A Reluctant Ally
When the Second World War broke out in 1939, tiny Iceland found itself in a precarious position. As a newly independent nation, it had declared itself neutral, hoping to avoid being dragged into the global conflict. But on a fateful morning in May 1940, that neutrality was shattered when British warships sailed into the harbor of the Icelandic capital, Reykjavík.
The Icelandic government had no choice but to accept the British occupation. Prime Minister Hermann Jónasson protested the “violation of Iceland’s neutrality,” but ultimately urged his people to “treat the British soldiers…as guests.” What followed was a delicate balancing act, as Iceland navigated the challenges of hosting a foreign military presence while preserving its hard-won sovereignty.
The “Beloved War”
Surprisingly, many Icelanders came to see the British (and later American) occupation in a positive light. The influx of foreign troops provided a much-needed economic boost, with chronic unemployment vanishing “in one sweep.” Icelandic fish exports to Britain were also booming, leading some to dub the conflict the “beloved war” ( blessað stríðið ).
However, not everyone was thrilled about the cultural impact of the foreign presence. Nationalist politicians and intellectuals fretted about the “pollution” of Icelandic identity, particularly the “intimate contacts” between Icelandic women and British soldiers. They saw the war as a threat to Iceland’s linguistic and cultural purity, which had been preserved through centuries of relative isolation.
A Necessary Collaboration
Despite these anxieties, the Icelandic government’s overall approach to the war was one of pragmatic cooperation. As historian Þór Whitehead explains, Iceland was a “very reluctant ally” – willing to take sides only when forced to, and even then, “very grudgingly.”
This “nationalist-pragmatist” stance enjoyed widespread support, as Icelanders recognized their country’s inability to defend itself. The occupation by Allied forces, while resented, was seen as a necessary evil to keep the Germans at bay.
Crucially, Iceland’s cooperation with the Allies was never viewed as a moral failing or betrayal of the nation. Unlike in other occupied countries, there was no stigma attached to working with the foreign military. In the eyes of Icelanders, it was simply a pragmatic response to an overwhelming geopolitical reality.
A Formative Period
The Second World War may not loom large in Iceland’s official historical narrative, but it was a formative period in the life of the modern Icelandic nation. During these years, Iceland completed its transition to full sovereignty, and its economy and international standing were transformed.
Yet, the war’s impact on Icelandic identity was complex. While it challenged cherished notions of cultural purity, the country’s “necessary collaboration” with the Allies ultimately became a point of national pride. The “beloved war” may not fit neatly into Iceland’s grand historical story, but it remains a fascinating chapter in the island nation’s journey to independence.
