The Danish Army on April 9th, 1940, Part 1

Introduction
Information, in English, regarding the Danish resistance to the German invasion on April 9th, 1940 seems to be scarce. I
have written the following article, in order to help filling this gap.

The Danish Forces at the border

The Danish forces at the Danish-German border consisted of:

In SØGAARDLEJREN (Camp Søgaard) ! 1st, 2nd and 3rd Infantry Company (bicyclists), armed with light machine-
(4th Battalion) guns and a number of tripods.
! 4th Company (motorcyclists), armed with 4 x 20mm auto cannon, and 4 x
light machineguns in tripods.
! 1 heavy company (from 2nd Battalion/Fodfolkspionerkommandoet),
armed with 6 x 20mm auto cannons, and 5 x light machineguns in tripods.
In HADERSLEV ! 1 infantry company, armed with 7 light machineguns and 3 light machine-
(from 3rd Battalion) guns in tripods.
! 1 heavy company, armed with 4 heavy machineguns and 2 medium mor-
tars.
! 1 anti-tank company (2nd Regiment), armed with 4 x 37mm anti-tank
guns and 4 x 20 mm auto cannons.
! 1 artillery battery (8th Artillery Battalion), with 4 x 75mm field guns.
In TØNDER ! The NCO School of Fodfolkspionerkommandoet, grouped into a 20 mm
auto cannon platoon (with 2 guns and 1 light machinegun), 1 bicycle pla-
toon (with 4 light machineguns ), 1 infantry company (Fodfolks-
pionerkompagni) with 4 platoons (each with 4 light machineguns in tri-
pods).
In SØNDERBORG ! 3 infantry companies
(3rd Battalion) ! The Army NCO School (Sergent- og Oversergentskolen)
In SOUTHERN JUTLAND ! 3 anti-aircraft batteries (14th Artillery Battalion), armed with 8 x 75 mm
anti-aircraft guns and 9 x 20 mm auto cannons

4th Battalion
The 4th Battalion were heavily
engaged in the early hours of
April 9th.

The battalion was grouped into

various detachments, as shown
in the tables.

The troops went on full alert at

13:30 on April 8th, and were
held ready to take up positions in
event of a German invasion.

A thorough reconnaissance had

been made regarding the posi-
tions, but in order not to provoke
the Germans, all digging and
fortification had however been
strictly forbidden.

At 04:17 the alarm was sounded,

at the troops left their barracks at
04:35, heading for their posi-
tions.

Per Finsted 21 June 2004 1

The Korskro and Bredevad Detachments
Just a few minutes ahead of the arrival
of first German troops, the Bredevad
Detachment took up positions at 06:30.

German armoured cars and motorcyc-

list were observed 300 metres to the
south, and the 20mm auto cannons
commenced firing, disabling the ar-
moured car in front.

German infantry dismounted and at-

tacked on foot, accompanied by 3 ar-
moured cars.

Heavy fighting followed, with dead

and wounded on both sides, and a fur-
ther 2 armoured cars were put out of
action.

At 07:15 a large German motorized

column marched from TINGLEV to-
wards BREDEVAD, thus preventing the
detachment here from retiring. It was
consequently disarmed by the Ger-
mans.

Danish soldiers and a disabled German armoured car at BREDEVAD.

From Source 2.

2
 The Korskro Detachment made a halt in RABSTED, which
was occupied at 06:45.

From two captured German dispatch riders it was learned

that a German armoured unit was marching from
KORSKRO, and that BREDEVAD had already been captured.

The detachment resumed the march via secondary roads,

and learned about the cease-fire when they reached
HELLEVAD (approximately 18 kilometres to the north-
east).

At BREDEVAD Privates Poul Søgaard and Peder Jørgen An-

dersen were killed, and Sergeant J. Løvgreen, Corporal
B.A. Larsen and Privates P. Jespersen, N.E. Bak and C.J.
Hansen were wounded.

The Gaardeby, Perbøl, Oksekær, Vilsbæk and Kliplev Detachments

The detachments from 3rd Company drove off from their
quarters, situated in KLIPLEV, and reached their positions
before the German troops.

The Gaardeby Detachment however was the only one

from 3rd Company which saw action.

It arrived at their positions at 04:45 and made a roadblock

with various implements from a nearby farm.

Two German armoured cars observed the roadblock (at

05:30) but drove off before the detachment could open
fire. In order to avoid being outflanked, the auto cannon
were ordered into a new position.

A little later more German armoured cars turned up, and started shelling the gun crew, which desperately were trying to
get the gun into its new position. Finally they succeeded, and opened fire on the armoured cars, presumably scoring
some hits.

Before further action could take place, the detachment was ordered to evacuate their positions and move to the north.

The Lundtoftebjærg Detachment

The 2 auto cannons and the light machinegun from the anti-tank platoon arrived at their positions in the nick of time,
and at 04:50 a column of armoured cars, motorcycles and other vehicles arrived. From improvised positions the auto
cannons opened fire, disabling 2 armoured cars. When the enemy motorcyclists dismounted they were fired up from the
light machinegun.

Stray bullets started a fire in a farm

building. The smoke slowed down the
German fire.

Some time after 05:00 the Germans

mounted an attack, supported by ter-
rain-going vehicles (type unknown),
and the anti-tank platoon withdrew to-
wards AABENRAA.

3
The bicycle platoon took up positions at the railway bridge, approximately 1.5 kilometres to the north of the anti-tank
platoon. Shortly afterwards, the German column continued it advance and reached the platoon. Fire from armoured cars
and low flying fighter planes forced the platoon to make a fighting withdrawal. One section was taken prisoner, but the
platoon commander and to sections escaped.

From the bicycle platoon Private Karl Gunnar Jørgensen was killed and Private H. Hansen was wounded.

The Kværs Detachment

The 2 platoons from 2nd Company arrived at their position at 05:05
and started digging in, just south of KVÆRS.

Shortly after, heavy firing was heard form LUNDTOFTEBJÆRG, and the
platoons were attacked by low flying German fighter planes.

No enemy troops were observed before 08:00 when German armoured

cars showed up in the rear of the positions. The platoons were disarmed
in KVÆRS.

The Hokkerup and Rønshoved Detachments

The detachments took up their positions at 05:10 and 05:20.

At HOKKERUP an improved roadblock was erected in great haste, and at 05:30 Ger-
man armoured cars and motorcyclists attacked the position. The auto cannon opened
fire, thus hitting the first 3 armoured cars in the column.

The German motorcyclists dismounted and attacked. The attack was supported by a
37 mm gun (perhaps a 3.7 cm FLAK 36), which however was quickly dealt with, by
two direct hits on the gun, from one of the auto cannons.

The Danish positions were also attacked by low flying fighter planes.

At 06:15 the Hokkerup Detachment was surrounded and taken prisoner.

Sergeant C.H. Vous and Private J. Jørgensen were killed; Second-lieutenant A. Olsen and Privates B.I. Jensen and
L.O.M.K. Jepsen were wounded.

Before reaching their positions the Rønshoved Detachment was attacked by low flying fighter planes. Upon learning
that the Hokkerup Detachment had surrendered they withdrew towards SØNDERBORG, arriving at 10:15.

The Bjærgskov Detachment

The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-colonel S.E. Clausen, and
the battalion reserve - 2 bicycle platoons (from 1st and 2nd Com-
pany) and a motorcycle platoon (from 4th Company) took up po-
sitions at BJÆRGSKOV, around 05:00.

The platoon from 1st Company was positioned along the south-
ern edge of the wood, with the auto cannons and machineguns
further to the north. The platoon from 2nd Company was in the
northern part of the woods.

At 06:30 enemy armoured cars showed up 300 metres south of

German Pz I.
the wood. The front sections were ordered to fight their way
From Niemiecka Broń Pancerna 1933-1945.
back towards the auto cannons, which very soon started firing at
the armoured cars.

4
One armoured car drove over one of the auto cannons, and the gunner Private Bjarne Christian Poulsen was killed. One
armoured car however, was damaged.

The Danish troops were scattered in the woods during the fighting, and the woods were finally surrounded by German
armoured cars and tanks (unknown type, but perhaps a Pz I or Pz II), thus forcing the Danish soldiers to surrender.

Privates M.L. Andersen, J.C. Fredensborg , B. Jørgensen and stretcher-bearer H.Finseth were wounded.

Further developments - at Sdr. Hostrup and Aabenraa

At 05:40 the CO ordered the platoon from 2nd Company towards STUBBÆK SKOV (4 kilometres south of AABENRAA).

At SDR. HOSTRUP the bicycle platoon was attacked by low flying fighter planes; Private Frode Peter Christensen was
killed, and Corporal H. Mathiesen and Privates E. Hindsgaul and J.M. Vestergaard were wounded. Having reached their
positions, the platoon sustained heavy automatic fire. It seemed likely that the Germans were preparing to attack, and
consequently the platoon withdrew, through AAABENRAA towards KNIVSBJERG.

The anti-tank platoon from the Lundtoftebjærg Detachment was ordered to AABENRAA and took up positions in the
southern outskirts. Shortly afterwards a column of about 15 enemy vehicles drove up along the Highway 10.

One of the auto cannons in the outskirts of Aabenraa, just before the German column arrived.
From Source 2.

The auto cannons fired at the German vehicles, disabling the leading tank and scoring hits on other vehicles in the
column. The Germans fired back, and the motorcycles withdrew under heavy fire towards KNIVSBJERG, where they meet
with the bicycle platoon.

At KNIVSBJERG the CO ordered the platoons towards HADERSLEV and to take up positions in the northern part of this
town. When German tanks later arrived, it was however impossible to fight, due to a large number of civilians crowding
around the Danish soldiers. War was still novel to the Danes, and most people were unaware of the actual situation …

In conclusion
Part 2, dealing with the other infantry units in HADERSLEV, TØNDER and SØNDERBORG will follow.

Most of the text regarding the various detachments is an abridged translation of Source 1, whereas the tables regarding
the composition of 4th Battalion derives form information from various sources, including the 3 mentioned.

For information regarding Danish army uniforms refer to The Danish Infantry Uniforms and Equipment through-out
The Past 200 Years; for information regarding organization (in wargame format) refer to The Danish Army 1940.

5
 Colour illustrations
The colour illustrations of the Danish Army used in this article
are drawn by Christaian Würgler Hansen and derive from a
sheet (A4 format) which came as enclosure with the magazine
Chakoten, in the early 1990’ies.

Today, the sheet is sold at The Royal Danish Arsenal Museum

in Copenhagen. Further, some of the drawings are available as
postcards too.

Text to colour illustrations of Danish soldiers

1 Nimbus motorcycle with 20mm M.1933 auto cannon. The soldiers are dressed in the grey M.1915 uniform and
greatcoat.
2 Bicycle infantryman. Over the grey M.1915 uniform the soldier carries the black M.1910 greatcoat.
3 Nimbus motorcycle with 8mm light or heavy machinegun. The driver wears an khaki coloured motorcycle suit.
4 Light machinegun team, with black greatcoats M.1910 over the grey M.1915 uniform.
5 Kneeling infantrymen, with black greatcoats M.1910 over the grey M.1915 uniform.
6 Kneeling officer, in the yellow-brown M.1923 uniform
7 A Private, a Captain and a Private in uniforms which could have been worn on April 9th, 1940.

Sources
1. Den danske Hær IV, 9. april 1940 by Helge Klint og J. Leisner, Sixtus Publications, Copenhagen 1978.
2. Soldaterne den 9. april 1940 by Kay Søren Nielsen, The Royal Danish Arsenal Museum, Copenhagen 1990, ISBN
87-7233-847-4.
3. 9. April skildret i breve fra danske soldater edited by Arne Stevns, København 1940.

6
 The Danish Army on April 9th, 1940, Supplement to Part 1

Introduction
After publication of Part 1 in the series on The Danish Army on April 9th, 1940, I have been able to get some additional
information regarding the fighting around Hokkerup.

The Hokkerup Detachment

Although only a small-unit action, the fighting at
HOKKERUP symbolizes the fighting spirit shown by the
Danish soldiers on April 9th, 1940.

Some time before this fateful morning, the positions had

been reconnoitred, but according to Government instruc-
tions - in order not to provoke the Germans - none of the
positions had been prepared in any way, e.g. by digging.

The Danish units at HOKKERUP were 2 cyclist sections

from 3rd Platoon, 2nd Company, 4th Cyclist Battalion
and 1 20 mm auto cannon section and 1 light machine
gun section from 2nd Platoon, Anti-tank Company
(Afværgekompagniet), 2nd Battalion, Fodfolkspion-
erkommandoet, giving a total of approximately 30 men.

The action of the Hokkerup Detachment, 9th April,

1940. From Source 1.

Legend:

The roadblock where the German armoured

A
cars were shot up.
B Sergeant Vous was mortally wounded here.
The German line of advance towards the Dan-
→
ish positions.

Dispositions
The right flank position consisted of the auto cannon section (with motorcycle and ammunition motorcycle) and one
cyclist section. Lieutenant H.J. Højerslev (4th Cyclist Battalion) was in command of the detachment and was on the
right flank.

On the left flank, Second Lieutenant A. Olsen (2nd Battalion, Fodfolkspionerkommandoet) was in command, and he
had with him the light machinegun section and one cyclist section, with Sergeant Vous in command.

When the detachment reached Hokkerup at 05:10, various farm implements were used for the roadblock which was
erected in great haste.

The sections now took up their positions, but due to hedges etc. the machinegun had a very narrow field of fire. None of
the sections had a real route of retreat; the positions made it possible to hide, but gave no cover.

The fighting begins

On their march towards Hokkerup the detachment had already encountered low flying German fighter planes and this
continued during the next hour or so. Further, a number of high flying German planes passed the Danish positions.

20 minutes later, a German column approached the positions …

Per Finsted 11 September 2004 1

 At 05:30 the German column
stopped at the roadblock (A)
and the corporal ordered the
A B gunner to open fire: “First car,
three shots!”

Each shot slammed into the

armoured car, which promptly
ditched (B).

The 20 mm auto-cannon at
HOKKERUP, as painted by
Anna Maria Mehrn. From
Source 2.

The soldiers are (left to right)

- Corporal F. Jensen, Privates
533/Eliasen1 (No. 2) and
573/Nørholt (No. 1).

Next to the gun is the pair of

wheels used for gun transport,
when the gun was not moun-
ted on the sidecar.

The next two cars were hit this way, when suddenly the gun jammed. However, as cool as if on the shooting range, the
jam was fixed.

Now the battle raged. German motorcyclists following the armoured cars dismounted and the light machinegun on the
left flank now opened fire. A German 37 mm gun was brought into position, but was soon silenced by the auto cannon,
having fired one shot only.

The Germans being around 100 men heavily outnumbered the Danish soldiers. Covered by 8 machineguns, light mor-
tars and armoured cars they moved quickly through HOLBØL SKOV and attacked the Danish positions from the south,
and later from behind.

Private 584/Jørgensen (Fodfolkspionerkommandoet) was killed during the hand-to-hand combat which followed and
Sergeant Vous (4th Battalion) was mortally wounded. Further Privates 207 Jensen and 209 Jepsen (both from 4th Bat-
talion) were slightly wounded.

One soldier - Private 222/Groth (4th Battalion) - made a heroic effort to stop the Germans. Despite German fire from
the ground and from the air he continued to fire his light machinegun, and when the Germans were close to his position,
he raised himself and let loose a whole magazine towards the attacking Germans.

The fighting is over

At 06:15 the Hokkerup Detachment was now surrounded and taken prisoner.

The wounded were brought to the nearby inn, assisted by civilians, one of whom had been a German soldier (medic) in
the First World War. Here they were given the attention necessary by German medical personnel, but Sergeant Vous
soon died from his wounds.

The detachment was then marched towards south as prisoners of war, but due to the cease fire they were back with their
units later the same day.

1
Based on the uniforms shown Private Eliasen was, in addition to being No. 2 on the gun, also driver of one of the mo-
torcycles. He wears the M.1938 one-piece motorcycle suit.

2
After the battle
A German SdKfz 15 car damaged at Hokkerup in the early
hours of April 9th, 1940. From Source 2.

The photo was taken later the same day, the wreck now being
a sight for the local children.

The car could have been used as a towing vehicle for the gun
hit twice by the Danish 20 mm auto-cannon.

As for German losses no information exists,

but from the battle reports at least 3 ar-
moured cars, the 37 mm cannon and the
above vehicle stands out.

A German colonel expressed his opinion of

the Danish soldiers encountered on April
9th, as follows: Schneidig sind sie nicht,
2/2 Platoon
aber frech, und schießen können sie. (Mean-
South/Hokkerup ing: Not smart in appearance perhaps, but
they are though and crack shots.)

Sources
KRUSÅ
1. Kampen ved Hokkerup den 9. april
1940 by Axel Pontoppidan,
Underofficerens Forlag, Copenhagen
School 1950.
2. De så det ske 9. april 1940 by Per Eil-
strup and Lars Lindberg, Supplement to
Søndags-B.T., No. 13, March 27th,
1980.
3. 9. April skildret i breve fra danske
soldater edited by Arne Stevns,
København 1940.
Roadblock

Per Finsted

HOKKERUP
A page from the field sketchbook of Corpor-
Auto cannon al F. Jensen, in command of the 20 mm
auto-cannon at HOKKERUP. From Source 2.
Tripod machinegun
RØNSHOVED

GRÅSTEN

3
 The Danish Army on April 9th, 1940, Part 2

Introduction
This is Part 2 of an article dealing with the fighting in the southern part Jutland in the early hours of April 9th, 1940
where Danish forces resisted the German invasion - to the very best of their ability, but with little consequence as to the
German progress.

The units in Tønder

The garrison in TØNDER consisted of:

! The NCO School of Fodfolkspionerkommandoet, grouped into a 20 mm auto cannon platoon (with 2 guns and 1
light machinegun) and 1 bicycle platoon (with 4 light machineguns).
! 4th Company from 1st Fodfolkspionerbataljon with 4 platoons (each with 4 light machineguns in tripods).

Just 10 minutes after the alert at 04:30 the troops were ready to leave the barracks. However, 2 German armoured cars
were already at the gates. The troops escaped by a back passage, leading to the north.

Sketch showing the retreat of the units in

Tønder, 9th April, 1940. From Source 1.

The 4th Company headed for TYVSE where it

took up a defensive position.

Later, it learned about the Governments decision

to cease fire.

Due to the risk of attacks by low flying German

fighter planes, the company marched into cover
in DRAVED SKOV.

The mobile units

The mobile units of the NCO School made for BREDEBRO, and made a number of attempts to hold back the Germans
during the march.

Improvised road blocks were erected in ABILD, covered by 1 auto cannon and 1 bicycle section. Before everything was
ready, German armoured cars and motorcyclists turned up. The auto cannon now headed for BREDEBRO and the bicyc-
lists scattered into the countryside.

A second attempt was made in SØLSTED, where a more effective road block was build. The second auto cannon covered
the road block, and when the German armoured cars drove up, the one in front was hit and drove into a ditch. The next
one was hit too, but it was still able to use its gun.

Per Finsted 24 June 2004 1

A number of road blocks were build in BREDEBRO, and the auto cannon from ABILD was put into position to cover the
road.

However, shortly after the arrival of the troops from SØLSTED, a large German armoured car unit turned up in BREDEBRO,
in the rear of the Danish positions (at about 08:00). After a short fire fight to the south and northeast and further at-
tempts to resist the enemy were futile.

During the retreat, the units from TØNDER were constantly treaded by low flying German planes; when the advance was
halted in SØLLING, the planes attacked the Danish units with bombs and machineguns.

Unlike the other actions on this day, no Danish losses were reported from the TØNDER units.

The road block in SØLSTED.

From Source 2.

The units in Haderslev

The garrison in HADERSLEV consisted of units of 3rd Battalion (Lieutenant-colonel H. Elmgren) and various supporting
units:

! 4th Company (CO: Captain Otto Olsen), armed with 7 light machineguns and 3 light machineguns in tripods.
! 5th (heavy) Company (CO: Captain P. Bosse), armed with 4 heavy machineguns and 2 medium mortars.
! Regimental Anti-tank Company (2nd Regiment) (CO: Captain E. Nielsen), armed with 4 x 37mm anti-tank guns
and 4 x 20 mm auto cannons.
! 1st Battery/8th Artillery Battalion (CO: Captain Kjartan Pedersen), with 4 x 75mm field guns.

The units (approximately 400 men) were alerted at 04:15. The infantry units took up positions in the southern part of the
town, covering the two routes leading to the north. The battery took up positions to the north of the town.

2
 From the 4th Company, a platoon was detached to help
making ready the Regimental transport (it joined the com-
pany, just before the end of the fighting), and a further 30
men had various guard duties at the HADERSLEV BARRACKS.

Thus, only 3 infantry sections and 3 infantry sections, with

light machineguns in tripods, did actually participate in the
fighting soon to follow.

This small force was soon joined by 5th Company and the
Regimental Anti-tank Company.

The two main roads were barred by road blocks, one made
from some nearby dumping wagons and two others by tim-
ber.

Dumping wagons made into a roadblock, and guarded by

an auto cannon, Haderslev, 9th April 1940. From Source 2.

At about 07:30 the forces 4th Battalion (See Part 1), retiring
towards the north, moved through the road blocks, soon to
be followed by German units, headed by tanks.

German tanks in Haderslev. From Dansk Militærhistorie.

(The tank in front is presumably a Pz II, followed by a Pz I.)

The photo was taken just minutes before the tanks en-
countered the main road block.

Among the heroic deeds performed this morning was the ac-
tion of one of the anti-tank guns from 5th Company.

In order to get the best, and longest, field of fire, it was po-
sitioned on a street corner, against a white wall, and without
any cover. The gun was commanded by Cornet Frode Ves-
terby, with a crew of four men.

A classic photo from April 9th, 1940 - The 37mm anti-tank in HADERSLEV.
From Source 2.

At 07:50 the German tanks drove up against the anti-tank gun, which promptly fired at the leading tanks.

3
The German tanks took up position side by side and fired upon the gun. The gun fired 3 times, scoring 3 hits - 2 hits on
the tanks, and 1 in the tracks on one of the tanks.

The fire from the tanks killed Cornet Frode Vesterby

and Private Hans Christian Hansen (gunner). The rest
of the crew - Privates Bertel Lygum. Berthelsen, I.
Bonde Christensen and Georg P. Hansen - were all
wounded.

Soon after, a German tank smashed the gun.

After the battle - The 37mm anti-tank gun in HADERS-

LEV. From Dansk Militærhistorie. (Please follow the
link to see photos of the scenery today and of the gun
which is on display at The Royal Danish Arsenal Mu-
seum, in Copenhagen.)

2 auto cannons and 1 light machinegun at the road block (made by dumping wagons) now opened fire on the Germans.

At 08:00 the order to cease fire was received by the units in action, and while the garrison commander - Colonel A.
Hartz, (Commanding Officer of 2nd Regiment) - negotiated the practical terms with a German general (probably the
commander of the German 170th Division) - the German forces cleared the road block and headed for the Barracks.

The units at the Barracks resisted the tanks and armoured cars with small arms fire (anti-tank bullets however), halting
the Germans only for a short while. At 08:15 the order to cease fire reached the units at the Barracks, and the fighting in
Haderslev was over.

Further to the dead and wounded mentioned above, Privates Oluf Arthur Hansen and Niels Møller Schmidt were killed
(one manned one of the auto cannons at the road block and the other was on air scouting duty at the Barracks; he was
killed by af stray bullet from a tank). Corporal Erik Krogh and Private R. Christensen (at the road block) were wounded.

The Field Battery

A 75mm Field Gun M.1902, from 1st
Battery, 8th Artillery Battalion, April
1940. From Source 5.

The 1st Battery of 3rd Artillery Bat-

talion was garrisoned in HADERSLEV.
The battery was motorized and armed
with 4 x 75mm field guns. The Bat-
tery Commander was Captain Kjartan
Pedersen.

At 04:30 the battery was ordered into

position to the south of HADERSLEV.

However, due to the infantry forces

already there, this was impossible.

Consequently the battery received orders to take up position to the north of the town, in order to support the units re-
treating from HADERSLEV to the north. The battery went quickly into position, and Captain Petersen set up his observa-
tion post south of the battery positions, and began calculation data for supporting the units in HADERSLEV. However, due
to heavy mist in the area, observation was impossible.

Captain Petersen began to reconnoitre positions from where the guns were able to support the withdrawal. While doing
so, his liaison officer at the infantry battalion informed him about the cease fire.

Thus, being prevented from performing his supporting task, he then ordered the battery to retire to the north, in order to
join the Danish forces at VEJLE Å (the main defensive position planned by Jydske Division). At 09:30 he joined the rest

4
of the 8th Artillery Battalion (i.e. Battalion HQ and 3rd Battery), situated in the town HØJEN (some 70 kilometres to the
north).

Postscript
The garrison in SØNDERBORG did not take part in the fighting on April 9th, 1940.

The anti-aircraft batteries in Southern Jutland

Two of the anti-aircraft batteries stationed in SOUTHERN JUTLAND engaged attacking air-
crafts. In ESBJERG a 75mm anti-aircraft gun scored a hit in one plane and at
LØGUMKLOSTER a 20mm auto cannon scored a probable hit.

The third battery, in RØDEKRO, was not involved in any fighting, but send out two patrols
of mobile anti-aircraft guns, to cover their retreat to the north.

For pictures of Danish anti-aircraft artillery in 1940, please refer to the following articles
(in Danish only):

Luftværnsartilleriets indsats i neutralitetsforsvaret 1939-40

Dansk luftværnsartilleri 1940, Del 1
Dansk luftværnsartilleri 1940, Del 2

Sources
1. Den danske Hær IV, 9. april 1940 by Helge Klint og J. Leisner, Sixtus Publications, Copenhagen 1978.
2. Soldaterne den 9. april 1940 by Kay Søren Nielsen, The Royal Danish Arsenal Museum, Copenhagen 1990, ISBN
87-7233-847-4.
3. 9. April skildret i breve fra danske soldater edited by Arne Stevns, Copenhagen 1940.
4. Feltartilleriet i Aarhus 1881-1969 by P.E. Niemann, Zac Publication, Copenhagen 1981, ISBN 87-7348-047-9.
5. Årets største begivenheder i billeder - det bedste fra ”Den danske Kamp” 1940-1943 af Carl Næsh-Hendriksen,
International Billedreportage A/S, Bogforlaget Dana, Fruens Bøge.

Per Finsted

Text to colour illustrations of Danish soldiers

1 Infantryman, with black M.1910 greatcoat over the grey M.1915 uniform.
2 Infantryman, in the grey M.1915 uniform.
3 A 37mm anti-tank gun. The crew is in the grey M.1915 uniform.

5
 The Danish Army on April 9th, 1940, Supplement to Part 2

Introduction
After publication of Part 2 in the series on The Danish Army on April 9th, 1940, I have been able to get some additional
information regarding the fighting in Southern Jutland.

Haderslev - Additional information

German tanks under fire from 20 mm auto-cannons behind the roadblock in SØNDERBRO STREET, HADERSLEV.
Painted by Th. Toft Andersen (From Source 2)1.

The painting, made according to information from eyewit-

nesses, shows the roadblock made from dumping wagons and
the two Danish auto-cannon sections.

The auto-cannons are firing at the German tanks (arriving

from south), seen in the background of the painting.

Between the auto-cannons and the German tanks is the 37

mm anti-tank gun (seen just in front of the leading tank), situ-
N
ated at the corner of SØNDERBRO STREET and HERTUG HANS
STREET.

The 37mm anti-tank gun in HADERSLEV. From Source 2.

The photo is taken from HERTUG HANS STREET, with

SØNDERBRO STREET marked by the red arrow.

1
The grey areas in the picture are probably reflections from a flashlight.

Per Finsted 22 August 2004 1

 The 37 mm anti-tank gun brought
back to the scene of the fighting.

Mr Bertel Lygum Berthelsen -

former Private 391/Berthelsen - in
the present day (1990) surround-
ings2.

Due to various urban developments

in HADERSLEV since 1940, it is not
possible match the scene exactly.

Despite being hit five times - in the

right foot, hand, thigh and elbow
(by machinegun bullets), and in the
right shoulder (by a 20 mm armour
piercing shell) - Berthelsen re-
gained his health after three months
in hospital.

The anti-tank gun section consisted of: Cornet Vesterby (section commander), 305/Hansen (gunner), 391/Berthelsen
(loader), 308/Bonde and 313/Hansen (ammunition numbers)3. The section commander and the gunner ware seriously
wounded; the section commander died almost instantly, whereas the gunner died of his wounds in hospital later the
same day. The three others survived, but were all wounded.

The anti-tank gun disabled two German tanks and was later smashed by another tank. Despite his wounds, 391/Berth-
elsen remained at the gun, luckily escaping being smashed himself when the gun was run over by a German tank.

The roadblock on SØNDERBRO

STREET (seen from the South), just
minutes before the fighting. From
Source 2.

2
From Berlingske Tidende, Special Edition, Denmark 1940-1945, April 8th, 1990.
3
No. 1 (Skytte) aimed and fired the gun; No. 2 (Hjælper 1) was loader; Nos. 3 and 4 (Hjælper 2 and 3) were ammuni-
tion numbers.

2
Positions in Haderslev April 9th, 1940 (from Source 2)

Each square is approximately 500 x 500 metres.

Regimental Command Post Medium machinegun section

Battalion Command Post Medium mortar section

Company Commander 37 mm light anti-tank gun section

Section, with light machinegun 20 mm auto-cannon section

Section, with light machinegun (in tripod) Road block

Note: A figure behind a symbol describes
Guard or single soldier the number of weapons.

3
Cease fire
Around 08:00, the news of the Govern-
ments decision to cease all resistance,
reached Colonel A. Hartz, Commanding
Officer of The 2nd Regiment, by tele-
phone.

A white flag of truce was shown and the

firing died down. Colonel Hartz was
then taken to the German headquarters
where he negotiated cease fire terms
with the German General Wittke, prob-
ably the commander of the German
170th Division.

Colonel A. Hartz (with steel helmet and

cane) negotiating with General Wittke,
surrounded by various staff officers4.

On his way to the negotiations, the Colonel saw the huge German column halted on the road south of Haderslev, and the
column presented ideal targets for artillery fire. As mentioned in Part 2, The 1st Battery of 3rd Artillery Battalion was in
position to the north of Haderslev. Due to fog however, it was not possible to observe targets south of Haderslev, and it
has been decided not to use the guns against the southern part of the town. Consequently, the battery had orders to cover
only forces retreating from HADERSLEV.

After the battle - Danish soldiers at the roadblock in SØNDERBRO STREET, passing Private 108/Hansen who was killed
while serving a 20 mm auto-cannons, one of which is seen to the right.
From Source 2.

At Haderslev Barracks
When the battalion left in the early hours of the morning, a small force was left behind at the Barracks, with Lieutenant-
colonel H.C. Hansgaard in command. While the terms of the cease fire were negotiated, the German column made way
4
The photo derives from the German booklet Der Sieg im Norden by Friedrich Heiss, Volk und Reich Verlag, Berlin
1941. (Source: Newsletter No. 1/1991 published by Royal Danish Military Library.)

4
through the roadblock at SØNDERBRO STREET and continued their march. The news of the cease fire had however not
reached the troops, guarding the Barracks.

While the rest of the battalion took up positions

in the southern part of HADERSELV, the Barracks
had been scene for busy activities.

A number of civilian lorries were received ac-

cording to the mobilization instructions, and
used to motorize the regimental supply units.

The supply column left the Barracks at 07:30,

at took up positions in VESTERSKOV (north of
the town).

Danish soldiers at Haderslev Barracks, April

9th, 1940. From Source 3.

Lieutenant-colonel Hansgaard had minutes before received

the order (from Jydske Division) to cease fire and when the
fighting around the Barracks began, he was about to drive
forward to Colonel Hartz, in order to deliver the message. At
the same time, the staff tried to reach Colonel Hartz, by
phoning various shops next to regimental command post.

The Barracks was situated next to the main road leading to-
wards north (to KOLDING). (Refer to the map of the town to
see the position of the Barracks - Kaserne, in Danish.

A view towards south, from the Barracks. From Source 2.

The civilians in the picture are probably listening to the fight-

ing in the southern part of the town.

The German column was headed

by two tanks and a motorcyclist,
seen here in NØRREGADE (accord-
ing to Source 2), only seconds
before being fired at by the
troops guarding the Barracks.

The caption to this picture made

in Part 2 is not correct. A close
study of the photo reveals a
traffic sign, warning for the rail-
way crossing, thus making it
possible to match the exact posi-
tion of the German tanks.

German tanks in NØRREGADE,

HADERSLEV. From Source 2.

5
 Having crossed the
railway, the Ger-
mans were fired
upon by the troops
guarding the Bar-
racks.

The motorcyclist
was shot dead and
d.
leading tank was hit,
c. loosing one of its
tracks. The tank then
crashed into a house
a. to the right.

b.
A German tank fir-
ing at Haderslev
Barracks. From
Source 2.

According to Source 2, the motorcyclist and the track is seen in the left hand side of the photo (a.), just below the civil-
ian car.

The second German tank now commenced firing at the Danish soldiers. The tank is seen to right, next to the civilian car
and the milk van (b.). In the centre of the photo, hardly distinguishable, are a number of persons - Lieutenant-colonel
Hansgaard and two civilian workers (c.). The lieutenant-colonel escaped unscratched, but both workers were hit.

At the end of the centre road (but not distinguishable in the

photo - d.), the anti-tank platoon from 2nd Battalion, Fod-
folkspionerkommandoet, had taken up positions. The pla-
toon was the Lundtoftebjærg Detachment, which had also
been in action in AABENRAA, as mentioned in Part 1.

The Lundtoftebjærg Detachment and an army lorry, passing

the roadblock in Sønderbro Street, earlier in the morning.
From Source 2.

In order to support the fighting around the Barracks, the Ger-

man positioned an anti-tank gun in NØRREGADE (at the exact
same spot, previously passed by the German tanks).

German 3.7 cm anti-tank gun and ammunition vehicle, in NØRREGADE.

6
 A third German tank took up position outside the Barracks,
seen here next to the Court Building.

When the fighting had died down, Lieutenant-colonel

Hansgaard was then driven to the German command post
by a German captain.

He was met by a colonel and then the general, who in-

formed him about the present situation and that Colonel
Hartz, had already received the order to cease fire.

Local mobilization
Around 07:00, Colonel Hartz had arranged for
The Haderslev Chief of Police, Hartmann, to have
the police force broadcasting (through loudspeaker
vans) instructions to mobilize, especially soldiers
permitted in uniform.

100 soldiers or so reported at the Barracks, and 20

were fully equipped before the fighting com-
menced, but all were permitted after the cease fire.

The rest, joining during or after the fighting were

all rejected.

The decision to mobilize was made by Colonel

Hartz, acting without official instructions.

Two of the locally mobilized soldiers in

HADERSLEV. From Source 3.

The soldier with the bicycle is wearing the stiff

version (spidshue, in Danish) of the field service
cap; perhaps he is a NCO, but private soldiers
were allowed to buy this cap as well.

In conclusion
To the Germans the Danish resistance had come as a big surprise, since they had been informed that no fighting were to
be expected. Consequently they had taken no special precautions as to the tactical formation of the column.

The Germans were apparently impressed by the hard resistance put up by troops in HADERSLEV, most of which were
called-up only three months before.

Sources
1. Hæren, der ikke matte Kæmpe by P.M. Norup, Povl Branners Forlag, Copenhagen 1945.
2. De så det ske 9. april 1940 by Per Eilstrup and Lars Lindberg, Supplement to Søndags-B.T., No. 13, March 27th,
1980.
3. Soldaterne den 9. april 1940 by Kay Søren Nielsen, The Royal Danish Arsenal Museum, Copenhagen 1990, ISBN
87-7233-847-4.
4. 9. April skildret i breve fra danske soldater edited by Arne Stevns, København 1940.

Per Finsted

7
 The Danish Army on April 9th, 1940, Part 3

Introduction
Perhaps the words “The German army …” would have been an appropriate title since the contents are mainly concerned
with the forces opposing the Danish Army, but in the end I decided on making the article sequel to Parts 1 and 2.

After the battle

Within hours after the cease fire, everything reverted more or less to “normal”, and soldiers, temporary made prisoners
of war or otherwise disarmed, returned to their units. Abandoned and/or damaged equipment was collected and returned
to the units; some items were however damaged beyond repair.

Collecting point for dam-

aged equipment. From
Source 3.

The auto cannon may be

the one damaged at
BJÆRGSKOV, and the col-
lecting point may be situ-
ated near CAMP SØGAARD.

The German forces

The German ground forces crossing the border in Southern Jutland on the morning of April 9th, 1940, belonged to the
170th Infantry Division and the 11th Motor Rifle Brigade.

The German advance through

Aabenraa, April 9th, 1940.

The 170th Infantry Division in-

cluded the following units:

! 391st Infantry Regiment

! 399th Infantry Regiment
! 401st Infantry Regiment
! 240th Light Artillery Battalion
! 240th Anti-tank Battalion
! 240th Engineer Battalion
! 240th Signal Battalion.

(From Source 2.)

The photographer was Thomas Christensen, who lived in AABENRAA, and the photo was later published in a series of
photographs from the German invasion.

Per Finsted 29 June 2004 1

 A German tank in Denmark, April
9th, 1940. (Source unknown.)

The German 11th Motor Rifle Bri-

gade, included among other units
! 40th Special Tank Battalion
! 13th Machinegun Battalion
(motorized).

(From Source 2.)

Further, according to Source 1, the

Brigade included 2 motorized in-
fantry regiments and 2 additional
motorized Machinegun Battalions.

77
German light tanks in Aabenraa,
April 9th, 1940.

Source 1 states the strength of the

Tank Battalion as approximately 70
tanks - 40 Pz I and 30 Pz II.

This photo by Thomas Christensen

is also from the “official” series.

A German column, April 9th, 1940.

(Source unknown.)

2
 Horses and a horse drawn vehicle, loaded onto a truck, passing through Aabenraa.
From Source 1.

A German command post at Arnum Nykro.

From Source 1.

I have not been able to identify the unit marking, similar to a modern “packman”. The marking is shown on the left
hand mudguards on the cars and on the motorcycle sidecar.

Sources
1. Soldaterne den 9. april 1940 by Kay Søren Nielsen, The Royal Danish Arsenal Museum, Copenhagen 1990, ISBN
87-7233-847-4.
2. The German Forces in Demark 1940-1945 (Bibliography No. 41) by K.V. Nielsen, published by the Royal Danish
Military Library, 1990.
3. 29. august 1943 - og hvad så? by Aage Damm, published by Landsforeningen Værn om Danmark, 1993.

Per Finsted