Q&A ยท 32:33-33:24

Would Norway have resisted a British intervention?

A British intervention could still meet resistance, though its reception might differ if it claimed to enforce neutrality and avoided replacing the government.

Question

Would Norway have opposed a British invasion as well?

Short answer

Resistance was possible, but a British claim to enforce neutrality without imposing a replacement government might have divided opinion and gained support from the king.

Notes

Norwegian resistance would remain a problem for any British intervention. The proposed political distinction is that Britain could present its forces as enforcing neutrality after the Altmark incident, without installing a Quisling government. Publicizing the government's failure to enforce neutrality might also divide Norwegian opinion. Support from the king is suggested as a possibility if the deployment remained a protective military presence. These are possible responses within the counterfactual, with no assurance that Norwegian consent would follow.