In South Jutland, many families were ordered to lodge German soldiers in their homes. The Germans set up a communication centre in the home of Meta, the Bennedsens' close friend and neighbour.

The economy improved under the occupation, as the Germans bought food and other raw materials from Denmark, but daily life became harder. Blackouts were strictly enforced by the Germans throughout the war. Curb stones were painted white so that people could see them at night, and British bombers flew over South Jutland on their way to northern Germany. Chris's friend Jesper Olesen remembered lying in the grass, watching the airplanes fly by.