This week in the War, 7–13 July 1941: US marines land in Iceland

US troops disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland [Public domain, wiki]

US troops disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland [Public domain, wiki]

On 8 July 1941, United States marines arrived in Iceland to relieve the British forces that had been occupying the island since May.

Fearing that Germany might use Iceland as a base for U-boats and the Luftwaffe, Britain had offered the Icelanders the chance to enter the war on Britain’s side. When the offer was rejected, Britain invaded and occupied the island.

Anxious to use its troops elsewhere, the British persuaded the Icelandic parliament to accept American occupation—and Roosevelt obliged. The Americans were to remain in Iceland for the duration of World War II.

The US Army's Camp Pershing, Iceland, WWII [Public domain, wiki]

Quonset huts at the US Army’s Camp Pershing, Iceland, WWII [Public domain, wiki]

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One Response to This week in the War, 7–13 July 1941: US marines land in Iceland

  1. Steve McCarthy says:

    I sure the Icelanders went to great lengths to keep the GI’s away from their daughters!

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