sign the pact but the Cabinet ministers refused, stating that this would violate the policy of neutrality. The government had attempted to discourage sabotage and violent resistance to the occupation, but by the autumn of 1942 the numbers of violent acts of resistance were increasing steadily to the point that Germany declared Denmark "enemy territory" for the first time. Yes, it was, and this can be found by a quick google search: During most of World War II, Denmark was first a protectorate, then an occupied territory under Germany. The attack was a prelude to the invasion of Norway (German: Weserbung Nord, 9 April 10 June 1940). Bennike and his unit boarded the ferry in Elsinore to Sweden and went into exile. Rex" ("Giving my best thanks. In March 1943 the Germans allowed a general election to be held. The Danish government was also able to stall negotiations over the return of South Jutland to Germany, ban "closed-rank uniformed marches" that would have made nationalist German or Danish Nazi agitation more possible, keep National Socialists out of the government, and hold a relatively free election, with decidedly anti-Nazi results, in the middle of the war. In some of the camps, food rations were scarce and medical care was inadequate. Denmark's strategic importance for Germany was limited. A short skirmish followed. In realitylargely due to the initiative of the permanent secretary of the ministry of foreign affairs Nils Svenningsen[30]all day-to-day business had been handed over to the Permanent Secretaries, each effectively running his own ministry. In a much more vague and longer-term way, some Nazis hoped to incorporate Denmark into a greater "Nordic Union" at some stage, but these plans never materialized. This debate concluded that three red lines existed: 1) No legislation discriminating against Jews, 2) Denmark should never join the Axis Pact between Germany, Italy, and Japan, 3) No unit of the Danish army should ever fight against foreign forces. Free Corps Denmark was set up at the initiative of the SS and DNSAP who approached Lieutenant-Colonel C.P. [4] Overall, this represents a very low mortality rate when compared to other occupied countries and most belligerent countries. The alarm was sounded at 04:17, and the first Danish troops were dispatched at 04:35.[14]. In October the Germans decided to remove all Jews from Denmark, but thanks to an information leak from German diplomat Georg Ferdinand Duckwitz and swift action by Danish civilians, the vast majority of the Danish Jews were transported to safety in neutral Sweden by means of fishing boats and motorboats. THE END OF THE DANISH GOVERNMENT To stop the August unrest the Germans demanded that the Danish government should impose the death penalty for sabotage. Nonetheless, the Danish resistance movement had some successes, such as on D-Day when the train network in Denmark was disrupted for days, delaying the arrival of German reinforcements in Normandy. [24], In Esbjerg, a 75mm anti-aircraft gun damaged a German aircraft. At the same time, thousands of Danes were deported to German prisons and concentration camps. German terror against Danish resistance fighters and civilians increased in these final months. Few were ardent Nazis; some explored the economic possibilities of providing the German occupiers with supplies and goods; others eventually formed resistance groups towards the latter part of the war. In 1945 alone, more than 13,000 people died, among them some 7,000 children under the age of five. The report was made in cooperation with the German Waffenamt which gives it weight. As the war dragged on, the Danish population became increasingly hostile to the Germans. They encountered a roadblock made with farm equipment, set up only 20 minutes earlier by 34 Danish soldiers. Around the curve on Snderbro Street, two 20mm cannon and a machine gun put up resistance at the wagon roadblock on Snderbro Street. Scavenius signed the pact. In the camps, there was school education for children up to the upper secondary level, work duty for adults, study circles, theatre, music, and self-issued German newspapers. [citation needed] Nonetheless, his party pursued a strategy of cooperation, hoping to maintain democracy and Danish control in Denmark for as long as possible. Armour and motorcycles followed, and rapidly advanced to and captured the Storstrm Bridge together with the paratroopers. 0.08% of population) when compared to other occupied countries and most belligerent countries. Operation Carthage, on 21 March 1945, was a British air raid on Copenhagen, Denmark during the Second World War which caused significant collateral damage. The first vehicle was knocked out and ended up in a ditch, while the next continued forward, but pulled back after being hit. Denmark help Germany in November 1946 and the government consistently refused to accept extent of Nazi terror received about of Front ) //smartxli.gilead.org.il/europe/what-was-denmarks-position-in-ww2/ '' > was Denmark & # x27 ; s strategic importance for Germany condition. 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Officially Germany claimed to be protecting Denmark from a British invasion.[4]. At the capitulation, the refugee administration was handed over to Danish authorities. All existing bank accounts were also scrutinized. The Danish government was dominated by Social Democrats, including the pre-war prime minister Thorvald Stauning, who had been strongly opposed to the Nazi party. The Norwegian Army, which received help from an Allied expeditionary force, was unable to resist the superior German . By Monday 23 July, all old notes were officially outlawed as legal tender and any note not declared in a bank by 30 July would lose its value. As with the Faroe Islands, the United Kingdom occupied Iceland (to pre-empt a German occupation) but later turned it over to the United States, before that country entered the war in 1941. The Danish text only explicitly said that the government recognized that Kryssing had been given a new command, it did not sanction the creation of the corps, which had already happened without its creators asking the government's consent. Middle Ages. Seeing that his attack was failing, the German regimental commander radioed for support and three German Henschel Hs 126 aircraft soon appeared. Two German tanks and a motorcycle proceeded unsuspecting towards the barracks, which were defended by the anti-tank unit from Lundtoftbjerg. The Nazi paper Fdrelandet proclaimed the creation of the corps on 29 June 1941.[21]. In the camps, there was school education for children up to the upper secondary level, work duty for adults, study circles, theatre, music and self-issued German newspapers. On 9 April 1941, the Danish envoy to the United States, Henrik Kauffmann, signed a treaty with the U.S., authorizing it to defend Greenland and construct military stations there. [15] The Danes knocked out the three leading armoured cars, forcing them to pull back. May 5, 2015 marks the 70thanniversary of the liberation of Denmark from Nazi Germany, so the latest installment of American Chimera's e-archeology project of digging up my old Manion's International Auction House listings and Trendline articles features a special piece published in 2000. [50] Some historians argue that the relatively accommodating policy which did not actively resist the occupation was the only realistic way of safeguarding Danish democracy and people. Ziemke, Earl F. (2000 (reissue from 1960)). In pursuing this course the large Danish political parties also sought to protect Danish society from harsh measures which might be introduced by the occupiers and from the Danish Nazis (the National Socialist Workers Party of Denmark). Denmark's International Legal Status during the Second World War,". Resistance would have been suicidal and without any chance of success. The Danish government was later able to renegotiate the Germans' arbitrary exchange rate between the German military currency and the Danish krone to reduce this problem.[15]. In 1939 Denmark signed a 10-year non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany but Germany invaded Denmark on 9 April 1940 and the Danish government quickly surrendered. On 22 June 1941, the German authorities in Denmark demanded that Danish communists should be arrested. [citation needed], After the end of hostilities, over two thousand German prisoners of war were made to clear the vast minefields that had been laid on the west coast of Jutland, nearly half of them being either killed or wounded in the process. Believing that further resistance would only result in the futile loss of still more Danish lives, the Danish cabinet ultimately decided to bow to the German pressure "under protest". [16] There was a general feeling that the unpleasant reality of German occupation must be confronted in the most realistic way possible, given the international situation. The Germans set up a 37mm gun 300 meters (yards) away, but it managed to fire only one round before being knocked out by two rounds from a 20mm gun. Danes were concerned both about the negative economic effects of the German proposals, as well as the political ones. At a cabinet meeting the same day, it was suggested to seek a written confirmation of this promise in an addendum to the protocol. Denmark also rejected demands for the transfer of Danish army units to German military use. [18] The authorities would not enact special laws concerning Jews, and their civil rights remained equal with those of the rest of the population. Historically, Denmark had a large amount of interaction with Germany. The period of occupation thus ended reasonably peacefully, and in most places people could take to the streets and celebrate the new freedom. Database (in Danish) of Danish seamen and soldiers in military service with the allies. The decision to occupy Denmark was taken in Berlin on 17 December 1939. Within days, most of them had escaped Denmark to neutral Sweden. Therefore after only a few hours it was decided to surrender. On April 9, 1940, German troops invaded the country and quickly occupied Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Narvik. In October the Germans decided to remove all Jews from Denmark, but thanks to an information leak from German diplomat Georg Ferdinand Duckwitz and swift action by Danish civilians, the vast majority of the Danish Jews were transported to safety in neutral Sweden by means of fishing boats and motorboats. There was sporadic fighting between the Danish and German armies. Due to the relative ease of the occupation and copious amount of dairy products, Denmark earned the nickname the Cream Front (German: Sahnefront).[11]. [32][33] The coastal defence ship HDMSNiels Juel attempted to break out of the Isefjord, but was attacked by Stukas and forced to run aground. General Prior wanted to remove Kryssing and his designated second-in-command but decided to consult the cabinet. Stauning remained prime minister until his death in 1942, as head of a coalition cabinet encompassing all major political parties (the exceptions being the tiny Nazi party, and the Communist Party which was outlawed in 1941). [29] During the discussions, several formations of Heinkel He 111 and Dornier Do 17 bombers from Kampfgeschwader 4 roared over the city dropping OPROP! The plenipotentiary, Renthe-Fink was replaced by Werner Best and orders to crack down in Denmark were issued. [22] Scavenius reported this decision to Renthe-Fink. Approximately 6,000 Danes were sent to concentration camps during World War II,[38] of whom about 600 (10%) died. Hvad der virkelig skete", "Die Deutschen Besatzungspolitik in Dnemark", Prices on food 19401945: Nazi price policy in occupied Denmark, "Hvad var det, der skete den 29. august 1943 tidligt om morgenen? Most received prison sentences of under four years. [14] The Danish CO ordered them to northern Haderslev. Hvad der virkelig skete, Prices on food 19401945: Nazi price policy in occupied Denmark, http://forsvaret.dk/FKO/Nyt+og+Presse/Arkiver/Nyhedsarkiv/Nyheder/2003/29+aug+2003.htm, http://www.snopes.com/history/govern/denmark.htm, Den Danske Brigade "Danforce", Sverige 194345, Dnemarks wirtschaftspolitische Reaktion auf die Besetzung des Landes 1940/41, Ob man an die kleinen Kinder gedacht hat ? But this was established by the occupation. summarized key points in the German invasion. In his first monograph, author Kay Sren Nielsen states that in the archives of the Danish weapons manufacturer DISA (Danish Industrial Syndicate), 203 German soldiers were claimed to be killed in Jutland. [42] Some historians argue that the relatively accommodating policy which did not actively resist the occupation was the only realistic way of safeguarding Danish democracy and people. This had specified that Denmark only had police-like obligations. From 1918 until 1944 Iceland was self-governing, but the Danish king (King Christian X) was the head of state of both Denmark and Iceland. a diplomat accredited to the Sovereign, a post awarded to Cecil von Renthe-Fink, the German ambassador, and then in November 1942 to the lawyer and SS general Werner Best. No legislation discriminating against Jews. At the capitulation, the refugee administration was handed over to Danish authorities. [14] They opened fire, killing the motorcyclist and blowing the tracks off one tank, sending it crashing into a house. [41], The policy of the government, called samarbejdspolitikken (cooperation policy) is one of the most controversial issues in Danish history. The Danish people were divided about what the best policy toward Germany might be. (Jutland, for instance, was wide open to a panzer attack from Schleswig-Holstein to the south.) 0.4% of the then Faroese population. While lying in wait, they managed to capture two German dispatch riders. The government had foreseen the possibility of coal and oil shortages and had stockpiled some before the war, which, combined with rationing, prevented some of the worst potential problems from coming to the country. Their only strong interest in Denmark, that of surplus agricultural products, would be supplied by price policy on food rather than by control and restriction. [14] Bolstered by retreating units, approximately 400 Danes defended the town. Just over 3,000 Danes died as a direct result of the occupation. Many people criticized the process for victimizing "small" people disproportionately, while many politicians and businesses were left untouched. Dethlefsen, Henrik. Author (s): United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, DC. Does Baylor Scott and White random drug test? The building of the camp was for the sole purpose of keeping Danish Jews and other prisoners within Denmark's borders.[38]. [19] Two German tanks lined up adjacent to one another and opened fire. The success most often alluded to in regard to the Danish policy toward Germany is the protection of the Jewish minority in Denmark. At a cabinet meeting the same day, it was suggested to seek written confirmation of this promise in an addendum to the protocol. During years of occupation the Danish economy was more and more aligned on meeting German demands, which mainly meant agrarian products. All banknotes issued since the changeover date remain valid indefinitely; earlier ones are not valid. Contemporary European History 14.03 (2005): 295315. there was serious concern that the Danish economy was so dependent upon trade with Britain that the occupation would create an economic collapse, and Danish officials capitalized on that fear to get early concessions for a reasonable form of cooperation;[13] Overall this represents a very low mortality rate (ca. When the Germans ignored this, the Danes opened fire from 300 meters (yards) out, knocking out the lead armoured car and killing its driver. Refugees were gradually moved from over 1,000 smaller locations to new-built camps or previous German military barracks, some of which held over 20,000 refugees. Just over 100 soldiers died as part of Allied forces. After initial inadequacy, food rations became more sufficient. Danish soldiers were disarmed that afternoon, and those captured were allowed to return to their units. Very few stayed in Denmark for good. Scavenius felt strongly that he was Denmark's most ardent defender. Erik Scavenius argued that Denmark should sign the pact but the Cabinet ministers refused, stating that this would violate the policy of neutrality. The government had attempted to discourage sabotage and violent resistance to the occupation, but by the autumn of 1942 the numbers of violent acts of resistance were increasing steadily to the point that Germany declared Denmark "enemy territory" for the first time. Yes, it was, and this can be found by a quick google search: During most of World War II, Denmark was first a protectorate, then an occupied territory under Germany. The attack was a prelude to the invasion of Norway (German: Weserbung Nord, 9 April 10 June 1940). Bennike and his unit boarded the ferry in Elsinore to Sweden and went into exile. Rex" ("Giving my best thanks. In March 1943 the Germans allowed a general election to be held. The Danish government was also able to stall negotiations over the return of South Jutland to Germany, ban "closed-rank uniformed marches" that would have made nationalist German or Danish Nazi agitation more possible, keep National Socialists out of the government, and hold a relatively free election, with decidedly anti-Nazi results, in the middle of the war. In some of the camps, food rations were scarce and medical care was inadequate. Denmark's strategic importance for Germany was limited. A short skirmish followed. In realitylargely due to the initiative of the permanent secretary of the ministry of foreign affairs Nils Svenningsen[30]all day-to-day business had been handed over to the Permanent Secretaries, each effectively running his own ministry. In a much more vague and longer-term way, some Nazis hoped to incorporate Denmark into a greater "Nordic Union" at some stage, but these plans never materialized. This debate concluded that three red lines existed: 1) No legislation discriminating against Jews, 2) Denmark should never join the Axis Pact between Germany, Italy, and Japan, 3) No unit of the Danish army should ever fight against foreign forces. Free Corps Denmark was set up at the initiative of the SS and DNSAP who approached Lieutenant-Colonel C.P. [4] Overall, this represents a very low mortality rate when compared to other occupied countries and most belligerent countries. The alarm was sounded at 04:17, and the first Danish troops were dispatched at 04:35.[14]. In October the Germans decided to remove all Jews from Denmark, but thanks to an information leak from German diplomat Georg Ferdinand Duckwitz and swift action by Danish civilians, the vast majority of the Danish Jews were transported to safety in neutral Sweden by means of fishing boats and motorboats. THE END OF THE DANISH GOVERNMENT To stop the August unrest the Germans demanded that the Danish government should impose the death penalty for sabotage. Nonetheless, the Danish resistance movement had some successes, such as on D-Day when the train network in Denmark was disrupted for days, delaying the arrival of German reinforcements in Normandy. [24], In Esbjerg, a 75mm anti-aircraft gun damaged a German aircraft. At the same time, thousands of Danes were deported to German prisons and concentration camps. German terror against Danish resistance fighters and civilians increased in these final months. Few were ardent Nazis; some explored the economic possibilities of providing the German occupiers with supplies and goods; others eventually formed resistance groups towards the latter part of the war. In 1945 alone, more than 13,000 people died, among them some 7,000 children under the age of five. The report was made in cooperation with the German Waffenamt which gives it weight. As the war dragged on, the Danish population became increasingly hostile to the Germans. They encountered a roadblock made with farm equipment, set up only 20 minutes earlier by 34 Danish soldiers. Around the curve on Snderbro Street, two 20mm cannon and a machine gun put up resistance at the wagon roadblock on Snderbro Street. Scavenius signed the pact. In the camps, there was school education for children up to the upper secondary level, work duty for adults, study circles, theatre, music, and self-issued German newspapers. 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