WW2 DANISH NAVY OFFICERS DAGGER ISSUED BY THE GERMAN KRIEGSMARINE
HISTORY
The Danish Navy was used by the Nazis during WW2, but it was a minor role. It was mainly involved in mine sweeping duties, mainly on the German Bight of the North Sea (the area between Germany and Norway west of Denmark). This was done mainly to keep Danish ferry lines stay open and not to aid the Germans but it certainly did aid the Germans with the perception of Denmark being complicit. Denmark was considered by Germany to be a protectorate and occupied Denmark leaving the Danish Royalty and government in place. By the summer of 1943, the Danish public had had enough. Resistance actions, strikes, and sabotage spiked across the country. Frustrated, the German authorities demanded the Danish government declare a state of emergency and institute the death penalty for saboteurs. The government refused and resigned on August 28.
Anticipating that the Germans would immediately move to seize the Danish military, Vice Admiral A.H. Vedel issued a standing order: the fleet must either escape to neutral Sweden or be scuttled.When German troops launched Operation Safari the next morning to capture the ships, Danish sailors opened sea valves and set demolition charges. At the Holmen naval base in Copenhagen, 32 ships—including submarines, minelayers, and torpedo boats—settled into the shallow mud before the Germans could board them. Not every ship sank quietly at the dock. A few vessels attempted to fight their way out, with the coastal defense ship Niels Juel making a break for neutral Swedish waters. It was intercepted and attacked by German aircraft, and was forced to run aground. Britains reaction to this revolt was to confirm to Winston Churchill that Denmark was on the side of the Allies.
ITEM DESCRIPTION
This Danish Navy officers dagger is German made by the German firm of E.F. HORSTER of Solingen which is stamped on the blade. It also bears the Nazi German Kriegsmarine issue stamp to the rear of the scabbard showing it was issued to a Danish Navy Officer by the German Kriegsmarine more than likely on a Danish minesweeper before the Danish scuttling of its fleet in 1943. Showing in one way that the German kriegsmarine was in control during that period pre 1943..
The dagger is the 1907 pattern, very ornate with a orange handle made form either Bakelite or Celluloid. All fittings are made of brass with the scabbard ornately decorated to the front with a Lion's head over the Danish shield with three Lion's rampant over a Naval anchor and foliage. The blade is very clean and bright and shows minimal use. The dagger is graded as excellent.
This dagger certainly shows a part of not only Danish Naval history but also highlights the predicament Denmark was in during WW2 and the actions it took during that time. As the dagger is double edged it is not allowed to be imported to Australia making it hard to obtain as the only ones are in the hands of collectors or dealers within Australia.