Norway: Siege of Hegra. Norwegian detachment holds antiquated Hegra Fortress, east of Trondheim, against strong German ground and air forces for 3 weeks (ends May 5).
King Haakon issues proclamation appealing for all Norwegians to do their utmost 'to save the freedom and independence of our beloved country.' He denounces the Blitzkrieg 'by a nation with which we always maintained friendly relations.'

Western Front: Anglo-French Plan D (see November 14, 1939) amended to include drive by French mechanized 7th Army (General Giraud) into South Holland.

Sea War: U-49 sunk off Harstad by destroyers Brazen and Fearless (a chart is recovered showing U-boat dispositions).

Air War: 15 RAF Bomber Command Blenheims attack Stavanger-Sola airfield. Fleet Air Arm bombers raid shipping at Bergen.

Occupied Denmark: Demobilization of Danish Army in progress.

Occupied Norway: Quisling puppet government resigns in Oslo and is replaced by Administrative Council of Norwegian bureaucrats and lawyers.

Home Front Britain: 972,695 people unemployed; 148,518 less than in March 1940 and the lowest monthly total since 1920.

TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1940

Sea War: U-1 sunk by British submarine Porpoise, off Stavanger.

Diplomacy: Norwegian White Paper on German invasion: listing 13 demands made by German Minister in Oslo (April 9), several hours after commencement of German invasion.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1940

Norway: British troops land at Andalsnes (Operation Sickle).
German troops isolated at Narvik ordered to 'hold out as long as possible'.

Picture: Junkers Ju52 planes over a Fjord in Norway. Supplying of the isolated German troops at Narvik was only possible by air transport.

Air War: RAF bomb Trondheim-Vaernes airfield.

Sea War: British cruiser Suffolk bombards Stavanger-Sola airfield and seaplane base (heavy damage). Cruiser pursued by Ju 88s and seriously damaged.

THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1940

Norway: British base established at Molde; troops land at nearby Alesund.
Operation Hammer cancelled - British plan (Churchill and Admiral Keyes) for direct assault on Trondheim by British Home Fleet and landing of 4,500 troops.

Diplomacy: (MAIN EVENT) Norwegian Government declares war on Germany.

FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1940

Norway: British brigade, advancing south from Namsos, reaches Verdal, 80 km from Trondheim. French troops (Chasseurs Alpins) land as reinforcements at Namsos. But German troops, landed from two destroyers, outflank British 146th Infantry Brigade near Steinkjer (Trondheim Fjord) and force it to withdraw.
British brigade from Andalsnes joins Norwegians at Lillehammer.

Picture: German troops in a burning village in Norway.

Air War: Destruction of Namsos. German bombers make repeated raids on this Allied base in central Norway until May 3. Town and harbour completely destroyed; civilian population evacuated.

SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1940

Air War: German bombers (3 lost) attack British naval units off Norway.

Picture: Junkers Ju87R dive-bomber in Norway in April 1940. Then a new model, it carried extra fuel plus underwing tanks. The Ju 87 R was designed for anti-shipping duties.