Sons of Information Bank #231: wwii and norway’s resistance

Image: The surrender of Fortress in , Norway. The German garnison’s com- mander Josef Nichterlein and his aide Hamel handing the fortress over to the Norwegian resistance movement’s Terje Rollem in May 1945.

Introduction German invasion of Norway

Following the unstable culmination of (1914-1918) and Germany’s meant the start of World War II. The the Versailles Treaty, Germany’s economy and postwar climate was Norwegian Labor Party at the time was very much a supporter of equal- bleak. Two decades later it seemed as though another war was immi- ity and pacifism so their decision to remain neutral during WWI into nent and Germany was out for vengeance. Struggling to rebuild, Ger- WWII was no surprise. The doctrine of neutrality was to protect that many appointed as Reich Chancellor in 1933. With Hitler right. However, Hitler’s demand for power overrode any attempt at as the country’s leader, Germany writhed to harness world domination. neutrality. He knew that by taking control of Norway the Nazi’s were in Hitler and the National Socialist Party () convinced the Ger- control of the North Atlantic and most importantly access to ’s man people that the country needed him in order to secure a superior iron ore supplier through Norway’s port of Narvik. Hitler’s plan was future. However, greed and power led the war down a devastating path to take control of Norway but remain friendly in order to align the two of destruction. Well over 10 million innocent lives were killed in slave Aryan countries. The Norwegian people were Hitler’s ideal depiction of work and concentration camps. Over 100 million military personnel an Aryan race, blonde hair and blue eyed Christians. fought in a state of “” from countries around the world. And in the end Germany found itself again in economic poverty. World War II Germany invaded neutral Norway on April 9, 1940. This shocked the would last from 1939 to 1945. Norwegian people. With the help of Vidkun , German military forces maneuvered their ships past British ocean defenses with inten- The 1930’s was a time of great economic and military revival in Ger- tions to surprise attack Norway’s port cities of , , many. Hitler’s goal was to create a dominant Aryan race. In September , , Narvik and Olso. In Oslo, Germans were ordered of 1939 Germany invaded Poland’s west border. Just two days later to seize government buildings and leaders, including Prime Minister France and Britain declared war on Germany and World War II had and most importantly King Haakon VII. The king begun. Soon enough Norway would be forced to get involved. was vital for Hitler’s purposes. Thankfully though, Norwe- gian military personnel stationed at Oscarborg Fortress near Oslo completed the first brave act of Norwegian resistance. Eriksen, Station of the Oscarborg Fortress fired the first shot at the Blucher, the German cruise vessel headed for Oslo’s shore and said, “Either I will be decorated, or I will be court-martialed. Fire!” This heroic act of war sank the Blucher allowing just enough time for Norway’s Royal Family to escape Oslo and avoid capture by the Nazis. Norway was now a player in the war. 1455 W. Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408 (800) 945-8851 or (612) 827-3611 www.sonsofnorway.com (Rev 06/2014) -1- Continued on page 2 The Royal Family’s Escape banned, the press was censored, radios even- ing over big hotels and local establishments. tually became contraband, free speech was had to be careful so as not to Before German troops were able to occupy forbidden and food rations were put in place. speak publicly of their opposition to the Nazis. Oslo, King Haakon VII and his family fled to Bread, flour, butter and fats were under strict Quisling’s name instantly became synonymous safety. He would not surrender easily. King rations by the Germans. This fear of scarcity with the word traitor. He betrayed his country Haakon and Crown Prince Olaf escaped later instilled a frugality in the Norwegian and paved the way for Nazi invasion and to safety in England while Crown Princess people. Norwegians were to go on with their occupation on behalf of his Märtha, Princess Ragnhild, Princess Astrid life as normal, with the unwelcomed company (National Union). Quisling was certain that and, Crown Prince Harald escaped to safety of the Nazi’s around every corner. Com- his loyalty to Hitler would result in him being in Sweden. During the Crown Prince and Prin- pared to other occupied countries, the Nazis named Fuhrer of Norway and the country cess’ visit to the US in 1939 they befriended maintained a relatively light reign of power in would accept him. His obsession with Hitler an influential American, President Franklin Norway. However, strict penalties were forced and his incompetence and inability to gain Delano Roosevelt. Following the escape from on all those who resisted. All Norwegians popular support in Norway meant that he was Norway, President Roosevelt invited the Crown aged 14 to 80 were to get identity cards with no longer of use to Hitler. Quisling became Princess and her children to come stay with their photograph and a signature from a local nothing but a Nazi puppet on Norway’s stage. him in Washington DC. The family traveled official. Quisling approved of everything and was convinced that Norway would eventually in secret to America where they stayed for the Buildings and street signs were soon accept the Nazi party. But Quisling’s power remainder of the war. Harald, Norway’s pres- covered with posters and graffiti showing was quickly fading. ent King was just three years old when they resistance and support for king and country. arrived in America. The bonds that the royal These small acts inspired many to continue Upon Germany’ s invasion of Norway, Curt family made with the US during the war made their fight against the Germans. Signs most Bräer, German Minister to Norway urged King a lasting impression on the future of the two commonly read: “Leve Kongen” (“Long Haakon to accept Hitler’s demands by ending countries. Live the King”) and “Ned med Quisling” their resistance and appointing Vidkun Quis- (“Down with Quisling, the Traitor”). ling as Prime Minister of Norway. This would The symbol of an H superimposed with insure a smooth transition. Communicating the number 7 was the monogram for King from England, Norway’s King responded by Haakon VI. The spread of this symbol on refusing to surrender complete power to Hitler, buildings was a sign of Norwegian solidarity stating: and loyalty to the King and resistance to the Nazis. Paper clips were also worn on shirts “I am deeply affected by the responsibility laid and jacket lapels to express opposition. on me if the German demand is rejected. The responsibility for the calamities that will befall King Haakon VII and Crown Prince Olav looking for shelter in the area of Molde during a German bombing in town in people and country is indeed so grave that I . dread to take it. It rests with the government to Capitulation decide, but my position is clear. For my part I Traitor Quisling cannot accept the German demands. It would Following Norway’s capitulation to the Ger- conflict with all that I have considered to be mans, many Norwegians were divided. They As Germany continued to pour more troops my duty as King of Norway since I came to were embarrassed and upset that Norway’s into Norway, the Norwegian people were still this country nearly thirty-five years ago.” –King defenses could collapse so quickly. Some coping with the shock of the surprise attack. Haakon VII, 1940, England pledged their allegiances to Quisling and the Rumors spread that there must have been a Nazis while many held their loyalty to the King. traitor conspiracy in order for the Germans That night NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Quisling was convinced he could recruit tens to invade and occupy so quickly and easily. Company) broadcasted the news that King of thousands of young Norwegian men willing Nazi propaganda spread as Norwegians were Haakon and his government had refused Ger- to fight for Norway alongside the Germans. being told to believe that the Germans had man demands calling Quisling’s control of the He committed Norway wholeheartedly to the come to protect Norway against the British Norwegian government illegitimate. The King’s German effort of a ‘total war’. Terboven had and French. However, it was the complete decision made him a hero from afar. This a different plan. He began recruiting Norwe- opposite. turning point drove the Norwegian resistance gians to join the German defenses. A recruit- effort. In the meantime, life as a Norwegian ing effort was made in Oslo and Den Norske After two months of bitter fighting Norway was had changed significantly. The Norwegians Legion (DNL) was formed. forced to surrender to the German forces. were immediately forced to adhere to strict Hitler appointed as Reichs- blackout restrictions by the Germans in order kommisar of Norway above . to avoid British nighttime bombing attempts. The leadership in Norway was now under the The ’s cruel secret police began tak- control of the Nazi party. Political parties were -2- Norwegian Resistance active. They were known as the Norwegian knew that Norway contained significant heavy Independent Company 1 or Linge’s Company, water operations, a key ingredient in develop- named after Captain , their first ing an atomic bomb. The original purpose In occupied Norway the civilian resistance leader who died in combat in 1941. of the was to produce electricity campaigns grew and secret military powers and fertilizer. Early on in the war, the plant was were formed. The Germans viewed this as a taken over by the Nazis. On the night of Feb- threat. Norwegians on the ground and abroad ilorg ruary 16, 1943 Norwegian resistance fighters risked their lives to protect their country from M sabotaged the Nazi’s efforts by bombing the the Nazis in armed resistance, civil disobedi- By early 1941 resistance groups sprung up plant. The raid was considered successful. In ence and passive resistance efforts. Many around Norway. In order to organize the ef- 1965, the film The Heroes of starring secretly wrote and distributed newspapers in forts, Norway’s secret home front resistance Kirk Douglas was released. The film is an elab- order to modify Nazi propaganda. On the developed a military organization called orated account of the heavy water sabotage other side of the pond, (militær organisasjon). Men and but the Hollywood excitement and true events had formed the Special Operation Executives women joined from regions across Norway it captures combine to create a thrilling movie. (SOE) in July 1940. In order to undermine and by the end of the war they were 40,000 the Germans, British Special Forces partnered strong. Milorg was not originally part of the with resistance movements in Nazi occupied Special Operations Executive out of Britain but Maximo Guillermo countries. In Churchill’s words, they were to they began to work together by the summer “Max” Manus “Set Europe ablaze!” They were compared to of 1941. At the beginning of the war, Milorg (1914- secret agents and they trained for war. Leaders focused their efforts on intelligence opera- 1996) is considered in planned and executed sabotages tions, Nazi reconnaissance, and the trans- a Norwegian national against the Germans all across Europe and portation of people and goods to and from hero and was one the Norwegians soon joined the ranks. The neutral Sweden. was of the most wanted Norwegian was also greatly an important resistance figure and the secret resistance fighters influenced and aided by the British and exiled leader of Milorg. His large network of con- during the war. He served in Norway’s Norwegian leaders. Following Germany’s nections helped with undercover intelligence army in Finland, fighting against the Soviet invasion, Norwegian ships followed the King on the Nazis. Following the war, Hauge went Union in the of 1939-1940. to England disobeying German order to return on to become Norway’s youngest Minister of After Norway’s surprise invasion by the to Norway. (Norwegian Shipping Defense. After operating in conjunction with Germans Manus joined the Norwegian and Trading Mission) was soon established in the SOE, Milorg soon learned that their efforts Independent Company in Britain. He was London in April 1940. The ranks grew steadily would be more effective if they were to orga- a leader in many sabotage missions in during the war, eventually operating nearly nize sabotage missions, such as the bombing Norway including his most daring and 1,000 vessels. Nortraship and the Norwegian of Nazi buildings, ships, trains and more. successful mission, blowing up the Ger- Royal Navy were credited with major contribu- These missions would stir up Nazi upheaval man transport ship, the Donau in Oslo. tions to the Allied war effort. and retaliation, sometimes towards innocent King Haakon VI decorated Max Manus lives. However, these risky missions were vital the with Sword two different times as well as the British orwegian ndependent in disrupting the German advancement and N I and Bar. The famous Norwegian film, Max Company 1 (NOR.I.C.1) bringing an end to the war. Manus (2008) reveals his valiant work in aiding Norway’s war effort. The SOE formed a strong relationship with Norway’s exiled king and government in Brit- Telemark Heroes ain. Young, brave and enthusiastic Norwegian men sailed to England in order to train with The Norwegian Independent Company the SOE. Sabotages were intricately planned bombed German ships, destroyed railways down to the last detail with means of carrying transporting German troops and supplies, out military operations deep within Nazi oc- burned Quisling’s Norwegian draft cards and cupied Norway. They were to disrupt the Nazi much more. Many of them led dangerously advancement. Troops would get dropped by risky lives in order to avoid the Germans. plane and parachute their way to their landing Following dangerous missions, troops would zone, followed by large bundles of equipment escape to neutral Sweden and check in at needed to complete their job. Troops were ’s British Consulate in order to trained to work explosive devices in order to receive further instructions. The Norwegian bomb German transports. Equipped with Independent Company became most famous weapons, a detailed plan and a cyanide pill in for the sabotage that occurred at case of capture, Norway’s SOE division was Hydroelectric Plant in Telemark, Norway. Hitler

-3- Continued on page 4 Gunnar Fridtjof VE Day September 2, 1945 Thurmann Sønsteby Shortly following Hitler’s death, German Japan formally surrenders to the United States, A daring war hero, military leaders fought their last fight. But sur- ending World War II. Gunnar Sønsteby render was not going to come without a cost. (1919-2012) is On May 8, 1945 the Germans yielded and the most highly the war was over in Europe. The transition was Post War Norway decorated Nor- smooth in Norway as British military leaders GunnarSønsteby wegian war hero, © BY-SA 3.0 (license) landed and took control. Most Norwegians Developments in building Norway back awarded with the Photo by: Arnephoto heard the news on BBC radio broadcasted up progressed efficiently and quicker than (Wikimedia Commons) Norwegian War over loudspeakers in towns and cities across expected. The Norwegian people had suffered Cross with three swords. As a member the country. People were filled with joy! Finally from an economic and social brutalization. of the Norwegian Independent Com- Norwegians could wave their flag again, sing However, Norway was focused on rebuilding. pany, Sønsteby, a master of disguise, and dance, smile and laugh, and speak freely In 1945 Norway’s elected Einar never used the same hideout twice. He in public. Gerhardsen as Prime Minister. The country was was a leader of “the Oslo Gang” and focused on economic growth through heavy fought alongside Max Manus. Sønsteby Quisling claimed to be defending Norway and industry with an emphasis on transforming into led his own sabotage missions against he believed he could create a partnership with a welfare state. The people knew what it was the Germans and was code named the Norwegian resistance army. King Haakon’s like to have nothing and now they wanted a agent #24 and kjaken (the jaw). As response to Quisling was, “Hand yourself in, government that would support them in times Norway suffered from meager rations, or expect to be taken by force.” Quisling sur- of need. Aid from America helped significantly nearing the end of the war, Sønsteby rendered and was put on trial in Norway. He during and after the war through the Marshall organized the destruction of 75,000 was charged with , and theft Aid Plan. By the late 1940’s, Norway’s GDP ration books prepared by the Germans. and punished with the death penalty. He died, had exceeded pre-war heights. The country His brave war efforts will forever be still convinced he did nothing wrong saying, was persistent in neutrality in order to avoid remembered by the Norwegian people. any potential foreign conflicts. Trygve Lye “I know that the Norwegian people have would assure his people of this by becoming sentenced me to death, and that the easiest the first Secretary General of the United Na- The End is Near course for me would be to take my own life. tions. Norway joined NATO in 1949. But I want to let history reach its own verdict. Norwegians were suffering from meager ra- Believe me, in ten years’ time I will have be- Norway experienced constant growth and in tions and a lack of independence in their own come another Saint Olav.” –Vidkun Quisling, the 1960’s the oil age started. Oil and gas country. The Nazis were taking advantage of May 8, 1945 were discovered off Norway’s coastal waters the economy as 40% of Norway’s GDP was and hydroelectricity became more widespread. appropriated by the Germans. Norwegians Following the end of the war, people were ex- Today Norway is one of the richest countries were at a real risk of famine. They began cited and happy that the occupation was over. in the world. Oil and gas revenues have gone growing their own crops and raising livestock However, life would not be back to normal directly into a government pension fund which in their yards. Quisling was still under the immediately. Nazis were rounded up across supports the country’s welfare system. Because impression that he could control Norway and Europe and convicted of war crimes. Nearly of this, Norwegian citizens receive “cradle to lead the country to greatness. His actions 50,000 Norwegian traitors who pledged al- grave” benefits such as free healthcare and became delusional. He offered citizenship to legiance to the Norwegian National Socialist education. Norway has come a long way in re- 400,000 German troops in Norway and he Party were accused of treason. Norway needed building their country since WWII, and today: even offered up Norway has a fortress for the to rebuild their economy as did the rest of the Nazi’s last stand against the allies. But it was world. WWII had been the most expansive “Norway has been ranked the best country all too late. The German offenses were getting battle humankind had ever seen with over to live in by the Development taken over by the Russians on the Eastern front 50 countries involved. An estimated 50 mil- Programme (UNDP) several times during the and the British and Americans on the Western lion people lost their lives, including military past decade. In addition, the World Economic front. Berlin was crumbling and on April 30, personnel and innocent victims of war. Within Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report has 1945 Adolf Hitler committed suicide knowing Norway there were approximately 10,000 ranked Norway one of the world’s leading the end was near. men and women killed during the five year oc- countries in closing the gender gap between cupation. Around 700 Norwegian Jews were men and women.” – Norway.org, the official deported and killed in concentration camps. site in the United States The war had changed people.

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