Norway and the Atlantic

1940

Destroyer actions, the invasion of Norway and the first major surface sorties into the Atlantic.

8 operations in the archive

Chronology

Operations of 1940

Select an operation to open its animated map. Strategic maps show deployments across a theater, while tactical plots reconstruct individual engagements.

North Sea

22 February 1940

Operation Wikinger

1940
A destroyer sortie into the North Sea ends in losses to mines and friendly aircraft.Explore operation →
Map for Weserübung (North)

April 1940

Weserübung (North)

1940
The northern phase of the invasion of Norway, including the advance toward Trondheim and Narvik.Explore operation →
Map for First Battle of Narvik

10 April 1940

First Battle of Narvik

1940
British and German destroyers clash in Ofotfjord and Narvik harbor.Explore operation →
Map for Second Battle of Narvik

13 April 1940

Second Battle of Narvik

1940
A British force led by HMS Warspite attacks the remaining German destroyers at Narvik.Explore operation →
Map for Weserübung (South)

April 1940

Weserübung (South)

1940
The southern phase of the invasion of Norway and Denmark.Explore operation →
Norwegian Sea

8 June 1940

Destruction of HMS Glorious

1940
Scharnhorst and Gneisenau intercept the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious and her escorts.Explore operation →
Map for Admiral Scheer Atlantic Operation

23 October 1940 – 31 March 1941

Admiral Scheer Atlantic Operation

1940
Admiral Scheer conducts a long-range commerce-raiding cruise in the Atlantic and Indian oceans.Explore operation →
Map for Operation Nordseetour

1–27 December 1940

Operation Nordseetour

1940
Admiral Hipper begins her first Atlantic operation.Explore operation →