Jointness and the Norwegian Campaign, 1940

The Norwegian campaign of 1940 was the first major confrontation between Germany and the Allies in World War II. Although both sides had been poised along the Western Front since September 1939, serious fighting did not break out there; instead, the belligerents first fought in the far north. Germany had sound strategic reasons for conquering Norway, but the Allies attacked them there simply because they did not wish to fight in France. Important lessons were learned in Norway, by both sides, regarding joint operations, unity of command, and airpower –specifically, the need for air superiority over naval forces.