The Danish Resistanceand the
Rescue of Danish Jews
Madeleine Kenney
Small country in northern EuropeMade up of hundreds of islands and JutlandPopulation in 1940: Not quite 4.5 millionPopulation of Jews in 1940: about 8000Capital city: Copenhagen
Denmark
Jewish Danes
Germany invaded Denmark on April 9, 1940. The Germans wanted a peaceful occupation. They gave the Danish government an ultimatum: Accept
the occupation, or be bombed mercilessly.
The Invasion
The Germans promised the Danish government and the King that they would respect Denmark’s political independence and would not dissolve the government.
An end to all fighting was ordered by the Danish King, and Denmark agreed to Germany’s terms.
Hitler believed that Danes were perfect Aryans
Denmark provided railroad linesGeographical buffer zone between Germany
and BritainStepping stone to NorwayRich farming lands
A Peaceful Occupation
Danish army and Navy not disbandedChurches, businesses, social groups carried onJobs were plentiful
Hitler’s Canary (The Model Protectorate)
Most Danes were anti-NaziMost Danes also supported the policy of negotiationSome thought that they should fight the Germans
To resist, or not to resist?
Few in number, and despised by the rest of the Danish population.
Danish Nazis
Born: September 26, 1870, Charlottenlund
Died: April 20, 1947, Amalienborg Palace
King of Denmark from 1912 to 1947
King Christian XChristian Carl Frederik Albert Alexander Vilhelm
Born: September 26, 1870, Charlottenlund
Died: April 20, 1947, Amalienborg Palace
King of Denmark from 1912 to 1947
King Christian XChristian Carl Frederik Albert Alexander Vilhelm
At the beginning of the occupation, there were many small acts of resistance.
AslangsPranks
Ridiculing the GermansSlashing the tires and painting the windows of
their vehiclesGraffiti-ing the ‘V’ for British victory all over the
cityPerpetrators were arrested if caught, but mostly
were turned over to the Danish authorities, who were often lenient
Small Acts of Resistance
Underground pamphletsInformationFactories producing materials for Germany were
attackedRailway lines used by the Germans were blown up
Larger Acts of Resistance
By 1943, resistance was growing immenselyThe policy of negotiation was abandoned, and the
Danish government resignedState of emergency from August 29 –October 6, 1943Rumours of a planned roundup
Rumours (Things are Heating Up)
Joined the German Nazi Party in 1932
Head of German shipping operations
Had lived in Denmark for 15 years
Worked closely with Werner Best, who told him of the plans to round up the Jews
He relayed this information to the head of the Social Democratic party in Denmark
Georg F. Duckwitz
News of the roundup spread throughout Denmark by word of mouth
Something Like Telephone
Took place on October 1-2, 1943Almost 95% of Jews evaded capture
The Roundup
Jews hid in private homes, empty summerhouses, warehouses, barns, stables, church lofts, hospitals
Hiding
Sweden decided to accept all Jews from DenmarkDanish Jews were shipped across the Sound to SwedenGilleleje and Dragør were fishing towns that the Jews being
rescued often passed through
Escape to Sweden