Collaboration with Nazi Germany during World War II

Collaboration with Nazi Occupiers in Europe

During World War II, various forms of collaboration with Nazi Germany emerged within the countries they occupied. Collaboration ranged from administrative assistance to direct military support against the Allied forces. The reasons for collaboration were diverse, including ideological sympathy, opportunism, coercion, and the desire to maintain some degree of national autonomy under occupation. Understanding these collaborations is crucial for comprehending the complexities of life under Nazi rule and the varied responses of occupied populations.

Vichy France's Regime under Marshal Pétain

The Vichy regime in France, headed by Marshal Philippe Pétain, is a notable example of collaboration. After France's defeat in June 1940, an armistice was signed, leading to the establishment of the Vichy government in the unoccupied zone. Pétain, a hero of World War I, was seen by some as a stabilizing figure. His regime, however, enacted policies that aligned with Nazi ideology, including anti-Semitic legislation and suppression of the Resistance. The Vichy government's actions during the occupation remain a subject of intense historical debate, reflecting the complex nature of Pétain's legacy and the broader issue of French collaboration.

Danish Collaboration and Resistance

Denmark's occupation by Nazi Germany in April 1940 led to a pragmatic collaboration by the Danish government, which sought to protect the country's sovereignty while maintaining a degree of cooperation with the occupiers. The Freikorps Danmark, a volunteer corps that fought alongside the Waffen SS, exemplified direct collaboration. However, the Danish resistance movement actively opposed the occupation, and the Danish people's efforts to save their Jewish population are well-documented. After the war, Denmark faced the challenge of reconciling these divergent wartime experiences, leading to trials for collaborators and, eventually, a national apology for the actions of the Freikorps Danmark.

The Infamy of Vidkun Quisling in Norway

In Norway, Vidkun Quisling became a symbol of collaboration and betrayal. As the leader of the Nasjonal Samling party, he attempted to seize power during the German invasion in 1940 and was later installed as the head of a puppet government by the Nazis. Quisling's regime actively supported Nazi policies, including the persecution of Jews and discrimination against the Sami people. Following Norway's liberation, Quisling was convicted of high treason and executed. His name has since become a byword for traitor, reflecting the deep stigma attached to collaboration.

The Varied Landscape of Collaboration in Europe

Collaboration with Nazi Germany was a complex and widespread phenomenon across occupied Europe. In the Baltic states and parts of Ukraine, ethnic Germans were among the most enthusiastic collaborators. Nationalist groups in various countries, such as the Ustaše in Croatia and the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists, saw an alliance with Germany as a means to counter Soviet influence. In the United Kingdom, the British Union of Fascists, led by Oswald Mosley, showed pro-Nazi tendencies but was suppressed during the war. In Spain, General Francisco Franco's regime, while officially non-belligerent, supported the Axis powers and sent volunteers to fight on the Eastern Front. These examples underscore the diverse motivations and forms of collaboration that occurred throughout Europe during the Nazi occupation.