The Country Which Assisted in Its Takeover
By: Calin Aneculaesei
Tags: History, War, World War II, Britain, Iceland

The Country Which Assisted in Its Takeover

British soldiers march in Iceland’s capital city Reykjavík. Source: Icelandic Monitor

During the Second World War, every country in the world had to pick one of three options. Align with the Axis and fight against the Allies, align with the Allies and fight against the Axis, or remain neutral. Few European countries chose the last option, the most significant of which was Switzerland who chose to remain neutral throughout the entire conflict.

Although the Swiss are probably the most renowned for their neutrality, another country in Europe chose this path after the start of the global conflict, this country was Iceland. The small island nation based their policy of neutrality on the fact that they did not pose a threat to anyone, as such an invasion of the island would seemingly just be a waste of resources. Unfortunately for the citizens of Iceland neither the Axis nor the Allies saw it this way.

A key strategic location

Christian X. Source: Wikicommons

After Denmark’s takeover by the Germans, the previously Danish controlled Iceland declared their independence, stating that their old monarch, King Christian Carl Frederik Albert Alexander Vilhelm X, was no longer fit to rule over them after his removal from power in Denmark. On 10 March 1940 the country’s rule was officially taken over by the Icelandic parliament, known as the Alþingi, who have since then ruled over the country.

With the declaration of independence also came a declaration of neutrality. Iceland would not get involved in the growing conflict in Europe, or at least that was their plan, a plan which would be interrupted by the British only a month after said declaration.

Seeking supremacy over the North Sea, the British commenced a campaign of acquiring military bases across the expanse of water. Operation Valentine commenced only two days after the Icelandic declaration of independence. This operation entailed the takeover of the Faroe Islands, previously a county of the Kingdom of Denmark. Although these islands chain gave the British significant control over the North Sea, Winston Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty, sought to expand their control to ensure supply convoys from North America would arrive safely. To achieve this he looked to Iceland.

Violation of neutrality

Although Iceland declared itself neutral both the Axis and the Allies tried to influence the island nation to join their respective side. After the takeover of Denmark, the British offered the Icelandic government a guarantee of independence and help against a potential German attack in exchange for them joining the war as a belligerent on the Allied side. This ultimately meant allowing the Allies, mainly the British, to station their troops and navy on the island to ensure full control of the North Sea.

The newly independent nation rejected the offer, seeking to follow their own path on the international stage through the use of their neutrality. Both sides contended for the island’s cooperation, something which alarmed the British as a German naval base in Iceland would be devastating for the Allied naval supremacy over the North Sea. As such, the British decided to act.

Operation Fork

Initial British targets for the 1940 Invasion of Iceland. Source: Wikicommons

In anticipation for the go-ahead to invade Iceland, Churchill created a plan under the name of Operation Fork. This plan was accepted by the UK (United Kingdom) War Cabinet on 6 May, after which Churchill started to prepare for the invasion. Before the meeting, he had already moved a group of recent marine conscripts from an army base in Surrey to Greenock in Scotland.

These conscripts were badly trained and equipped but due to the timeframe and the resources required on the mainland better troops could not be sourced.

From Scotland, the marines planned to have a calm trip to the neutral island expecting no resistance from either the locals or the government upon their arrival. During the early hours of 8 May, the marines departed from Scotland towards Iceland. Their trip was not as calm as previously planned as the four British warships encountered some choppy waters on their way to the island. This caused seasickness among the newly recruited marines even leading to one of the young recruits ending his life on the boat as a result of the stress and sickness. He would become the only casualty of the operation.

During the morning of the 10th of May, the British warships could be seen crossing the horizon from Iceland. The local police were at the port along with a group of Icelandic people who were curious about why there were warships heading for their country. The British consul in Iceland received an early notice about the invasion and as such was present at the scene quite early. He was active in the way he welcomed the British troops even going as far as asking the local police to clear the port of civilians as to allow the British marines to disembark easier. A question to which the local police responded with “Certainly!” after which they dispersed the civilians from the port, indirectly aiding in the invasion of their country.

Full control of the North Sea

After the successful disembarkation of the British troops, the country of Iceland was officially taken over by the British. Key buildings were taken over by Allied troops and the country became a vital location for the Allies to project their control over the North Sea. This also ensured that convoys coming from America would be safe from German submarine attacks as it was now much easier for anti-submarine ships to patrol the North Sea.

The Icelandic government, although having aided in its own takeover, still protested their breach of neutrality, a complaint which unfortunately fell on deaf ears due to the situation at the time. The Germans also planned to take back the island through Operation Ikarus although this operation never went ahead due to the lack of resources. The British remained on the island until the end of the war and through this event made history as one of the only times in history when a country has aided in its own takeover.