Telegram crisis
The telegram crisis was a diplomatic crisis between Denmark and the German Reich in October and November 1942.
Denmark under German occupation was a special case until 1943 because Denmark was not “at war with the German Reich” under international law . The highest German representative was the Reich Plenipotentiary and Ambassador Cécil von Renthe-Fink . In addition, the Danish civil administration and government remained largely intact until 1943. Nevertheless, from 1942 at the latest, the German occupation was perceived as an increasing burden.
On September 26, 1942, Adolf Hitler sent a congratulatory telegram with the wording: "I send my sincere congratulations to your Majesty on his birthday" to King Christian X. on the occasion of his 72nd birthday. The king replied, as he had done in previous years, with a telegram which, without the signature, only consisted of five words: “ Thank you very much. Christian Rex. “The answer happened to hit Hitler's eyes and he received it with indignation.
This disregard for Hitler, presumably not deliberately made known, had unexpected consequences for Denmark. The German ambassador was withdrawn from Copenhagen and the Danish one expelled from the German Empire. Attempts by Crown Prince Frederik IX. It failed to appease Hitler. At the beginning of November the withdrawn German ambassador to Denmark was replaced by SS-Obergruppenführer Werner Best , who struck a much tougher tone. In addition, all remaining operational Danish troops were placed under General Hermann von Hanneken and withdrawn from Jutland, which in the further course also led to the self-sinking of the Danish fleet . In addition, pressure was exerted to the effect that Prime Minister Vilhelm Buhl had to resign. Buhl was replaced by Erik Scavenius , who was considered more suitable from a German point of view.
The cause of the crisis was not only the said telegram, but also the increasing Danish resistance movement , which the Germans in Denmark were increasingly feeling.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Den parliamentariske Kommissions Beretning, Volume 13, Appendix 2 (German documents), Copenhagen 1948