I am new to animating maps, hoping to achieve a new quality standard for my videos. If you have any tips or advice on what you would like to see added/done to the map animations to make them even better, please let me know. Like I said, this is uncharted territory for me, so any input is more than welcome. Have a great weekend everyone! 🌞
My wife's father was in the USAAF and stationed on Iceland as a B-17 mechanic during WW2. Both his parents were from Denmark and he spoke Danish. This put him into the good graces of the locals, especially the ladies. Nice way to fight the War.
As a Brit I’m honestly surprised how BS that message of “Let us use you for strategic benefit and we will ensure you are neutral.” Almost doesn’t seem like neutrality..
@@shortscenes9338 Sorry for such a late response, whilst I do not like how we were obviously occupied by a foreign power right after gaining our freedom after a thousand years of foreign rule I will admit it was at least good that the British built some infrastructure and dumped money into the economy, we switched out one foreign ruler for another, but one bothered to use money on us, doesn't excuse anything and independence was the just way forwards still
Very good, but 2 mistakes. Iceland is not a "tiny" island, it is bigger than Ireland and almost as big as England. And the population was NOT 360 000 on the 10. of May 1940, it was about 100 000. About 360 000 is the current population number. And interestingly, it is said that Jonasson, the prime minister burst out in joy on the morning of the occupation; "Thank God the British are here" or something similar, and then he went to his office and protested!
Quite a nice 'invasion' in the end, a lot of the military infrastructure was very helpful to Iceland after the war. Probably a German occupation wouldn't have actually been that bad for the Icelandic population. It would not have been in Germany's interest to antagonise the people. Would have been disastrous for the world though!
Good coverage. But tiny island? It’s half of great britain and bigger than ireland. Hvalfjörður is not a city btw, it's a strategically located fjord. There is a small WW2 museum there. Kaldaðarnes and Sandskeið also aren't cities, just places.
Interesting and great video about something I was unaware of as a Englishman. Just to correct one small point:- Berwick is pronounced "Berrick", the w is silent. There is also a town on the English side of the Scottish border called Berwick-upon-Tweed but pronounced "Berrick-upon-Tweed". Keep up the good work, I watch everyone of your productions.
Almost missed this videos because of the red bar in the thumbnail making me think i had already watched it. Glad i checked in to be shure! Great video as always!
Thanks for pointing it out. I'm trying new things with the thumbnail and will remove the red bar because I can see how people mistake it for a video already watched!
Those picturesque Swiss Guards are also highly trained modern soldiers armed with the SIG Sauer P220 pistol and the SIG SG 550 rifle. Just thought you might like to know.
A nice touch that will morph into something great. We are proud of your efforts and video shares. Iceland will prove it's strategic worth again in World War III.
Stagg made his weather predictions for the D-Day Invasion, from Icelandic Weather Stations, which were previously held by German Forces. So in a way, Iceland may have been the one key that allowed the Allies to win WWII.
My great uncle was killed in a U boat attack as their ship approached the Icelandic harbour. He was an engineer on an Icelandic ship - Godafoss. A British ship had been torpedoed and they went against orders to go back and help the British warship and the soldiers aboard. Because this could be considered as going against neutrality (and because the Nazis were dicks) they tornadoes this passenger ship as well. Many Icelanders heard and witnessed the attack because it was so close to home and many family members were awaiting their partners return from sea. Apparently 8 Icelandic ships were attacked by U-boats during WW2, despite the countries neutrality. It was 10th November 1944 as well, less than a year to go and he’d have seen the end of the war! Very sad.
A few corrections. 1) Iceland is not "tiny"! Marthas Vineyard is "tiny"... 2) The population of Iceland in 1940 was 120.000, of which about 35.000 lived in Reykjavik. 3) The size of Iceland is 103.000 (thousand) kilometers squared . 4) Hvalfjörður is not a city, it´s a fjord (fjörður) with a whaling station at the bottom of it. It became a very important refueling station for the British, and later the Americans. 5) None of the places you mention are cities, only small towns (at that time). 6) It is largely recognized that the marine committed suicide due to severe seasickness. 7) Keflavik is west of Reykjavik. The local protests over being invaded quickly faded when the british and then especially the Americans began building more or less the entire infrastructure of Iceland, employing any able body in the process. It meant that there was no unemployment and no recession in Iceland during the war. Post war, people like my grandfather, who was a young diplomat back then, were tasked with raking in as much economic help for the country as was possible. My grandfather's first stationing was at the Icelandic embassy in Paris, where he was tasked with ensuring that Iceland would get its share of the Marshall Help, as well as getting foreign investing in Iceland's industry and infrastructure, something that would probably be seen as shady business today. When NATO was on the drawing board, my grandfather was, together with other Icelandic diplomats, with ensuring that Iceland would join. He was also involved in negotiations during the Cod Wars and was said to have the ability to befriend even the most obstinate people, on both sides of an argument, and in that way, ensure a good result. That was in the "good old days" of diplomacy.
It should be noted that the US occupation was before the US entered WWII, as was the armed escorting of convoys bound to Great Britain. I suggest Michael Gammon's "Operation Drumbeat": for background.
When I was a little boy, one of our neighbors was an American woman who had lived in Iceland because of her husband's job. This was either just before or just after the war. In any case, she said that the Icelanders "loved" the Germans, because they had sent technicians up there to install electricity and plumbing for them--something that the Danes apparently never bothered to do. (I assume that this happened when the National Socialists were in power. And, of course, since Iceland had virtually no Jews or other "non-Aryans," it seemed to have nothing to do with any sympathy for Nazi racial policies.) Can any Icelanders tell me how accurate what this woman told me was?
I am Icelander and a history nerd and I have often wondered why Icelanders did NOT take to Nazism almost at all, being pure Arians and such. Himmler was very disappointed in us, because we did not bother to take on uniforms and step in line, the Icelandic Nazi party was never more than about 100 men and silently faded away even before the war. The Nazi parties were much stronger everywhere else (Mosley, England, Fritz Clausen, Denmark, Quisling, Norway etc, etc.)
Yes, the plan was flawed, all operations that Churchill thought up were reckless and no thought was given to British lives. I think he greatly over-estimated his tactical abilities and being permanently drunk didn't help. I am really enjoying your videos and will join your Patreon next week.
The video? Feel free to leave any constructive criticism regarding the mapping animation. It's uncharted territory for me and I appreciate any tips/advice on what to improve
Haha alright, I misunderstood. My comment stands: if you have any constructive criticism regarding the maps you're more than welcome to voice your thoughts. Have a great weekend!
Cities.....Plural? Iceland has one city and that is Reykjavík. The rest are towns, villages and hamlets, lots and lots of villages specially. Those living in Keflavík like to tell everyone they are a city but they are delusional ;)
I recall reading a newspaper article years ago about VE day in Iceland. The captains of several British Royal Navy ships operating near Iceland decided to sail into Reykjavik to allow the crews to celebrate victory ashore. The crews expected a warm welcome but faced a sullen crowd at the dockside and fights broke out when the seamen discovered that many of the islanders had been hoping for a German victory and were not happy to host celebrating British sailors.
My father served in the RCN during the war. He told me that Icelandic girls who fraternized with soldiers and sailors had their heads shaved as a punishment and a warning to other girls.
Iceland had airfields...? seeing as Europe was collapsing under the Nazis it was obvious the British would need to occupy it before the Germans turned up with a marching band to conquer it. there was no prospect of military actions, so the British could have sent the Girl Guides. same outcome.
Typical British behaviour: occupy and take what you need, no difference to the germans or did I miss that the Icelanders, the free french fleet, french colonies, the Norwegians opened their doors and welcomed the british as occupiers ? Same result same measures as the germans used or did the british negotiated before they arrived ? And do not argue with something like "the british wouldn't shot a innocent" cause they would for sure as they showed against the french fleet and colonies - they even killed their french allies. And who had send a war ship into the waters of iceland ? Pretty stupid for such a tiny country as the UK had become after WW2 to show its tiny military force cause the british navy is a shadow of its own for decades. But now the british fishermen will get the british fish back and will make less money cause they can not export the fish fresh in time cause they arrive too late and already outdated due to too long transports and customs time. Now they have to try to reach european harbors to sell the fish directly and without delays.
Were the French allies when the British attacked ?? Was the occupation of Iceland better or worse than the German occupation of Denmark ? Not entirely sure what the last paragraph is about . What you explain further ?
So it would have been better if Germany invaded Iceland like they did Austria, Czechoslovakia. Poland, Lithuania. Estonia, Latvia. Norway, Denmark, Holland, Luxembourg, France, Greece, Albania? They too could have been starved to death and murdered.
I think it was same in Iceland in May 1940 as it was in Finnish Petsamo in June 1941. The territories were taken over by warring superpowers because of their strategic location. The local authorities submitted to the arrival of new so-called friends.
I see how you describe Iceland as being tiny - because, as you explained, it is only 100 square kilometers. So, about 10 kilometers by 10 kilometers. I’ll revise my map.
I am new to animating maps, hoping to achieve a new quality standard for my videos. If you have any tips or advice on what you would like to see added/done to the map animations to make them even better, please let me know. Like I said, this is uncharted territory for me, so any input is more than welcome. Have a great weekend everyone! 🌞
Cool. Everybody likes a good map. I might suggest you include a scale of miles/kilometers on every one. Oh, and the top is always North. lol :-)
Don’t worry about it, you’ll keep getting better
My wife's father was in the USAAF and stationed on Iceland as a B-17 mechanic during WW2. Both his parents were from Denmark and he spoke Danish. This put him into the good graces of the locals, especially the ladies. Nice way to fight the War.
It certainly must have been one of the more comfortable postings!
Over paid, over sexed, and over here.
As an Icelandic myself and history nerd I am more than glad this popped up in my recommendations
How do you feel about the British invasion?
As a Brit I’m honestly surprised how BS that message of “Let us use you for strategic benefit and we will ensure you are neutral.” Almost doesn’t seem like neutrality..
@@shortscenes9338 Sorry for such a late response, whilst I do not like how we were obviously occupied by a foreign power right after gaining our freedom after a thousand years of foreign rule I will admit it was at least good that the British built some infrastructure and dumped money into the economy, we switched out one foreign ruler for another, but one bothered to use money on us, doesn't excuse anything and independence was the just way forwards still
@benjaminbjarkason611
I thought your economy was based on thermoenergy?
@iriamuguillermo9678 Well, back then it was largely fishing with no industry
Very good, but 2 mistakes. Iceland is not a "tiny" island, it is bigger than Ireland and almost as big as England. And the population was NOT 360 000 on the 10. of May 1940, it was about 100 000. About 360 000 is the current population number. And interestingly, it is said that Jonasson, the prime minister burst out in joy on the morning of the occupation; "Thank God the British are here" or something similar, and then he went to his office and protested!
Quite a nice 'invasion' in the end, a lot of the military infrastructure was very helpful to Iceland after the war.
Probably a German occupation wouldn't have actually been that bad for the Icelandic population. It would not have been in Germany's interest to antagonise the people. Would have been disastrous for the world though!
Iceland is not tiny, its a fair bit bigger than Scotland
Iceland ain't tiny.
Ur videos makes me ecstatic when published.
The only thing that goes in my mind"Today gonna learn something new"
Good coverage.
But tiny island? It’s half of great britain and bigger than ireland.
Hvalfjörður is not a city btw, it's a strategically located fjord. There is a small WW2 museum there. Kaldaðarnes and Sandskeið also aren't cities, just places.
Interesting and great video about something I was unaware of as a Englishman. Just to correct one small point:- Berwick is pronounced "Berrick", the w is silent. There is also a town on the English side of the Scottish border called Berwick-upon-Tweed but pronounced "Berrick-upon-Tweed".
Keep up the good work, I watch everyone of your productions.
I was going to mention that. Berwick rhymes with Derek. :)
Loved the video, as always!
Oscar, this was a great video my friend, a nice token for all your patreons. Thank you.
Much appreciated!
Interesting topic, I suggest you also talk about their invasion of the Faroe Islands as well. Also thanks for mentioning us!
Almost missed this videos because of the red bar in the thumbnail making me think i had already watched it.
Glad i checked in to be shure! Great video as always!
Thanks for pointing it out. I'm trying new things with the thumbnail and will remove the red bar because I can see how people mistake it for a video already watched!
Those picturesque Swiss Guards are also highly trained modern soldiers armed with the SIG Sauer P220 pistol and the SIG SG 550 rifle. Just thought you might like to know.
My father (US citizen) served as head of ordnance on Iceland for the North Atlantic Command
Interesting and great video about something I have in a studygroup about Island right now. Thx :)
Now Iceland's coast guard is the deployable navy if needed. The police force is like a national guard if needed
A nice touch that will morph into something great. We are proud of your efforts and video shares. Iceland will prove it's strategic worth again in World War III.
Stagg made his weather predictions for the D-Day Invasion, from Icelandic Weather Stations, which were previously held by German Forces. So in a way, Iceland may have been the one key that allowed the Allies to win WWII.
The D-Day Invasion was unnecessary in winning the war. The Soviet Union would have beaten Germany anyway.
@@maxthexpfarmer3957 And the Soviets would have taken everything between Italy and Norway as well.
This was the episode I was waiting for. It's evening where I am. Great video to watch while having my dinner. A lot of fun facts.
Thanks William! More to come, hopefully with even better map animations as I'm still learning.
That guy who took his own life just before the invasion just wanted to be remembered and mentioned on _House of History,_ perhaps? 😅
You were lucky the Brits left after the war. They invaded Ireland and stayed
For 800 years.
My great uncle was killed in a U boat attack as their ship approached the Icelandic harbour. He was an engineer on an Icelandic ship - Godafoss. A British ship had been torpedoed and they went against orders to go back and help the British warship and the soldiers aboard. Because this could be considered as going against neutrality (and because the Nazis were dicks) they tornadoes this passenger ship as well. Many Icelanders heard and witnessed the attack because it was so close to home and many family members were awaiting their partners return from sea. Apparently 8 Icelandic ships were attacked by U-boats during WW2, despite the countries neutrality. It was 10th November 1944 as well, less than a year to go and he’d have seen the end of the war! Very sad.
I'm so glad someone is covering my country during ww2 thank you great video man.
Amazing reveal.
Thanks for the post.
Ah so my country (UK) said: “If he (Germany) can invade neutral countries so can I”
Bjork approves of this video.
Not 'flawed' from the British point of view. The Nazis were denied Iceland - mission accomplished no?
I'm a Malaysian, but my great father is from Iceland..my families history
A few corrections. 1) Iceland is not "tiny"! Marthas Vineyard is "tiny"... 2) The population of Iceland in 1940 was 120.000, of which about 35.000 lived in Reykjavik. 3) The size of Iceland is 103.000 (thousand) kilometers squared . 4) Hvalfjörður is not a city, it´s a fjord (fjörður) with a whaling station at the bottom of it. It became a very important refueling station for the British, and later the Americans. 5) None of the places you mention are cities, only small towns (at that time). 6) It is largely recognized that the marine committed suicide due to severe seasickness. 7) Keflavik is west of Reykjavik.
The local protests over being invaded quickly faded when the british and then especially the Americans began building more or less the entire infrastructure of Iceland, employing any able body in the process. It meant that there was no unemployment and no recession in Iceland during the war. Post war, people like my grandfather, who was a young diplomat back then, were tasked with raking in as much economic help for the country as was possible. My grandfather's first stationing was at the Icelandic embassy in Paris, where he was tasked with ensuring that Iceland would get its share of the Marshall Help, as well as getting foreign investing in Iceland's industry and infrastructure, something that would probably be seen as shady business today. When NATO was on the drawing board, my grandfather was, together with other Icelandic diplomats, with ensuring that Iceland would join. He was also involved in negotiations during the Cod Wars and was said to have the ability to befriend even the most obstinate people, on both sides of an argument, and in that way, ensure a good result. That was in the "good old days" of diplomacy.
Please do a video about the lost German unit that invaded Hastings, MN. Lotta good men. Farmers n pitchforks fought them off.
It should be noted that the US occupation was before the US entered WWII, as was the armed escorting of convoys bound to Great Britain. I suggest Michael Gammon's "Operation Drumbeat": for background.
When I was a little boy, one of our neighbors was an American woman who had lived in Iceland because of her husband's job. This was either just before or just after the war. In any case, she said that the Icelanders "loved" the Germans, because they had sent technicians up there to install electricity and plumbing for them--something that the Danes apparently never bothered to do. (I assume that this happened when the National Socialists were in power. And, of course, since Iceland had virtually no Jews or other "non-Aryans," it seemed to have nothing to do with any sympathy for Nazi racial policies.) Can any Icelanders tell me how accurate what this woman told me was?
I am Icelander and a history nerd and I have often wondered why Icelanders did NOT take to Nazism almost at all, being pure Arians and such. Himmler was very disappointed in us, because we did not bother to take on uniforms and step in line, the Icelandic Nazi party was never more than about 100 men and silently faded away even before the war. The Nazi parties were much stronger everywhere else (Mosley, England, Fritz Clausen, Denmark, Quisling, Norway etc, etc.)
We are Germanic and we were quite racist back then...
So in a way they are cousins
Yes, the plan was flawed, all operations that Churchill thought up were reckless and no thought was given to British lives. I think he greatly over-estimated his tactical abilities and being permanently drunk didn't help. I am really enjoying your videos and will join your Patreon next week.
Fun little video man, thank you
Hi love your channel(would like to find out more about The Raid on Zeebrugge IN 1918 if you could make an episode about that) thanks
I wouldn't exactly call it 'tiny', the territory of England (not GB) is only 30% larger. Small yes but not 'tiny'. :)
British: Not great, not terrible
The video? Feel free to leave any constructive criticism regarding the mapping animation. It's uncharted territory for me and I appreciate any tips/advice on what to improve
@@HoH Oh I meant by the invasion.
Haha alright, I misunderstood. My comment stands: if you have any constructive criticism regarding the maps you're more than welcome to voice your thoughts. Have a great weekend!
Interesting
I had no idea this happened until I randomly read about it on Wikipedia by accident
why this is in Cold War playlist? :)
Of course America never left.
great video !!!!!
Thanks for the visit, Theodoros!
Cities.....Plural?
Iceland has one city and that is Reykjavík. The rest are towns, villages and hamlets, lots and lots of villages specially.
Those living in Keflavík like to tell everyone they are a city but they are delusional ;)
Island sparsely populated - yes, tiny - no.
I recall reading a newspaper article years ago about VE day in Iceland. The captains of several British Royal Navy ships operating near Iceland decided to sail into Reykjavik to allow the crews to celebrate victory ashore. The crews expected a warm welcome but faced a sullen crowd at the dockside and fights broke out when the seamen discovered that many of the islanders had been hoping for a German victory and were not happy to host celebrating British sailors.
What about the battle of Vittorio Veneto that gave italy a total victory over Austria-Hungary and lead to German surrender few days later.
I see your bookshelves are overflowing, but I am still uncomfortable with the thought of your fireplace being used to store books!
The fireplace has been defunct (for decades, as far as I can tell). 😉
My father served in the RCN during the war. He told me that Icelandic girls who fraternized with soldiers and sailors had their heads shaved as a punishment and a warning to other girls.
@@Clipgatherer
Why would say this, were you there during the war?
Iceland had airfields...? seeing as Europe was collapsing under the Nazis it was obvious the British would need to occupy it before the Germans turned up with a marching band to conquer it. there was no prospect of military actions, so the British could have sent the Girl Guides. same outcome.
Why not put the title, invasion of Denmark territory.
good point
👍❤
Ireland was independant in 1940
It was indeed, but I am not sure where I implied it wasn't.
It isn't now, though, is it? Totally owned.
@@HoH old thumbnail
@@shortscenes9338 it is a soverign independant nation
@@mikeoxsmal8022 Gotcha, it somehow slipped in there but all is well now. Thanks for keeping me sharp!
Typical British behaviour: occupy and take what you need, no difference to the germans
or did I miss that the Icelanders, the free french fleet, french colonies, the Norwegians opened their doors and welcomed the british as occupiers ?
Same result same measures as the germans used or did the british negotiated before they arrived ?
And do not argue with something like "the british wouldn't shot a innocent" cause they would for sure as they showed against the french fleet and colonies - they even killed their french allies.
And who had send a war ship into the waters of iceland ?
Pretty stupid for such a tiny country as the UK had become after WW2 to show its tiny military force cause the british navy is a shadow of its own for decades. But now the british fishermen will get the british fish back and will make less money cause they can not export the fish fresh in time cause they arrive too late and already outdated due to too long transports and customs time.
Now they have to try to reach european harbors to sell the fish directly and without delays.
Were the French allies when the British attacked ?? Was the occupation of Iceland better or worse than the German occupation of Denmark ? Not entirely sure what the last paragraph is about . What you explain further ?
So it would have been better if Germany invaded Iceland like they did Austria, Czechoslovakia. Poland, Lithuania. Estonia, Latvia. Norway, Denmark, Holland, Luxembourg, France, Greece, Albania? They too could have been starved to death and murdered.
I think it was same in Iceland in May 1940 as it was in Finnish Petsamo in June 1941. The territories were taken over by warring superpowers because of their strategic location. The local authorities submitted to the arrival of new so-called friends.
So basically Britain didn't invade Iceland, they were protecting Iceland
No
I see how you describe Iceland as being tiny - because, as you explained, it is only 100 square kilometers. So, about 10 kilometers by 10 kilometers. I’ll revise my map.
‘Tiny island of Iceland’? Surely you jest!