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