Norwegian police troops in Sweden during World War II
Encyclopedia
The Norwegian police troops in Sweden during World War II
consisted of around 13,000 troops, recruited from Norwegian refugees and trained at a number of secret camps in Sweden.
many Norwegians fled to Sweden to escape from the occupiers. Nearly 50,000 registered refugees arrived in Sweden during the war years. In 1942 head of the Swedish National Laboratory of Forensic Science, Harry Söderman
, made a visit to London, where he met the exiled Norwegian Minister of Justice
Terje Wold
. Wold asked Söderman about the possibilities for educating Norwegian policemen in Sweden. Söderman himself was positive, but due to Sweden's neutrality policy such a task was not possible in 1942. In February 1943, when the number of Norwegian refugees had steadily increased, there was a contact between Söderman and Olav Svendsen, head of the legal office at the Norwegian legation in Stockholm
, and the two then agreed on a plan to start a course for education of fifty Norwegian policemen. These policemen should support the expected legal investigations needed after the war. Svendsen was responsible for getting funding from the Norwegian exile government in London, while Söderman got a go from the Swedish Minister of Social Affairs Gustav Möller
.
, who had organized "health camps" were the refugees were classified, and Ole Berg
, military attaché
at the Norwegian legation. Funding and other details were discussed by the Norwegian government-in-exile in London.
The Swedish Government was not officially informed of the plans for education of Norwegian police troops until 2 November 1943, although Minister Möller had been involved in the preparations. On 3 December 1943 the Swedish Government officially allowed the education of 8,000 reserve troops and 1,500 ordinary police troops. The education should take place in separate camps, and the maximum number of troops in each camp was limited to 500, excluding administration and catering staff. Shooting practice was allowed in four camps, and weapons should be available for one third of the troops. The duration of the education was limited to three months. Harry Söderman was appointed as responsible for the education of Norwegian police troops.
, Bäckehagen, Färnabruk and Älgberget. A number of other camps were established at various locations for the education of reserve troops. The original list included the farm Toresta, Mauritzberg Castle, Öreryd and Mossebo, Stråtenbo Manor, Tofta, Tappudden, Skålmyra and Holmarudden. Education of ordinary police troops continued at Gottröra
. A camp for Danish police troops was located in Sofielund.
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...
consisted of around 13,000 troops, recruited from Norwegian refugees and trained at a number of secret camps in Sweden.
Background
During the occupation of Norway by Nazi GermanyOccupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
The occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany started with the German invasion of Norway on April 9, 1940, and ended on May 8, 1945, after the capitulation of German forces in Europe. Throughout this period, Norway was continuously occupied by the Wehrmacht...
many Norwegians fled to Sweden to escape from the occupiers. Nearly 50,000 registered refugees arrived in Sweden during the war years. In 1942 head of the Swedish National Laboratory of Forensic Science, Harry Söderman
Harry Söderman
Harry Söderman was a Swedish police officer and criminalist.He was a pioneer of modern criminology in Scandinavia, and the first head of the National Laboratory of Forensic Science in Sweden between 1939 and 1953.-Personal life:...
, made a visit to London, where he met the exiled Norwegian Minister of Justice
Minister of Justice and the Police (Norway)
In Norway, the Minister of Justice and the Police is the head of the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police and a member of Government of Norway. Current minister is Grete Faremo of the Norwegian Labour Party who is part of the second cabinet Stoltenberg...
Terje Wold
Terje Wold
Terje Wold was a Norwegian judge and politician for the Labour Party.Terje Wold was born in Evenes. He graduated as cand.jur. in 1921. He worked as a jurist, becoming a Supreme Court Justice of Norway in 1950. From 1958 to 1969 he was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court...
. Wold asked Söderman about the possibilities for educating Norwegian policemen in Sweden. Söderman himself was positive, but due to Sweden's neutrality policy such a task was not possible in 1942. In February 1943, when the number of Norwegian refugees had steadily increased, there was a contact between Söderman and Olav Svendsen, head of the legal office at the Norwegian legation in Stockholm
Norwegian legation in Stockholm
The Norwegian Legation in Stockholm played a significant role during the Second World War. Until 9 April 1940 the legation consisted of four persons, and at the end of the war about 1,100 persons were connected to the legation. Refugee cases were among the legation's most central tasks...
, and the two then agreed on a plan to start a course for education of fifty Norwegian policemen. These policemen should support the expected legal investigations needed after the war. Svendsen was responsible for getting funding from the Norwegian exile government in London, while Söderman got a go from the Swedish Minister of Social Affairs Gustav Möller
Gustav Möller
Gustav Möller was a prominent Swedish Social democratic politician, credited as the father of the social security system and the Welfare state, called Folkhemmet...
.
The first courses
The first course for 20 policemen started in Stockholm 1 July 1943, and further courses were held over time. The goal was to educate policemen who could participate in the legal purge in Norway after the war. Another course was held at the manor Johannesberg, north of Stockholm, for education of uniformed police. Around 1,500 men were educated here, and their education included use of weapons and military training. Among the driving forces in the planning phase were, in addition to Söderman, surgeon Carl SembCarl Semb
Carl Semb was an internationally renowned Norwegian surgeon and professor at the University of Oslo.-Biography:...
, who had organized "health camps" were the refugees were classified, and Ole Berg
Ole Berg
Ole 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...
, military attaché
Military attaché
A military attaché is a military expert who is attached to a diplomatic mission . This post is normally filled by a high-ranking military officer who retains the commission while serving in an embassy...
at the Norwegian legation. Funding and other details were discussed by the Norwegian government-in-exile in London.
The Swedish Government was not officially informed of the plans for education of Norwegian police troops until 2 November 1943, although Minister Möller had been involved in the preparations. On 3 December 1943 the Swedish Government officially allowed the education of 8,000 reserve troops and 1,500 ordinary police troops. The education should take place in separate camps, and the maximum number of troops in each camp was limited to 500, excluding administration and catering staff. Shooting practice was allowed in four camps, and weapons should be available for one third of the troops. The duration of the education was limited to three months. Harry Söderman was appointed as responsible for the education of Norwegian police troops.
Camps
The Swedish government allowed only four camps for shooting practice. These were MälsåkerMälsåker Castle
Mälsåker Castle is a castle in Sweden.From 1943 to 1945, the castle was owned by the Norwegian legation in Stockholm and the premises were used in the education of Norwegian police troops.-See also:*List of castles in Sweden...
, Bäckehagen, Färnabruk and Älgberget. A number of other camps were established at various locations for the education of reserve troops. The original list included the farm Toresta, Mauritzberg Castle, Öreryd and Mossebo, Stråtenbo Manor, Tofta, Tappudden, Skålmyra and Holmarudden. Education of ordinary police troops continued at Gottröra
Gottröra
Gottröra is a village in Norrtälje Municipality in the province of Uppland, Sweden. Several hundred ancient monuments are registered in Gottröra.In 1991 the Scandinavian Airlines Flight 751 had to make an emergency landing near Gottröra.-References:...
. A camp for Danish police troops was located in Sofielund.