1942: Denmark

Passive Resistance to Germany.

Invaded by Germany since April 8, 1940, Denmark has been desired by her conquerors to be the model of a country that welcomes Nazi domination. But the plan has failed. Racially 4,000 years old; achieving in her moderate-sized domain of peninsular Jutland plus 500 islands a living level for her four million people that allowed few millionaires, fewer beggars; with basic social advances, world-wide contacts; the second richest (per capita) European country, despite lack of coal, oil, minerals, forests, national water power; and cherishing freedom as few others do — this is the Denmark which the German Reich wished to 'save.'

Stunned by the April 1940 invasion, her government and people have faced this choice: so to behave that the Germans would take full control, or to attempt delaying actions, with their own leaders, though coerced, still ruling. Denmark chose the latter, a policy not of acquiescence but of subtle resistance.

Germany promised freedom (to a nation who had known it for one thousand years), then tried to fill every post with Nazis or henchmen. German debt to Denmark increased to 1,865 million kroner in January 1942, incurred for the army of occupation, for defense works, for loans, etc. Germany insisted (October 1942) on having 20,000 Danish 'volunteers' for the eastern front and was furiously angry at King Christian's refusal for a Jutland highway to transport supplies to the German army in Norway. Danish schools were requisitioned for German soldiers, many Danish hospitals for German wounded; the country is used as a recreation resort for German children, officers, Nazi party officials and their wives. The Nazis tried to organize a Danish Free Corps in vain, though a group so called, including former Danish law breakers, ran amok and had to be arrested by the Germans themselves.

In November 1942, they compelled the forming of a new ministry, headed by Erik Scavenius (distrusted by Danes) and including Gunnar Larsen (a potential Quisling). The Germans presented demands, which included the sending of 150,0000 Danish workers to Germany, the handing over of the remnant of the Danish fleet, anti-Semitic laws on the German model; the arming of Danish merchant ships against British and Russian attacks (refused); a Danish declaration of war against Russia; assistance to the Gestapo by Danish police, to stop sabotage; more food shipments to Germany; and that Denmark should join a Greater German Federation.

No welcome aid greeted the Nazis. There have been several small Danish Nazi parties; the only one recognized by the Germans was one headed by Frits Clausen, and this one has failed. On the other hand, the people's dislike, resistance, hatred, open scorn, acts of sabotage and violence had increased alarmingly in 1942.

German punishments follow but do not remedy. Prison sentences increased in 1942. Coercion on the Government is multiform, often self-defeating, as the occasion in September 1942 when Prime Minister Buhl (later resigned) broadcast evidently under coercion, a plea to the people to cease sabotage, called it 'widespread' and described it in such detail he might have been giving directions for its continuance.

Side by side with the people is the government. The King is at the head. The main objective of Denmark has been to submit only when refusal would have given them a worse fate, entire German governance. Thus, they finally accepted an ultimatum and allowed the Chief of State Police, Thune Jaccobsen, to be made Minister of Justice (a travesty on legal justice); the post-invasion national government, headed by Social-Democrat Stauning (deceased recently) and later by Vilhelm Buhl, found itself betrayed by one of its own ministers, Erik Scavenius, Foreign Minister who falsely stated the government approved a Free Corps, and later deceitfully committed Denmark to the Anti-Comintern Pact. Finally, in November 1942, the Buhl government was compelled to resign when the Germans demanded Scavenius as Premier, 'or else.'

In London, the Danish Council, formed in September 1940, increased its activities (of 'furthering and strengthening Danish national feeling,' of supporting actively the Allies, and collaborating everywhere with similar organizations) by publishing the weekly Frit Danmark, supporting the Danish recruiting in British forces and auxiliary groups (men and women). Three to four thousand Danes are serving under Britain. Three Danish diplomats have severed their relations with the Danish Foreign Ministry and are carrying on for the basic goals of the Copenhagen Government and King Christian; they are Henrik de Kauffmann, at Washington; Count Eduard Reventlow, at London, and Aage Fensmark, in Teheran.

Center of Danish loyalty, symbol of her dignity, is King Christian X, sovereign since 1912. To avoid national suicide he ordered capitulation on April 9, 1940; but his every act has been to withstand German encroachment. The King had taken a daily ride on horseback when on October 18 by an unexplained accident he was thrown from his horse. The interruption to this daily appearance of their King cast a gloom over all Danes, for he is the spiritual center of their patriotism and his regal democracy is their dearest treasure.

On October 27 King Christian signed a royal decree naming Crown Prince Frederik as Regent; he had often taken his father's place and is popular among the Danes.

Friendliness to United Nations.

Abroad, the spirit of the Danish King and people is met with fullest confidence. In Britain, Denmark is considered an ally in all but name, their 'passive' resistance a model. Forty per cent of her merchant navy is sailing for the United Nations. The R.A.F. is reported to be dropping leaflets and packages of guns, ammunition, and aids to sabotage in Denmark.

Denmark's acquiescence in the submission by her possession, Greenland, to the United States, in the use of her Faroe Islands and her former possession, Iceland, has provided a friendly 'bridge across the waters of the North Atlantic.'

From Sweden comes continued encouragement. Danes are aiding Norwegians and Finnish children, even shortening their own rations to do so. For Denmark is Scandinavian, and family ties count.

German Decrees and Threat of Absolute Control.

On Nov. 17 it was announced that Nazis had forced a two year building program on the Danish shipyards to construct vessels for the Nazi merchant fleet; had forced Danish industries to agree to deliver quantities of cement and metal for Nazi fortifications; had cancelled restrictions on German soldiers' use of occupation marks (called by the Danes 'monkey money'); had cancelled the Danish customs control of German soldiers and civilians; decreed that German soldiers will live hereafter entirely on the country. By this action, Denmark will have to give up 40 per cent to 45 per cent more of her food to feed German troops and this percentage may be increased if von Hanneken's orders for Danish troops to evacuate Jutland presage more Nazis there.

Inadequately appreciated in these days, Denmark is a bright spot to Allied leaders, a bewilderment to Germans. Throughout the year, the Nazis' expressions of resentment and threats grew. They admitted they were opposed. They confessed to defeat. Where they counted on 'soft' measures to make an object lesson of the blessings of German control, they have failed. As the year ends, they are on the verge of assuming full dictation. They still hope that Denmark can demonstrate a fact of Nazi well-being. Thus it is, that while Denmark stands and resists, German morale decreases, and world confidence in the force of the spirit grows by leaps and bounds.