320: Operation Weserübung


The German cruiser Blücher sinking in the Oslofjord as Germany invades Norway.

With neither side taking the initiative on the main front, Winston Churchill pushed his plan for intervening in Norway, for the purpose of denying Germany the use of Norwegian waters.

At the same time, Germany was preparing to invade and occupy Norway.

  • Listen now:



Playlist:

Fanfare

Opening War Theme

“Ja, vi elsker dette landet” (National anthem of Norway.)
Composed in 1864 by Rikard Nordraak. Public domain.
Performed by the United States Navy Band. Public domain recording. Source.

Closing War Theme



Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some music and sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.

3 thoughts on “320: Operation Weserübung

  1. I believe Quisling ended up settling here in Madison, WI, where there was a building with the marquee “Quisling Clinic” near the downtown area for many years. Might have been a family member or something – I haven’t chased down the history of the building. With as many Norwegian families that came here to settle, there are lots of possibilities.

    Thanks again for the podcasts! We appreciate the work!

    • Vidkun Quisling was executed in October 1945, and I’m pretty sure he never got to Wisconsin, but there have to be other Norwegian families with the same surname.

  2. It’s very interesting how close the British were to invading Norway! When the commander at the Oscarsborg fortress in the Oslofjord gave the order to attack the incoming cruiser Blücher, he did not in fact know whether the ships were German or English.

    Thanks for another great episode Mark!

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