The Occupation

Eight months had passed since the beginning of the war when the British Army occupied Iceland on the eve of 10th of May 1940. The German Army had been doing well and had already occupied Polland, Denmark and Norway. Everyone knew that invasion of other countries in Europe was imminent and on the same day the British took Iceland the Germans invaded Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg. The British occupation was to prevent that Iceland fell under German control but the country had been shown considerable interest because of it‘s military importance in connection with shipping routes in the North Atlantic Ocean.  The British Army that occupied Iceland consisted of 2000 soldiers. A year later they were 25 000 scattered at armybases throughout the country.

The World War II in Reyðarfjörður

In WWII there were almost 4000 soldiers at Reyðarfjörður. They were British, Canadian, Norwegian and American. Even though there were more soldiers in other places than at Reyðarfjörður, the proportion was overwhelming there because the population of Reyðarfjörður was only 300. Nissan huts were widespread in the area and they were both in the village and around it. The biggest houses were overtaken and rented for the officers. Everywhere you looked there were soldiers either working or entertaining themselves. The people of Reyðarfjörður disappeared in the crowd. In a moment Reyðarfjörður changed from a little quiet village characterized by poverty and unemployment to a lively place with no shortage of anything. There is then no wonder that the locals sometimes talked about the „blessed war“. Suddenly there was plenty of work for everyone and people came from other fjords looking for work in Reyðarfjörður. The culture became more dynamic and the people who once were happy with their „þorrablót“ and Christmas dancing got used to cinemas, cafés, restaurants, dancing, theatres and other gatherings. In one fell swoop Reyðarfjörður was thrown into the 20th century.

The „Blessed War“

In a moment Reyðarfjörður changed from a little quiet village characterized by poverty and unemployment to a lively place with no shortage of anything. There is then no wonder that the locals sometimes talked about the „blessed war“. Suddenly there was plenty of work for everyone and people came from other fjords looking for work in Reyðarfjörður. The culture became more dynamic and the people who once were happy with their „þorrablót“ and Christmas dancing got used to cinemas, cafés, restaurants, dancing, theatres and other gatherings. In one fell swoop Reyðarfjörður was thrown into the 20th century.

Red Danger Flags

The war did also cast its shadow over Reyðarfjörður. It was necessary to set up anti-aircraft guns and cannons because German aeroplanes often flew espionage missions over Reyðarfjörður. Then the air raid sirens started and red danger flags were flagged as soon as the guns of the alliance forces started shooting to the uninvited guests. Then the people of Reyðarfjörður got in the air-raid shelters that were all around the village.