Denmark and World War II: Truth and Apologies

SOME DANES PROFITED

In the book "Occupied - War and Daily Life" by Niels Wium Olesen (a professor at Århus University), he states that the Danish western coastal town of Esbjerg experienced an economic boost because of the Nazi occupation, even thought its fishing fleet did its part to resist the invaders. It laid the foundation for the city's present-day prosperity.

Olsen notes that Esbjerg's tax-rate was reduced from 13.4 percent in 1939 to nine percent in 1945 and there were other benefits. 'During the war, the municipal tax rate was cut, debt written off, and public administration was improved,' said Olsen.

Esbjerg is a port known for its fishing industry. How could a fisherman benefit from the Nazi occupation at that time? The Germans were patrolling the North Sea where they fished, so therefore other countries were prevented from fishing there, leaving only one country to reap the sea's harvest. Starting a seafood company then could make someone very wealthy. Who bought all the fish that was caught? It was the occupying Germans. Thus natural competition was eliminated and there was a very accessible and good-paying market for the product. On the other hand, while Danish nets were catching fish by day, some of the people behind those nets were some of the strongest resistance members in the country. Thus those in the fishing fleet took the German's money by day and sabotaged them by night.

Although the fishing industry knew its fish was supporting the German war effort by feeding them, the Danish fishermen had an allegiance with the British because they often sailed to British ports. On the other hand it can be said that it may also have been a case, just like modern times, of people voting with their purse instead of their conscience. Some figured the war had to be over at some point and so why not get along with the occupying force, survive, and make money while you can?

While many fishing company owners made a fortune off the war (their profits skyrocketed by nearly 400 percent), the hand-on workers in the boats paid the ultimate price. Nearly 200 fishermen died during the war, primarily in collisions with German mines planted in the North Sea. In total the war cost the lives of 4,700 Danes, including some 2,000 seamen in Allied service.

Farmers also profited by selling their products to the Germans; manufacturing companies which produced items that

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