Hitler's Savage Canary : A History of the Danish Resistance in World War II

Adolf Hitler stated that after occupation Denmark would turn into a 'model protectorate'. Winston Churchill meanwhile maintained that the small country of (then) four million people would become 'the sadistic murderer's canary'. In the end, neither was right. With no help initially from the Allies, the Danes set up a resistance movement that proved to be a constant irritation to the occupation forces - not a meek canary, but a dangerous and courageous bird of prey that refused to be caged.The scale of the resistance to the Nazis in Denmark is without equal: twenty-six million issues of illegal newspapers had been published by 1945; radio guides for Allied aircraft had been set up on the coasts; boat services ran between Sweden, Denmark and Britain; a news bureau provided a stream of inside information to the Allies; German ships were unable to move out of the ports; and troops were frustrated by the sabotage of railways and air bases. Incredibly, almost the entire Jewish population - some 7,000 people - was shipped to safety in Sweden. The selfless courage shown by the Danes, when collaboration would have been an easy option, is astonishing. This story of foolhardy heroism and daring by a small country is a thrilling read, and provides a real insight to the mindset of a people under occupation.David Lampe was born in Maryland, USA in 1923. He served with the USAF in Europe during the Second World War until being discharged in 1952. After the war he lived in Britain, working as a freelance writer. His first book, The Savage Canary, was first published in 1957. In 2003 Lampe died after suffering from a long-term illness Adolf Hitler stated that after occupation Denmark would turn into a model protectorate . Winston Churchill meanwhile maintained that the small country of (then) four million people would become the sadistic murderer s canary . In the end, neither was right. With no help initially from the Allies, the Danes set up a resistance movement that proved to be a constant irritation to the occupation forces not a meek canary, but a dangerous and courageous bird of prey that refused to be caged. The scale of the resistance to the Nazis in Denmark is without equal: twenty-six million issues of illegal newspapers had been published by 1945; radio guides for Allied aircraft had been set up on the coasts; regular boat services ran between Sweden, Denmark and Britain; a news bureau provided a stream of inside information to the Allies; German ships were unable to move out of the ports; and troops were constantly frustrated by the sabotage of railways and air bases. Incredibly, almost the entire Jewish population some 7,000 people was shipped to safety in Sweden before being rounded up. The selfless courage shown by the Danes, when collaboration would have been an easy option, is astonishing. This story of foolhardy heroism and daring by a small country is a thrilling read, and provides a real insight to the mindset of a people under occupation Tells The Story Of Denmark's Ordinary Citizens Who Created An Extraordinary Resistance Movement To Nazi Occupation. Paper Bullets -- The Deserters -- Under A Postage Stamp -- Two Thousand Bangs -- According To Plan -- J.j. Has Been Caught -- Exodus -- Exporting A Genius -- Liquidation -- Strike! -- The Canary's Voice -- The Island -- The Kattegat Bridge -- The Secretary And The Pastor -- The Smørrebrød Raid -- Greetings To Christian -- The Battle Of Jutland -- The Men In The Attic -- The Shell House Raid -- The Greatest Escape -- The Sound -- A Good Night's Sleep. David Lampe ; Foreword By Birger Riis-jørgensen. The Savage Canary : The Story Of Resistance In Denmark Was First Published By Cassell & Company ... London In 1957. This Edition Contains A Revised Plate Section And A New Foreword By Birger Riis-jørgensen, Ambassador At The Embassy Of Denmark In London--t.p. Verso. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "After Adolph Hitler made plans to create a "model protectorate" out of Denmark, Winston Churchill predicted the nation would become the Fuhrer's tame canary. Isolated from the Allies and fueled only by a sense of human decency and national pride, the Danes created an extraordinary resistance movement that proved a relentless thorn in the Nazis' side. German troops were stymied again and again by the sabotage of railways and airbases and some 7,000 Jews were carried to safety in Sweden. They were not soldiers--they were simply ordinary citizens who refused to stand idly by and witness an atrocity. The story of their selfless courage and daring should inspire countless future generations. 8 black-and-white photographs."--Publisher description