The Germans invaded Norway on the night of April 7/8, 1940. They quickly took over the Government and establish Naval bases in Bergen and Trondheim so Germany Surface Raiders and Submarines could attack shipping in the North Atlantic.
German ports were on the Baltic and access from the Baltic to the North Atlantic was past the narrows off Denmark – and easy place for an ambush – so they took over Denmark as the same time.
German control of the port of Narvik in the far north of Norway was critical. Swedish iron ore, needed in the German war effort, was shipped from Kiruna, Sweden by rail to the ice-free port of Narvik.
Invasion of Denmark
On April 9, 1940 NAZI forces invaded Denmark, all part of the plan to capture Norway.
Denmark and Norway fell quickly to NAZI forces.
Success at Narvik
The Royal Navy was victorious over the German Navy in the Battles at Narvik. The British and Allied troops did not have the same success. By June 3, 1940 the Allies had left Narvik to the Germans.
The Allies knew NAZI momentum was building and anticipated the invasion of France. Troops that had been sent to Norway from France were gradually withdrawn.
Battle of France
No NAZI action was taken against France until May 10, 1940. The May 10, 1940 invasion was swift. The Battle of France lasted until June 25, 1940, when France fell under NAZI control. It took just 6 weeks to defeat the forces in France.
Turmoil and Rise of Churchill
Allied troops abandoned Europe through Dunkirk and other Channel ports. By June 25, 1940 Allied troops totally vacated Europe and the NAZIs took power.
Britain changed Prime Minsters on May 10, 1940. Neville Chamberlain resigned after successive failures and was replaced by Winston Churchill. Turmoil of the times probably played a part in the Allies decision to abandon Narvik and Norway.
April 23, 1940 Allied Retreat from Norway Begins
British Troops being inspected by British and French officers before leaving Norway.
Saskatchewan Boys – Arni Johannson, Wynyard and Gustav Hansen, Maidstone
Saskatchewan soldiers, Arni Johannson and Gustav Hansen were probably part of this Parade.
Saskatchewan Contribution in Norway
Privates Arni Johannson of Wynyard, Saskatchewan and Gustav Hansen of Maidstone, Saskatchewan, Saw Action in Norway
The Moose Jaw Times Herald, Monday, May 20, 1940 ran this CP article that tells the story.
Headline: Two Saskatchewan Men See Action in Norway
By Edwin Johnson (Canadian Press Staff Writer), Aldershot, England, May 20 1940
“The only members of the 1st Division to see action against the Germans in Norway – Privates Arni Johannson of Wynyard, Saskatchewan and Gustav Hansen of Maidstone, Saskatchewan – have returned to their camp here with a grim and graphic account of their experiences.
“Members of the Saskatoon Light Infantry, the westerners answered an appeal for volunteers to serve as interpreters and were detailed to an English unit which formed a part of the Norway-bound expeditionary force.”
Saw Fighting
“During the ten days they were in Norway the Canadians spent three days in actual fighting following a call to every able bodied British soldier to help stem the German advance.
“They were bombed from the air, shelled by heavy artillery and rode with death when a train on which they were traveling was blown up by a mine. But they came through the ordeal without a scratch. Neither saw any trace of other Canadian troops.”
Arni and Gustav may have been at Narvik – but this is not confirmed.
Arni Johannson, Saskatoon Light Infantry (MG)
Arni Johannson farmed in the Wynyard district. He was born in 1915 and in 1949 he married Lillian Hendrickson of Wadena. Arni died in 1989 and is buried in Margo, Saskatchewan, north east of Foam Lake.
Gustav Hansen, Saskatoon Light Infantry (MG)
Gustav was born in 1905 and homesteaded at SE 2-18-03-W3. He died in 1983 and is buried in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan.
The Saskatoon Light Infantry (MG)
A Reference appears in the Unit War Diaries, May 18-31, 1940. It notes: The Story of Ptes. Johannson and Hansen, who have been on Active Duty in Norway as Interpreters, is attached in Appendix "E". At this time (194) the SLI was stationed at Aldershot.
Some members of the Saskatoon Light Infantry also saw action on the island of Spitzbergen. It is not known if Arni and Gustav were involved.
