WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk Atlantic War: Norwegian Interlude (Part 2)
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Nov 20, 2025 The discussion delves into why Norway was targeted in WW2 and the Allied successes at sea during the campaign. Hosts explore the strategic challenges faced by the German Kriegsmarine and the impact of the Fall of France on British naval strategy. They recount thrilling stories, such as the Altmark incident and the dramatic loss of the Blücher in Oslofjord. Key naval victories are examined, shedding light on how these achievements were overshadowed by land defeats, raising questions about what naval success truly means.
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U-Boat Numbers Were Critically Small
- Dönitz had only 57 operational U-boats at war's start and never more than a dozen on patrol at once.
- That tiny force limited Germany's early capacity to strangle Britain's sea lines despite its strategic intent.
German Naval Strategy Was Reactive
- German naval strategy lacked coherent long-term planning and frequently changed course.
- This inconsistency undermined effective use of scarce Kriegsmarine resources in 1939–40.
The Altmark Boarding Near Trondheim
- The supply ship Altmark was boarded near Trondheim and found holding 299 POWs, breaching Norwegian neutrality.
- Britain ignored the neutrality issue and used the incident to justify assertive action in northern waters.
