Regarding the fall of Denmark, the one who was most shocked was the Kingdom of Norway in the north.
As a result, Denmark, which was originally the first buffer barrier between Germany and Norway, has completely disappeared. Now the Germans can completely use Denmark's military ports, annex the Danish fleet, and use Danish airports to attack on any day they want.
attack.
As the king of Norway, Haakon had to beware of the "forced borrowing" of the British and French forces on the one hand, and the "forced protection" of the German army on the other. He had to further divide his already weak military force into two.
Currently, part of the Norwegian Defense Forces is fortified in the important southern ports of Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger, Trondheim and Narvik to guard against Germany. The other part is as far away as Narvik in the north and in the center.
Namsos and Ondalsnes guarded the British.
Haakon VII was not a foolish king. The reason why he dispersed the coastal defense forces in this way was indeed out of necessity. Moreover, he also had a small offshore fleet that could be used to enhance vigilance. Once the navy took the lead in discovering traces of the enemy,
, the coastal defense forces can prepare in advance to respond to the enemy and be ready to go.
Although the Norwegian army is famous for its lack of training and vulnerability, Norway's coastal defense formations have the rare title of being the strongest coastal defense force in Northern Europe.
With the coastal defense artillery at each port, plus the offshore support of patrol ships, coastal defense ships, and torpedo boats, and a small number of land forces fighting desperately, it is possible to repel the enemy landing force.
In order to ensure that his unreliable army could fight tenaciously, Haakon VII thought of many methods. He asked the pro-German Defense Minister Quisling to arrange the defense against the British in the northwest, and then used his own
The prime minister who leans towards the British side ensures whether the preparations for the southern defense against Germany are in place.
It's just that Haakon VII didn't know that everything he was doing now was actually planned by Reinhardt.
Yes, Haakon VII is playing chess, but Reinhard is also making moves at the same time. In Reinhard's chess game, the entire Norway is just a piece. Moreover, he doesn't care about the defense of this piece.
How is the work arrangement?
Reinhardt's real back-up plan will not be revealed until the British and French forces break through the Norwegian coastal defense forces and penetrate deep into Norway.
"How's it going? Major General Hans, are you satisfied with the troops and weapons and equipment I compensated for you?" Reinhardt, who was sitting in the conference room of the Kingdom of Denmark, enjoying the fruits of victory, summoned the commander who completed this lightning march.
Major General Hans.
The forced march to Denmark was Reinhardt's last opportunity for actual combat training after he rebuilt his army. Soon, he would give Hans a task that was a hundred times more difficult than the Battle of Denmark.
In February, Hans's 30th Infantry Division had been rebuilt. Reinhardt carefully selected a large number of soldiers recruited from the Austrian mountains for them, and added a 38t assault gun (Stalker) that is good at mountain movement.
) Self-propelled artillery battalion, in order to enable this meritorious division to achieve great results in the mountainous Norway in the future.
And this elite division, full of combat experience and famous for fighting good and evil, is Reinhard's full combat power that is ready to be used in Norway. Once the British and French forces invade Norway according to Churchill's plan, Reinhard will be able to use it.
The 30th Division replicated the clever strategy that Britain had always adopted in the Alliance War of relying on a small number of local elites to fight against the entire manpower of other countries.
From a strategic perspective, it would be great if the 30th Infantry Division could defeat the British and French forces three times its size, but if it could not destroy the British and French expeditionary forces, Reinhardt would not forcefully order Commander Hans to fight.
For the German troops sent to Norway as a rescue force, all combat operations are just a small link in a series of combat plans in the future "Yellow Plan". They only need to coordinate with Norway's five weak infantry divisions.
, it is enough to attack and entangle the British and French expeditionary forces as much as possible.
The real decisive battlefield is the pinnacle showdown between the European powers that will take place on the soil of France in the future. Only by winning in that war that includes the main forces of France and Germany, as well as the elites of the British Empire and the Kingdom of Italy, can the Third Reich truly gain control of Western Europe.
A total victory for the mainland.
As for the British and French troops trapped on Norwegian soil, if they can use one-third of their troops to cooperate with the Norwegian Defense Forces to contain them, why must they beat them to a bloody head? After the war on the European continent is over, this point in Northern Europe
Local wars are almost breakable.
As far as the current analysis of the military strength of European countries is concerned, the pure paper combat effectiveness of the French Army can definitely compete with the German army. If it had not been a large amount of national power spent on the Maginot Line over the years, France's huge army would definitely be able to compete with the German army.
It will be an offensive force that is not as aggressive as the German army.
Of course, the training level and combat quality of these troops are far lower than those of the German army, which has been tempered by the war. The backward combat thinking of the French generals and the incompetent top command headed by Gamelin have also greatly reduced the combat effectiveness of the French army.
reason.
And this force, which has been defeated by the German army after countless detours, now only relies on the British Expeditionary Force and the Belgian Army provided by its allies to expand its strength and rely on the Maginot Line to confront the German army.
However, because Spain and Italy were politically closer to Germany than in history, French Commander-in-Chief Gamelin, as the commander-in-chief of the coalition forces, had to leave 5 divisions to guard against the 10 Spanish German armored divisions massed on the Spanish-French border.
Although Franco declared Spain a non-belligerent country, the 10 divisions under his command were cunningly labeled volunteers and classified as civilian combat forces.
There were 10 divisions in the southwest of the "civilian combat forces" whose command was in the hands of the German government, which Gamelin had to guard against.
On the other hand, facing the increasing number of Italian troops on the front line of the Alps, Gamelin once again divided 10 divisions for defense. Italy is the fourth-oldest power in Europe in terms of military strength. Facing the orthodox inheritance of the Roman Empire,
However, Gan Molin did not dare to relax at all.
From the perspective of Gamelin and even the British allies, whether Italy sends troops will directly affect the future direction of the war. Once Germany and Italy join forces to attack France, the coalition's chances of winning will be slim.
Therefore, no matter how much benefit is paid, it is better to let Italy stand on the fence and gain benefits from neutrality than to let it fall to Germany. Gamelin left 10 divisions, and he did not really expect them to be able to block the Italian army's attack.
It was hoped that this would put some pressure on Italy and push Mussolini to choose a more relaxed sit-on-the-fence policy.
It can be said that Gamelin is also playing a game of chess. Of course, Reinhard has already received information about all his arrangements through the Gestapo's intelligence network.
"My Führer!" Hans, who understood that he would soon receive a bigger mission than the Battle of Denmark, raised his hand with excitement and stood at attention, saluting: "The rebuilt 30th Division has fully restored its combat effectiveness.
Fully capable of taking on new tasks.”
"Don't worry, I will tell you the mission in a few days." Reinhard waved his hand with a smile, raised his eyebrows at the new favorite general he discovered and said: "You have just finished a big victory, the four of you
He accomplished the feat of annihilating a country in less than an hour, so of course he needs to be commended first."
"I personally shot two copies of the Nordic Combat Bravery Medal with different patterns," Reinhardt smiled meaningfully: "I will send one to all the officers and soldiers of your 30th Division later."