大象传媒

Written on behalf of and in memory of my grandmother, Marie Louise Larsen.

My grandmother was 19 when the Germans invaded Denmark; because this was so unexpected, Denmark had no military force ready and was, therefore, invaded instantly. However, this did not mean that the Danish wanted German occupation, so all over the country liberation groups were being formed. In addition, nearly everyone took part in some little tricks to defy the Germans. The Danish also had a huge role in helping Jews or escapees from concentration camps to find safety.
The Germans did not allow any nationalist or patriotic ideas and banned the Danish flag. This did not go down well with the Danish people; they loved their country. The Danish public would do little tricks to undermine the Germans, yet because the tricks were so insignificant and everyone would follow them no one was ever arrested for them.
One of the most common tricks was to make hats, with alternative red and white circles (the colours of the Danish flag). The German police knew what the hats stood for, but you cannot arrest a whole town just because they are all wearing the same hats. Another common practise was Sunday chorus; everyone would go to the big park on Sunday morning to sing. The songs were about peace and the beauty of Denmark. Some of favourite songs were about how God would forgive every one of their sins and how it is not their fault if they were ordered to do something wrong by their generals and they did it. These songs were directed at the Germans and the Germans knew it. Though because they never actually mentioned the Germans most of the songs were allowed, though some were too patriotic so they were banned.
My grandmother became a nurse during the occupation period and helped to save the lives of liberation fighters and escapees. She tells of one story where two men were found, both had escaped from a concentration camp and found their way to Denmark. Both were also seriously ill, from being badly mistreated in the concentration camp and because for their entire trip to Denmark, they were forced to eat soil and grass. They did this so they could avoid any chance of re-capture. My grandmother helped to treat and then hide these men. If the German police had found them, then my grandmother would have been arrested, along with every one else, who had helped them, luckily they were never found.

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