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The Danish Army of 1940

Introduction

This article, written by Bob Mackenzie, was part of the magazine Chakoten No. 3/1997. To the best of my knowledge this is the only existing table of organisation and equipment (TOE) on the 1940 Danish Army in Command Decision format.

For the benefit of our non-Danish speaking readers, I have maintained the English language of the original article.

I have left out the Equipment Data Chart since it was in CD2 format (i.e. Command Decision, version 2), not directly compatible with the CD3 format presently used by the wargaming fraternity of Chakoten. Perhaps we may be able to persuade Bob Mackenzie to translate the original table to CD3 format.

According to my sources, the divisional organisation omits the divisional engineer battalions. Sjællandske Division had 1st Pioneer Battalion, with four engineer companies. Jydske Division included 2nd Pioneer Battalion, with two engineer companies and Fodfolks­pionerkommandoet (an infantry pioneer unit). The latter unit was of regimental size with two battalions, each consisting of battalion headquarters and four companies. The tasks of Fodfolkspioner­kommandoet were among other things to lay minefields in connection with the defence of the Danish border to Germany. On 9 April 1940 however, Fodfolks­pionerkommandoet was used as infantry. Presently I am not aware of the detailed organisation of these units.

About the Danish Army in action on April 9th 1940

Per Finsted

The Article

The following is an organisational list for the Danish army at the time of the German invasion in 1940. It is intended for the Command Decision game system in which an infantry stand is 40 men and a gun or vehicle stand is 3-5 actual vehicles.

The organisation that follows is what a Danish infantry division would have looked like if the Danish army had time to mobilise.

Notes

• Sjællandske (Zealand) Division - The infantry regiments were: The Life Guards (Livgarden), 1^st, 4^th and 5^th Regiment. The cavalry regiment was The Guard Hussars (Gardehussarregimentet). It had two artillery regiments (1^st and 2^nd): one with 1 75mm motorised battalion and 2 heavy battalions; the other had two 75mm horse-drawn battalions and two 75mm motorised battalions.
• Jydske (Jutland) Division - The infantry regiments were 2^nd, 3^rd, 6^th and 7^th Regiment. The cavalry regiment was Jydske (Jutland) Dragoon Regiment. It had one artillery regiment (3^rd) with two 75mm horse-drawn battalions, one 75mm motorised battalion and one heavy battalion.
• At the time of the German invasion only three (1 CD model) Lynx armoured cars had been delivered. The above organisation is the theoretical holding. The three delivered were probably with Sjællandske Division. (Remark by Per Finsted: The armoured cars were part of a task force from Gardehusarregimentet.)
• A Triangel 3t Half-Track probably towed one of the heavy guns.
• One source gives each division an attached Anti-Aircraft Battalion. Sjællandske Division had 13^th and Jydske Division the 14^th.

References and Acknowledgements

• Automobilet i Hæren 1908-1983 Fran Pedersen, Skandinavisk Motor Co., 1983.
• Forsvarsbogen Colonel T. Andersen, Gyldendal, 1941.
• Soldaterne den 9. April 1940 Kay Søren Nielsen, Wøldike, for The Royal Armoury Museum, 1990.

Additional TOE data and weapons data from the following sources

• Armed Forces of WW2 Andrew Mollo, Crown.
• Tanks and Fighting Vehicles C. Ellis, Salamander.
• WW2 Fact Files Series P. Chamberlain & T. Gander, Macdonald & James.

Finally thanks to Ole Thureholm and to Terry Phillips who sent me very detailed information on the M1933 and M1935 Madsen Guns.

© Bob Mackenzie 1997 (bob_mackenzie@ntlworld.com)