The Forgotten (and Flawed) British Invasion of Iceland - Operation Fork (May, 1940)

On the morning of May 10 1940, Nazi Germany launched its invasion into the Netherlands, Belgium and eventually France. Yet on that fateful morning, there was another invasion, albeit one by sea. Two British vessels with a few hundred marines on board sailed to the neutral island of Iceland in order to take control and prevent a German invasion.

Consider supporting HoH:
►Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HouseofHistory
►Become a channel member:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjvbQ_ZRQ0EH6qVYQ9ApXCw/join
►Leave a tip: https://www.paypal.me/HouseofHistory

►Webshop: https://houseofhistory.co/shop/
Use code "HISTORYBONUS5" for a 5% subscriber discount!

Check out House of History: the Podcast
►iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/house-of-history-the-podcast/id1549558236
►Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/71f9cyleacVjQiSCEP2VGh?si=tGsietBeSD2q589fKDWsdg

Socials:
►Check out my blog: https://www.houseofhistory.co
►My Twitter: https://twitter.com/Oscar_HoH

My videos tend to get arbitrarily demonetized. That is why I decided to open up a Patreon where people can support the channel. If you decide to pledge as little as 1$/month you will gain access to a monthly series exclusive to my Patrons!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:36 Preparations
3:53 Invasion of Iceland
9:45 Iceland's final 'war'

Watch my documentary series:

►History of Prussia playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLazn7eofVtjJjSlui3iOOz0P3KI7-v3o5

►End of Empire - Downfall of the Qing Dynasty playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLazn7eofVtjLnVJY6NyQX8JlVApf40DLs

►World War 2 playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLazn7eofVtjLYTXde713nRftdAPj7YW_a

►Hitler's Spies playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLazn7eofVtjJGQ4c1q7mQhTh5vM54_17o

The content of this video covers events, people or concepts via a lecture-style presentation that is educational and historical in nature. Every video is original content by House of History. The events relating to conflict in this video are portrayed in their historical context without either value judgment or an ideological message attached to it. There is no intent to shock, upset or disgust. The goal of my channel is to make interesting lecture-style videos, no more, no less.

In early 1940, the Second World War truly began taking shape in the European theatre. On April 9, 1940, Denmark capitulated to invading German forces. One month later, the Phoney War ended as Germany successfully launched its invasion of Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and France.

However, on that fateful day, May 10 1940, Germany wasn’t the only country to cross nearby borders and invade other countries. Because Great Britain did just that, on that same morning the Phoney War ended. They invaded the tiny island of Iceland, situated in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Upon receiving news of the rejection, British prime minister Winston Churchill was livid. After what happened with Norway and Denmark, there was no way he could allow Iceland to fall into German hands uncontested. Nearly a month later, on May 6, the British began planning so-called Operation Fork, the invasion of Iceland.

The 2nd Marine Squadron under the command of Colonel Robert Sturges was the force chosen for this invasion. 746 British marines participated. Many of these marines hadn’t yet completed their training, and all of them were poorly equipped. The lack of training can be understood because the squadron had only existed for just one month. Many recruits were still in basic training, rarely having shot a rifle if they even had a rifle at all. Also, all maps of Iceland that were available to the army and Royal Navy were outdated. Not to mention the fact there was not a single marine able to speak Icelandic.

Thank you for taking the time to check out House of History, I hope you will find the films informative, interesting and enjoyable!

If you have any feedback, questions or criticism feel free to leave a comment. Your opinion truly aids me in improving the content of the channel! If you have a question, feel free to leave a comment and I will either write a reply, answer your question in a Q&A video, or make an entire video about it!

Sources:

Written by House of History

Photos, paintings and imagery: Public Domain, Wikicommons

#HouseofHistory #History

Видео The Forgotten (and Flawed) British Invasion of Iceland - Operation Fork (May, 1940) канала House of History