Thread by @OdenseBunker

Denmark is only a little country. Only 47,000 or so km² and at the height of the #ColdWar in the '80s, the population was just under 5m.

But it's strategic importance for both NATO and the Warsaw Pact nations, cannot be overstated.

Geographically, Denmark sits like a bung at the western end of the Baltic Sea, essentially blocking access to the North Sea, at least from the point of view of the forces on the eastern side of the #IronCurtain.

So, when the Warsaw Pact drew their contingency plans to attack Western Europe in the 1950's, these plans in essence called for the obliteration of the Kingdom of Denmark, making Denmark unihabitable for NATO forces and allowing naval access to the North Sea.

30,000 men trained with the sole aim of invading danish soil from their bases around Stralsund on the northen coast of East Germany.

Polish soldiers landing in Faxe Bay, could be marching in the streets of Copenhagen in less than an hour.

The orange mushroom clouds, indicate some of the 120 planned locations for tactical nuclear attacks, that would destroy ports and airfields where NATO could deploy reinforcements. Also several administrative centres were to ve targeted.

This stategic location which Denmark occupied, meant that Denmark stood squarely on the front line of the Cold War and the danish defence forces and emergency management agencies were always preparing the population for the worst case scenario.

Mr & Mrs Danmark, were encouraged to stock up and build a secure room in their basements. Those who had no basement, were to be sent to local civilian shelters located a short distance from their homes and ration cards would handed out to all.

These are just a few of so many other stories and exhibitions which can be heard and experienced at OBM.

Welcome all.