Overall Loses

The Graves of Norweigan Soldiers
Picture by Haakon Sverre Oyreskleivs http://home.sol.no/~ggunners/ww2/index.htm

     Although the loses during the Norway campaign seem small in comparison to the war, it had a profound effect on the Norwegian population.  The total casualties for Germany were 13,17 killed, 1,604 wounded, and 2,375 lost at sea or missing in action.  Germany also lost 127combat aircrafts, 1 heavy cruiser, 2 light cruiser, 10 destroyers, 1 torpedo boat, 6 submarines, and 15 small crafts.  The British lost 2,500 men at sea and 1,896 during ground battles, along with 1 aircraft carrier, 1 cruiser, 1 antiaircraft cruiser, 7 destroyers, and 4 submarines.  Between the French and the Poles 530 lives were lost, 2 submarines and 2 destroyers.  The Norwegians suffered the loss of 1,335 men, and a country left in ruins.

    The German occupation of Norway, and the plan called Weseruebung was a success.  The Wehrmacht (German Military) was at its peak, using the combined strength of the army, navy, and air force.  The campaign on Norway was signnificant because it was the first German joint operation, using three branches of the German military, and proved to the Germans that superior air power could combat and nuetralize a superior naval power.
    With the conquest of Norway the Germans were able to gain control of the Swedish iron ore supply lines, exploit Norwegian metal and gas resources, improve their position in respect to the British Isles, and gain several good air and sea bases.