A defensive central front might have preserved Allied Norway

Instead of abandoning central and southern Norway, the Allies might have used a defensive central front to delay German movement north. The time available in northern Norway could then have been used to consolidate troops, build infrastructure, and reinforce the central position before attempting a southward advance. Norwegian soldiers and local support would have combined with British sea power to make German sustainment more difficult. Success would also have complicated German Atlantic access, opened Norwegian bases to British bombers, and eased later Arctic convoy operations, though the argument is explicitly counterfactual.