The British garrison and civilian relations in Iceland

The British garrison's purpose was to protect Iceland against a German landing. Troops maintained patrols and a visible presence, while generally avoiding curfews or attempts to direct civilian life. Officers knew their defensive task but were less certain what authority they were supposed to exercise over the population. The invasion still affronted Iceland's parliament and caused political resentment. At the local level, soldiers and civilians bought food, drank beer and shared rations. Alex Clarke bases this judgment on British and Icelandic accounts he has read, while acknowledging that his reading is incomplete.