Iceland in World War II

At the beginning of World War II, Iceland was a sovereign kingdom in personal union with Denmark, with King Christian X as head of state.

When war began, Denmark and Iceland declared neutrality and limited visits to the island by military vessels and aircraft of the belligerents.

[citation needed] Many Axis merchant vessels seeking shelter within the neutral waters around Iceland were sunk by Allied warships.

[citation needed] The British imposed strict export controls on Icelandic goods, preventing profitable shipments to Germany, as part of its naval blockade.

[1] The initial force of 746 British Royal Marines commanded by Colonel Robert Sturges was replaced on 17 May by two regular army brigades.

[7] Iceland's strategic position along the North Atlantic sea-lanes, perfect for air and naval bases, could bring new importance to the island.

[citation needed] Iceland cooperated with the British and then the Americans, but officially remained neutral throughout World War II.

[citation needed] On 10 February 1944, German Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor from the I./KG 40, stationed in Norway, sank the British tanker SS El Grillo at Seyðisfjörður.

[citation needed] A number of British Pathe newsreels of the period featured news from Iceland, including visits by Lord Gort[13] in 1940 and Winston Churchill in 1941 following the Atlantic Charter.

This documentary examines how World War II affected Iceland and its population, using stock footage and interviews to assess the impact.

[15] The filmmakers had concern that World War II would not be a part of the memory of the country, and the conflict and its impacts on Iceland would soon be forgotten.