Soviet Denmark 1945

I've posed this question on here before but as new members are joining I'll put it forward for new perspectives/comments:

Scene-setting: the British got to the Baltic only four hours in front of the lead Soviet elements on the afternoon of May 2nd 1945. They had indeed been aided by Blumentritt and others who had not strongly opposed British forces when they crossed the Elbe at Lauenburg on the afternoon of April 30th. Indeed, the Germans offered little or no resistance to the British as they pushed on Luebeck.

If, however, more fanatical elements had chosen to oppose the crossing of the Elbe upstream from Hamburg (in OTL, it required US airborne troops and was opposed by the Luftwaffe) it's possible Soviet forces might have broken through to the neck of the Baltic and pushed north into Schleswig-Holstein.

What then ? Would Stalin, by virtue of trrops on the ground, have sought to establish a Communist Denmark and what effect would that have had on the Cold War in Europe ?
 
I've posed this question on here before but as new members are joining I'll put it forward for new perspectives/comments:

Scene-setting: the British got to the Baltic only four hours in front of the lead Soviet elements on the afternoon of May 2nd 1945. They had indeed been aided by Blumentritt and others who had not strongly opposed British forces when they crossed the Elbe at Lauenburg on the afternoon of April 30th. Indeed, the Germans offered little or no resistance to the British as they pushed on Luebeck.

If, however, more fanatical elements had chosen to oppose the crossing of the Elbe upstream from Hamburg (in OTL, it required US airborne troops and was opposed by the Luftwaffe) it's possible Soviet forces might have broken through to the neck of the Baltic and pushed north into Schleswig-Holstein.

What then ? Would Stalin, by virtue of trrops on the ground, have sought to establish a Communist Denmark and what effect would that have had on the Cold War in Europe ?

didn't division of spheres cover this? granted Denmark wasn't included explicitly but I guess it was assumed to be in western camp.

OTOH if stalin refuses to withdraw then US could likewise refuse to withdraw from Czechoslovakia
 

Oddball

Monthly Donor
OTL, The Soviets had forces on Danish ground in 1945.

The island of Bornholm was liberated by Soviet forces in May 1945. They left in April 1946.

Just like in Northern Norway, Stalin had little/noone interest in staying. Tough he could have if he wanted. I doubt the west would have gone to war over those two small territories.
 
OTL, The Soviets had forces on Danish ground in 1945.

The island of Bornholm was liberated by Soviet forces in May 1945. They left in April 1946.

Just like in Northern Norway, Stalin had little/noone interest in staying. Tough he could have if he wanted. I doubt the west would have gone to war over those two small territories.

True, I don't think the Western powers would have gone to war over a Soviet acquisition of Denmark initially. However, as the Cold War heats up a communist Denmark will most likely be of a great concern to NATO and the West. For example, Soviet control of the Danish Straits would be a major concern. Furthermore, I think we would be able to expect Soviet naval bases on the western coast of Denmark--which just might negate the importance of the GIUK Gap. I think a Soviet-controlled Denmark might even be enough for Sweden to join NATO.
 

Oddball

Monthly Donor
:(
True, I don't think the Western powers would have gone to war over a Soviet acquisition of Denmark initially. However, as the Cold War heats up a communist Denmark will most likely be of a great concern to NATO and the West. For example, Soviet control of the Danish Straits would be a major concern. Furthermore, I think we would be able to expect Soviet naval bases on the western coast of Denmark--which just might negate the importance of the GIUK Gap. I think a Soviet-controlled Denmark might even be enough for Sweden to join NATO.

Soviet controll over Jylland or Sjælland would be quite unacceptable.

Bornholm OTOH...
 
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