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Does it make any strategic sense for Germany to continue to occupy Norway once France has fallen? My understanding of the reasons Hitler invaded Norway in the first place was because Norway was the major supplier of iron or to Germany. But usually in threads about the invasion of Norway, it comes up that once France falls, the issue doesn't matter anymore because France has ore mines itself to supply the Nazi war machine. After that, Norway was just took up divisions that could have been deployed elsewhere.


Could Germany withdraw from Norway in a way that didn't result in a massive loss of face, and what could the resources put into occupying Norway be used for? Would they do it scorched-earth style, destroying everything as they left and handing the Allies a massive propaganda victory, or would they try to leave a puppet government in charge that keep Norway out of the war or what?

POD no earlier than April 9, 1940.
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