Norway

• Importance of Norway

  Provide Germans with strategic positions

  Naval bases

  Germany wanted Swedish iron
• Britain's attitude to Norway

  12,000 British and French troops was offered

  Britain proposed laying mines in Norwegian waters and action to prevent German invasion
• Why did the British fail

  Britain had to retreat

  British army landings not successful

  Forces that landed in Narvik were forced to withdraw early

  Campaign poorly managed
• How did this affect Chamberlain's reputation?

  Chamberlain agreed in mining on 28 March 1940, but 1 March Hitler approved of a German invasion and succeeded

  Chamberlain received attacks from his own side

  Labour took this as an advantage

  1940 - he was unwell

  vote of no confidence - weak
• Known as Phoney War
• Leo Amery opposed to Appeasement
• Over 40 MPs voted against the government's decisions