| Notes | When Adolf Hitler's forces invaded Denmark on April 9, 1940, the Danish governmnet knew that a military response would be suicidal for Denmark's small armed forces. Besides, the Germans said they had come as friends, not conquerors - Danish laws and government would remain, as long as Denmark met German demands for food and war material. Danish leaders decided to accept Germany's promises at face value - and adopted a strategy of resistance disguised as collaboration. By delaying and obstructing German operations, Danes systematically undermined the invaders' objectives. In the meantime, an underground resistance developed which carried out sabotage, organizing strikes and rescuing all but a few hundred of Denmark's seven thousand Jews. In the end, Denmark did not defeat Germany, but it survived - with its people, infrastructure, and institutions intact - and it contributed more to the war effort through nonviolent resistance than Danish arms ever could have.
Part of the A Force More Powerful series. This series is also available to loan as a single unit, with all six episodes on two tapes. |
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