Haakon VII — Facing the Cross-Pressures

Haakon VII, sixty-seven, has been King of Norway since 1905 — the year of the peaceful separation from Sweden. Born Prince Carl of Denmark, he accepted the Norwegian crown after a popular referendum (78 per cent yes). Married to Princess Maud of Wales (daughter of Edward VII of Britain), he has a son, Crown Prince Olav. A liberal personality, respectful of parliamentarism, he favours a limited constitutional role for the monarch.

On 1 September 1939, the Labour Prime Minister Johan Nygaardsvold and Foreign Minister Halvdan Koht declare Norwegian neutrality. Norway is in a delicate position: her Atlantic coast of 25,000 kilometres (with fjords) makes her a potential theatre for the Royal Navy; the iron ore from Kiruna (Sweden) transits through the Norwegian port of Narvik and represents 40 per cent of German iron needs; her heavy water (Norsk Hydro at Rjukan) is beginning to interest German scientists for atomic research.

The Norwegian army numbers 9,000 men in active service, with 110,000 mobilisable in an emergency. Limited equipment, coastal navy, negligible aviation. Doctrine: absolute neutrality, hope of geographical isolation. On 18 September, joint Scandinavian declaration of neutrality with Denmark and Sweden.

On 9 December 1939, the Finnish commander-in-chief Mannerheim, via Stockholm, requests the transit of Allied troops through Norway and Sweden to relieve Finland. The Allies in parallel are considering an occupation of Narvik to cut off German ore. Haakon VII and his government must decide on their position.