German Occupation of Norway (The King’s first refusal)

The members of the Royal Family, the Government and the Storting boarded a special train at the Oslo Eastern Railway Station and headed northwards. Convened at Elverum in Eastern Norway, the Storting gave the King and the Government full authority to rule the country for the duration of the war.

On 10 April King Haakon met with the German envoy, Curt Bräuer. The Germans demanded that the Government headed by Johan Nygaardsvold, which had refused to capitulate, step down, and that the King appoint a government headed by Nazi sympathiser Vidkun Quisling.

The King put forth the German demands in an extraordinary meeting of the Council of State in the village of Nybergsund. The King stated that he would not attempt to influence the decision of the Government in this matter, but that he could not comply with the German ultimatum. He would rather abdicate than appoint Quisling prime minister.

The Government supported the King’s decision and maintained its oppositional stance. The German forces responded by repeatedly bombing Nybergsund.