On the Road to Andalsnes

With the sudden Allied landings at Namsos and Andalsnes, the strategic and political importance of Trondheim was brought into sharp focus. Quickly implementing alternative plans, von Falkenhorst ordered the 196th Infantry Division to clear several valleys an isolate that city. On 24 April, lead elements of the German …

1940-04-24

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With the sudden Allied landings at Namsos and Andalsnes, the strategic and political importance of Trondheim was brought into sharp focus. Quickly implementing alternative plans, von Falkenhorst ordered the 196th Infantry Division to clear several valleys an isolate that city. On 24 April, lead elements of the German division, advancing along the valley towards Andalsnes, found themselves stymied by fierce resistance in the vicinity of Dombaas from the British 148th Infantry Brigade, which had landed and was moving inland. With ammunition running low and the road behind them threatened by the Norwegian 2nd Division, an urgent message was dispatched for munitions and reinforcements to be pushed forward at all costs. The 196th’s HQ loaded an assortment of commandeered wagons with supplies and sped northward with all available troops. With a roadblock firmly established and troops positioned on the hills flanking the road, the Norwegian commander – advised of the attempted breakthrough – waited confidently.

Dombaas, Norway

The Norwegian campaign (8 April – 10 June 1940) describes the attempt of the Allies to defend northern Norway coupled with Norwegian forces' resistance to the country's invasion by Nazi Germany in World War II. Planning and 13 British ships setting steam, narrowly preceded the German invasion of the mainland on 8 April 1940. Planned as Operation Wilfred and Plan R 4, while the German attack was feared but had not happened, HMS Renown set out from Scapa Flow for the Vestfjorden with twelve destroyers on 4 April. British and German naval forces met at the first Battle of Narvik on 9 and 10 April, and the first British forces landed at Åndalsnes on the 13th. The main strategic reason for Germany to invade Norway was to seize the port of Narvik and guarantee the iron ore needed for critical production of steel. The campaign was fought until 10 June 1940 and saw the escape of King Haakon VII and his heir apparent Crown Prince Olav to the United Kingdom. A British, French and Polish expeditionary force of 38,000 soldiers, many days in, landed in the north. It had moderate success. A rapid strategic retreat took place after Germany's overwhelmingly quick invasion of France in May. The Norwegian government then sought exile in London. The campaign ended with the occupation of the entirety of Norway by Germany, but exiled Norwegian forces escaped and fought on from overseas.

German

Norwegian

Scenario Type = Standard