German planning reached a clear milestone on 14 December 1939, before the Altmark incident, when Admiral Raeder argued that Norway could give ships, submarines, and aircraft secure access to the North Atlantic. Raeder also wanted to prevent Britain from tightening its North Sea blockade and introduced Hitler to former Norwegian defence minister Vidkun Quisling. Narvik connected Germany to Swedish iron ore, while fish oil, food supplies, and eventually heavy water added economic value. That combination of maritime geography and resources made Norwegian neutrality increasingly fragile. Norway's limited defensive preparation left a strategically important country dangerously exposed.
Chapter · 1:07-4:20
Why Germany planned to occupy Norway
Norway's ports, North Atlantic access, Swedish iron-ore route, and exposure to blockade drew Germany into invasion planning.