Denmark in World War II
The story of Denmark in World War II is fascinating—but not well-known. I enjoyed learning about Denmark’s role when writing my novel The Sound of Light.
Here are some…
Big Stories from a Small Country
When the Germans invaded Denmark on April 9, 1940, the tiny nation was shocked. Having depended on neutrality for defense and with a small and poorly equipped army, Denmark fell in a few hours.
German Junkers Ju 52 transport aircraft over Denmark, 9 Apr 1940 (public domain via WW2 Database)
The Germans decided to treat Denmark as a “model protectorate” and allowed the king and parliament to remain in power. For three years, the Danes had freedoms unseen in other occupied countries, food was plentiful, and no antisemitic laws were enacted—the Danish Jews weren’t even required to wear yellow stars.
Since the standard of living was high, resistance was slow to develop, but develop it did. As resistance groups grew and became better organized, acts of sabotage increased. And as resistance increased, the Germans began to crack down. In August 1943, the Germans demanded that the Danish government give the death penalty for sabotage—a punishment banned in Denmark for many years. In protest, the entire Danish parliament resigned. And in response, the Germans declared martial law.
Damage from sabotage at the Forum in Copenhagen, Denmark, 24 August 1943 (The Royal Library: The National Library of Denmark and Copenhagen University Library neg. 172239)
In October 1943, a drama unfolded in Denmark. Werner Best, the Reich Plenipotentiary to Denmark, under pressure from Hitler, issued a decree to round up all the Jews in Denmark on a single night, October 1–2, 1943. However, his friend, Georg Duckwitz, German shipping attaché in Denmark, informed some Danish politicians at great personal risk. Word spread to the Jewish community and the resistance—and the entire nation.
Almost as one, the Danes rose up and offered shelter to their Jewish friends and neighbors—some handed the keys to their summer cottages to complete strangers. Within days, between 7,200 and 7,800 Jews were in hiding. When Sweden announced that they would grant asylum to the Danish Jews, the Danes began transporting their countrymen across the narrow strait of water that separates Denmark from Sweden—by yachts, fishing boats, and even by rowboats and kayaks!
![Danish Jews crossing from Denmark to Sweden, Sept-Oct 1943 [Museum of Danish Resistance (Frihedsmuseet)]](https://www.sarahsundin.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Danish-Jews.jpg)
Danish Jews crossing from Denmark to Sweden, Sept-Oct 1943 [Museum of Danish Resistance (Frihedsmuseet)]
The Germans were able to arrest only 474 Jews in Denmark. These men, women, and children were deported to Theresienstadt. Due to hounding by Danish leaders, the Danish Jews were treated well, with about 58 deaths—the highest survival rate in any Nazi-occupied country.
I hope you find this story as interesting and inspiring as I did, and I enjoyed bringing it to life in The Sound of Light. You can order the novel from Baker Book House, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBook.com, or at your local bookstore!
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Thank you so much for the chance. Your book sounds like a great read and the cover is Beautiful!
Thank you, Alicia!
I am excited to read The Sound of Light! I have been an educator for 24 years, and my very favorite book is Number the Stars – Denmark during WWII. Thank you!
Thanks, Cathy! The Sound of Light covers many of the same events.
Sarah, you write THE BEST books! I love reading them. I am definitely a subscriber!
Thank you so much, Shannon!
I joined your email list!
Thank you, Kimberly!
You’re a new author to me. Your books sound really good! I subscribed!
Thank you so much, Cheryl!
Your book sounds great! I just signed up for your newsletter.
Thank you, Diane!
That was very interesting information your shared about Denmark. You are a new author to me and I’m looking forward to reading your book!
Thank you so much, Kat!
I enjoy reading your your books. I especially enjoy the books that are about World War Two.
Thank you, David!
I was a history major in college and I wrote a paper on how the Jews survived the Holocaust. I like your books including historical facts.
Thanks, Becky! It’s so important to know history.
I am mad for WWII historical fiction and am eager to start reading your books on the subject. Thank you for the chance to easily get started.
Thank you, Kate! I have *a few* WWII titles 🙂
I am really interested in this era and love reading about it! This sounds interesting and I love the cover!
Thank you, Jan!
Thank you. I never knew about the war affecting Denmark. I loved reading everything you wrote here and have already started reading the free booklet. I will certainly look for your book The Sound of Light. I live in New Zealand and these books can be a bit hard to get but I will certainly try. God Bless your writing. I look forward to reading more of your newsletters and blogs
Thank you so much, Beryl!
I’ve read some of your other books. So this one is for future reading.
Thanks, Lisa!
I am eagerly looking forward to reading this one. I have read many of your books!
Thank you, Wendy!
The book sounds very interesting. I am fascinated by WWII fiction.
Thank you, Beth!
I love your books.
Thank you, Virginia!
I’ve heard so many people reading your latest book! I’m just starting to venture into WW novels but I’ll get around to it soon 🙂 The cover is beautiful!
Thank you, Elizabeth! I hope you enjoy the story!