During World War II, the King of Denmark, Christian X, ordered that his Danish naval fleet be destroyed. King Christian decided this because the German army was occupying Denmark, and he knew it was a matter of time before they took over the Danish navy and used it against the Danes. It was a hard decision but one that he believed had to be made.
In Number the Stars, this historical event is brought up as a flashback. Kirsti is remembering what she thought were fireworks, but Annemarie and Ellen knew that what she saw was the fire and bright lights from the naval fleet burning to the ground. This part of the book shows just how innocent little Kirsti has been, even though she is growing up in the midst of a war.
The Danes destroyed their fleet to prevent the Nazis from getting it and using it in the war effort.
When the Nazis invaded during World War II, Denmark fought back. Unable to prevent occupation, the Danes opted for clandestine opposition. The country developed a state-sanctioned underground movement to impede the Nazi war effort, including the smuggling of Jews out of the country.
The next evening's newspaper had told the sad truth. The Danes had destroyed their own naval fleet, blowing up the vessels one by one, as the Germans approached to take over the ships for their own use. (Ch. 4)
Destroying your own war materiel and facilities is a practice known as scorched earth. If a country destroys its own resources, it prevents them from falling into enemy hands.
When Annemarie learns that the fleet has been destroyed, she comments that the king must be sad. Her father tells her that he would be proud. After all, he and his country fought back instead of just giving in. Denmark was a small country, and the Nazis had overwhelming strength. They overran much of Europe.
The incident helps Annemarie appreciate that nothing is simple in war.
It had made Annemarie feel sad and proud, too, to picture the tall, aging king, perhaps with tears in his blue eyes, as he looked at the remains of his small navy, which now lay submerged and broken in the harbor. (Ch. 4)
As the war goes on, Annemarie will have to think about many adult concepts. Her understanding of the destruction of the fleet is an example of her developing maturity. War makes children grow up fast. Annemarie will have to learn many hard truths, and will be asked to make difficult choices. She is afraid of the Nazis, but she does her small part in the war effort nonetheless.
Why did the Danes destroy their own ships?
The Danes destroyed their own ships so as to stop the Germans from taking them for their “own use.” Annemarie is reminded of this incident in chapter 4 of the book as she is playing with Ellen and Kirsti. Ellen wants to pretend that their dolls are going to the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. Annemarie remembers how her parents used to...
See This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial to unlock this answer and thousands more. Enjoy eNotes ad-free and cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
take her to the Tivoli when she was younger and how she liked the fireworks at the gardens. Kirsti, hearing about the fireworks, is reminded of the great explosions during one of her birthdays—explosions that her mother said were “fireworks for her birthday” in an effort to protect her from the scary reality of the war. Annemarie clearly remembers the explosions that happened during Kirsti’s birthday. She remembers reading from the evening paper a day later about the source of the explosions: how the Danes had blown up their own ships so as to prevent the Germans from using them in their war campaigns against other nations.