On the 13th of May, while French Chasseur Alpins, Norwegians and outnumbered German units had been fighting in the mountains and valleys north of Narvik the 13th Demi-Brigade of Foreign Legionnaires and the Royal Navy performed an amphibious assault on Bjerkvik. #Norway1940

As far as I know, this is the first allied opposed amphibious assault inbwhat came to be known as the Second World War.

Battleship Resolution and cruisers Effingham and Aurora with five destroyers started the bombardement of the village around midnight on the 13th.

Bjerkvik and Elvegardsmoen was the supply base for Gruppe Windisch who fought the Norwegians and French north of Narvik. The village was believed to be empty of civilians after the German invasion, but some had come back.

The naval bombardement did little damage to the defenders but 18 civilians were killed and an equal number severely injured. 140 buildings were destroyed and 104 badly hit.

Civilian boats rowed out into the fjord to stop the guns, but it was too late.

Two battalions of the Foreign Legion and three tanks assaulted Bjerkvik around 03.30. The intact German positions delayed them, as they had to land further from the village than planned.

The defenders fought bravely but were seriously outnumbered.

The allied northern pincer was also delayed, but the defenders had to withdraw. A hospital with 45 wounded and three doctors were taken by the legionnaires in addition to the German supply depot. Gruppe Windisch was cut off. New supplies had to be carried over mountains.

Two platoons of Gebirgsjäger held back the legionnaires for 24 hours from hill 220, allowing their comrades to withdraw in order. This probably saved Gruppe Windisch, that were to hold the last mountain at the Swedish border before the allied evacuation in June.

The Gebirgsjäger and "Gebirgsmarine" performed admirably in this campaign. Time and again they delayed the allied advance.

Gruppe Windisch had to live in the mountains for the rest of the campaign. Supplies came through Sweden over roadless mountains, carried by POWs.

Here you can see the overall map of the front again.