Firstly the assertion that the Norwegians put up little resistance is a myth. The Norwegian military was completely and utterly outclassed by the German military. In addition to their Air Force being obsolete, the Norwegian army was completely lacking in tanks. The Germans made use of paratroopers to seize key bridges and airfields in addition to dispatching ships to seize Oslo (these were turned back at oscarsborg fortress when the Norwegian defenders sank the Blücher). Also, your numbers are totally wrong. The Norwegian forces numbered approximately 60,000 men organized in six divisions. The Germans could call upon nine divisions totaling 120,000 men. The Norwegians themselves were armed primarily with Krag Jorgensen rifles which were obsolete almost immediately after their adoption in the 1890s. The charger loaded Mauser rifle used by the Germans was far better suited for modern warfare. The Norwegian campaign lasted from 9 April – 10 June 1940, far longer than the campaign against the French which lasted from 10 May – 25 June 1940. The Germans were able to breeze through most of the nations of Europe due to their innovative tactics of blitzkrieg, which rendered the tactics of the first word war completely useless.

Petrow, Richard (1974). The Bitter Years; The Invasion and Occupation of Denmark and Norway, April 1940-May 1945. London: William Morrow & Co.

Booth, Owen (1998). The Illustrated History of World War II. London: Chartwell Books, Inc.

Petrow, Richard (1974). The Bitter Years; The Invasion and Occupation of Denmark and Norway, April 1940-May 1945. London: William Morrow & Co.