Milorg
Encyclopedia
Milorg was the main Norwegian resistance movement
in World War II
.
Resistance
work included intelligence
gathering, sabotage
, supply-missions, raids, espionage
, transport of goods imported to the country, release of Norwegian prisoners and escort for citizens fleeing the border to neutral Sweden
.
Following the German occupation in April 1940, Milorg was formed in May 1941 as a way of organizing the various groups that wanted to participate in an internal military resistance. At first, Milorg was not well coordinated with the Special Operations Executive
(SOE), the British organization to plan and lead resistance in occupied countries. In November 1941 the Milorg became integrated with the High Command of the Norwegian government in exile in London, answering to Department FO. IV, which dealt with sabotage operations, but its British counterpart, SOE, was still operating independently. This lack of coordination led to a number of tragic incidents, creating bitterness within Milorg. SOE changed its policy at the end of 1942, and from then on Milorg and SOE efforts were coordinated.
Milorg was organised into a council and 14 districts. District 13 was the Oslo
region.
Mainly for fear of retaliation, like the Telavåg
tragedy, Milorg kept a low profile at first. But they became more active as the war progressed, especially when Jens Christian Hauge
became leader of Milorg.
At the time of the German capitulation on 8 May 1945, Milorg had been able to train and supply 40,000 soldiers. They also played an important part in stabilizing the country at this crucial point.
Resistance movement
A resistance movement is a group or collection of individual groups, dedicated to opposing an invader in an occupied country or the government of a sovereign state. It may seek to achieve its objects through either the use of nonviolent resistance or the use of armed force...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Resistance
Resistance during World War II
Resistance movements during World War II occurred in every occupied country by a variety of means, ranging from non-cooperation, disinformation and propaganda to hiding crashed pilots and even to outright warfare and the recapturing of towns...
work included intelligence
Intelligence (information gathering)
Intelligence assessment is the development of forecasts of behaviour or recommended courses of action to the leadership of an organization, based on a wide range of available information sources both overt and covert. Assessments are developed in response to requirements declared by the leadership...
gathering, sabotage
Sabotage
Sabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening another entity through subversion, obstruction, disruption, or destruction. In a workplace setting, sabotage is the conscious withdrawal of efficiency generally directed at causing some change in workplace conditions. One who engages in sabotage is...
, supply-missions, raids, espionage
Espionage
Espionage or spying involves an individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, lest the legitimate holder of the information change plans or take other countermeasures once it...
, transport of goods imported to the country, release of Norwegian prisoners and escort for citizens fleeing the border to neutral Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
.
Following the German occupation in April 1940, Milorg was formed in May 1941 as a way of organizing the various groups that wanted to participate in an internal military resistance. At first, Milorg was not well coordinated with the Special Operations Executive
Special Operations Executive
The Special Operations Executive was a World War II organisation of the United Kingdom. It was officially formed by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Minister of Economic Warfare Hugh Dalton on 22 July 1940, to conduct guerrilla warfare against the Axis powers and to instruct and aid local...
(SOE), the British organization to plan and lead resistance in occupied countries. In November 1941 the Milorg became integrated with the High Command of the Norwegian government in exile in London, answering to Department FO. IV, which dealt with sabotage operations, but its British counterpart, SOE, was still operating independently. This lack of coordination led to a number of tragic incidents, creating bitterness within Milorg. SOE changed its policy at the end of 1942, and from then on Milorg and SOE efforts were coordinated.
Milorg was organised into a council and 14 districts. District 13 was the 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...
region.
Mainly for fear of retaliation, like the Telavåg
Telavåg
Telavåg is a small village in the municipality of Sund, located 39 km south west of Bergen, Norway, with a population of about 600.-Telavåg tragedy:...
tragedy, Milorg kept a low profile at first. But they became more active as the war progressed, especially when Jens Christian Hauge
Jens Christian Hauge
Jens Christian Hauge , often written Jens Chr. Hauge, was a Norwegian World War II resistance figure and politician who was the leader of the secret military organization Milorg during WWII...
became leader of Milorg.
At the time of the German capitulation on 8 May 1945, Milorg had been able to train and supply 40,000 soldiers. They also played an important part in stabilizing the country at this crucial point.
Members
- Knut Møyen
- Ole BergOle BergOle Berg was a Norwegian military officer. He participated in the defence during the German invasion of Norway in 1940.He built up the Norwegian police forces in Sweden from 1943 to 1945. He served as Chief of Defence of Norway from 1946 to 1955.In 1947 he was awarded the title of Commander with...
- Lorentz Brinch
- Jens Christian HaugeJens Christian HaugeJens Christian Hauge , often written Jens Chr. Hauge, was a Norwegian World War II resistance figure and politician who was the leader of the secret military organization Milorg during WWII...
- Arnold RørholtArnold RørholtArnold Rørholt was a Norwegian military officer, known as a resistance member during World War II. He was also the secretary-general of the Royal Norwegian Automobile Club for many years.-Career:...
- Hjalmar SteenstrupHjalmar SteenstrupHjalmar Steenstrup was a Norwegian insurance agent, and Milorg pioneer and intelligence agent during World War II.-Personal life:...
- Arne LaudalArne LaudalArne Laudal was a Norwegian military officer, Milorg pioneer and resistance fighter during World War II. He was arrested by the Germans, sentenced to death and executed.-Early life and career:...