At the outbreak of WWII, Denmark declared its neutrality. German forces invaded Norway and Denmark in April 1940. The Danish government and monarchy operated as an independent protectorate until 29 August 1943, when Germany placed Denmark under direct military occupation, which lasted until Allied victory on 5 May 1945.
Denmark was officially freed from German control on 5 May 1945. People across the country burned the black shades that were used to cover their windows during bombing raids. Copenhagen, Aarhus, and other cities were paraded with Allied troops (primarily Soviets) released from prisons all over the country.
By the end of the war, the printing press had expanded the currency supply, taking it from 400 million kroner to 1,600 million, much of which went to war profiteers. Forty thousand people were arrested on suspicion of collaboration after the war. Thirteen thousand of them were punished in some way. The death sentence was carried out in 46 cases out of 78. Most received prison sentences of less than four years.
