The Museum of Danish Resistance
Visiting One of Denmark's Most Interesting Second World War Museums
Copenhagen's Museum of Danish Resistance tells the complex story of the Danish fight for freedom against Nazi Germany between 1940 and 1945.
During the early part of the war, Denmark was in a difficult position. Germany held all the aces with their superior firepower and numbers of armed forces. The Danish government adopted a pragmatic approach towards their more powerful neighbours; they agreed not to declare war upon Germany. In turn, Germany agreed not to invade Denmark, but insisted the Danish government allowed the Nazis political influence, and control over the media. The Nazis also gained free military access to Denmark, and some young Danes fought on the Eastern front for the Nazis.
While there was no great populist support for the Nazis, the average Dane initially accepted this arrangement as their day-to-day life remained largely unaffected. Initial acts of resistance against the Nazis were generally minor (such as wearing the colours of the United Kingdom flag; red, white and blue), and listening to the British Broadcasting Corporation news.
As time passed, the Nazis began to demand more control over the Danish government. They forced a law to outlaw the communist party, and introduced curfews to control the movement of people. A small number of Danish resistance fighters began printing anti Nazi pamphlets, and use homemade bombs to blow up factories used for the Nazi war effort, and the train lines used by Nazi soldiers. In 1943, in response to the growing sabotage and resistance, the Nazis increased their influence on the government. This act only served to stimulate the resistance further.
Effective Danish Resistance
Towards the end of the war, Danish resistance fighters were an effective strain on Nazi resources. The British became more confident that resources would be put to good use, and began supplying the resistance movement with sabotage equipment. During D-Day, a series of train line bombs meant that some Nazi army divisions were unable to get to the front line to fight on time. Likewise, the resistance passed a considerable amount of Nazi intelligence information to the British.
The proximity of Denmark to Germany eventually became more of a threat to the Nazis. In the final months before defeat, the Nazis disbanded and unarmed the Danish army and police force, to stop the risk of an internal fighting force from developing.
The Museum of Danish Resistance
The Museum of Danish Resistance stands at the edge of Copenhagen’s Churchill Park, a war memorial. Outside the museum, a rusting homemade tank stands, built for action during the final days of the war.
Inside the small single storey museum, there are some interesting displays, including the knitted red, white and blue skull caps worn as a peaceful act of resistance and some of the presses used for printing illegal resistance messages. Also in the museum, are examples of the radio equipment used to pass information to the British.
The Nazis killed over 100 Danish resistance fighters; publicly hung for their crimes, or killed during armed fighting. The museum dedicates some considerable space to telling the story of these brave fighters, and providing a memorial.
Entrance to the Museum of Danish Resistance is free of charge. Also known as Frihedsmuseet, it is located on Churchhillparken, about five minutes walk from the statue of the Little Mermaid.
