WW2, Norwegian Theatre (1940-45)

## Participants

* Germany

* Norway
* United Kingdom
* Sweden (Army In Exile)
* France, Poland

## Commanders and Leaders

* Nikolaus von Falkenhorst

* King Olav V
* Otto Ruge
* Carl Gustav Fleischer
* Earl of Cork

## Strength

* 120,000 (8 Divisions, 1 Fallschirmjäger Battalion) (First wave)

* 160,000 (10 Divisions)

TBD

TBD

## The buildup peaks in **1939**

When the Germans Invaded Poland in early september of 1939. This on top of the Munich Agreement in 1938 gave the Norwegian government reasons to mobilize troops to ready Norway's defense and to ensure it's Neutrality in the conflict. This decision would greatly help the Norwegians in the what seems to be a second world war.

The land and costal forts were manned, and the plans of the Army reform was set in motion. Now all that was left to see what Germany had in store.

## 9th of April 1940

German ships where spotted in Oslo, Narvik, Bergen, Trondheim And Kristiansand. With this The Navy and Costal Batteries had already been on high alert since the capitulation of Denmark. A German Invasion was now a fact. At 07:00 the Norwegian Navy Engaged in combat off the Coast of Narvik and in the Oslo fjord. This was the start of the war.

### The battle of Drøbak Sound

The Germans was expecting little to no resistance from the Government, This was far from the truth. Infact the Parlament and the Royal Family was already preparing its repositioning to Hamar. Although they needed time. With this Oscarsborg Fort was able to hold back the oncoming German Forces that came with the following Ships:

* Heavy Cruiser Blücher/Lützow
* Light Cruiser Emden
* Torpedo boats Möwe/Kondor and Albatross
* 8 Minesweepers

The now outdated HNoMS "Norge" and "Eidsvold" that where docked outside of Drøbak went to action as the Blücher was hit by the guns off Oscarsborg Fort. The battle ended in the Sinking of Blücher and 2 Minesweepers, others had taken damage but has successfully run the blockade. The fate of the Panserskips where as follows. Norge was able to heavily damage the Emden but was sadly sunk buy multiple torpedoes. The Eidsvold ran aground and was abandoned after taking several hits.

### The Siege of Oslo begins

As the German Kampfgruppe 5 passed the blockade a battle for Oslo was imminent. Enough time had been bought to allow the Norwegian Army to get into defensive positions. The Royal Dragoons (Kongens Dragoner) mobilized to allow the Royal Family and Members of Parlament to move to Hamar. And at around 13:00 the battle began as Akershus Festning startet opening fire on the German Ships approaching.

### The Battle for Narvik

At around the same time, German ships moved in on Narvik. As they enter the Ofotfjord they started taking fire from costal batteries, damage was taken to the ships but the Germans made it past the batteries without heavy damage. Soon they would meet the Royal Norwegian Navy, The following Ships met the German Flotilla as they aproached the Town of Narvik :

* Leading the Norwegian Flotilla was the HNoMS "Nidaros"
* Together with the duo of the Horten Class Coastal Battleship
* Assisted by 2 destroyers of the Sleipner Class

They forced the Germans to divert the landing of troops further away from Narvik. And so the battle began here.

### Kristiansand, Trondheim, Bergen, Sola and Horten

The other invasion points met heavy resistance by the Norwegians. All over the Country Germans where getting reports of Well trained and prepared opposition.