Every Day Is Special: April 25 - Flag Day in Faroe Islands

April 25 - Flag Day in Faroe Islands

Posted on April 25, 2019

The Faroe Islands are located halfway between Norway and Iceland, and also pretty much halfway between the United Kingdom and Iceland. But the islands don't belong to any of these nations; instead, they are part of Denmark!

Like other islands in the world, the Faroe Islands can be a strategic military target. Let's face it, it doesn't take as many soldiers to capture and control a small island as it does a nation on a continent - where help against the invading army can come from many different directions. If an army grabs control of an island, it can launch planes and ships from that position; also, food and weapons can be safely stored until needed.

So, in 1940, after Hitler and the Nazi troops invaded and occupied Denmark, U.K. military leaders decided that they needed to make sure that the Faroes stayed in Allies' hands.

Look how much the Nazis dominated Europe and northern Africa during
the height of their power!

So the U.K. moved to occupy the islands themselves.

The United Kingdom made clear to the Faroese leaders that they were not conquering their island homes, because they were determined to hand back the islands once Denmark was "liberated from the foul thraldom into which they have been plunged by German aggression."

The Faroese cooperated with the U.K., of course.

British admirals pointed out that, since Denmark was under Nazi control, Faroese ships couldn't fly the Danish flag. So Faroese leaders decided to create their own flag. Notice the comparison between the Faroese flag (top) and the Danish flag (bottom).

Of course, British troops did indeed leave the Faroe Islands shortly after the war - after erecting a plaque thanking the Faroese for their hospitality. Because the Faroes had to operate independently of Denmark during the war, the Faroese felt less Danish than before, and in 1946 they were officially recognized as a self-ruling entity within the Danish realm.

I would love to check out the Faroe Islands someday. They have some rugged landscapes!