Milorg
Milorg (an acronym from mil itær org anisasjon, Norwegian for "military organization") was the largest Norwegian resistance group during World War II .
The resistance activities included secret meetings, sabotage, replenishment operations, robberies, espionage, the transport of imported goods, the release of Norwegian prisoners and the escort of citizens who wanted to flee across the border into neutral Sweden .
After the German occupation of Norway in April 1940, Milorg was founded in May 1941 in order to bundle the individual resistance groups into a military resistance organization. At first, Milorg was not coordinated with the British Special Operations Executive (SOE), which founded or supported resistance groups in occupied countries. In November 1941 Milorg was integrated into the high command of the Norwegian government- in- exile in London , where she worked with the FO. IV worked together to plan and carry out acts of sabotage; the British counterpart SOE was still working independently. This lack of coordination resulted in some tragic incidents and bitterness among the Milorgs. At the end of 1942 the SOE changed its strategy , since then the efforts of the Milorg and the SOE have been coordinated.
Milorg was divided into a council (norw. "Rådet") and 14 districts (norw. "Distrikter"); Oslo was District 13.
Mainly out of fear of reprisals like the Telavåg massacre , the Milorg initially held back. However, as the war progressed, it became more active, especially after Jens Christian Hauge became the leader.
By the time the German surrendered on May 8, 1945, Milorg was able to train and deploy 40,000 soldiers. It stabilized Norway at this critical time .
Known members
- Ole Berg
- Lorentz Brinch
- Jens Christian Hauge
- Oliver H. Langeland
- Terje Rollem
- Arnold Rorholt
- Hjalmar Steenstrup
