Key Facts
- Duration
- 8 April – 10 June 1940 (63 days)
- Allied expeditionary force
- 38,000 troops (British, French, Polish)
- Key strategic objective
- Control of Narvik port and iron ore supply routes
- Outcome for Norway
- Full German occupation; government exiled to London
- Key naval actions
- Two naval battles of Narvik (10 & 13 April 1940)
Strategic Narrative Overview
German forces landed along the Norwegian coast on 9 April 1940, rapidly seizing major ports and cities. The Royal Navy clashed with the Kriegsmarine at the First and Second Battles of Narvik on 10 and 13 April. Allied troops landed at Åndalsnes and in northern Norway, achieving limited gains. However, the German offensive in France beginning in May forced a rapid Allied strategic withdrawal, and Norwegian resistance was left without sufficient support.
01 / The Origins
Germany invaded Norway primarily to secure the port of Narvik and guarantee uninterrupted shipments of Swedish iron ore essential to its war industry. Britain and France, anticipating the move, had already planned Operation Wilfred and Plan R 4 to mine Norwegian waters and deny Germany use of the coast. This pre-emptive Allied planning and Germany's Operation Weserübung set the two sides on a collision course in early April 1940.
03 / The Outcome
The campaign ended on 10 June 1940 with Germany's complete occupation of Norway. King Haakon VII, Crown Prince Olav, and the Norwegian government escaped to the United Kingdom, establishing a government-in-exile in London. Elements of the Norwegian military also escaped abroad and continued fighting alongside the Allies. Norway remained under German occupation until the end of World War II in May 1945.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
4 belligerents
King Haakon VII, Crown Prince Olav.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.