Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany

Starting with the invasion of April 9, 1940, Norway was under military occupation of German forces and civil rule of a German commissioner in collaboration with a Norwegian fascist government. The occupation ended May 10, 1945, after the capitulation of German forces in Europe.

The nature of the occupation

Vidkun Quisling, the leader of the Norwegian Nazi party known as Nasjonal Samling (National Gathering) had prior to the invasion tried to persuade Adolf Hitler that he would form a government in support of occupying Germans. Although Hitler was unreceptive to the idea, and Quisling's attempt to announce his ascension to power failed, the Nazis allowed him to early assume nominal leadership of the Nazi government in Norway.

Related Topics:
Vidkun Quisling - Nasjonal Samling - Adolf Hitler

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Military forces such as the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe remained under direct command from Germany during war years, but all other authority was vested in Reichskommisar Josef Terboven. He attempted to negotiate an arrangement with the remaining members of the Norwegian parliament that would give a Nazi cabinet the semblance of legitimacy, but these talks failed. After this, Quisling was instituted as head of state, though Terboven held the sole means to use violence as a political tool.

Related Topics:
Wehrmacht - Luftwaffe - Josef Terboven

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Quisling believed that by ensuring economic stability and mediating between the Norwegian civilian society and the German occupiers, his party would gradually win the trust and confidence of the Norwegian population. Nasjonal Samling did see a surge in membership in the first few years of the occupation, but the membership never reached significant levels and eroded in the latter years of the war.

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The Nazi authorities made attempts to enact legislation that supported its actions and policies, but they banned all political parties except NS, appointed local leaders top down, and forced labor unions and other organizations to accept NS leaders.

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Although there was much resistance against most of the Nazi government's policies, there was considerable cooperation in ensuring economic activity and social welfare programs.

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Norway was the most heavily fortified country during the war, several hundred thousand German soldiers were stationed in Norway, in a ratio of one German soldier for every 8 Norwegians. Most German soldiers considered themselves fortunate to be in Norway, at least in comparison with combat duty on the Eastern front.

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