The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club

The Germans march out of Denmark and Nazi collaborators are arrested. The SOE-led resistance helps to manage Denmark’s transition from occupation to freedom. Knud is ordered to oversee the transition at a building in Aalborg airport. He is shocked to find it is still run by Germans, who are checking Danish ID cards. He and his group take over. Knud gives the order for all Germans to depart within two hours and confiscates ID cards. Shortly after, soldiers and Danish resistance fighters swarm the airport. Knud’s orders are cancelled and he is scolded for exceeding his authority. Knud is angered at the leniency being shown Germans and their collaborators. With other group leaders, he draws up a list of demands for the transition. He gives them to a printer, who calls the police. Knud is relieved of his command post and his weapons are confiscated.

Several days later, Knud is welcome back warmly by the same people who dismissed him. Major General Richard Dewing, the British commander of military forces in Denmark, is coming to Aalborg and wants to meet the Churchill Club, Denmark’s first resisters. At the meeting, Dewing is very interested in the club’s story, asking questions and listening closely to each member.