All Danish forces were selected by the NATO command as key forces in the North European theater of war. Armed forces of the Kingdom of Denmark Composition of the armed forces
All ships in the Danish fleet are locally manufactured. The Kingdom has the most advanced shipbuilding industry in Western Europe. Decommissioned and new ships are exported to poor NATO allies. /Forsvaret/Facebook
Formally, the primary task of the Danish Army is to protect the freedom, independence and territorial integrity of the state. /defenseimagery.mil
Danish troops are focused on carrying out foreign missions within NATO. Danish units took part in campaigns in Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. /Forsvaret/Facebook
The Danish army cannot boast of a history of glorious military victories. In World War II, Copenhagen capitulated without a fight, losing 16 soldiers in a shootout with the Nazis. Denmark was occupied within a few hours. /Forsvaret/Facebook
The basis of the combat component of the Danish Air Force is the American F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter-bombers. Denmark has about 30 aircraft in service, and about half of the aircraft may be in storage. / NATO
In 2016, Copenhagen decided to replace 30 F-16 fighters with American fifth-generation aircraft 27 F-35A. It is expected that the newest vehicles will begin to enter service after 2020. /Forsvaret/Facebook
The structure of the Danish Navy includes two squadrons and two bases, respectively. The fleet includes nine frigates, eight patrol ships and six minesweepers. /U.S. Navy
The Danish fleet is one of the largest in the Old World. In terms of the total number of ships, Denmark is ahead of Poland, Germany, Great Britain, Sweden and Norway. However, the Royal Navy does not have serious striking power. /Forsvaret/Facebook
The Danish ground forces consist of one division, which includes two motorized infantry brigades and three auxiliary regiments. The number of infantrymen is estimated at 8,000. /Reuters
Danish troops are armed with modern technology and are well equipped. About $4.4 billion is spent on their maintenance. At the same time, the combat effectiveness of the Danish armed forces most likely leaves much to be desired. /Forsvaret/Facebook
In 2011, the Danish Air Force took part in the operation to overthrow Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Danish aviation made 599 sorties and dropped 923 guided bombs. /Forsvaret/Facebook
Today, the Danish Armed Forces have 57 German Leopard-2 L2A5DK tanks and 12 US-made self-propelled artillery units. Denmark abandoned towed artillery and multiple launch rocket systems. /Forsvaret/Facebook
Denmark has a compact and well-armed army, a small part of which is conscripted. The nominal commander-in-chief of the armed forces is Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, who has ruled the country since 1972. /Forsvaret/Facebook
The Danish Virgin Islands were captured by Great Britain, but on November 20, 1815 they were returned to Denmark.
On April 4, 1949, Denmark joined the military-political bloc NATO, after which the country's military spending was increased (if in 1950 the total military spending was DKK 350 million, then in 1953 it was almost DKK 900 million), and military construction began. In 1951, Denmark and the United States signed a treaty under which the United States was allowed to establish military bases on the island of Greenland.
Denmark did not take a direct part in the Korean War, but provided medical assistance to UN forces
In 1992, the Danish military contingent was sent to Bosnia, on April 29, 1994, during Operation Bollebank"Denmark Leopard 1A5 tanks from the NORDBAT 2 unit entered into battle with Serbian units, and on October 25, 1994, during Operation Amanda ( "Operation Amanda") - fired at Serbian positions in the Tuzla area.
In 1999, Denmark took part in the NATO aggression against Yugoslavia.
Since the fall of 1999, Denmark has been participating in the NATO operation to maintain stability in Kosovo, Danish military personnel have been included in the KFOR forces as part of the multinational brigade "North" (" Multinational Brigade Nord»).
XXI century
In 2011, Denmark took part in the military intervention in Libya. Six F-16s and one C-130J-30 Super Hercules, as well as flight technical personnel, were sent to the group; the first four F-16s arrived in Sicily on March 19, 2011. On March 23, 2011, six Danish F-16s made the first 12 sorties , during which airstrikes were carried out on targets in Libya. In general, during Operation Odyssey Dawn alone (in the period before the start of the Unified Protector mission), Danish F-16s made 43 sorties, dropping 107 guided bombs on targets in Libya. In total, in the period up to October 31, 2011, Danish Air Force aircraft made 599 sorties, dropping 923 guided bombs on targets in Libya.
Composition of the armed forces
Ground troops
The Royal Danish Army is the land branch of the Danish Defense Forces, along with the Danish Home Guard.
Over the past decade, the Royal Danish Army has undergone significant changes in structure, construction and training methods, abandoning the traditional defense strategy against invasion and instead concentrating on overseas operations. Among other initiatives was the reduction of reserves and the increase in the strength of the regular army, during this reform the ratio between reserve units, support units and regular army units changed from 60% - 40% to the inverse ratio: 40% reserves and support, 60% regular units. When the program is completed, the Danish Army will be able to deploy 1,500 troops permanently and an additional 5,000 troops for a short period of time. This deployment during international operations will take place without the need for such an emergency measure as parliamentary approval of the military budget.
Ground troops are the largest type of armed forces and are intended for the defense of the country, both independently and in cooperation with other types of armed forces and reinforcement forces of the North Atlantic Alliance allies, as well as for operations as part of NATO Allied Forces in the bloc’s area of responsibility and multinational formations during peacekeeping operations under under the auspices of international organizations. They are led by the commander of the operational command (headquarters at AvB Karup, Jutland Peninsula) through the commander of the Danish motorized infantry division, the commander of the Eastern Command of the Army and the commanders of the military districts. The troops stationed on the Jutland Peninsula report directly to the commander of the operational command of the ground forces, and on the Danish islands and about. Bornholm - commander of the Eastern Command of the Army. According to their operational purpose, the ground forces are divided into field troops and local defense troops. Field troops designed to solve the main tasks facing the Army, and include the most combat-ready formations and units. They are staffed by trained personnel under the age of 35, equipped with modern weapons systems and military equipment (V and VT). In peacetime, field troops have combat-ready units and units whose task is to ensure the mobilization and operational deployment of field troops. The field forces include the Danish Motorized Infantry Division. Danish Response Brigade (DBR), four combat groups (reduced infantry brigades) - Jutland, 2nd and 3rd Zealand, Bornholm, in addition, their separate combat and logistics support units, training units and military educational institutions. The Danish motorized infantry division (headquarters Fredericia, Jutland Peninsula), which is the main tactical formation of the ground forces, is directly subordinate to the commander of the operational command of the Army. The number of its personnel is about 20 thousand people (in peacetime, its units and subunits are approximately 30 percent staffed). The division includes a headquarters, a headquarters company, three motorized infantry brigades (1st and 3rd Jutland, 1st Zealand), artillery and anti-aircraft divisions, four battalions (reconnaissance, engineering, communications, logistics and medical support), an army aviation squadron and military police company. It may be armed with up to 200 battle tanks (<Леопард-1 и 2>, rice. 2), 108 self-propelled and towed howitzers (M 109, M 114), eight MLRS multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), 130 mortars (81 and 120 mm calibers), 190 anti-tank weapons (including about 96 TOU ATGM launchers), up to 108 MANPADS (<Ред Ай>, <Стингер>), 40 L/60 and L/40 anti-aircraft guns, 12 army aviation combat helicopters and over 400 armored combat vehicles (AFVs). The motorized infantry brigades that make up the Danish Division include a headquarters, a headquarters company, three battalions (two motorized infantry and a tank), an artillery battalion, a logistics battalion and companies (reconnaissance, anti-tank and engineering), as well as an anti-aircraft battery. The brigade can be armed with up to 50 battle tanks, 18 Ml 09 self-propelled howitzers, 20 mortars (81 and 120 mm calibers), 24 TOU ATGM launchers, 36 MANPADS (<Ред Ай>, <Стингер>), 60 armored personnel carriers (Ml 13). The number of personnel in wartime states is about 5,500 people. The Danish Response Brigade (headquarters in Vordinborg, Zealand) is the most combat-ready unit of the ground forces. It is intended to conduct defensive operations in the Danish Islands or as part of the NATO Response Corps. Its strength in wartime states is 4,500 people. In peacetime, it is staffed by more than 50 percent of personnel, 100 percent by military personnel and military personnel. The brigade includes a headquarters, a headquarters company, two mechanized battalions, a tank battalion, an artillery battalion, a logistics support battalion, three companies (reconnaissance, anti-tank, engineering), and an anti-aircraft battery. It is armed with up to 50 battle tanks (<Леопард-1 и 2>), 18 self-propelled howitzers Ml 09, 36 mortars (caliber 81 and 120 mm), 30 PU ATGM TOU, 24 MANPADS<Стингер>and 60 armored fighting vehicles. The Jutland, 2nd and 3rd Zealand battle groups in peacetime are represented only by headquarters, V and VT are stored in warehouses. Combat groups are deployed when troops are transferred to increased levels of readiness. They may include: headquarters and headquarters company, up to three infantry battalions, a tank company, an artillery division, an anti-aircraft battery, an anti-tank company, a logistics support battalion, and a military police unit. The number of personnel is about 2,000 people. The combat group can be armed with up to ten battle tanks, 24 105-mm howitzers M 101.18 PU ATGM TOU, 24 MANPADS, 24 mortars (81 and 120 mm calibers). Depending on the tasks being performed, combat groups can be reinforced by local defense and hevern units. The Bornholm battle group includes troops of the garrison of the same name. In everyday conditions, the group is in combat readiness. The ground forces have 14 training and mobilization regiments: five infantry, three artillery, two tank, two engineering, transport, and communications. Their main tasks are to conduct initial training of ground forces personnel, retrain reservists, and ensure the mobilization deployment of combat groups and local defense troops. Commanders of military districts are responsible for organizing territorial defense within their district, training and mobilization deployment of local defense troops. With the transfer of the armed forces to martial law, individual units and units of field troops allocated for territorial defense, as well as local defense troops and hemvern units, are placed at their disposal. The military district is headed, as a rule, by one of the commanders of the training and mobilization regiments stationed in the district. Local defense troops in peacetime they do not have combat-ready units and subunits; they are deployed when mobilization is announced and are staffed by older conscripts (over 35 years old) on a territorial basis. They are equipped with outdated B and VT models, which, as a rule, are removed from service with field troops. The main tasks of local defense troops are: covering the mobilization and operational deployment of field troops and allied reinforcement troops (forces), defense of amphibious accessible sections of the coast, security and defense of large military, government and industrial facilities, and transport hubs. Local defense troops are organized into battalions, artillery divisions, companies and batteries. In total, they can have up to ten separate infantry battalions and 15 companies with a total number of about 14 thousand people.Naval forces
The Royal Danish Navy (officially Kongelige Danske Marine, unofficially Søværnet) is the maritime branch of the Danish Defense Forces. The KDVMS is responsible for maritime defense and the maintenance of sovereignty in the territorial waters of Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Other assignments include surveillance, search and rescue, icebreaking, oil spill prevention and response, and participation in international enforcement teams.
Between 1509 and 1814, when Denmark was in union with Norway, the Danish fleet was part of the Royal Danish-Norwegian fleet. Until 1807, this fleet was one of the most influential forces in the European region, but subsequently declined. Despite this, the fleet is equipped with a number of large modern ships that entered service after the end of the Cold War. This can be explained by its strategic position as a NATO member controlling access to the Baltic Sea.
Denmark is one of several NATO members whose fleets do not have submarines.
Air Force
The Royal Danish Air Force (Flyvevåbnet) is the Danish air force responsible for maintaining internal security and ensuring national security objectives in international operations abroad. The Danish Air Force currently has 3,400 permanent personnel and another 100 conscripts. The flight fleet is represented by 119 aircraft and helicopters of American and European production.
Notes
- Walter Hubach. Capture of Denmark and Norway. Operation Exercise Weser. 1940-1941 M., Tsentrpoligraf, 2006. p.90.
- R. Ernest Dupuis, Trevor N. Dupuis. World history of wars (in 4 vols.). Book 4 (1925-1997). SPb., M., “Polygon - AST”, 1998. p.110-112
- Gert Laursen.
As noted in the foreign press, ground forces are the largest type of armed forces and in peacetime number over 17,000 people, of which there are more than 8,500 people in combat-ready units, about 4,000 in training and mobilization regiments, 4,300 in military educational institutions and command bodies, and UN troops over 300. In addition, almost 3,500 civilian employees are employed at the headquarters, formations and units of the ground forces. According to foreign press reports, upon mobilization, the number of ground forces can be increased to 72,000 people at the expense of reserve components (about 51,000 people) and local defense troops (21,000 people).
The organization of the ground forces is shown in Fig. 1.
The administrative leadership of the ground forces is carried out by inspector of ground forces, which is responsible for manning formations and units, organizing combat training, developing regulations and manuals. He is an adviser to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces on issues related to the development and use of ground forces.
In his activities, the inspector relies on ground forces headquarters, which functions as a command and is part of the defense headquarters. He is entrusted with the task of developing plans for the development of ground forces, combat training programs and monitoring its progress, methods of combat use of formations and units, manning, as well as developing regulations, manuals and instructions.
The headquarters consists of four inspections: combat training, fire support, engineering troops, signal troops, headed by the corresponding inspectors. In addition, it consists of four departments: personnel, logistics, military prosecutor's office and military chaplains. Inspectors are responsible for staffing units and subunits of their military branches, organizing their combat training, and also resolve other issues. Military educational institutions, schools and combat training centers of the ground forces are directly subordinate to the inspector of ground forces.
Operational leadership of the ground forces is carried out by commander in chief of the armed forces countries. In the event of a military threat or the outbreak of hostilities, the most combat-ready part of the ground forces can be transferred to the disposal of the commander of the Danish operational forces, who is also the commander of NATO's Allied Forces in the Baltic Straits area. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces directs the ground forces through the Defense Headquarters and the headquarters of the Western and Eastern Commands. The headquarters of the latter is also the headquarters of the combined NATO ground forces in the Danish Islands. Geographically, the Western Command includes the Jutland Peninsula and the islands of Funen and Langeland, and the Eastern Command includes the islands of Zealand, Mön, Falster, Lolland, Bornholm. The border between them runs along the Great Belt and Langelans Belt straits. The commanders at their head are responsible for organizing combat training, logistics, mobilization and operational deployment, as well as for directing the combat operations of subordinate troops in their area of responsibility.
Administratively, the territory of Denmark is divided into seven military districts: four within the Western Command and three within the Eastern Command. In peacetime, the military district on the island of Bornholm is directly subordinate to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The commander of a military district (usually the commander of one of the training and mobilization infantry regiments) is responsible for organizing combat training of regular troops and reserves, mobilizing reserve units and subunits, as well as territorial defense. His operational subordination includes mainly local defense and hemvern units, and in some cases, units of regular troops may be placed at his disposal.
As reported in the foreign press, the ground forces include the following types of troops: infantry, armored forces, artillery, communications troops, engineering troops, logistics troops, as well as services: artillery-technical, quartermaster, medical, veterinary. According to their operational purpose, ground forces are divided into field troops and local defense troops. It is reported that the ground forces also have “hemvern” units.
Field troops include the most combat-ready formations and units, staffed by personnel under the age of 35 and equipped with modern weapons. In peacetime, they include so-called “cover troops” and training and mobilization regiments.
IN "cover troops" includes combat-ready formations, units and subunits designed to ensure the mobilization and operational deployment of the main forces of the ground forces. According to the Western press, they include the headquarters of the Jutland motorized infantry division, five motorized infantry brigades (1st, 2nd and 3rd Jutland and 1st and 2nd Zealand), the Bornholm battle group (infantry brigade), as well as other units.
They are armed with more than 200 tanks, about 400 field artillery pieces and mortars, approximately 400 anti-tank weapons, more than 500 armored personnel carriers, and over 20 army aircraft and helicopters. To deploy these formations and units to wartime states, there is a reserve of “cover troops” numbering about 16,500 people.
Training and mobilization regiments(eight infantry, two armored, three artillery, two engineering, two communications, two transport) are training centers for the training and retraining of military personnel of various specialties for regular and reserve formations and units, as well as units of local defense forces. The Western Command includes five infantry and two artillery regiments, the Eastern Command - three infantry and one artillery regiment, the remaining regiments are divided equally between the commands.
In order to save material and financial resources, the headquarters and units of motorized infantry brigades are geographically located in the military camps of the corresponding training and mobilization regiments (by branch of service) and use their training base for combat training. Thus, the regiment has several units of regular troops, training units, on the basis of which retraining courses for reservists are organized.
Each regiment, being the base for the deployment of wartime formations and units, during mobilization carries out the formation and training of reserve units and subunits assigned to them and theirs. transfer to the disposal of the relevant brigade commanders. Thus, on the basis of the Jutland Armored Regiment (headquarters in Holstebro), the Jutland Battle Group (reduced infantry brigade) is deployed, the Guards Infantry Regiment (Copenhagen area) forms the 1st Zealand Battle Group, the Zealand Armored Regiment (Nestved) - the 2nd Zealand Battle group, Danish Infantry Regiment (Vordinborg) - 3rd Zealand Battle Group, Zealand Infantry Regiment (Slagelse) - 4th Zealand Battle Group, etc.
According to the views of the ground forces command, the highest tactical formation is a division. In the event of war, combat operations in this type of armed forces will be conducted by one motorized infantry division (Jutland), consisting of three Jutland motorized infantry brigades and other combat and logistics support units. The possibility of deploying another division on the basis of the Zealand Motorized Infantry Brigades is also not excluded.
According to Western press reports, each division may also include armored, anti-tank and reconnaissance battalions, two or three artillery and one or two anti-aircraft artillery divisions, an army aviation squadron and support units. The number of personnel can reach 19,000 people. The division is armed with up to 150 tanks, about 230 guns and mortars, up to 280 units of anti-tank weapons, other weapons and military equipment.
The main tactical formation of the ground forces is a motorized infantry brigade. As reported in the foreign press, its composition (Fig. 4) includes a headquarters and headquarters company, two motorized infantry, one infantry and one armored battalion, an artillery division, reconnaissance, anti-tank and engineering companies, an anti-aircraft battery, and a logistics support battalion. The number of personnel in the brigade is about 5,000 people. It is armed with 47 tanks, about 150 armored personnel carriers, 18 field artillery guns, 40 mortars, 14 ATGM launchers, 64 recoilless rifles and 9 anti-aircraft guns, modern small arms and other military equipment. The Jutland motorized infantry brigades, unlike the Zealand ones, have more modern weapons and military equipment. In particular, the former are armed with West German Leopard tanks, and the latter are equipped with British Centurion tanks.
Combat groups formed in emergency situations, judging by foreign press reports, can number up to 3,000 people. They are expected to include two or three infantry battalions, an artillery battalion, an anti-aircraft battery and companies: reconnaissance, anti-tank, communications, engineering, supply and transport. A total of 18 field artillery guns, about 50 mortars, up to 80 units of anti-tank weapons, nine anti-aircraft guns
In addition to combat groups, in wartime, separate infantry, armored and anti-tank battalions, artillery and anti-aircraft artillery divisions, as well as support units, which can be used as a reserve of ground forces and reinforcement of formations, will be deployed in the field forces.
Local defense troops are designed to conduct combat operations on the territory of the military district where they are stationed, as well as for the protection and defense of military installations, individual settlements and important areas of the terrain. They are staffed by older conscripts (over 35 years old). Their deployment is planned to be carried out during mobilization within 1-2 days. Organizationally, they are consolidated into infantry battalions, artillery divisions and other units (anti-tank, engineering, communications, medical, logistics support). The bulk of the battalions (seven out of nine) are subordinate to the Western Command. The formation of units is carried out on a territorial basis. They are equipped with military equipment and weapons, mostly of outdated types, and may have a different organization. In peacetime, they are assigned mainly to training and mobilization regiments, on the basis of which combat training of reservists is organized. Due to the rapid mobilization time and good knowledge of local conditions in the event of a surprise enemy attack, they can cover the mobilization and operational deployment of field troops and conduct combat operations together with their units.
"Hemvern" of the ground forces is a paramilitary organization staffed on a voluntary basis to solve auxiliary tasks in the interests of the ground forces. It is designed to protect military and government facilities, combat landing forces and enemy reconnaissance and sabotage groups, conduct reconnaissance, and organize sabotage actions behind enemy lines. The Hemvern of the ground forces, along with the Hemvern of the Air Force and the Navy, in peacetime is part of the Hemvern of the armed forces, headed by an inspector. Hemvern units of the ground forces are operationally subordinate to the commanders of military districts. They are recruited on a territorial basis on a voluntary basis by politically reliable persons who have reached conscription age, and in some cases from 16 years of age. Persons who have served in the armed forces, who have left the reserve due to age, and who have been released from military service for any reason can be enrolled in the hemvern. There is no legal age limit for staying in a hemvern. They store personal weapons and ammunition at home or at work, and collective weapons in emergency gathering places. In this regard, the deployment time for hemvern units is estimated at several hours.
Organizationally, the “hemvern” consists of companies and individual platoons, there are about 550 of them in total. By purpose, these units can be infantry, anti-tank, reconnaissance, sabotage, engineering, and also carry out military police tasks, protecting military facilities and others. Their organization and armament depend on the tasks assigned to them. In total, the "hemvern" of the ground forces numbers about 60,000 people, of which 8,000 are women. Hemvern units can perform independent tasks or act together with field troops and local defense units. In the absence of the enemy, the personnel of the “hemvern” unit continue to work at their place of work.
Recruitment of ground forces carried out on the basis of universal military service and voluntary service under contracts. The conscription age is 19 years. Volunteers can be recruited from the age of 17. The maximum duration of conscript service for ordinary personnel is up to 12 months, for junior officers - 24. Thus, for ordinary motorized infantry and armored combat units it is 12 months, anti-aircraft artillery - 11, artillery - 10, communications troops and certain specialties of engineering troops - 9. For volunteers , employees under contracts, two types of contracts are established: short-term (for two years) and long-term with the possibility of its repeated extension. The first is used for military personnel of combat units and units, the second - for headquarters, support and special units.
Initial training of enlisted personnel is carried out in training and mobilization regiments, and junior commanders - in schools and training centers of the military branches. Officer training is carried out at the officer school in Copenhagen, reserve officer schools and a correspondence school. Retraining of reservists is organized on the basis of training and mobilization regiments. During their time in the reserves, those liable for military service can be called up several times for retraining for a total duration of 48 days.
The personnel of the "hemvern" are trained, as a rule, in their free time. However, he can be involved in exercises and training during working hours, for which compensation is paid from the military budget. The hemvern is staffed with command personnel from retired ground forces officers, as well as persons who have undergone special training at the hemvern school or courses. The duration of training for Hevern personnel is from 24 to 100 hours per year, depending on the available military training. The foreign press notes that due to the recent lack of trained reserves for field troops, the personnel of the “hemvern” and local defense forces in some cases can be used to recruit formations and units.
As the Western press testifies, the command of the armed forces in the construction of the ground forces intends to continue to focus on modernizing the main weapons, improving the command and control system, improving field training and combat readiness of the troops.
Lieutenant Colonel A. Kovrov
By the time German troops invaded Denmark on April 9, 1940, the Danish Armed Forces had not participated in hostilities since the 1864 war with Prussia and Austria. At the same time, a certain number of Danish citizens (from several hundred to several thousand people) as volunteers (residents of the land of Schleswig - German subjects) took part in the First World War of 1914 - 1918, as well as in the civil wars in Finland - 1918 ., in Estonia and Latvia - 1918 - 1919, in Spain - 1936 - 1939. At the initial stage of World War II, 800 Danish volunteers joined the Finnish army during its armed conflict with the USSR in 1939 - 1940.
The Danish general talks with the officers. 1939
Many of these Danish citizens were officers and trained members of the Danish army and navy, guided by their combat experience.
Danish standard bearer. 1934
Like most European armies, the Danish Armed Forces were reorganized and modernized on the eve of the new world conflict.
Soldiers and officers of engineering units. 1935
In 1937, Social Democratic Defense Minister Alsing Andersen ( Alsing EmanuelAndersen) united the country's land and naval forces under his general leadership. The immediate leaders of the ground forces and navy, respectively, were Lieutenant General William Prior ( William Wain Prior) and Vice Admiral Hjalmar Rechnitser ( Hjalmar Rechnitzer). There was a modernization of air defense, engineering troops, transport and the air force.
The ground forces consisted of two infantry divisions, which included seven infantry regiments, two cavalry regiments, and three artillery regiments. One division was located in Zealand, and the second in Jutland and on the island of Bornholm. A regiment of the Royal Guard was stationed in Copenhagen. During the winter of 1939 - 1940. The strength of the Danish army was increased from 6,600 to 15,000.
Danish infantrymen. April 1940
The infantrymen were armed with rifles Gevær M. 1889, submachine guns 9mmMP-32, heavy machine guns 20mm Madsen maskinkanon, light machine guns Madsen M.1929 And Madsen M.1924, mortars 81-mm M.29 S. Field artillery was represented by guns 75mm M.1902, 10½ cm M.1930, howitzers 15cmM.1917, 15cmM.1923 And 15cmM.1929, anti-tank guns 37 mmBofors, air defense - anti-aircraft guns 75-mm L/49 M.1932.
Howitzers 15cmM.1929 during a Danish army exercise. 1939
Reorganized in 1937, four infantry battalions received motorcycles and bicycles.
Danish motorcyclists. April 1940
Since 1932, a tank unit was allocated from the engineering troops, consisting of three British-made tankettes Carden-Lloyd Mk.VI.
Danish tank crews. 1937
Danish pilot at the plane Fokker. 1930
Danish Air Force ( Kongelige Danske Flyvevåben) included two fighter squadrons - 13 Gloster Gauntlet and 7 Fokker D.XXI, as well as 28 reconnaissance aircraft and 19 bombers.
Danish Navy ( Kongelige Danske Marine) consisted of 58 warships (two armored artillery ships - Peder Skram And Niels Juel, three minelayers, nine minesweepers, four patrol vessels, six torpedo boats, seven submarines, as well as one training vessel and one hydrographic vessel). 1,500 people served in the navy.
Armored artillery ship Peder Skram.
Naval aviation included 13 seaplanes Heinkel H.E.8 and eight fighters Hawker Nimrod Mk. II.
In general, the Danish Armed Forces were able to provide units of the German army (170th and 198th infantry divisions, 11th motorized brigade of the Wehrmacht, 70 light tanks of the Pzkw I And Pzkw II, 240 aircraft) serious resistance. This can be confirmed by the fact that in an hour and a half of fighting on April 9, 1940, Danish artillery destroyed 12 armored cars, knocked out three tanks and shot down several German aircraft, including one bomber Heinkel He 111. The cessation of hostilities was a political decision of the Danish government, and not the result of a military defeat of the country's Armed Forces.
Danish and German soldiers after the declaration of an armistice. April 1940
Until August 1943, the Danish Armed Forces, under German occupation, fully retained their personnel and weapons.
Klint Helge. Den danske Hær IV, 9. April 1940. Copenhagen, 1978.
Niemann P.E. Feltartilleriet i Aarhus 1881 - 1969. Copenhagen, 1981.
Blitzkrieg in Western Europe: Norway, Denmark Patyanin Sergey Vladimirovich
2.2. Danish Armed Forces
2.2. Danish Armed Forces
The armed forces of Norway's southern neighbor - the Kingdom of Denmark - consisted of an army (H?r), navy (Flaade) and air force (Luftvaaben). In peacetime, the affairs of the armed forces were in charge of the Ministry of War; in the event of a declaration of war, the king became commander-in-chief.
The State Defense Council included: King Christian X, Prime Minister T. Stauning, Foreign Minister P. Munch, Minister of War General Goertz, Army Commander Major General Prior and Navy Commander Vice Admiral Rechnitzer.
The Danish army was built on approximately the same principle as the Norwegian one. The ground forces consisted of two divisions - Zealand and Jutland - located in the respective territories. In wartime, the headquarters of these formations were responsible for carrying out mobilization in the areas entrusted to them, and in peacetime they organized military service for recruits and retrained reservists. Divisions consisted of regiments, separate battalions, artillery and anti-aircraft divisions, whose headquarters were constantly functioning, but the units themselves were mostly cadres. In particular, the Jutland Division included the 2nd and 7th infantry regiments, the 14th three-battery anti-aircraft artillery division, and the 12th and 13th separate infantry battalions.
In the first days of the war, conscripts of 1940 and five older ages were mobilized ahead of schedule, four of whom were sent home with uniforms before the new year.
According to the work of P.M. Norup “An army that did not have to fight”, at the time of the German invasion the ground forces included 4 infantry battalions (fully equipped in peacetime), 15 recruit (squad) companies, 23 artillery and 4 anti-aircraft batteries, 4 cavalry squadrons, 11 motorized squadrons, 2 mortar companies, 3 radio communications companies, 2 engineering companies. The peacetime army numbered about 15.5 thousand people.
The air force consisted of army and naval aviation, as well as anti-aircraft artillery units. Army aviation was divided into two air squadrons, which included five squadrons: two fighter, two reconnaissance and one bomber. In total, they had 43 combat aircraft. The flight school, located on the outskirts of Copenhagen, had about 20 training aircraft. The fleet of winged aircraft consisted of the same outdated Fokker C-V biplanes, adopted for service in the late 20s, as well as low-speed Gloster Gauntlet fighters and their slightly more modern brothers Fokker D-XXI. The most modern were seven light bombers Fairey R.4/34 - prototypes of the famous Fulmar. Naval aviation consisted of three squadrons (42 combat aircraft) - fighter, reconnaissance and bomber. All of them were equipped with outdated vehicles and were based on the island of Zealand. The Air Force flight crew numbered about 800 people. In addition, the air force included one anti-aircraft regiment and 16 separate anti-aircraft batteries.
The Danish Navy consisted of more than 40 warships:
2 coastal defense battleships ( "Nils Juel" And "Peder Scrum");
14 destroyers ( "Dragen", "Valen", "Laxen", "Glenten", "Högen", "Jornen", "Havkatten", "Springeren"; “Hayen”, “Narvalen”, “Havernen”, “Walrossen”, “Mackerelen”, “Nordkaperen” - some of them had by that time been reclassified as patrol ships and minesweepers);
9 submarines ( "Bellona", "Flora", "Rota", "Daphne", "Dryaden", "Havmanden", "Havhesten", "Havkalen"; "Havfruen");
4 minelayers ( "Quintus", "Sixtus", "Lossen", "Lindorman");
6 minesweepers ( “Söbjörnen”, “Söhasten”, “Sölöven”, “Söulven”, “Söhunden”, “Söridderen” - part under construction);
5 minesweeper boats ( "MS 1–5");
5 fishery protection vessels ( "Beskutteren", "Ingolf", "Vidbjornen", "Maagen", "Ternen");
several auxiliary vessels and patrol boats.
It should be noted that Denmark has traditionally focused on Germany in its foreign policy. Danish leadership circles took an openly defeatist position and did not prepare for a full-scale armed struggle, even to the best of their country’s capabilities. As Academician Kahn writes, “Members of the government openly stated that the Danish armed forces were intended to suppress occasional violations of neutrality by the belligerents, and not to defend against aggression - obviously irresistible if the attacker is a great power.” Soberly assessing the real capabilities of his country, Prime Minister Stauning stated: “Our country is ready to protect neutrality, but waging war in the proper sense of the word is excluded by geographical conditions; the small population also precludes the existence of an army capable of fighting.”
From the book From Munich to Tokyo Bay: A Western View of the Tragic Pages of the History of the Second World War author Liddell Hart Basil HenryThe Soviet armed forces of the Red Army were significantly different from the Finnish. In 1939, there were about 180 divisions in its ranks, but only about 45 divisions took part in the Russian-Finnish War. The largest difference lay in technical equipment. By state
From the book About War author Clausewitz Carl vonPart five. Armed Forces Chapter One. General Overview We will consider the armed forces: 1) in respect of numbers and composition; 2) in their condition outside of combat; 3) in terms of their provisions and, finally, 4) in their general relation to the terrain. Consequently, in this part we will deal those
From the book Soviet Military Miracle 1941-1943 [Revival of the Red Army] author Glanz David MARMED FORCES By January 1, 1943, eighteen months of intense and often frustrating war had completely changed the face of the Red Army. The catastrophic combat losses suffered during this period consumed a large proportion of those soldiers who served in June 1941 - as well as
From the book History of the Russian Army. Volume three author Zayonchkovsky Andrey MedardovichArmed forces of the warring parties Turkish troops. The organization of the Turkish land army according to the Prussian Landwehr system, developed since 1839, was established in 1869 with the expectation of its full implementation by 1878. The field troops consisted of the following
From the book History of the Second World War author Tippelskirch Kurt von2. German Armed Forces in 1939 Ground Forces The date of the emergence of the new German ground army is considered to be March 16, 1935, when Hitler announced the introduction of universal conscription and determined the size of the army at approximately 36 divisions. But actually
From the book Northern Wars of Russia author Shirokorad Alexander BorisovichChapter 2. Finnish Armed Forces Navy The relationship between the naval forces of the USSR and Finland must be assessed taking into account the characteristics of the theater of military operations. Our reader may have already noticed that even in the wars of the 18th century, the ratio of the number of large surface ships
From the book 1941, June 22 author Nekrich Alexander MoiseevichArmed Forces The Armed Forces were formed on the basis of universal conscription, and therefore the formula “The Red Army is the Army of the People” correctly reflected their purpose and tasks. The armed forces were called upon to defend the Soviet state from external enemies. So
From the book World War II: mistakes, blunders, losses by Dayton Len29. IMPERIAL ARMED FORCES “The Advertiser didn’t come,” exclaimed [my 11-year-old son] Eric. - Mr. Herndon says it's time to get up, the Japs have captured our island and we won't have time to drink coffee. His mother, having difficulty opening her eyes, sleepily answered: “Call the editor.”
From the book The Russian State in the German Rear author Ermolov Igor Gennadievich From the book The Unperverted History of Ukraine-Rus. Volume II by Dikiy AndreyArmed forces directory Relative order, in Kyiv. supported the so-called “Siege Corps of the Sich Riflemen,” consisting of Galicians, under the command of Captain Konovalets, and some volunteer squads. To a certain extent, the “Zaporozhye
From the book Blitzkrieg in Western Europe: Norway, Denmark author Patyanin Sergey Vladimirovich2.1. Norwegian Armed Forces Higher military administration Norway gained independence only in 1905, breaking the union with Sweden. According to its political system, it was a kingdom with a limited monarchy and a strong parliament (Storting). The armed forces consisted of
From the book Hitler by Steiner MarlisArmed Forces Like other areas of public life, in the first period the army and navy retained the institutions inherited from the Weimar Republic. The programs launched by Schleicher continued to be implemented and were changed only in 1933. Reichswehr Minister
From the book Russia: People and Empire, 1552–1917 author Hosking GeoffreyArmed Forces Throughout 1905–1906, workers were almost nowhere able to enlist the support of soldiers and sailors. In June 1905, sailors captured the battleship Potemkin, one of the most powerful ships of the Black Sea Fleet, and brought it to Odessa harbor, where it appeared
From the book Soviet Partisans [Myths and Reality] author Pinchuk Mikhail NikolaevichArmed forces of the occupiers Many researchers unwittingly (some deliberately) mislead readers when they write that the armed forces of the occupiers on the territory of the BSSR in 1941–1942 amounted to. about 160 thousand people. And this is more than enough for
From the book In the Footsteps of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic author Mukhanov VadimARMED FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN
From the book Operation "Unthinkable" author Churchill Winston SpencerRUSSIAN ARMED FORCES Army 6. If we assume that in the current war the Russians lost approximately 10-11 million people, then the total number of mobilized Russian ground forces as of July 1 could be just over 7 million people. More than 6 million of them, according to our estimates,
