The invasion of Norway was intended to secure Germany's northern flank, and win access to the Atlantic and to vital Scandinavian resources. It was the Kriegsmarine's biggest, most testing, and most costly amphibious operation, and victory only brought new demands on the mauled surface fleet. Naval historian Lawrence Paterson here examines the Kriegsmarine's presence and operations in occupied Norway, as the fleet fought to secure its new waters and launch offensive operations, first against the British and later the Soviets. It is a theatre most famous as the last lair of Germany's battleships and for operations against the Arctic Convoys, but operations involved the full spectrum of the navy.
