Only yesterday the British were planning for a lengthy Sitz-Krieg (sic!); today, the Germans have made Blitz-Krieg (sic!) the order of the day.

German troops invaded Denmark and Norway this morning. Denmark, it seems, is putting up no resistance and, if German communications are to be believed, the whole country will be occupied within the next 48 hours. Copenhagen is already in German hands. The situation in Norway is more complex. With the help of some trick or other (the nature of which is not yet clear), the Germans managed to land in Oslo. The N[orwegian] G[overnment] evacuated and began to fight back. At the same time the Germans have appeared in Bergen, Trondheim and Narvik. How? That’s also still unclear. It seems that treachery on the Norwegian side played a major role here. It’s difficult to predict how hostilities will develop, but one thing is clear: the period of sitting and waiting is over. The war has started in earnest.

In parliament the prevailing mood today was one of confusion, anger and chauvinism. All had one and the same question on their minds: where the devil was our navy? How could our navy let the Germans reach not only Oslo, but also Norway’s Atlantic ports? However, as soon as Mander set about posing this question to the prime minister, an animal-like roar erupted on all sides of the House against the excessively daring MP. But in the corridors of the House, the navy’s miraculous disappearance was the only subject of conversation.

Chamberlain’s speech was weak and colourless. He had once again been taken by ‘surprise’. Only one thing was clear from the PM’s words: the Allies had taken the firm decision to provide Norway with military assistance. The audience met this statement with noisy approval.

Attlee and Sinclair seconded the British government’s decision to help. Henderson raised the question of convening the L[eague] of N[ations] in connection with the aggression against Norway, but he met with failure.

So, England and France are coming to Norway’s assistance. But the Norwegian government, as Colban told me today, has not yet asked for any help. So what is this: unrequested assistance?