The King's Choice — Norway
The aging guns of Oscarsborg Fortress sink the German cruiser Blücher on 9 April 1940 — buying the hours that allow King Haakon VII to reject Hitler's ultimatum and preserve Norwegian sovereignty.
On 9 April 1940, the German heavy cruiser Blücher led an invasion fleet up the Oslofjord. The 28cm Krupp guns of Oscarsborg — fired by elderly reservist gunners — sank the Blücher with cannon and torpedo fire, killing over 800 sailors. The delay allowed the King and government to escape with Norway's gold reserves, changing the character of the entire occupation.