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Weserübung EW Intelligence briefings for the campaigns against Norway and Denmark 1940

(Updated 21-12-2009) Operation Weserübung, the German attack on Denmark and Norway on the 9th of April 1940, marked the end of the ‘phoney war’ (or ‘Sitzkrieg’) which followed the German attack on Poland. The attack coincided with a combined English-French intervention into Norway to cut off the supply of iron ore and deny the German Navy the use of the neutral Norwegian waters.

In many respects this was a campaign of firsts. In the military lingo of the 21st century, the word ‘Joint’ is an important buzzword, signifying closely coordinated operations involving all arms, air, land and sea. But the action in Scandinavia was the first truly ‘joint’ operation in military history, involving coordinated action by all three main arms of both the German and the Franco-British forces – although conducted with varying degrees of skill and success. It saw the first attacks by parachute infantry ever in history. And foremost it involved the first armed clash between some of the major European belligerents of World War Two, and the first major action seen by any British force since 1919.

It also involved the unprovoked attack on two

neutral countries of Scandinavia. The two countries reacted very differently to the surprise attack. Denmark surrendered after few hours of fighting, while Norway kept fighting for two months. Both countries had severely reduced their armed forces between the wars, and none of them were anywhere near ready to fend off a major military attack.

To understand the campaign, it is necessary to know the geography of these countries. Denmark

lies in continuation of the Northern European lowland, with gently rolling hills and the highest points being 170 m a.s.l. Consisting of peninsula, Jutland, and a large number of islands, the country forms the cork of the Baltic Sea. The entire country fits easily into a square of 300x400 km and had a population of about 3.8 mil. in 1940. Norway on the other hand is about 1760 km long as the crow flies, the country being mountainous with a long coastline with deeply cut fjords. The highest point is 2469 m a.s.l. In 1940 the population was about 3 mil. people.

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Content Weserübung Süd – the attack on Denmark ............................................................. 3

German plans and forces ........................................................................................ 3 Danish forces ......................................................................................................... 5 Danish special rules and company choices ............................................................. 5 Rekylgeværkompani (Infantry Company) .............................................................. 7 Kavalerieskadron (Cavalry Squadron) ................................................................... 11 Cyklistkompagni (Bicycle Infantry Company) ...................................................... 15 Divisional Support ................................................................................................ 15 Danish Arsenal ..................................................................................................... 20 Modelling Danish soldiers .................................................................................... 20

Weserübung Nord – the attack on Norway and the Allied intervention .............. 22 German plans and forces ....................................................................................... 22 Allied plans and forces .......................................................................................... 23 Norwegian forces .................................................................................................. 25 Norwegian special rules and company choices ...................................................... 26 Gevärskompani (Infantry Company) ..................................................................... 30 Dragoneskadron (Cavalry Squadron) .................................................................... 34 Divisional Support ................................................................................................ 36 Norwegian Arsenal ............................................................................................... 39 Modelling Norwegian soldiers .............................................................................. 37

Credits This intelligence briefing to the Scandinavian campaigns is written by BoE. The format is -obviously- that of the official intelligence briefings from Battlefront Ltd. All information on the Danish forces, and the majority of the pictures, are taken from the excellent and comprehensive information compiled by Per Finsted on www.chakoten.dk. Most of these pages are written in Danish, but important information on the fighting is written in English Information and pictures on the Norwegian forces are primarily taken from Kurt Monsen’s Norway during World War Two, www.nuav.net, and especially the very detailed listings on Robert Mårtensson’s Norway 1940 hem.fyristorg.com/robertm/norge/. Parts of the briefing is from a previous version developed by Erik Henningsmoen, with assistance from Tomislaw Belusi. Important additional information has been extracted from Andreas Alterburger’s recommendable www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de, and well as from Leo Niehorster’s pages on www.niehorster.orbat.com. The official British History of the campaign in Norway (T.K. Derry 1952) is available online at Hyperwar: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-NWE-Norway/. - Most books on the subject are in Danish or Norwegian.

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Weserübung Süd – The attack on Denmark The first ever parachute assault in history happened at around 5 in the morning of April 9th when two platoons of the 4th company, 1st Fallschirmsjäger Regiment, dropped on the Masnedø Fort, just south of Sealand. Their objective was to neutralize the fort and secure the important bridge connecting Zealand to the island Falster, where the 305 Infantry Regiment had landed by ferry, and was now hurrying north. As the fort was manned only by two privates on maintenance duty and a civilian overseer, the assault was made without a single round being fired. The lack of fighting is emblematic for the Danish effort on the 9th of April. Although amply warned of the attack during the preceding days, the Danish government refused to mobilize and effectively confined the standing forces to their barracks, denying them to prepare any defensive positions, or even move towards their designated deployment areas. This decision may seem strange, but apart from the consideration of not giving the Germans any immediate excuse for the attack, there was a broader political idea behind this decision. The main strategic problem for Denmark during both world wars was that it was a small nation sharing borders with Germany, being an aggressive and military powerful neighbour. During World War 1 the Danish response was to mobilize up to 65,000 men, not only protecting against a German attack, but also –at least in principle- defending against an Allied flanking attack on Germany through Denmark, thereby not giving the Germans an excuse to occupy Danish territory. But under the impression of the massive slaughter on the fronts of the Great War, strong anti-military feelings seized both politicians and the public throughout Europe during the inter-war years. The military could no longer provide acceptable answers to political problems. In Denmark laws passed in 1922 and 1932 lead to severe reductions of the Danish armed forces. Only in 1937 the politicians realized that they may have gone too far in reducing Danish military strength, and a process of modernization was begun, although reducing the Armed forces’ strength further, the Army being kept at two Divisions. This army was too small to defend the country, but was set acknowledging not only economy, but also the fact that if a major nation wanted to occupy Denmark, there was really nothing the Danes could do about it. It was generally accepted that without allied help no Danish force could realistically hope to defend the country against a major attack. The only real hope for help was Britain, but during 1939 and early 1940 British politicians and diplomats were very explicit in stating that no such help could be provided. If defeat was inevitable, strong resistance could then be seen as a senseless murder on one’s own population. Around 6 o’clock in the morning, two hours after the attack, and under the treat of remorseless German bombing of the Danish cities, the Danish government decided to give up the fight. The message reached the last Danish forces some 2 hours later. In avoiding heavy military and civilian losses, the Danish decision not to put up more than a token fight can actually be seen as politically sound.

But for the Danish public and service personnel alike, as well as abroad, this political decision was difficult to accept, and was met with both disbelief and resentment. Not allowing the army to fight, it was generally held that the Danish government gave the Germans too easy a victory. Heated debate on the proper action of the day has continued ever since. Fielding a Danish force in Flames of War is much a matter of asking the ‘what if …’ questions of this debate.

German plans and forces The German strategic interest lay in Norway. Denmark happened to be in the way, acting as a stepping stone for the campaign. The original German plans only foresaw the occupation of Northern Jutland. The main strategic goal was to gain control over the two airports at Aalborg,

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without which the range of the German Luftwaffe planes was to short to support the attack on Norway. Only about a month before the operation it was decided to occupy the entire country.

The vital airports at Aalborg were taken unopposed by German paratroopers on the morning of the attack. To relieve the paratroopers as soon as possible, the 11. Schützen Brigade was to race up through Jutland along the path of least likely opposition, while the partly motorized 170. Infanterie Division was tasked with taking on whatever opposition the Danes would offer in Jutland. Meanwhile the 198. Infanterie Division would take Zealand with Copenhagen. The time of attacks and landings were coordinated with the attacks on Norway, achieving the highest possible surprise. Armeegruppe XXXI Jutland 170. Infanterie division (partly motorized)

Infantry regiments 391, 399 and 401. Artillery regiment 240, Panzerabwehr-abteilung 240, Pioneer Batallion 240.

2,3/729 schwere Artillerie Abteilung (mot.) (10 cm leFH 30(t)) MG Battalion 14

11. Shützen Brigade Schützen regiment 110, Schützen regiment 111.

3/677 Artilleri Abteilung (mot.), (3x105mm leFH) MG Batallion 4 40. Panzer Abteilung z.b.V

Zealand 198. Infanterie Division

Infantry regiments 305, 308 and 326. Artillery regiment 235, Panzerabwehr-abteilung 235, Pioneer Batallion 235.

MG Batallion 13 I/Falschirmjägerregiment 1 (parts) Both infantry divisions were of the 7th wave (7. Welle), meaning that they were not equipped with 8cm mortars nor the 15 cm heavy infantry gun. Heavy artillery battalions were not formed, but for the occasion two batteries of the 729th heavy battalion were attached to the division, equipped with 10cm Czech guns. Pioneers were transported on horse drawn wagons, and the normal panzerabwehr and auklärungsabteilungen was a combined unit fielding one company of AT guns, and one squadron of scouts mounted on bicycles. The 170. Infanterie Division was partly motorized for the attack. Adding insult to injury, this division was raised from Wehrkreis X, Hamburg, which included the former Danish territories of Schleswig and Holstein. As a result Danes living south of the Danish-German border were forced to participate in the attack on Denmark. Fully motorized -and fully equipped- was the 11th Schützen Brigade. The unit fielded two regiments, transported in Kfz 70 transporters. 13 armoured cars and five tanks (the latter from 40. Pz.Abt. z.b.V.) were taken out by the Danes on the morning of the fighting, which must have all but depleted the armoured reconnaissance assets available to the Germans. Contemporary photos of the damaged vehicles show Sd.Kfz. 221(MG), 222 and 231 (8-rad).

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The MG battalions were motorized support units with three companies, each of three HMG platoons and a motorcycle platoon, supported by a heavy company with one platoon each of pioneers, 7.5 cm infantry guns, 37 mm PaK, and 8 cm mortars. The 40. Panzer Abteilung z.b.V. (zur besonderes Vervendung – for special purposes) had three light companies, two of which participated in the attack of Denmark. The unit had 69 tanks, with each company formed into three platoons. The types used were mainly Pz IA and Pz IIc (similar to Pz IIA). The unit was formally attached to the 11th Schützen Brigade, but parts of the unit acted in support of the 170th Infantry Division. A reinforced company of motorcyclists from the Luftwaffe was assigned to securing and holding the important harbour of Esbjerg on the Danish west coast, together with a number of heavy and light AA batteries, also manned by Luftwaffe personnel. Esbjerg was also to be occupied from the sea by a naval detachment. The 214. Infanterie Division was held back in reserve, to be committed to the attack on Denmark, should resistance become harder than expected. In the event, they were not needed and instead transferred to Norway. All together the German Army units attacking Denmark amounted to c. 38,000 men. Danish Forces Fully mobilized the Danish Army had a nominal strength of c. 50,000 men in two divisions, the Jutland Division (23,000) and the Zealand Division (27,000). Fully mobilized they consisted of: Zealand Division 1 Life Guard infantry regiment with 3 battalions 3 Infantry regiments with 4 battalions each 1 Cavalry regiment 2 Artillery regiments with 5 light and 2 heavy battalions 2 AA battalions, one motorized, one for Copenhagen 1 Pioneer battalion Support troops (signal units, supply units etc.)

Jutland Division 3 Infantry regiments with 4 battalions each 1 Bicycle regiment with 2 battalions 1 Cavalry regiment 1 Artillery regiment with 3 light and one heavy battalion 1 Motorized AA Battalion 1 Combat Pioneer Command with 2 battalions 1 Pioneer Battalion Support troops

To this came various General Command units bringing the total Army force upwards at around 55-60,000 men. This army could not be mobilized to fight effectively overnight. Apart from the fact that the army was still building to the materiel standards set by the law of 1937, a full mobilization would involve men that had received no training for several years after doing their compulsory military duty, and thus would not immediately be combat ready.

At the outbreak of the war, 39,000 men had been mobilized, but as nothing seemed to happen, this force was partly demobilized during early 1940, dismissing the troops in their uniforms, but without their weapons. As a result the army had about 14,500 soldiers under arms on the morning of the 9th of April. About 7000 of these were in Jutland and 7500 on Zealand.

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Danish Special Rules Pacifists Denmark wants peace, and will not be the aggressor in a war. In any Defensive Battle, a Danish Force is always the Defender. Preserve the Nation Denmark cannot afford to lose its few troops. Although brave and well trained, Danish commanders will not risk their troops in a battle of attrition. If a Danish company must test for Company Motivation, it tests as if Reluctant. Danish Company Choices You can base your Danish force on:

• A Rekylgeværkompagni (Infantry Company) • A Kavalarieskadron (Cavalry Squadron) • A Cyklistkompagni (Bicycle Infantry Company)

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Rekylgeværkompagni (Infantry Company) Based around the light machinegun - in Danish ‘Rekylgevær’ or ‘Recoil Gun’ - the infantry companies are not only well equipped to do their job, but the entire organisation named after the main weapon.

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Infantry Platoon

8 HMG Platoon

9 Regimental Anti-Tank Platoon

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Infantry Platoon

8 HMG Platoon

9 Pioneer Platoon

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Infantry Platoon

8 Mortar Platoon

9 Cavalry Cavalry PlatoonBicycle Platoon

Motorcycle Platoon

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Infantry Platoon

8 Mortar Platoon

9 Armoured Car Platoon

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20mm Anti-tank Platoon

10 Motorcycle Gun Platoon

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Anti-aircraft MG Platoon

10 Light Anti-aircraft Platoon

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Artillery Battery

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Artillery Battery

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Transport Section

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Motivation and Experience A Rekylgeværkompagni is Confident Trained.

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Headquarters Platoon 1 Company HQ

A Captain (Kaptajn) commands the infantry company (“Rekylgeværkompagni”). Company Command and 2inC Rifle Teams 25 points

Combat Platoons 2 to 4 Infantry Platoons (“Rekylgeværdeling”)

Platoon HQ section with: 4 Squads 145 points 3 Squads 110 points 2 Squads 80 points

• Add up to two Grenadier Rifle Teams to the HQ for +10 points each. • Upgrade one platoon to LMG tripod platoon (“trefodsdeling”) for -15 points per Squad.

The fourth platoon of each company was basically organized and equipped like the other platoons, but brought tripods in the field, giving the company an organic support of heavy and sustained fire. The tripod even doubled as an AA mount for self defence. In FOW the tripod platoon is fielded as the HMG platoons (see below). A tripod platoon may make combat attachments to other combat platoons. You may only have one LMG Platoon in your company.

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Weapons Platoons HMG Platoons (“Maskingeværdeling”) Platoon HQ Rifle section with: 2 sections 100 points 1 section 55 points The heavy machine guns provided direct fire support for the infantry. The machine guns used were Danish produced 8 mm Madsen fired from a heavy tripod mount. Although looking very similar to the light machinegun these guns had a higher rate of fire and a longer range. Mortar Platoon (“Mortérdeling”)

Platoon HQ Rifle section with observer team and: 3 Sections 70 points 2 Sections 50 points

• Add horse-drawn wagons at no cost. The 81 mm mortar was a French weapon of the Stokes-Brandt design, used by armies across Europe. Two platoons were part of the battalion’s heavy company.

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20mm Anti-tank Platoon (“Maskinkanondeling”) Platoon HQ Rifle section with 2-4 gun sections each of one 20mm Madsen: 4 Squads 90 points 3 Squads 70 points 2 Squads 50 points

• Add horse-drawn limbers at no cost. The 20mm Madsen AT auto cannon was an integral part of the battalion’s heavy company, with four guns in one platoon. Technically the gun was an upscaled version of the 8mm heavy machinegun, firing 20 mm AP or HE rounds at a practical rate of 200-250 rounds/minute. AA MG Platoon (“Luftværnsdeling”) Platoon HQ Rifle section with: 4 Squads 85 points 3 Squads 65 points 2 Squads 45 points

• Add horse-drawn wagon at no cost. • Mount on trucks for +5 points for the platoon. A truck

may carry one or two AA MG mounts. The Command teams rides on one of the trucks, making that the command truck.

For local defence, battalion command had an AA MG platoon available, equipped with light machineguns in AA mounts. Set these up to defend important objectives against marauding aircraft. Teams from any Weapons platoon may make combat attachments to a Combat platoon. You may not field more than 2 HMG platoons, 2 Mortar Platoons, 1 20mm Anti-tank Platoon and 1 AA MG platoon, even if your force contains more than one Infantry Company.

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Support Platoons Regimental Anti-tank Platoon (“Fodfolkskanondeling”) Platoon Command Rifle team with: 3 guns 90 points 2 guns 65 points

• Add horse-drawn limber at no cost. • Replace limbers with trucks for +5 point per section. • Replace 37mm Bofors with 20mm AT platoon using the

organization and points given on page 10. Each regiment was assigned a company of 37mm Bofors anti-tank guns, with nine guns in three platoons. Not all regiments had a full complement of Bofors guns though, in stead fielding the 20mm Madsen light AT gun for some of their platoons.

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Kavalerieskadron (Cavalry Squadron) Each division was assigned a Cavalry Regiment with three combat squadrons, mounted on horses, bicycles and motorcycles respectively. The regiment’s heavy squadron had two motorcycle gun platoons, a motor gun platoon and a platoon of motorized pioneers. A Cavalry Squadron can be mounted on horses, bicycles or motorcycles. The Squadron HQ and at least two platoons must be mounted in the same way. You can add up to two combat platoons from any of the other cavalry squadrons. The two Cavalry regiments were the Jutland Dragoon Regiment (Jyske dragon regiment) in Jutland, and the Hussar Guards Regiment (Garderhusar regimentet) on Zealand. Being a mobile force their role was to perform screening and reconnaissance duties for the infantry, provide a mobile flanking force and a fast moving reserve.

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Cavalry Platoon

13 Motorcycle Gun Platoon (b)

14 Pioneer Platoon

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Cavalry Platoon

13 Motorcycle Gun Platoon (b)

14 Light Anti-aircraft Platoon

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Cavalry Platoon

13 Motor Gun Platoon

14 Artillery Battery

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Cavalry Platoon

13 Armoured Car Platoon

14 Artillery Battery

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Motorcycle mounted

squadron only:

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Pioneer Platoon (mot.)

17 Transport Section

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Motorcycle Gun Platoon (a)

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The Cavalry combat platoons can be mounted on either horses bicycles or motorcycles. The HQ and at least two of the combat platoons must be mounted in the same way. You may not field more than one of each of the Support Platoons, even if you field more than one Cavalry Squadron. Motivation and Experience A Kavalerieskadron is Confident Trained.

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Headquarters Platoon 1 Company HQ A Captain (Ritmester) commands the Cavalry Squadron (“Kavalerieskadron”). Company Command and 2inC Rifle Teams 30 points A Cavalry Company HQ is not a reconnaissance unit.

Combat Platoons 2 to 4 Cavalry Platoons (“Kavalerideling”) Apart from their ride, cavalry platoons are equipped much like the infantry platoons on page 8 although with a varying number of men in the squads. Horse and bicycle mounted squadrons had four platoons, motorcyclists five. Choose between the following: Horse mounted Platoon Command Rifle/MG with 3 squads Rifle/MG 170 point 2 squads Rifle/MG 125 points • You may upgrade one

Platoon (4th Platoon) to Cmd Rifle + LMG teams for -15 points per squad.

(8 men & horses/squad)

Bicycle mounted Platoon Command Rifle/MG with: 3 squads Rifle/MG 160 2 squads Rifle/MG 120 • Upgrade any platoon to

Cmd Rifle + LMG teams for -15 points per squad.

(10 men/squad) All four platoons of the bicycle mounted squadron were equipped in the same way, and it had no special 4th platoon.

Motorcycle mounted Platoon Command Rifle/MG with: 3 squads Rifle/MG 170 2 squads Rifle/MG 125 • Upgrade any platoon to

Cmd Rifle + LMG teams for -15 points per squad

(10 men/squad) MC gun Platoon (a) (5th Platoon) Command Rifle with: 4 Motorcycle guns 130 3 Motorcycle guns 100 2 Motorcycle guns 75

All Cavalry Platoons are reconnaissance platoon. The motorcycle gun platoons are support weapons, though, and are not reconnaissance platoons. Horse mounted LMG teams cannot shoot while mounted, but must dismount to fire. While on roads, bicycle teams may move up to 12”/30 cm, and 24”/60 cm at the double. The entire movement must be on a road. When bicycle troops shoot, they are considered to have abandoned their bicycles for the traditional foot infantry role and cannot use bicycle movement subsequently in the game. Because they can dismount so quickly, bicycle teams are always considered infantry, even while mounted. The fifth platoon of the motorcycle squadron was a motorcycle gun platoon sporting a 20mm auto cannon mounted on the sidecar of a Danish build Nimbus motorcycle. Although not able to fire on

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the move, it could stop and be ready to do battle in seconds. The weapon could also be dismounted from the motorcycle, making it easier to conceal in the terrain. The distinction between (a) and (b) types used here is not official but simply a way to distinguish the 4-gun Combat Platoon from the 3-gun Support Platoons in this briefing. Weapons Platoons Motorcycle Gun platoons (b) Platoon HQ rifle section (MC) with: 3 Motorcycle guns 100 points 2 Motorcycle guns 75 points Motorcycle Gun Platoons are not reconnaissance platoons. Motor Gun Platoon Platoon Command AA/AT gun (mot.) with 3 AA/AT guns (mot.) 125 2 AA/AT guns (mot.) 95 1 AA/AT guns (mot.) 70 Motor Gun Platoons are not reconnaissance platoons. Adding further mobile firepower, and a combined AA/AT component, the Cavalry regiments had at their disposal a motor gun platoon with up to four trucks armed with 20 mm Madsen auto cannons in dual-purpose mounts. Armoured Car Platoon Platoon Command Landsverk Lynx with 2 Landsverk Lynx 170 points 1 Landsverk Lynx 145 points OR Command Landsverk 180 with 1 Landsverk 180 140 points Armoured Car Platoons are reconnaissance platoons. Despite prolonged trials, the Danish Army was late in committing to armoured vehicles. The Swedish Landsverk 180 was a successful design, of which two were bought, but looking for something lighter (and cheaper), the Army finally committed to the Landsverk Lynx. The planned strength for each Cavalry regiment was one squadron with three platoons of three vehicles. Only three vehicles were delivered before the German attack, so the entire Danish armoured force consisted of three Landsverk Lynx on Zealand and two Landsverk 180s in Jutland. None of them saw battle. - An old Landsverk 185 was relegated to training duties with the Jutland Dragoons.

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Cyklistkompagni (Bicycle Infantry Company) The Jutland Division’s 6th Infantry Regiment was reformed into a Bicycle Infantry Regiment with two battalions. This force bore the brunt of the fighting in Jutland on the morning of the German attack. Small detachments of cyclists supported by motorcyclists with machineguns and light anti-tank cannons set up improvised defensive positions at important roads close to the Danish-German border.

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Bicycle Platoon

8 Motorcycle Platoon

13 Pioneer Platoon

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Bicycle Platoon

8 Motorcycle Gun Platoon (a)

13 Light Anti-aircraft Platoon

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Bicycle Platoon

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10 Artillery Battery

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Bicycle Platoon

8 Artillery Battery

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Transport Section

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The Bicycle Platoons were organized like the ordinary infantry platoons (although with 8 men to the squad rather than 9). The motorcycles from the heavy company were organized as those from the cavalry combat platoons. Weapons platoons may make combat attachments to combat platoons. Motivation and Experience A Cyklistkompagni is Confident Trained. (The motorized Combat Pioneer Companies were organized similarly, except that the Heavy Company had 2 motorcycle platoons and 2 motorcycle gun platoons, and that all pioneer platoons fielded tripods for their machine guns (see page 8). Following the partial demobilization in late 1939/early 1940, the bicycle forces fighting the Germans were actually mixed units consisting of elements from both 4th Bicycle Infantry Battalion and 2nd Combat Pioneer Battalion. Both battalions fought as bicycle infantry with motorcycle support.)

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Divisional support Pioneer Platoon

Platoon HQ Rifle/MG section with: 4 Squads Rifle/MG 195 points 3 Squads Rifle/MG 150 points 2 Squads Rifle/MG 105 points • Add horse-drawn pioneer wagons at no cost. • Replace all wagons with trucks for +5 points per vehicle. • Add pioneer supply truck for 20 points. • Upgrade any or all Rifle/MG squads to LMG for -15 points per squad. All regiments had a company of light pioneers. The Jutland Division had a further two battalions of combat pioneers, supported by motorcyclist and motorcycle guns platoons. The pioneers all brought tripods for their machine guns, giving the unit a heavy punch. Their main task was to prepare defences, lay minefields and do light demolition work. For still heavier work the engineers were called in. Light AA Battery Platoon HQ Rifle section with 4 20mm AA guns 110 points 3 20mm AA guns 85 points 2 20mm AA guns 65 points

• Mount all guns on trucks for +5 points per gun (see page 14). The commander rides with one of the trucks, making it the command truck.

Yet again the Danish 20 mm Madsen was in use, this time assigned to the AA batteries.

Pioneer Platoon

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Artillery batteries

Artillery Batteries At full strength 250 points With one section 135 points

• Add horse-drawn limber at no cost. • Upgrade horse-drawn limbers to a staff car and trucks for +5 point per platoon. • Upgrade 75mm guns to Heavy battery with 10.5 cm howitzers for +30 points or 15 cm guns

for +35 points per section. Heavy gun batteries are always motorized, so limbers upgrade to trucks at no cost.

Transport Section Platoon Command Rifle team with 4 trucks 20 points 3 trucks 15 points 2 trucks 10 points

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Air support The small Danish air force did not stand much of a chance against the might of the X Fliegerkorps. One fighter squadron was equipped with the relatively modern Fokker D.XXI, another with Gloster Gauntlets. Two reconnaissance squadrons were equipped with Fokker C.V M/26 and C.V M/33. These biplanes also doubled as light bombers, carrying a payload of 300 kg. In reality the entire force was destroyed on the ground. You may request sporadic air support. Choose between flights of: Fokker D.XXI - Fighter interception only 30 points Fokker C V M/33 - Light bomber 100 points

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Danish Arsenal Tank Teams Armored cars Mobility Range Front

ROF Side

Anti-tank Top

Firepower Notes

Landsverk Lynx 20 mm Madsen AT

Wheeled 16”/40 cm

1 3

0 5

0 5+

Coax. MG, Hull MG

Landsverk 180 20 mm Madsen AT

Wheeled 16”/40 cm

1 3

0 5

0 5+

Coax. MG, Hull MG, Unreliable

Unarmoured tank teams Motorcycle gun

20 mm Madsen AT Jeep

16”/40 cm - 3

- 5

- 5+

Hull-mounted, portee

AA/AT gun (truck mounted) 20 mm Madsen AT

Wheeled 16”/40 cm

- 4

- 5

- 5+

Turntable, Anti-aircraft, portee

Gun teams Weapon Mobility Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes LMG teams Man-packed 16”/40 cm 5 2 6 ROF 2 when pinned, self-

defense anti-aircraft HMG teams Man-packed 24”/60 cm 6 2 6 ROF 2 when pinned 81 mm mortar Man-packed 40”/100 cm - 2 6 Smoke bombardment 20 mm Madsen AT Man-packed 16”/40 cm 3 5 5+ 37 mm Bofors AT Light 24”/60 cm 3 6 4+ Gunshield 75 mm L/30 M.1902 Heavy 24”/60 cm 2 8 3+ Gunshield, smoke

Firing bombardments 64”/160 cm - 3 6 Smoke bombardments 10.5 cm L/48 M.1930 Immobile 24”/60 cm 1 9 2+

Firing bombardments 80”/200 cm - 4 4+ 15 cm L/22 M.1929 Immobile 24”/60 cm 1 11 1+ Smoke, Bunker buster

Firing bombardments 64”/160 cm - 4 2+ Smoke bombardments 20 mm AA/AT M.1938 Light 16”/40 cm 4 5 5+ Turntable, Anti-aircraft Infantry teams Team Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes Rifle team 16”/40 cm 1 2 6 Rifle/MG team 16”/40 cm 2 2 6 Grenadier Rifle Team 8”/20 cm 1 1 4+ May fire over friendly troops Observer rifle team 16”/40 cm 1 2 6 Independent team Staff team Cannot shoot Moves as a gun team Pioneers are AT 3 Transport teams Team Mobility Notes Motorcycle Jeep Optional passenger fired MG (Rifle/MG and LMG teams) Staff Car Jeep Truck Wheeled Horse drawn limber Wagon Horse drawn wagon Wagon Aircraft Aircraft Weapon To Hit Anti-tank Firepower Fokker C.V. Bombs 4+ 5 1+ Notes: To conform to FOW standard, the 20mm Madsen cannon has ROF 3 normally, but ROF 4 in the AA role.

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Modelling Danish soldiers Schneidig sind sie nicht, aber frech, und schießen können sie. (Handsome are they not, but sprightly, and they can shoot) - German Colonel on the Danish soldiers fighting on April 9th 1940 Fielding Danish soldiers in Flames of War require a bit of individual modelling. Characteristic for the Danish uniform was the wide helmet, the large knapsack with the greatcoat strapped around it, and the tucked-up trousers. In FOW German grenadiers can be used as basis, as the general setup of entrenching tool, gasmask and canteen of the Danish Uniform is much like the German. You will have to add the -rather larger- knapsack with a bit of Green Stuff. The helmet can be made by flattening the German helmet front and rear, and rounding the top of the sides, to make the outline less square. A bit of Green Stuff will accentuate the sides, but is not strictly necessary. The original helmet is about 30 cm wide. All pictures of Danish soldiers taken on the morning of April 9th 1940 show the soldiers wearing their greatcoats. Model this using the GE720 - Panzergrenadier Platoon (Winter) blister. This is the fastest way to model Danish soldiers, especially if you let them leave the knapsack behind on the truck allocated for that purpose (and are able to ignore the winter equipment on the models). If you prime the models black anyway, you may want to let them wear the black M.1910 greatcoat. - Not great for camouflage, but easy in painting. The biggest difference to the German infantry weaponry is in the machine guns. The light and heavy machine guns were visually very identical, with a top fed magazine clip. The only really visible difference was that the MG/LMG “Rekylgevær” held 20 rounds, while the HMG “Maskingevær” held 30 rounds. Also the butt could be removed on the HMG. All machine guns can be modelled using the British Bren gun - or any other MG with a magazine clip at the top. The difference between the weapons lies in the mounts. The tripod of the LMG teams was of a more elaborate design, also used for AA defence, while the HMG mount was a simpler but heavier tripod. To model the LMG, the German HMG teams can be used, cutting down the tripod and adding a Bren MG. For the HMG there is no direct equivalent, but the Hungarian Heavy Weapons Platoon seems reasonable close, just replace the MG with a Bren MG. Danish mortars were French of the Stokes-Brandt design. Mortars look the same in most armies. Use the German Mortar Platoon, remodelling the soldiers as above. The 20 mm Madsen gun was used widely in the Danish Army. Issued to the Infantry Battalions, it was also mounted on motorcycles, trucks, armoured cars, fighter airplanes and warships. As such it was used in both an AT and AA role. Developed for the Danish forces, it became a commercial success seeing use by Sweden, Finland, Norway, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Belgium, France and Germany during the 1930s and early 1940s. It is difficult to find a model for it, though.

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The originally Swedish 37mm Bofors gun was also used by a large number of countries. You can model the gun using the German 37mm PaK 35/36 or the American 37mm M3, replacing the gun shield with the characteristic Bofors type (from card, plastic or green stuff). The Bofors was also used by Poland and the British in the desert. The 75mm field gun was bought in 1902 from Krupp. This gun was an off-the-shelf product from the German manufacturer, and was found in slightly different versions in several armies at the time of the Great War. By 1940 this gun was less than state-of-the-art, and considered lightweight, if not outright obsolete. The two heavier artillery pieces were designs from the French company Schneider & Cie, the 10.5 cm gun being a single trail design (also used by e.g. Poland, Romania, Belgium and Italy), and the 15 cm howitzer being mounted on a split trail carriage. The Danish heavy guns were not fitted with a gun shield. To bring up a sufficient level of motorization a bewildering array of trucks were in use. Important ones were the Ford AA (also produced as the Soviet GAZ AA), and a Danish produced Triangel, which was heavier that the Ford, but rather similar in appearance. In both cases the Soviet Zis5 truck can be used, although larger than the Ford AA/GAZ AA. The Triangel was used for towing the heavy guns, and could be fitted with tracks for the rear wheels, making it a half-track. Colours In 1923 a new regulation uniform was designed in yellow-brown ‘khaki’ with brown webbing and boots. With the large stocks of old (M.1910 or M.1915) uniforms available however, the normal uniform for a private in 1940 was light grey with black leather boots and straps. The greatcoat was either light grey (M.1915) or black (M.1910), while helmets were issued in either grey-green or dark olive colours (Humbrol 116). Most officers and some NCOs would wear the khaki uniform. Vehicles, mounts and guns were painted in dark olive (Humbrol 116).

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Weserübung Nord – The attack on Norway and the Allied intervention German plans and forces The German ideas for the capture of Norway developed during the inter-war years mainly as a naval requirement. During the Great War, the German Navy had been confined to the Baltic and the inner parts of the North Sea by a distant British blockade. In an influential book from 1929, the German Vice-Admiral Wolfgang Wegener argued that possession of Norway would have enabled the German Navy to bypass the British blockade, giving direct access to the Atlantic. A second factor in the decision to attack was to secure the sea-lanes for merchant transports, not least those bringing Swedish iron ore to Germany from the Norwegian port of Narvik during the winter, when the Baltic Sea froze up. There was a -substantiated- fear that Norway was not willing or able to enforce their neutrality, and thereby keep British warships out of the area. Therefore it was primarily the Navy which wanted the attack. In the event, the German Navy lost so many vessels during the Norwegian campaign, that it never really recuperated its losses. The conduct of the attack itself was exemplary - insofar than an unprovoked attack on a neutral country can bear that description. Weserübung Nord was a complicated military operation involving coordinated action between forces of all three arms. The various armed forces seem to have worked well together, and although this was a difficult terrain, the attack eventually succeeded. There were off course set-backs, the sinking of the cruiser Blücher on route to Oslo being one of the most serious, along with the loss of other important naval assets. Bad weather made air landings difficult or impossible, but in general this was another demonstration of the superiority of the German Wehrmacht during the early years of World War 2. The following ground forces were committed to the Campaign: Armeegruppe XXI 2. Gebirgs Division

Geb.Jäger Regiments 136 and 137. Geb.Artillerie Regiment 111. Geb.Pz.Abw.Abt. 47, Geb.Afklärungs-Abt. 67, Geb.Pionier-Btn. 82.

3. Gebirgs Division Geb.Jäger Regiments 138 and 139. Geb.Artillerie Regiment 112. Geb.Pz.Abw.Abt. 48, Geb.Afklärungs-Abt. 68, Geb.Pionier-Btn. 83.

69. Infanterie Division Infantry Regiments 159, 193 and 236. Artillerie Rgt. 169. PzAbw.Abt. 169. Pionier Btn 169.

163. Infanterie Division Infantry Regiments 307, 310 and 324. Artillerie Rgt. 234. PzAbw.Abt. 234. Pionier Btn 234.

181. Infanterie Division Infantry Regiments 334, 349 and 359. Artillerie Rgt. 222. PzAbw.Abt. 222. Pionier Btn 222.

196. Infanterie Division Infantry Regiments 340, 345 and 362. Artillerie Rgt. 233. PzAbw.Abt. 233. Pionier Btn 233.

214. Infanterie Division (kept in reserve for Denmark, but transferred to Norway)

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Infantry Regiments 355, 357 and 388. Artillerie Rgt. 214. PzAbw.Abt. 214. Pionier Btn 214. I/1. Fallschirmjäger Regiment (parts) 3/40. Panzer Abteilung z.b.V (the entire battalion transferred to Norway later) While the two mountain divisions (Gebirgs divisionen) were fully equipped pre-war formations, the 69th was of the 2nd wave (“Welle”) and the 163rd to 196th Infantry Divisions were of the 7th Wave of mobilization. Few of the officers and men had any combat experience and most were reservists. These divisions were not equipped with 5cm or 8cm mortars, nor any 15 cm heavy infantry guns. For the 7th wave divisions, pioneers were transported on horse drawn wagons, and the normal panzerabwehr and auklärungsabteilungen was a combined unit fielding one company of AT guns, and one squadron of scouts mounted on bicycles. Weapons were mainly Czech. The 214th Infantry division was of the 3rd wave. These divisions were formed from former “Landwehr” divisions, and were partly equipped with older machineguns (MG 08, MG 15 and MG 13). There were no light mortars in the infantry platoons, and the battalions had no machinegun company. In stead HMG platoons were allocated directly to the companies, to simplify the command structure. There were no mortars. The artillery was mainly equipped with older guns, like the 10,5 cm lFH 16 or 7,5 cm FK 16. There were no 15 cm heavy infantry guns. The reconnaissance troops were mounted on bicycles, while pioneers were transported on horse drawn wagons. The main parts of 40 Panzer Abteilung z.b.V was assigned to the attack on Denmark and described above. All units were transferred to Norway later in April, and participated in the fighting here. A special unit is the ‘Panzerzug Horstmann’, which fielded three Neubaufarzeug Pz.Kpfw.VI, a multi-turreted experimental tank that never went into production. Otherwise the unit had Pz I and II’s. The Norwegian terrain did not favour the use of tanks. Stats for the Neubaufarzeug could be: Mobility Front Side Top Notes Neubaufarzeug Fully tracked 2 1 1 Co-ax MG, 2 MGs in separate deck turrets,

slow tank Range ROF AT FP 7,5 cm gun

Firing bombardments 24”/60cm 48”/120cm

2 -

7 3

3+ 6

3,7 cm gun 24”/60cm 2 6 4+ The two guns were placed together in the turret, and may not fire at the same time. One tank send in for replacement was a mild steel prototype, and should have armour rating 0-0-0. Allied plans and forces Also for the Allied Norway was a main target. The concerns of the British and French governments focussed mainly on the port of Narvik, from which Swedish high grade iron ore was shipped to Germany. Secondly “the Leads” is the deep waterway between the archipelago and the mainland of Norway, where German ships under protection of Norwegian neutrality could not only maintain trade connections with Norway, but also slip into the Atlantic. A first plan for the Allies to get troops into Norway without loosing popular and political support in Scandinavia was to field them as help to Finland after the Russian attack on November 30, 1939. The Finnish surrender on March 12, 1940, thwarted this plan. Therefore a new plan was set up, where the Leads would be mined, with or without Norwegian consent. In expectation of a German response, troops would be embarked and ready for landing into main Norwegian cities. According to the plan they were to begin landing operations at the moment when ‘the Germans set foot on Norwegian soil, or there is

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clear evidence that they intend to do so’. The Germans set foot on Norwegian soil sooner than the British expected. The mining operations were set to happen at April 8th, by coincident coinciding with the time when German ships also left their ports to move on Norway. Not expecting a respond quite so soon, the Allied forces were taken by surprise and the campaign became a confused and badly conducted affair from which the forces were withdrawn in June. The remarkable British ineptness in military logistics, planning and coordination during the early years of the war also plagued the Norwegian Campaign. There was no theatre commander of the area, the campaign being run by a bewildering series of political committees, and the forces of the three arms not being put under any central military control. This seriously reduced the effectiveness of the fighting, and not much was accomplished. Being much a brainchild of Winston Churchill, the ensuing political debate forced Neville Chamberlain to resign his office as prime minister, paradoxically being succeeded by Churchill. The following Franco-British forces were involved in the campaign in Norway, arriving at various times of the campaign: Mauriceforce (Namsos) British: 146th Infantry Brigade,

1st/4th, The Royal Lincolnshire Regiment. 1st/4th, The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. The Hallamshire Btn., The York and Lancaster Regiment. One Section 55th Field Company Royal Engineers

French: 5th Demi-Brigade Chasseurs Alpin:

13th Battalion Chasseurs Alpins. 53rd Battalion Chasseurs Alpins, 67th Battalion Chasseurs Alpins. Detatchments, Anti-Aircraft and Anti-Tank Artillery. One Section Engineers.

Sickleforce (Åndalsnes) 148th Brigade.

1st/5th, The Royal Leicestershire Regiment. 1st/8th, The Sherwood Foresters. 15th Brigade:

1st, The Green Howards. 1st, The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. 1st, The York and Lancaster Regiment.

168th Light Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery, Royal Artillery. 260th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery, Royal Artillery. 55th Field Company Royal Engineers (less one section). No. 263 Squadron, RAF. (Gladiators) Scissorsforce (Mosjöen, Mo and Bodö) Army units

1st, Scots Guards. 1st, Irish Guards. 2nd, The South Wales Borderers. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Independent Companies. One Troop, 203rd Field Battery, Royal Artillery. One Troop, 55th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, Royal Artillery. Detachment 230th Field Company, Royal Engineers.

Detachment, No 263 Squadron, RAF. (3 Gladiators) Avonforce (Narvik Area)

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British: 24th (Guards) Brigade.

1st, Scots Guards. 1st, Irish Guards. 2nd, The South Wales Borderers. One troop 3rd King's Own Hussars (no tanks). 203rd Battery, 51st Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. 193rd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery, Royal Artillery. 55th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. 3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, Royal Artillery. 229th and 230th Field Companies, Royal Engineers. Detachment 231st Field Park Company, Royal Engineers. French: 27th Demi-Brigade Chasseurs Alpins:

6th Battalion Chasseurs Alpins. 12th Battalion Chasseurs Alpins. 14th Battalion Chasseurs Alpins.

13th Demi-Brigade Foreign Legion: 1st and 2nd Battalions.

Polish Brigade (Chasseurs du Nord): 1st Demi-Brigade: 1st and 2nd Battalions. 2nd Demi-Brigade: 3rd and 4th Battalions.

342nd Independent Tank Company (10 H39 tanks) 2nd Independent Group Colonial Artillery. 14th Anti-Tank Company, 13th Chasseurs Alpins. Norwegian forces If the Danish Army was kept on the brink of starvation during the 1920s and 1930s this was even truer for the Norwegian forces. As most European armies the Norwegians relied on conscription, but had an extremely short training period for the troops. Around 1930 an infantry soldier was trained for a mere 48 days, although the period was increased during the 1930s, reaching 84 days before the war. A corps of NCOs was lacking, the only full-time professional military personnel being the officers. The Norwegian Army was organized in six Divisions. This may sound as a substantial force for a small country, but the ‘Division’ of the Norwegian Army was an area command, mainly with administrative and training functions. In fact each division fielded a Brigade, each with four infantry battalions, a regiment of field artillery (Div. 1, 2 and 5) or a battalion of mountain artillery (Div. 3, 4 and 6), and support units. To this came local defence units in independent battalions, and the forts within the Division’s area. Three Divisions (1, 2 and 5) also had a Cavalry Regiment. In total the armed forces of Norway would mount to 90,000 men when fully mobilized. On the morning of the German attack the Norwegian Army had 19,000 men under arms. The government decided on a partial mobilisation, which may have been a sound decision, avoiding the calling in of the last, most unusable reserves. Unfortunately, the pre-prepared plans for partly mobilisation also called for the mobilization being done by mail. The General Command refused to change this part of the plan, causing much confusion and delay in the mobilisation of the armed forces during the initial days of severe military crisis. The political options and military situation was much the same for Norway as it was for the Danes. But they choose to fight. Several factors weighted in at this decision. Firstly the sinking of the Blücher by the 28 cm guns at Oscarsborg delayed the German advance on Oslo, thus giving the government time to assess and respond to the situation. Secondly the allied forces were quick in promising help – forces were already committed even before the German attack. Finally the king

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threatened to abdicate if the politicians choose an immediate surrender. Consequently the royal family, the government – and the county’s gold reserves- were moved out of Oslo, setting up field camp further north. Mobilization was begun, and the Norwegians took up the fight. The mountainous terrain and the size of the country favoured the defence, which was kept up for a considerable time. Total military casualties (not counting prisoners) were 1335 Norwegian soldiers. Norwegian Special Rules Ski-equipped All Norwegians seems to be skiing experts. Norwegian forces use the Finnish Ski-equipped special rule from the Ostfront intelligence briefing. Norwegian infantry and man-packed guns treat deep snow as Cross-country terrain, allowing them to move at the double. No Grenades The Norwegian army lacked many of the implements of modern warfare, including sub machineguns and grenades. This put soldiers at a major disadvantage when engaged in assaults, and close range fire fights. A Norwegian unit that takes part in an assault adds +1 to hit in assaults. Hold the Line! The Norwegians stubbornly held onto the land they still occupied. German attackers found it difficult to displace a determined Norwegian soldier. As long as a Company still has its Command Rifle Team, it may re-roll it’s first failed motivation test. Norwegian Company Choices You can base your Norwegian force on:

• A Gevärskompani (Infantry Company) • A Dragoneskadron (Cavalry Squadron)

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Gevärskompani (Infantry Company)

Hea

dqua

rters Company HQ

30 A Gevärskompani must field a Company HQ and at least two Infantry Platoons. It may also field a further up to two combat platoons and any of the weapons and support platoons shown.

Infantry Platoon

30 HMG Platoon

30 Bicycle Platoon

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Infantry Platoon

30 HMG Platoon

30 Cavalry Platoon

35

Infantry Platoon

30 Mortar Platoon

32 Cavalry Platoon

35 Com

bat P

lato

ons

Infantry Platoon

30

Wea

pons

Pla

toon

s

Anti-aircraft MG Platoon

32 Allied Platoon 37

Allied Platoon 37

Pioneer Platoon

36

Anti-aircraft Platoon

36

Artillery Battery

37

Artillery Battery

37

Transport Section

38

Supp

ort P

lato

ons

Air support

38

Motivation and Experience A Gevärskompani is Confident Trained

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Headquarters Platoon 1 Company HQ Company Command and 2iC Rifle teams 25 points Combat Platoons 2-4 Infantry Platoons (“Gevärstropp”)

Platoon HQ Rifle/MG section with: 4 Rifle/MG squads 135 points 3 Rifle/MG squads 105 points 2 Rifle/MG squads 75 points

• Downgrade up to two squads to Rifle squads for -5 point per team. The battalion had three rifle companies, each with four Platoons. Armed with the Krag-Jörgensen bolt-action rifle and the Danish Madsen light machinegun the infantry platoons were equipped with the standard infantry weapons of the day, although sub-machineguns, hand grenades or rifle grenades were not used in the Norwegian army. Some units only had two MGs for the entire platoon, and this was indeed the regulation allotment of machine guns. Possibly the better equipped units had simply commandeered the extra weapons from the depots. Weapons Platoons Machine Gun Platoons (“Mitraljøsetropp”)

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Platoon HQ Rifle section with: 3 HMG teams 80 points 2 HMG teams 55 points Proving its value to the Norwegian infantry forces during the two months of fighting, the Colt heavy machine guns were much relied on for the defence. The battalion fielded one machine gun company with three platoons of three HMG’s each. Some units were issued the older Hotchkiss M/1898 HMG. With the limited training of the normal infantry, sometimes officers had to man these weapons. Mortar Platoon (“Bombekasteretropp”)

Platoon Command Rifle section with: 2 Mortar sections 50 points The 81 mm mortars were important and popular weapons, used extensively on all Norwegian fronts. A platoon of two weapons was under direct battalion command. The weapons were of French Brandt-Stokes design. AA MG Platoon

Platoon HQ Rifle section with: 4 Squads 70 points 3 Squads 55 points 2 Squads 40 points

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Support Platoons Bicycle Platoon (“Hjuleryttartropp”)

Platoon Command Rifle team with: 4 Rifle squads 180 points 3 Rifle squads 140 points 2 Rifle squads 100 points

• Upgrade any or all squads to Rifle/MG for +10 points for the squad. Bicycle platoons are reconnaissance teams. For reconnaissance work the Brigade fielded a Bicycle Company with two platoons. According to regulations the platoons were lightly equipped with only two LMGs for its four squads. But like the infantry they may have commandeered extra machine guns.

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Dragoneskadron (Cavalry Squadron) Three Norwegian Brigades had a Cavalry Regiment attached. The paper strength of the Cavalry Regiment was one horse mounted and one bicycle mounted squadron, supported by one horse mounted and one motorized HMG Squadron (each 9 HMG’s in three platoons), and a mortar section with two 81 mm mortars. In practice 2-3 horse or bicycle mounted squadrons were mobilized, some of them motorized.

Hea

dqua

rters Company HQ

35

Cavalry Platoon

35 HMG Platoon

35 Pioneer Platoon

36

Cavalry Platoon

35 HMG Platoon

35 Anti-aircraft Platoon

36

Cavalry Platoon

35 HMG Platoon

35 Artillery Battery

37 Com

bat P

lato

ons

Cavalry Platoon

35

Wea

pons

Pla

toon

s

Mortar Platoon

35 Artillery Battery

37

Transport Section

38

Allied Platoon

37

Allied Platoon

37

Supp

ort P

lato

ons

Air support

38

Motivation and Experience A Dragoneskadron is Confident Trained.

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Headquarters Platoon Company HQ Company Command and 2iC Rifle teams 35 points Company Command and 2iC teams are reconnaissance teams. Combat Platoons Cavalry Platoons (“Gevärstropp”/”Hjulerytteretropp”) Platoon HQ Rifle/MG team with: 8 Rifle/MG teams 215 points 6 Rifle/MG teams 170 points 4 Rifle/MG teams 125 points

• Downgrade up to two squads to Rifle squads for -5 point per squad. • Replace horses/bicycles with trucks (1 per squad) at no cost.

Cavalry teams are Reconnaissance teams. As with the infantry, the paper organization only foresaw equipping two Squads with machineguns. In practice several platoons seems to have been fully equipped, the Squadrons typically fielding three Platoons with three squads. Norwegian cavalry could be mounted on either horses or bicycles. During mobilization a large number of the sections were motorized though, fielding the troops on trucks. Weapons Platoons Machine Gun Platoons (“Mitraljøsetropp”) Platoon HQ Rifle section with: 3 HMG teams 85 points 2 HMG teams 60 points

• Upgrade transport to trucks (1 per team) at no cost. Horse mounted HMG teams cannot shoot while mounted. The Cavalry Regiment had two HMG squadrons with nine HMG’s each. One squadron was horse mounted and the other motorized. In practise motorization was improvised for many of these formations. Mortar Platoon (“Bombekasteretropp”) Platoon Command Rifle section with: 2 Mortar teams 55 points

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Divisional Support All Divisional support platoons are rated as Confident Trained. Pioneer Platoon Platoon HQ Rifle/MG team with: 4 Squads Rifle/MG 180 points 3 Squads Rifle/MG 140 points 2 Squads Rifle/MG 100 points • Add horse-drawn pioneer wagons at no cost. • Replace all wagons with trucks for +5 points per vehicle. • Add pioneer supply truck for 15 points. In the defensive battles of Norway, the pioneers did important work in setting up roadblocks across the narrow and difficult roads. The Norwegians did not have land mines, and cannot use minefields in defensive battles. Anti-Aircraft Platoon Platoon HQ Rifle section with: 2 Anti-aircraft sections 150 points (4 guns) 1 Anti-aircraft section 80 points (2 guns)

• Add a staff car to the command team and towing trucks for 5 points per section. The field army only had Colt HMGs in AA mountings for protection against aircraft. For static defence of important areas however, there was AA artillery available. A battery of four 40 mm Bofors guns was found in Narvik, and another four guns protected the coastal forts in the Oslo Fjord area. The private company Norsk Hydro even bought ten guns to protect their most important plants. Your field company may be lucky to be able to incorporate some of these guns in their defences.

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Artillery Batteries

Platoon HQ section (Cmd Rifle, Staff, Obs) with: 2 artillery sections 245 points (4x7.5 cm field gun m/01) 1 artillery section 135 points (2x7.5 cm field gun m/01)

• Add a horse drawn staff wagon and horse drawn limbers at no cost. • Upgrade all limbers to trucks and add a staff car for +5 points per vehicle. • Upgrade to 7.5 cm mountain gun at no cost. • Upgrade to 12 cm howitzer for +30 points per section

The brigades had either a field artillery regiment (8 75mm and 8 120mm in 4 batteries) or a mountain artillery battalion (8-12 75 mm mountain guns in 2 or 3 batteries) attached. Two independent battalions were motorized; otherwise the units relied on horses. In practice some artillery units improvised motor transport, carrying the guns on trucks. The wooden spooked wheels did not allow towing the guns, so they were carried portée. The guns could not fire from this position, though. These guns were important in the anti-tank role, as no dedicated AT guns existed in the Norwegian Army. The guns did not have AT rounds. Transport Section

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Platoon Command Rifle team with 4 trucks 20 points 3 trucks 15 points 2 trucks 10 points Allied Platoons You may choose up to two allied platoons to support your Norwegian force. Both must come from the same nation. Choose between the following: British: Rifle Platoons Light Anti-aircraft Platoon Heavy Anti-aircraft Platoon Artillery Battery (0-1)

French: Tank Platoon (H-39) Infanterie Platoon Divisional Antitank-Platoon Artillery Battery (0-1)

Air Support The Royal Norwegian Air Force was a non-factor in the fight against Germany. Their most modern craft were Gloster Gladiators (6 I’s and 6 II’s), which were all used to defend Oslo. However, Norway did have several older biplanes and light bombers. The RAF also provided Norway with much needed help against the Luftwaffe. You may request Sporadic air support from Gloster Gladiator II’s at a cost of 30 points. Sporadic air support from a Gloster Gladiator will provide fighter interception only on a roll of a 6. You may request Sporadic air support from Fokker CV-D’s at a cost of 30 points. Sporadic air support from a Fokker CV-D will provide fighter interception only on a roll of a 6. You may request Limited air support from the RAF at a cost of 60 points. Limited air support from the RAF will provide fighter interception only.

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Norwegian Arsenal Infantry teams Team Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes Rifle team 16”/40 cm 1 2 6 Rifle/MG team 16”/40 cm 2 2 6 Observer rifle team 16”/40 cm 1 2 6 Independent team Staff team Cannot shoot Moves as a gun team Pioneers are AT 3 Gun teams Weapon Mobility Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes HMG teams, Colt M/29 or Hotchkiss M/1898

Man-packed 24”/60 cm 6 2 6 ROF 2 when pinned

81 mm mortar Man-packed 40”/100 cm - 2 6 Smoke bombardment 7.5 mm field gun m/01 Heavy 24”/60 cm 2 7 3+ Gunshield, smoke

Firing bombardments 56”/140 cm - 3 6 Smoke bombardments 12 cm how. m/09, m/15, m/32 Immobile 24”/60 cm 1 9 2+ Gunshield, smoke

Firing bombardments 56”/140 cm - 4 4+ Smoke bombardments 7.5 cm mountain gun Medium 24”/60 cm 2 7 3+ Smoke

Firing bombardments 56”/140 cm - 3 6 Smoke bombardments 40 mm Bofors AA m/36 Immobile 24”/60 cm 4 6 4+ Turntable, Anti-aircraft Transport teams Team Mobility Notes Staff Car Jeep Truck Wheeled Horse drawn limber Wagon Horse drawn wagon Wagon

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Modelling Norwegian soldiers The Norwegian soldier wore a grey-green uniform, with dark red lining at the collar and sleeves. As headwear the soldiers wore a kepi or -more rarely- helmets of Swedish design (rather like the Romanian helmet) for the Infantry and of English design for Cavalry and Artillery. The most characteristic headwear however was the soft “Finnmark” cap used by many of the troops. The greatcoat would often be an obsolete design in dark blue. Norwegian soldiers can be modelled using WWI Austrians. The light machine gun of the troops was the Danish Madsen, while the heavy machinegun was a water-cooled Colt. Mortars were of the standard Stokes-Brandt design. The 75 mm field gun was a pre-WWI design from Rheinische Metallwaren & Maschinenfabrik (system Erhardt). The mountain artillery battalions fielded a 75 mm mountain gun, produced either in Germany (m/11, m/19) or Norway (m/24). These 75 mm guns were the main guns of the fighting in Norway, often seeing action in the anti-tank role. A number of 12 cm guns were bought from Rheinmetal (12cm leFH 08, system Erhardt) and Bofors. A more modern 12 cm piece was designed domestically in 1932, and intended to replace the older guns. In practice many of the older guns were still in use with the units in 1940. Transport was to a large degree improvised, so use any truck model available, and consider using several different types. Norwegian equipment was painted in a light greyish green.