Editing Vidkun Quisling (section)

===German invasion and coup d'état===
{{See also|Quisling regime#1940 coup}}
In the early hours of 9 April 1940, [[Operation Weserübung|Germany invaded Norway]] by air and sea in "Operation ''Weserübung''", or "Operation Weser Exercise", intending to capture King [[Haakon VII]] and the government of Prime Minister [[Johan Nygaardsvold]]. However, alert to the possibility of invasion, [[Conservative Party (Norway)|Conservative]] [[President of the Storting|President of the Parliament]] [[C. J. Hambro]] arranged for their evacuation to [[Hamar]] in the east of the country.<ref>{{harvnb|Hayes|1971|p=211}}.</ref> The [[German cruiser Blücher|''Blücher'']], a German cruiser which carried most of the personnel intended to take over Norway's administration, [[Battle of Drøbak Sound|was sunk by cannon fire and torpedoes]] from [[Oscarsborg Fortress]] in the [[Oslofjord]].{{refn|Dahl suggests that the mix-up was in part due to Quisling's earlier statement to the Germans that he "did not believe" the Norwegian sea defences would open fire without previous orders to do so.<ref>{{harvnb|Dahl|1999|pp=166, 171}}.</ref>|group="nb"}} The Germans had expected the government to surrender and to have its replacement ready; neither happened, although the invasion itself continued. After hours of discussion, Quisling and his German counterparts decided that an immediate [[coup]] was necessary, though this was not the preferred option either of Germany's ambassador [[Curt Bräuer]] or of the [[German Foreign Ministry]].<ref>{{harvnb|Dahl|1999|pp=170–172}}.</ref>

In the afternoon, German liaison-person [[Hans-Wilhelm Scheidt]] told Quisling that should he set up a government, it would have Hitler's personal approval. Quisling drew up a list of ministers and, although the legitimate government had merely relocated some {{convert|150|km|mi|abbr=}} to [[Elverum]], accused it of having "fled".{{refn|The option of a "Danish solution"—welcoming the invaders in order to avoid conflict—was still on the table. In this way, the Nazis were avoiding choosing between the rival centres of power.<ref>{{harvnb|Dahl|1999|p=173}}.</ref> This became impossible only after Quisling's announcement at 19:30.<ref>{{harvnb|Hayes|1971|pp=212–217}}.</ref>|group="nb"}}

Meanwhile, the Germans occupied Oslo and at 17:30 [[NRK|Norwegian radio]] (NRK) ceased broadcasting at the request of the occupying forces.<ref name="dahl172">{{harvnb|Dahl|1999|pp=172–175}}.</ref> With German support, at approximately 19:30, Quisling entered the NRK studios in Oslo and proclaimed the formation of a new government with himself as prime minister. He also revoked an earlier order to mobilise against the German invasion.<ref name="dahl172"/><ref>{{harvnb|Ringdal|1989|p=58}}.</ref> He still lacked legitimacy. Two of his orders—the first to his friend Colonel Hans Sommerfeldt Hiorth, the commanding officer of the army regiment at [[Elverum]],<ref>{{harvnb|Høidal|1989|p=377}}.</ref> to arrest the government, and the second to [[Kristian Welhaven]], Oslo's chief of police—were both ignored. At 22:00, Quisling resumed broadcasting, repeating his earlier message and reading out a list of new ministers. Hitler lent his support as promised, and recognised the new Norwegian government under Quisling within 24 hours.<ref name="dahl172"/> Norwegian batteries were still firing on the German invasion force, and at 03:00 on 10 April, Quisling acceded to a German request to halt the resistance of the [[Bolærne]] fortress.{{refn|Though now accepted, this charge was later one of the few for which the jury at Quisling's trial did not find sufficient evidence.<ref>{{harvnb|Høidal|1989|p=755}}.</ref>|group="nb"}}<ref>{{harvnb|Hayes|1971|p=221}}.</ref> As a result of actions such as these, it was claimed at the time that Quisling's seizure of power in a [[puppet government]] had been part of the German plan all along.<ref>{{harvnb|Block (ed.)|1940|pp=669–670}}.</ref>

Quisling now reached the high-water mark of his political power. On 10 April, Bräuer travelled to Elverum where the legitimate [[Nygaardsvold's Cabinet|Nygaardsvold government]] now sat. On Hitler's orders, he demanded that King Haakon appoint Quisling head of a new government, thereby securing a [[peaceful transition of power]] and giving legal sanction to the occupation. Haakon rejected this demand.<ref name="dahl175">{{harvnb|Dahl|1999|pp=175–178}}</ref> Later, in a meeting with his cabinet, Haakon told his ministers that neither the people nor the Storting had confidence in Quisling. The king went further, saying that he could not appoint Quisling as prime minister, and would abdicate before appointing a Quisling-led government. Hearing this, the government unanimously voted to support the King's stance. It formally advised him not to appoint any government headed by Quisling,<ref name="hoidal384">{{harvnb|Høidal|1989|p=384}}</ref> and urged the people to continue their resistance.<ref name="dahl175"/> With his popular support gone, Quisling ceased to be of use to Hitler. Germany retracted its support for his rival government, preferring instead to build up its own independent governing commission. In this way, Quisling was manoeuvred out of power by Bräuer and a coalition of his former allies, including Hjort, who now saw him as a liability. Even his political allies, including Prytz, deserted him.<ref name="dahl175"/>

In return, Hitler wrote to Quisling thanking him for his efforts and guaranteeing him some sort of position in the new government. The transfer of power on these terms was duly enacted on 15 April, with Hitler still confident the [[Administrative Council (Norway)|Administrative Council]] would receive the backing of the King.<ref>{{harvnb|Dahl|1999|p=183}}.</ref> Quisling's domestic and international reputation both hit new lows, casting him as both a traitor and a failure.<ref>{{harvnb|Dahl|1999|pp=183–188}}.</ref>