D-Day through Denmark

Just a question that I suspect has been debated before but I want to sate my curiosity.

Why didn't the allies invade Germany through Denmark?
 
Just a question that I suspect has been debated before but I want to sate my curiosity.

Why didn't the allies invade Germany through Denmark?

It’s considerably further away from any allied base than Normandy and the North Sea has even rougher conditions than the Channel.
 
Less aircover. A lot of the fighters would have had no loitertime or wouldn't even be able to reach it.

It's also closer to Germany's heartland, so the Luftwaffe would be able to send in more forces.

Turnaround for allied fighters and bombers would be longer.
 
The nearest bases in England would be over 300 miles away. Very long range for many aircraft, plus a much longer voyage for the invasion forces and the follow-up forces and supplies. Plus, even if you do have a successful landing, the base of the peninsula is only about 30 miles wide at its narrowest point, so the Germans could seal it off relatively easily.
 
All of the above, Denmark looks good on a map, but when you start to ask the questions that planners get paid to ask, it loses its appeal rapidly.

It might have been a good target in the Spring of 1945, as a flanking maneuver, if the Western Allies hadn't been across the Rhine in force at that point
 
Plus, even if you do have a successful landing, the base of the peninsula is only about 30 miles wide at its narrowest point, so the Germans could seal it off relatively easily.
Also with it being right next to Germany it's easier for them to ship in troops by rail.
 
What's the ocean temperature in Denmark around that time of year?


How about the whole of Normandy as one giant FUSAG-esque diversion with the real invasions coming via southern France and northern Italy, leaving the Atlantic Wall to be taken from behind a la Maginot Line in reverse?
 
Dear M79,

The disadvantage of only invading Southern France is that invading forces are quickly channeled up the narrow Rhone River Valley. The river is squeezed between the Alps and the Massif Central all the way to Geneve, Switzerland. Defending Germans can lay a variety of ambushes - along the Rhone River Valley - at their leisure.
 
Invoking the Frisian Islands thread for a discussion why else the local coastline is not conductive for landings. Low tide, you have o cross large tidal flats. High tide, you land at coast, six hours later, your resupply has to cross the huge tidal flats. Wadden sea, natures way to muck up your plans.
 
Looking at Denmark geographically, the Germans could bottle up the western allies by parking a bunch of troops in Slesvig - presumably fewer troops than it took to contain the Allied advance prior to Operation Cobra. Even if they can't get there in time, the whole isthmus south of Jutland looks like a defender's dream.
 
Dear M79,

The disadvantage of only invading Southern France is that invading forces are quickly channeled up the narrow Rhone River Valley. The river is squeezed between the Alps and the Massif Central all the way to Geneve, Switzerland. Defending Germans can lay a variety of ambushes - along the Rhone River Valley - at their leisure.

How does it compare to hedgerow country?
 
How does it compare to hedgerow country?


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