Short Answer
Wartime Context
The German occupation of Denmark began on April 9, 1940 [3]. In the early years of the occupation, the Danish government pursued a policy of cooperation with the German authorities [3, 4]. This period was characterized by nonviolent resistance, which continued until August 29, 1943 [3].
The situation shifted dramatically in August 1943 when the government’s policy of cooperation collapsed. On August 29, the German occupiers imposed martial law across Denmark and launched Operation Safari, an effort to disband and intern members of the Danish armed forces [4]. This transition marked the beginning of more active, violent resistance against the occupation [3].
SOE’s Presence and the Danish Section
The Special Operations Executive (SOE) established a Danish Section to support clandestine activities against the German occupation [1]. The operational environment in Denmark presented unique challenges: the country consists of a mainland and over 500 islands, and the terrain lacks mountainous or inaccessible regions that typically serve as bases for guerrilla warfare [1]. These geographical factors made communication between resistance cells difficult and precluded the establishment of natural guerrilla bases [1].
Despite these obstacles, the SOE provided critical logistical support. The Danish resistance relied heavily on SOE-arranged supply drops, which provided the explosives, weapons, and ammunition necessary to conduct sabotage operations [1]. Through these means, the SOE helped transform a small number of clandestine activities into a sophisticated organization capable of effective intelligence gathering and sabotage by 1944 [1].
Local Resistance Relationships
The Danish resistance was composed of various underground groups, including figures such as Frode Jakobsen, Bent Faurschou Hviid, and Marius Fiil [3]. The relationship between the local resistance and Great Britain was complex, involving figures like Christmas Møller in London, who navigated the difficulties of coordinating between the occupied territory and the Allied command [2].
The resistance effort was not uniform; while many fought against the Germans, there were also collaborators, such as the Schalburg Corps and the Danish SS, who opposed the resistance movement [3].
Outcomes and Limitations
The collaboration between the SOE and the Danish resistance succeeded in harassing German forces and raising the morale of the Danish population, particularly during the more brutal final stages of the war [1]. The movement’s efforts culminated in the German surrender and the liberation of Denmark on May 5, 1945 [3].
The cost of these operations was significant. It is estimated that approximately 850 resistance fighters and 600 Danish civilians lost their lives during the struggle [3]. Additionally, the conflict created long-term internal tensions within the Danish military; many officers felt a sense of moral defeat when the armed forces were ordered to stand down in 1940, leading some to flee to neutral Sweden in 1943 [4].
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