The Icelandic connection - 01.06.2014, Page 25

Vol. 66 #4
ICELANDIC CONNECTION
167
presence in Iceland, the first task assigned
to the British marines were to occupy
telecommunication facilities, radio stations,
and meteorological offices as well as arrest
any resident German citizens.
With no way to forcibly remonstrate
the British occupation, Iceland could
merely object with words. Howard Smith,
the diplomat sent with the British troops
to Iceland, sent a telegram to London
the evening they landed in Reykjavik. It
quoted the Icelandic protests, which went
on to point out that Iceland had previously
rejected the offer of military protection
proffered by the British government and
yet the British government now occupied
Reykjavik. This they saw as a blatant
violation of their neutrality and stated that
it encroached on their independence. With
the infraction of their lawful rights, they
fully expected compensation in due course.
(The Background) The Britain Foreign
Office saw this as a formality in which
to cover themselves with Germany. The
British government responded pacifyingly,
ensuring the Icelandic government that
they had Iceland’s best interests in mind
and truly wanted to protect them from
a German invasion. They promised they
would not attempt to interfere with the
governance of the nation and leave as soon
was the war had ended.
Formal protests aside, the government
did ask their citizens to treat the British
forces as guests. Men were sent to various
places in Iceland, including Hvalfjordur,
Sandskeid, Kaldadarnes, Hafnarfjordur,
Akureyri, and Melferdi. Icelandic citizens
abided by their government’s wishes and
were willing to help the troops, particularly
in small rural villages. Construction of
airfields and naval facilities were ongoing
projects during the occupation and local
people were given employment at fair rates
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