When Hitler's forces launched Operation Weseruebung - the invasion of Denmark and Norway - on April 9,1940, it met little in the way of resistance. Within hours, Denmark, fearing the bombing of its capital Copenhagen (and far weaker in terms of military resources), had capitulated, while in Norway the German army quickly established strongholds in Oslo and Bergen, as well as further north at Trondheim and Narvik. By the end of the day, Norway's tiny fighter force had been all but obliterated by the invaders. Norway was strategically important to both Britain and Germany. Its coastline formed the eastern limit of the Teutonic nation's main sea route to the Atlantic. Also, most of Hitler's vital iron ore was imported from Sweden and travelled through the port at Narvik. Almost immediately, Britain moved to defend the Scandinavian nation and frustrate the enemy - although, with countless obligations elsewhere, the available assets were limited.
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