The Occupation of Iceland

The Occupation of Iceland

Eight months had passed since the beginning of the World War II when the British Army occupied Iceland on the eve of May 10th 1940. The German Army had been doing well and had already occupied Poland, Denmark and Norway. Everyone knew, that invasion of other countries in Europe was imminent and on the same day the Brithish took Iceland the German invaded Belgium and the Netherlands.

The British occupation was to prevent Iceland from falling under German control but the country had been shown considerable interest because of it’s military importance in connection with shipping routes in the North Atlantic Ocean. The British Army that occupied Iceland in 1940 consisted of 2000 soldiers. A year later they were 25 000 scattered at army bases throughout the county.

The Icelandic World War II Museum

The years of World War II are a colorful period in Iceland’s culture and the purpose of the museum is to make it possible to travel to the days of the occupation. The main theme is the life at wartime and the influences of the occupation for Icelanders. The museum exhibits this in an interesting and lively way and visitors are able to enter a replica of a barrack and cinema hall and see artifacts from the war.

The World War II in Reydarfjördur

During WWII there were almost 4000 soldiers at Reydarfjördur. They were British, Canadian, Norwegian and American. Even though there were more soldiers in other places in Iceland, the proportion was overwhelming there because the population of the town was only 300. Nissen huts weere widespread in the area, both in the village and around it. The biggest houses were overtaken and rented for the officers. Everywhere you looked, soldiers were either working or entertaining themselves. The people of Reydarfjördur disappeared in the crowd.

A church in the capital. Photo by Olga

In one moment Reydarfjördur changed from a small quiet village characterized by poverty and unemployment to a lively place with no shortage of anything. There is then no wonder that the locals sometimes talked about the “blessed war”. Suddenly there was plenty of work for everyone and people came from other fjords looking for work in Reydarfjördur. The culture became more dynamic and the people who once were happy with their “porrablot and Christmas dancing got used to cinemas, cafés, restaurants, dancing, theatres and other gatherings. In one full swoop Reydarfjördur was thrown into the 20th century and it never became the same again.

Even though the war was a “blessing” for the inhabitants, it also cast its shadow over the town. Anti-aircraft guns and cannins became necessary because German airplanes often flew espionage missions over Reydarfjördur.» The air raid sirens started and red danger flags were flagged as soon as the guns of the alliance forces started shooting at the uninvited guests. Then the people of Reydarfjördur fled to the air-raid shelters that were all around the village, some of which can still be seen around town.

Heroism and Tragedy

One sunny day in January 1942 British troops went from Reydarfjördur to the mountains. The soldiers got lost and were not prepared for the storm and the rain they got into. Late in the evening, the farmer at Veturhus in Eskifjördur happened to notice a soldier who was crawling towards the farm. From his gestures he understood that there were more soldiers needing help up in the mountains. The people of Veturhus saved dozens of people but a few men died and eight of them rest in the cemetery of Reydarfjördur at Budarmelur. With them rests a Canadian soldier who was shot accidentally a year before.

Hospital Camp

The American army built many barracks in 1943, dozens connected by tunnels, Construction created a lot of work for many Icelanders and people came to Reydarfjördur to work for the allied forces there. It was difficult for many people to understand the purpose of this system, since at that time it was thought very unlikely that the Germans would attack the country. Later it appeared that the hospital camp was planned for the wounded in cas of an attack on Norway.

Fish and Chips

In an old fisherman’s hut was one of many restaurants that the inhabitants of Reydarfjördur opened in the war time. They served tea and coffee and at some places they served beer. At mots of the places were served hot meals and the most popular one was the national dish of the British, fish and chips. The guests in restaurants and cafes were mostly soldiers, but young Icelanders who worked for the allied forces also went there ad liked this innovation.

Chocolate and Guns

The British soldiers and the children from Reydarfjördur were on good terms with each other during the war and the games the children played were under foreign influence, as most things in the town during the war. The soldiers played football with them, went sliding and even allowed the children to shoot their guns. The children also benefited from the soldier’s generosity, who gave them fruits and candy at any given opportunity.

“When you visit the Icelandic World War II Museum you become a little more aware of the history, pain and death of a time that in itself isn’t that far away. You also become more aware of the sacrifices made as well as the solidarity and heroism of ordinary people involved in a perilous war (Sigurdur Ingolfasson, poet and writer)