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The German invasion of Denmark (German: Operation Weserübung – Süd), was the German attack on Denmark on 9 April 1940, during the Second World War. The attack was a prelude to the invasion of Norway (German: Weserübung Nord, 9 April – 10 June 1940).
The final part of the world war era in Danish history was defined by the German occupation during the Second World War. These ‘five evil years’, which is how the occupation period from 9 April 1940 to 4 May 1945 is often described, had an enormous impact on post-war national and democratic identity.
Denmark was subject to German occupation during World War Two (1940-45). The Danish government cooperated with the occupiers to start with, but a resistance movement grew and civil unrest occurred. On 4 May 1945 it was announced on British radio that the German troops in Denmark had surrendered.
On 9 April 1940, Germany occupied Denmark in Operation Weserübung. The Danish government and king functioned in a relatively normal manner until 29 August 1943, when Germany placed Denmark under direct military occupation, which lasted until the Allied victory on 5 May 1945.
The German army occupied Denmark on 9 April 1940. Until 1943, the occupation regime appeared relatively benign: It dominated foreign policy, but allowed the Danish government complete autonomy in domestic affairs, including control of the legal system and police forces.
From April 9th 1940 to May 4th 1945. The occupation of Denmark lasted five long years. Many peoples’ lives were affected and the Danish people had to choose if they wanted to cooperate with the German Nazis, join the resistance movement or just continue as if nothing had happened.
9th April 1940 - Denmark is occupied. At 04.15 in the morning of 9th april 1940 German troops crossed the Dano-German border in Southern Jutland. At the same time German troops were landed by ship in Gedser, Korsør and Copenhagen.
