Memorial stone for Private F. Nielsen
Private F. Nielsen and the battles on 9 April 1940
Early in the morning of 9 April 1940, Denmark was attacked by German forces. In Southern Jutland, the morning quickly developed into serious fighting, as Danish soldiers resisted a far stronger enemy.
A platoon leader from the battalion reserve in Bjergskov described the events:
“Ten minutes past five-thirty, the platoon received orders to follow the battalion headquarters, which was moving north toward Aabenraa. At the 8-kilometre marker, the platoon was fired upon with machine guns by three German aircraft flying overhead at about 50 metres altitude. During this engagement, No. 410 was killed.”
The fallen soldier was Private Frode Peter Kristian Nielsen. He was killed during the sudden air attack—an example of how quickly and violently the war struck the Danish forces that morning.
He was the son of merchant Niels K. Nielsen of Faaborgvej in Odense and a platoon leader in the FDF, whose members stood guard of honour at his coffin.
The inscription reads: “HERE FELL PRIVATE NO. 410 F. NIELSEN, OF 4 B. 2 K. ON 9/4 1940. The future grows from costly memories.”
The Battle at Lundtoftbjerg – seen through a painting
The fighting at Lundtoftbjerg on 9 April 1940 ranks among the most intense clashes in Southern Jutland that morning. Here, Danish soldiers attempted to slow the German advance and gain time, despite the unequal balance of forces.
A painting from 1954 by Thorvald Løndal of the fighting at Lundtoftbjerg conveys an impression of the dramatic situation. Through the artist’s depiction, the seriousness and intensity of the battle become clear: soldiers in position, weapons aimed at the enemy, and a landscape marked by unrest and movement.
The painting does not merely depict a specific event; it also conveys the atmosphere of the fighting and reminds us that these were not just strategic movements on a map, but real and dangerous situations for individual soldiers.
The Danish soldiers were positioned in open terrain, where they were vulnerable to both advancing troops and attacks from the air. The situation required quick decisions and great courage.
At Lundtoftbjerg, Danish forces temporarily succeeded in halting the German advance. The fighting was fierce and cost lives, but the effort became a symbol of the resistance offered despite difficult conditions.
The memorial stones in Sønder Hostrup, Hokkerup and Bjergskov
On the same day, memorial stones for the fallen soldiers were unveiled in Hokkerup and Bjergskov. These stones mark the locations where the fighting took place and where Danish soldiers lost their lives in the attempt to stop the German advance.
Today, the stones stand as visible traces in the landscape—a reminder that the dramatic events of 9 April 1940 took place right here. They connect the story to specific locations and allow visitors to step into history.
The unveiling of the memorial stones also reflects the desire to preserve the memory of the fallen and their efforts. They serve as gathering points for commemorations and as places for reflection.
Remembering history
Every year, the events of 9 April are commemorated in several places in the area, including at the memorial stone for Private F. Nielsen at Sønder Hostrup.
Here, people gather to remember the fallen and to preserve the story of the dramatic hours when war reached Denmark—and when ordinary young men were sent into battle.
Today, images, accounts and memorial stones help keep history alive. They give us the opportunity to understand and reflect on the events that unfolded here on 9 April 1940.