DENMARK AND GERMANY (4)

18 April is the anniversary of Denmark's catastrophic defeat to Prussia at Dybbøl Banke in southern Jutland. Bismarck decided to solve the famous Schleswig-Holstein question by force, and the combined Prussian-Austrian forces quickly overran the whole of Jutland. Dybbøl did not represent the end of the war (peace was not formally signed until 30 October), but it did mean that Denmark wouldn't win. Under the terms of the peace, Denmark lost Schleswig, Holstein and Lauenburg, roughly two fifths of its land mass; and the population was reduced from 2.6m to 1.6m. Though some land and people were recovered through the 1920 plebiscite, which returned the northern half of Schleswig to Denmark. 

Although Dybbøl represented a defeat, it is commemorated each year with a parade. This year, for the first time ever, German soldiers also took part. However, it is a sign of Denmark's difficult relationship with its bigger southern neighbour that some local residents objected. For some, Germany is still not welcome, nearly 150 years after the event.

Walter Blotscher