This new book documents the German invasion of Norway, focussing on the
events at sea. More than most other campaigns of the Second World War, Operation
Weserübung has been shrouded in mystery, legend and flawed knowledge. Strategic,
political and legal issues were at best unclear, while military issues were
dominated by risk; the German success was the result of improvisation and the
application of available forces far beyond the comprehension of British and
Norwegian military and civilian authorities. Weserübung was the first combined
operation ever where air force, army and navy operated closely together. Troops
were transported directly into battle simultaneously by warship and aircraft,
and success required co-operation between normally fiercely competing services.
It was also the first time that paratroopers were used. The following days were
to witness the first dive bomber attack to sink a major warship and the first
carrier task-force operations. The narrative is based on primary sources from
British, German and Norwegian archives, and it gives a balanced account of the
reasons behind the invasion. With its unrivalled collection of photographs, many
of which have never before appeared in print, this is a major new WWII history
and a definitive account of Germany's first and last major seaborne
invasion.