Danish Ships in the Canary Islands during the Second World War

Abstract

This article delves into the theme of Spanish neutrality during the Second World War from the standpoint of a series of circumstances surrounding a group of Danish ships that took refuge in the Canary Islands. The Third Reich attempted to prevent the departure of these vessels whereas the Allies sought to facilitate it. This study stems from consulting primary sources in archives in Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Noteworthy among the main conclusions is that the Danish policy of co-operation with the German occupation retained the Danish ships in the archipelago's ports until 1943 and that they only set sail after the Danish government resigned in 1943. The intention of the foreign policy of the Spanish government was to defend its own interests against pressures from the belligerents. Moreover, its neutralist shift initiated in August 1942 was reinforced by the change in the course of the war in favour of the Allies.