When did the German invasion of Denmark begin in 1940?
The German invasion of Denmark began at approximately 05:00 on the 9th of April. The Danish border was breached at Sæd, Rens, Padborg, and Krusaa at 04:15 on that same day.
Questions about German invasion of Denmark (1940)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who warned the Danes about the imminent German invasion before it started?
Admiral Wilhelm Canaris, chief of the Abwehr and a man involved in the German resistance to Nazism, warned the Danes of an imminent invasion on the 4th of April. This intelligence did not change the course of events because the Danish government refused to deploy defensive positions or prepare for battle.
What were the primary strategic goals of Operation Weserübung Süd during the German invasion of Denmark?
The primary purpose of Operation Weserübung Süd was to secure iron ore shipments from Narvik by controlling the port outside Aalborg in northern Jutland. Germany needed control over this area to capture Norway effectively and extend their sea-defence network northward to make it harder for British ships to outflank them when attacking vessels in the Atlantic.
How many casualties occurred among the Danish military and civilians during the German invasion of Denmark?
Military historian David T. Zabecki notes in Germany at War: 400 Years of Military History that Denmark suffered 49 casualties total. Other sources indicate confirmed figures of 16 dead and 20 wounded for the Danish military, with civil resistance suffering 10 dead and 3 wounded.
Which specific locations saw the first clashes between the Danish Army and invading forces during the German invasion of Denmark?
The first clash between the Danish Army and invading forces occurred at Lundtoftbjerg where a Danish anti-tank platoon opened fire on an approaching German column. The border was breached at Sæd, Rens, Padborg, and Krusaa at 04:15 on the 9th of April while troops were simultaneously landed at Lillebælt.