The Norwegian government was unprepared and unwilling to capitulate to the ultimatum timed to coincide with the arrival of German troops and delivered by Curt Bräuer, the German representative in Oslo. The German demand that Norway accept the "protection of the Reich" was rebuffed by Koht and the Norwegian government before dawn had broken on the morning of invasion. ""Vi gir oss ikke frivillig, kampen er allerede i gang"", replied Koht. "We will not submit voluntarily; the struggle is already underway."