Valuable shipments of iron ore from Sweden reached Germany by way of Norway’s port of Narvik. Hitler feared British plans to cut off the shipments by laying explosives in the coastal waters surrounding Norway. Hitler conquered Denmark simply for a strategic starting point for the conquest of Norway. In April of 1940 German foces invaded Norway. Britain tried to aid Norway against the German forces, but the powerful Luftwaffe prevented many British ships and troops form ever reaching Norweigen soil. Norway fell to German troops in June of 1940. This conquest of Norway secured Germany’s shipments of iron ore from Sweden. The military victory also provided a strategic location for German bases of submarines and aircraft.

Chamberlain, the British Prime Minister and champion of appeasement, resigned following the German invasion of Norway. Winston Churchill replaced him on May 10, 1940, telling the British people he had nothing to offer them but "blood, toil, tears, and sweat." This success by Hitler allowed him to continue the war against the world ad strategically control the North Atlanic.