Today marks the 70th anniversary of the Germany invasion of Denmark during World War II
As the flags fly at half mast and the war dead are remembered around the country, it seems that young people have forgotten the significance of 9 April.
A survey carried out by Rambøll Analyse showed that almost half of Danes in general recognise the date as the day German troops invaded Denmark 70 years ago.
However, only 17 percent of 18-25-year-olds recognise the date that marked the start of five years of Nazi occupation.
On the other hand, more than 80 percent of survey respondents over the age of 65 recognised the importance of the date.
Professor Ditlev Tamm of the University of Copenhagen has written several books about the occupation and called the survey results a ‘catastrophe’ for the Danish school system, laying the blame firmly at the door of teachers.
‘If we no longer have events which we jointly remember then there are many things we can no longer talk about together. It’s the whole basis for out community,’ Tamm said.
Education minister Tina Nedergaard was also critical of the lack of knowledge among young people and said it was dishonourable to those who had experienced the occupation.
According to Statistics Denmark there are more than 604,000 Danes who are still alive today who experienced the German occupation.
The history of the occupation is a mandatory part of the curriculum for primary schools, but not for high schools.
When German troops crossed the Danish border on the morning of 9 April, 1940 there was some resistance. Thirteen Danish soldiers and three border guards were killed and 21 others injured.
The Copenhagen Post
