I

Iceland (10 May 1940-1945) A Danish colony before World War II, Iceland’s strategic position astride the Atlantic Ocean’s northern gateway made its position a critical concern after Denmark’s surrender to Germany in April 1940. Located just outside bomber range of the North American land mass, Iceland was ideally positioned to decisively influence the Battle of the Atlantic (q.v.). Whoever possessed the island could base air and naval forces to dominate the sea and the skies of the western and central Atlantic, through which virtually all of Britain’s vital sea commerce had to transit. In effect, Iceland was a potential knife at Britain’s seaborne jugular vein.