Profession: Engineering student
Resistance activity: Was part of the resistance group Korps Ågesen and among other things served as a weapons instructor.

To begin with, Thorkild Lund-Jensen supports the government’s policy of cooperation with the German occupying power. But when the Nazis go after the Danish Jews in 1943, everything changes for Thorkild.

1.

Boo them off

Although Thorkild initially supports the Danish government’s policy of cooperation during the occupation, he does not approve of the Nazis’ presence in Denmark. Together with some fellow students, he goes to a Nazi meeting to harass those attending. Thorkild and the others show their opposition with whistles and applause. It turns violent, and they end up being thrown out of the meeting.

Leader of the Nazi Party in Denmark Frits Clausen gives a speech to young National Socialists — Leader of the DNSAP Frits Clausen gives a speech to young National Socialists.

2.

Danish Jews fleeing to Sweden. Photo: Mogens Margolinsky

Stunned by the action against the Jews

But everything changes for Thorkild when, in October 1943, the Nazis launch a manhunt for the Danish Jews. He is stunned and writes in a letter to his parents that the time has now come for resistance in every form. He finds it hard to believe that something like this can happen in Denmark. Thorkild decides to join the resistance and enlists in the resistance group Korps Ågesen.

3.

Never reached freedom

Towards the end of the occupation, the net begins to tighten around Thorkild and his fellow resistance members. The Nazis are close to uncovering Korps Ågesen, and Thorkild is forced to go into hiding. Thorkild’s parents do not know what he is doing, but they are worried. His mother writes that he must take care of himself and stay at home when he can. But Thorkild does not stay at home, and in a cruel twist of fate he loses his life just one day before Denmark is free again.