1st Division (Norway)
Encyclopedia
The Norwegian 1st Division is a former unit in the Norwegian Army
, responsible for the defence of Eastern Norway along with 2nd Division.
Following the German invasion of Norway
in 1940 the Norwegian 1st Division, commanded by Major General
Carl Johan Erichsen, was responsible for defending the land areas on both side of the Oslofjord
against the invading troops. The division was not well prepared for the situation, the troops were not mobilized and the division's stores depots in Fredrikstad
were captured by the Germans already on 9 April. The 1st Division was responsible for the Fossum fortifications (Høytorp Fortress and Trøgstad Fortress) in Askim
and the Greåker Fortress in Sarpsborg
. The Germans started attacking on 12 April, and there were battles at bridges crossing Glomma
(Fossum Bridge
, Langenes Railway Bridge, and a bridge near Kykkelsrud Power Station). The Fossum fortresses were surrendered on 13 April. On 14 April a large number of troops in Østfold
, around 3,000 men, chose to cross the border to Sweden instead of fighting more or surrender to the German troops. At Kongsberg
two bataillons surrendered without fighting, while some officers and soldiers disagreed with the surrender and defended the Vinje district
for about one month.
Norwegian Army
Norway achieved full independence in 1905, and in the first century of its short life has contributed to two major conflicts, the Cold War and the War on Terror. The Norwegian Army currently operates in the north of Norway and in Afghanistan as well as in Eastern Europe. The Army is the oldest of...
, responsible for the defence of Eastern Norway along with 2nd Division.
Following the German invasion of Norway
Operation Weserübung
Operation Weserübung was the code name for Germany's assault on Denmark and Norway during the Second World War and the opening operation of the Norwegian Campaign...
in 1940 the Norwegian 1st Division, commanded by Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Carl Johan Erichsen, was responsible for defending the land areas on both side of the Oslofjord
Oslofjord
The Oslofjord is a bay in the south-east of Norway, stretching from an imaginary line between the Torbjørnskjær and Færder lighthouses and down to Langesund in the south to Oslo in the north....
against the invading troops. The division was not well prepared for the situation, the troops were not mobilized and the division's stores depots in Fredrikstad
Fredrikstad
is a city and municipality in Østfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Fredrikstad....
were captured by the Germans already on 9 April. The 1st Division was responsible for the Fossum fortifications (Høytorp Fortress and Trøgstad Fortress) in Askim
Askim
is a town and a municipality in Østfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Askim. Askim was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 ....
and the Greåker Fortress in Sarpsborg
Sarpsborg
is a city and municipality in Østfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Sarpsborg.Sarpsborg is part of the fifth largest urban area in Norway when paired with neighbouring Fredrikstad...
. The Germans started attacking on 12 April, and there were battles at bridges crossing Glomma
Glomma
The Glomma or Glåma is the longest and largest river in Norway. The long river has a drainage basin that covers a full 13% of Norway's area, all in the southern part of Norway.-Geography:...
(Fossum Bridge
Fossum Bridge
Fossum Bridge is a road bridge in Askim, Norway, crossing the river Glomma. The old wooden bridge, an arch bridge with two spans, opened in 1856. The bridge was partly destroyed in a battle in 1940. The current bridge dates from 1961, and is a suspension bridge with a main span of 125 metres....
, Langenes Railway Bridge, and a bridge near Kykkelsrud Power Station). The Fossum fortresses were surrendered on 13 April. On 14 April a large number of troops in Østfold
Østfold
is a county in southeastern Norway, bordering Akershus and southwestern Sweden , while Buskerud and Vestfold is on the other side of the bay. The seat of the county administration is Sarpsborg, and Fredrikstad is the largest city.Many manufacturing facilities are situated here. Moss and...
, around 3,000 men, chose to cross the border to Sweden instead of fighting more or surrender to the German troops. At Kongsberg
Kongsberg
is a town and municipality in Buskerud county, Norway. It is located at the southern end of the traditional region of Numedal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Kongsberg....
two bataillons surrendered without fighting, while some officers and soldiers disagreed with the surrender and defended the Vinje district
Battle of Vinjesvingen
The Battle of Vinjesvingen took place in May 1940 in Telemark county, Norway. It became one of the two last strongholds of Norwegian resistance in southern Norway during World War II, alongside the struggle of Hegra Fortress. Vinjesvingen was a battle in the Norwegian Campaign.-Before the...
for about one month.
External links
- http://orbat.com/site/ww2/drleo/022_norway/no_army-01.htm - Order of Battle