William Wain Prior

William Wain Prior ( born July 18, 1876 in Copenhagen, † March 9, 1946 in Frederiksberg) was a Danish General and 1939-1941 Commander in Chief of the Danish army.

Prior General advocated a strengthening of the army to secure the independence of the country against Germany, but could not prevail with his position against parliament and government. Parliament and the government feared a strengthening of the army might provoke a German attack.

On April 9, 1940 Prior advocated an active defense of the country against the German invasion. In the Privy Council to King Christian X and the principal ministers was, however, decided to accept the German demands, after Germany had threatened to bomb Copenhagen and other Danish cities.

William Wain Prior to 1941 remained commander in chief of the army and prevented cooperation between the Danish army with the Wehrmacht.

• Person in World War II (Denmark)
• Military person (Denmark)
• Dane
• Born 1876
• Died in 1946
• Man