Eiliv Austlid
Encyclopedia
Eiliv Austlid was a Norwegian
farmer and army officer who played a pivotal role in assuring the escape of the Norwegian government during the German
invasion in 1940. Killed in action, he was discredited during and following the war, but his record was restored as a result of a series of articles in the newspaper Dagningen
. In 2010, he received posthumously the War Cross with Sword, Norway's highest military decoration
for valor.
principal from Gausdal
. After completing examen artium
and Non-commissioned officer
education, he enrolled and completed the higher division at the Norwegian Military Academy in 1923, followed by the winter warfare division in 1923-24. In 1924 he purchased the farm Såstad Søndre in Stange. He served as an aviator scout in the Norwegian army and received infantry
training. He was promoted to captain in 1938.
of Norway on April 9, 1940, the Norwegian government fled north to avoid German capture. At Dovre was the crossroads between the route to Åndalsnes
on the coast and the main north-south route between Oslo
and Trondheim
.
When the German invasion became known on April 9th, Austlid was a reserve officer whose mobilization point was at Madlamoen (now KNM Harald Haarfagre) in Stavanger
. Cut off by the invasion from reaching this base, he instead reported at Terningmoen
, where he was assigned a reduced infantry company
consisting of reserve soldiers. Stationed in Hamar
, he received orders a few days later to lead his troops north on a "special mission" for the Norwegian cabinet.
Once his unit had caught up with cabinet's convoy
near Fåvang
, he learned that their mission was to form the vanguard
for the advancing convoy as it proceeded north through Gudbrandsdalen. Arriving just short of Hagevollen, situated between the villages of Dovre and Dombås
, a German
position was discovered ahead. In keeping with military practices of the time, Austlid advised that an infantry reconnaissance
squad move ahead while the convoy waited. Trygve Lie
, who at the time was Minister of Provisioning
, dismissed this course of action and ordered Austlid to make a frontal attack on the position. Austlid accepted the order but mentioned to a subordinate that such mission amounted to suicide
.
Meanwhile, Norwegian forces had engaged the German position with machine gun
fire, which was returned with precise sniper
fire. Two Norwegian soldiers were killed. Under cover of machine gun fire, Austlid and six volunteers ran 90 meters across open terrain under machine gun cover. At 50 meters' range from the German positions, Austlid ordered his men to mount bayonet
s. He was himself only armed with a handgun. As they stormed up the hill toward their objective, Austlid was shot in the chest and apparently died on the spot. The assault disintegrated after that, and the convoy made a disorderly retreat southwards. Nevertheless, it was clear that Austlid's operation has secured the convoy's progress and was therefore a tactical success.
wrote in his memoirs that Austlid and his men had walked unawares into a German ambush, and that his actions were hasty and reckless. Lie "washed his hands" of the matter and argued rhetorically that "what could we civilians do." In an authoritative war history written by Otto Munthe-Kaas repeated this version of events, though Munthe-Kaas called for a further investigation of the matter "in fairness to Austlid and his boys."
An article series by Minda Flattum in the Norwegian regional newspaper Dagningen showed discrepancies between the official version, as reflected in Trygve Lie's memoirs, and eyewitness reports. Austlid's son Bjørnar Austlid conducted a private investigation by finding his father's brother in arms and other witnesses and found that previous accounts of combat operations had been factually misleading and libelous of captain Austlid.
An article in the journals of the historical association at Stange, the efforts of retired colonel Ulmar Wollan, and the interest of minister of defense Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen
led to the restoration of Austlid's reputation. It became clear that while Trygve Lie clearly did not have the command authority he sought to impose on Austlid, Austlid nevertheless made an assault characterized by competence and courage.
On March 24th, 2010, prime minister Jens Stoltenberg
attended the posthumous award of the War Cross with Sword to Eiliv Austlid, represented by three of his children. This was the first time in 60 years that the medal has been awarded.
The site of Austlid's assault is visible from European route E6
north of Dovre at 62.032°N 9.1689°E
On April 15th, 2010, on the 70th anniversary of Austlid's death, Stange historielag (Stange historical association) published a book about Austlid's contributions, how his reputation was mistreated by historians, bureaucratic obstacles to restoring it, and how individuals succeeded in ascertaining the true facts.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
farmer and army officer who played a pivotal role in assuring the escape of the Norwegian government during the German
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
invasion in 1940. Killed in action, he was discredited during and following the war, but his record was restored as a result of a series of articles in the newspaper Dagningen
Dagningen
Dagningen was a Norwegian newspaper, published in Lillehammer in Oppland county.It was started in 1924 and was affiliated with the Labour Party. In 1997 it merged with Gudbrandsdølen Lillehammer Tilskuer—itself a 1990 merger between Gudbrandsdølen and Lillehammer Tilskuer—to form...
. In 2010, he received posthumously the War Cross with Sword, Norway's highest military decoration
Military decoration
A military decoration is a decoration given to military personnel or units for heroism in battle or distinguished service. They are designed to be worn on military uniform....
for valor.
Biography
Austlid's father was a folk high schoolFolk high school
Folk high schools are institutions for adult education that generally do not grant academic degrees, though certain courses might exist leading to that goal...
principal from Gausdal
Gausdal
Gausdal is a municipality in Oppland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Gudbrandsdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Segalstad bru...
. After completing examen artium
Examen artium
Examen artium was the name of the academic certification conferred in Denmark and Norway, qualifying the student for admission to university studies. Examen artium was originally introduced as the entrance exam of the University of Copenhagen in 1630...
and Non-commissioned officer
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
education, he enrolled and completed the higher division at the Norwegian Military Academy in 1923, followed by the winter warfare division in 1923-24. In 1924 he purchased the farm Såstad Søndre in Stange. He served as an aviator scout in the Norwegian army and received infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
training. He was promoted to captain in 1938.
Battle at Hagevollen
Following the invasionOperation 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...
of Norway on April 9, 1940, the Norwegian government fled north to avoid German capture. At Dovre was the crossroads between the route to Åndalsnes
Åndalsnes
is a town in the municipality of Rauma in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. Åndalsnes is the administrative center of Rauma. The town has a population of 2,207...
on the coast and the main north-south route between Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
and Trondheim
Trondheim
Trondheim , historically, Nidaros and Trondhjem, is a city and municipality in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. With a population of 173,486, it is the third most populous municipality and city in the country, although the fourth largest metropolitan area. It is the administrative centre of...
.
When the German invasion became known on April 9th, Austlid was a reserve officer whose mobilization point was at Madlamoen (now KNM Harald Haarfagre) in Stavanger
Stavanger
Stavanger is a city and municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway.Stavanger municipality has a population of 126,469. There are 197,852 people living in the Stavanger conurbation, making Stavanger the fourth largest city, but the third largest urban area, in Norway...
. Cut off by the invasion from reaching this base, he instead reported at Terningmoen
Terningmoen
Terningmoen is a military camp in Elverum in Norway.The base trains and contains parts of the Norwegian army such as:* His Majesty the Kings's Guard...
, where he was assigned a reduced infantry company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
consisting of reserve soldiers. Stationed in Hamar
Hamar
is a town and municipality in Hedmark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Hedmarken. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Hamar. The municipality of Hamar was separated from Vang as a town and municipality of its own in 1849...
, he received orders a few days later to lead his troops north on a "special mission" for the Norwegian cabinet.
Once his unit had caught up with cabinet's convoy
Convoy
A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support, though it may also be used in a non-military sense, for example when driving through remote areas.-Age of Sail:Naval...
near Fåvang
Fåvang
Fåvang is a village and parish in the municipality of Ringebu, in Oppland county, Norway.-History:Fåvang is located in south of the valley and traditional district of Gudbrandsdalen, 51 kilometers north of Lillehammer...
, he learned that their mission was to form the vanguard
Vanguard (military tactics)
The vanguard is the leading part of an advancing military formation. It has a number of functions, including seeking out the enemy and securing ground in advance of the main force.- Medieval origins :...
for the advancing convoy as it proceeded north through Gudbrandsdalen. Arriving just short of Hagevollen, situated between the villages of Dovre and Dombås
Dombås
The village of lies in the Dovre municipality and serves as an administrative center in the upper Gudbrandsdal, Norway. It lies at an important junction of roads: south leading to the current capital of Norway, Oslo, west via Lesja leading to Åndalsnes on the sea and north to the old capital,...
, a German
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
position was discovered ahead. In keeping with military practices of the time, Austlid advised that an infantry reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
squad move ahead while the convoy waited. Trygve Lie
Trygve Lie
Trygve Halvdan Lie was a Norwegian politician, labour leader, government official and author. He served as Norwegian Foreign minister during the critical years of the Norwegian government in exile in London from 1940 to 1945. From 1946 to 1952 he was the first Secretary-General of the United...
, who at the time was Minister of Provisioning
Norwegian Ministry of Provisioning and Reconstruction
The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Provisioning and Reconstruction was a Norwegian ministry that existed from 1939 to 1950.It was established on 1 October 1939 as the Ministry of Provisioning, though having no relation to the Ministry of Provisioning which existed from 1916 to 1922. The name was...
, dismissed this course of action and ordered Austlid to make a frontal attack on the position. Austlid accepted the order but mentioned to a subordinate that such mission amounted to suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
.
Meanwhile, Norwegian forces had engaged the German position with machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
fire, which was returned with precise sniper
Sniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
fire. Two Norwegian soldiers were killed. Under cover of machine gun fire, Austlid and six volunteers ran 90 meters across open terrain under machine gun cover. At 50 meters' range from the German positions, Austlid ordered his men to mount bayonet
Bayonet
A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
s. He was himself only armed with a handgun. As they stormed up the hill toward their objective, Austlid was shot in the chest and apparently died on the spot. The assault disintegrated after that, and the convoy made a disorderly retreat southwards. Nevertheless, it was clear that Austlid's operation has secured the convoy's progress and was therefore a tactical success.
Aftermath
After the war, the aforementioned Trygve LieTrygve Lie
Trygve Halvdan Lie was a Norwegian politician, labour leader, government official and author. He served as Norwegian Foreign minister during the critical years of the Norwegian government in exile in London from 1940 to 1945. From 1946 to 1952 he was the first Secretary-General of the United...
wrote in his memoirs that Austlid and his men had walked unawares into a German ambush, and that his actions were hasty and reckless. Lie "washed his hands" of the matter and argued rhetorically that "what could we civilians do." In an authoritative war history written by Otto Munthe-Kaas repeated this version of events, though Munthe-Kaas called for a further investigation of the matter "in fairness to Austlid and his boys."
An article series by Minda Flattum in the Norwegian regional newspaper Dagningen showed discrepancies between the official version, as reflected in Trygve Lie's memoirs, and eyewitness reports. Austlid's son Bjørnar Austlid conducted a private investigation by finding his father's brother in arms and other witnesses and found that previous accounts of combat operations had been factually misleading and libelous of captain Austlid.
An article in the journals of the historical association at Stange, the efforts of retired colonel Ulmar Wollan, and the interest of minister of defense Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen
Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen
Anne-Grete Hjelle Strøm-Erichsen is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party.She was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Hordaland in 2005....
led to the restoration of Austlid's reputation. It became clear that while Trygve Lie clearly did not have the command authority he sought to impose on Austlid, Austlid nevertheless made an assault characterized by competence and courage.
On March 24th, 2010, prime minister Jens Stoltenberg
Jens Stoltenberg
is a Norwegian politician, leader of the Norwegian Labour Party and the current Prime Minister of Norway. Having assumed office on 17 October 2005, Stoltenberg previously served as Prime Minister from 2000 to 2001....
attended the posthumous award of the War Cross with Sword to Eiliv Austlid, represented by three of his children. This was the first time in 60 years that the medal has been awarded.
The site of Austlid's assault is visible from European route E6
European route E6
European route E 6 is the designation for the main north-south road in Norway, and the west coast of Sweden, running from the southern tip of Sweden, at Trelleborg, into Norway and through almost all of the country north to Finnmark. The route ends close to the Norwegian border with Russia...
north of Dovre at 62.032°N 9.1689°E
On April 15th, 2010, on the 70th anniversary of Austlid's death, Stange historielag (Stange historical association) published a book about Austlid's contributions, how his reputation was mistreated by historians, bureaucratic obstacles to restoring it, and how individuals succeeded in ascertaining the true facts.