OPROP!
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OPROP!(Opraab!in correct 1940-Danish;Opråb!in correct modernDanish;transl. proclamation, exclamation) was aGermanairborne propaganda leafletdropped over severalDanishcities at theGerman invasion of Denmarkon 9 April 1940. The leaflets were signed by the head ofOperation Weserübung Süd,GeneralLeonhard Kaupisch.The text, written in broken but understandableDanishmixed withNorwegian,justified the German invasion as fraternally protecting Danish and Norwegian neutrality against British aggression, denouncedWinston Churchillas a warmonger, and exhorted the Danish populace not to resist the German presence while an arrangement with the Danish government was being negotiated.
The OPROP! leaflet drop had a notable impact in regards to the Danish capitulation. When the German infantry arrived at theAmalienborg Palacein the morning of 9 April 1940, they were met with determined opposition from theKing's Royal Guard,which repelled the initial attack, suffering three wounded. This gaveChristian Xand his ministers time to confer with the Danish Army chief GeneralWilliam Wain Prior.As the discussions were ongoing, several formations ofHeinkel He 111andDornier 17bombers overflew the city dropping the OPROP! leaflets. Faced with the explicit threat of theLuftwaffebombing the civilian population ofCopenhagen,and only General Prior in favour of continuing the fighting, the Danish government capitulated in exchange for retaining political independence in domestic matters.[1]
In 2016 historian Hans Christian Bjerg argued that the poor broken Danish on the leaflet was because it was a rushed translation of a similar leaflet written by the Germans for use over Norway the same day. The background reason was that Operation Weserübung initially called for invasion only of Norway and that the additional invasion of Denmark was decided at a late stage in the planning.[2]
References
[edit]- Citations
- ^Laursen, Gert."The German occupation of Denmark".Archived fromthe originalon 15 October 2013.Retrieved10 May2009.
- ^Blüdnikow, Bent (8 April 2016).""Oprop!" - flyvebladsmystik fra 2. Verdenskrig er måske opklaret "[»Oprop!« - Leaflet mystery from Second World War maybe solved].Berlingske(in Danish).Retrieved9 April2016.
- Sources
- Kjersgaard, Erik (2005).Danmark under besættelsen - Danskernes dagligliv 1940-45(in Danish). Politikens Forlag.ISBN978-87-567-7853-4.
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