History of Danish Wars in Alliance with the U.S. Since World War Two
History of Danish Wars in Alliance with the U.S. Since World War Two: To highlight the depths of Danish-American relations, here is a list of the wars and war-like conflicts that Denmark has been a part of in alliance with the United States. Denmark has been a steadfast American ally and war partner, possibly only surpassed by Britain’s post-World War Two alliance with the U.S.
Greenland Map with U.S. Military Base
Look at this list and you will see that any potential conflict with Denmark over Greenland is nothing less than a betrayal of a long-standing friend and ally.
Danish Participation in American-Led Wars from World War Two to the Present:
World War Two (1940-1945)-Germany invaded Denmark in 1940. Danish resistance groups opposed the occupation. The U.S. joined the war in 1941 following the Pearl Harbor attack and Germany’s declaration of war against the U.S.
With Denmark under German occupation, in April, 1941, the Danish ambassador to the U.S.Henrik Kauffmann negotiated a temporary U.S. protectorate over Greenland, to protect Greenland from Germany. American forces landed in Greenland and engaged in combat with German forces along Greenland’s east coast.
Following the victory of World War Two, Denmark became a founding member, with the U.S., of both the United Nations and NATO.
As a member of NATO, Denmark participated in NATO’s unified military command, and trained alongside American and other allied forces in preparation for potential combat against Soviet-led Warsaw Pact forces.
Korean War (1950-1953)–Denmark provided military medical aid, sending a hospital ship and several hundred medical personnel to treat UN casualties and South Korean civilians.
Gulf War/1st Iraq War (1991)–Part of the U.S.-led international coalition against Iraq to liberate Kuwait. The Danish Royal Navy sent ships to the Gulf.
Bosnian War (1992-1995)-Again, as part of the U.S.-led NATO force in Bosnia, Danish forces engaged in combat with Serbian troops.
Somalia Civil War/UN Mission (1993-1995)–Denmark joined U.S. and other Western nations in sending troops to Somalia as part of United Nations Operation in Somalia II (UNOSOM II).
Kosovo War (1999)- Denmark participated in the U.S.-led NATO war against Serbia, with Danish warplanes joining other NATO air forces in airstrikes against Serbian forces. The Danish Army contributed troops to the NATO ground force that liberated Kosovo.
Afghanistan War (2001-2021)-Denmark sent troops to serve in the U.S.-led Coalition in Afghanistan, engaging in combat with Taliban forces and suffering casualties alongside American and other allied troops.
Iraq War (2003-2007)-Denmark sent troops and naval forces to serve in the U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq.
Operation Ocean Shield- (2009-2016)–Denmark contributed military forces to the anti-Pirate coalition off the Somali coast.
Libyan War of 2011-Denmark contributed significant air force assets to the NATO combat mission in Libya, engaging in a large number of combat missions.
Islamic State War (2014-Present)–Denmark contributed to the U.S.-led Coalition air forces conducting airstrikes on ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria.
Red Sea Conflict/Operation Prosperity Guardian (2023-Present) vs. the Houthi in Yemen–Denmark contributed a Royal Danish Navy Frigate to the Coalition naval force opposing the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea area.
Denmark/Greenland Wars and Links:
https://www.unc.mil/Organization/Contributors/Denmark/
