Diary April 15, 1940

War Diary, 04-1940, Diary WW2, Year 1940 / 1 minute of reading

Under the cover of a Panzer I German infantry is advancing against a Norwegian village.

Diary for Monday, April 15, 1940:

Norway

Siege of Hegra: Norwegian detachment holds antiquated Hegra Fortress, east of Trondheim, against strong German ground and air forces for 3 weeks (ends May 5).
King Haakon issues proclamation appealing for all Norwegians to do their utmost ‘to save the freedom and independence of our beloved country.’ He denounces the Blitzkrieg ‘by a nation with which we always maintained friendly relations.’

Western Front

Anglo-French Plan D (see November 14, 1939) amended to include drive by French mechanized 7th Army (General Giraud) into South Holland.

Sea War

U-49 sunk off Harstad by destroyers Brazen and Fearless (a chart is recovered showing U-boat dispositions).

Air War

15 RAF Bomber Command Blenheim bombers attack Stavanger-Sola airfield. Fleet Air Arm bombers raid shipping at Bergen.

Occupied countries

Denmark: Demobilization of Danish Army in progress.
Norway: Quisling puppet government resigns in Oslo and is replaced by Administrative Council of Norwegian bureaucrats and lawyers.

Home Fronts

Britain: 972,695 people unemployed; 148,518 less than in March 1940 and the lowest monthly total since 1920.

About The Author

Kretaner

My name is Norman 'Kretaner' and since my childhood I am interested in history and strategy games. Later, I have learned programming and the development of computer games, and finally with the Internet, also web design. I'm in the fortunate position to combine all my interests with my work and to live on a place of my choice, on Crete. All information, figures, specifications and statistics used here had been compiled from a variety of sources and the large, over decades collected, library of the author about military history, WW2 and weapons.