The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Denmark

Bornholm was occupied by the German troops on the 10^th of April 1940. A large naval base of fascist Germany was formed on the island to cover naval communications in the south-western part of the Baltic Sea. The strength of German garrison was up to 20 thousand military personnel.

On the 9^th of May 1945 the airborn forces of the 2^nd Byelorussian front landed on the island with the support of Baltic navy ships and aviation. Active assistance to the release of Bornholm from Hitler-troops was rendered by the members of Danish Resistance movement.

The inhabitants of Bornholm warmly welcomed the Soviet forces who quickly managed to set up friendly relations with population and local authorities. Here is one of the quotations that reflects the attitude of the majority of the Danes to the presence of Soviet soldiers-liberators: “Russian forces will leave the best memories after them, their discipline was exemplary. They came as friends and brought release with them. We will never forget it”. (Newspaper “Politiken”).

Soviet forces could not leave the island at once as comprehensive military control over the fulfillment of surrender terms should be provided. Moreover, the sailors of the Baltic navy were making great work to clear the Baltic districts from mines, owing to this the security of Danish, Swedish and other countries’ trade shipping was provided.

After the entire completion of all the activities, on the 4^th of April 1946 the act on assignation of the island to the representatives of Danish authorities was signed. And the next day on the 5^th of April 1946 the Commander-in-Chief on Bornholm the Major General A.Jakushev left the island on the naval vessel.

Soviet forces fulfilled their duty to the end having paid for the Bornholm’s release with many soldiers’ lives and having left good memories after themselves among the Danish population.