§ 11. Sir Wavell Wakefieldasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the present position as regards the withdrawal of British troops from Denmark.
§ Mr. BevinThe main body of British Forces in Denmark was withdrawn at the end of last year, having by then completed their duties and, since the liberation of Denmark, secured the removal to Germany of nearly 300,000 German troops. Apart from small leave parties from the B.A.O.R., for whom the Danish Government have offered facilities, the only British Service personnel now remaining in Denmark are:
This personnel will be withdrawn from Denmark as soon as their duties are completed or as soon as Danish personnel are sufficiently trained to take over from them. A considerable part of them are to leave early in April. The above-mentioned personnel are all in Denmark with the approval, and in some cases at the request, of the Danish Government.
- (1) Navy. A small British naval mission to give advice on mine-sweeping and technical assistance.
- (2) Army. A military mission to help train and equip a Danish division
1225 which is to participate in the occupation of Germany. - (3) Royal Air Force. The remaining Royal Air Force personnel in Denmark consist of small parties:
- (a) to operate certain technical aids to air navigation and to train Danish personnel in modern airfield procedure;
- (b) to search for graves or identification of missing British air crews.
§ Sir W. WakefieldIn view of the great kindness, warmth of reception and abundant hospitality shown to our troops and airmen in Denmark, could an appropriate message be sent to the Danish Government at the right time, thanking them for the way they have received our troops?