- Norwegian Independent Company 1
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Norway and World War II
Key events: Weserübung – Norwegian Campaign – Elverum Authorization – Midtskogen – Vinjesvingen – Occupation · Resistance – Camps · Holocaust · Telavåg – Martial law in Trondheim (1942) – Festung Norwegen – Heavy water sabotage – Post-war purge
People: Haakon VII – Crown Prince Olav – Johan Nygaardsvold – Halvdan Koht – C. J. Hambro – Carl Gustav Fleischer · Otto Ruge – Jens Christian Hauge – Gunnar Sønsteby – Vidkun Quisling – Jonas Lie – Sverre Riisnæs – Josef Terboven – Wilhelm Rediess – Henry Rinnan – Nikolaus von Falkenhorst
Organizations: Milorg – XU – Linge – Osvald Group – Nortraship – Nasjonal SamlingNorwegian Independent Company 1 (NOR.I.C.1, pronounced as Norisén in Norwegian) was a British SOE group formed in March 1941 originally for the purpose of performing commando raids during the Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany. It was organized under the leadership of Captain Martin Linge. It soon became a pool of talent for a variety of special operations in Norway.[1]
Contents
History
The original English administrative title did not have much resonance in Norwegian and they soon became better known as Kompani Linge (Linge's Company). Martin Linge's death early in the war came to enhance the title, which became formalised as Lingekompaniet in his honor.
Their initial raids in 1941 were to Lofoten (Operation Claymore) and Måløy (Operation Archery), where Martin Linge was killed. Their best known raids were probably the Norwegian heavy water sabotage. Other raids included the Thamshavnbanen sabotage. In the capital area, the Oslogjengen carried out several sabotage missions. In cooperation with Milorg, the Norwegian resistance organisation, communication lines with London were gradually improved during the war, so that by 1945, 64 radio operators were spread throughout Norway.[2]
According to Mitt liv, the autobiography of Max Manus (1995. N.W. Damm), the Linge Company was for a time counted amongst the most decorated military forces in the United Kingdom during World War II. The veterans from the company were also amongst the first to welcome King Haakon home. A total of 530 Norwegians served in NOR.I.C.1, of whom 57 lost their lives.
Members
- Alf Aakre
- Jan Allan
- Johannes S. Andersen
- Odd Andersen
- Svein Blindheim
- Jan Baalsrud
- Erik Gjems-Onstad
- Gregers Gram
- Evald Hansen
- Nils Uhlin Hansen
- Knut Haugland
- Knut Haukelid
- Claus Helberg
- Kasper Idland
- Fredrik Kayser
- Arne Kjelstrup
- Jan Baalsrud
- Jan Herman Linge
- Martin Linge
- Max Manus
- Alf Malland
- Martin Olsen
- Herluf Nygaard
- Arthur Pevik
- Johnny Pevik
- Jens-Anton Poulsson
- Birger Rasmussen
- Joachim Rønneberg
- Einar Skinnarland
- Ingebjørg Skoghaug
- Odd Starheim
- Inge Steensland
- Hans Storhaug
- Eskil Stuve
- Gunnar Sønsteby
- Edvard Tallaksen
- Anton Telnes
- Ragnar Ulstein
- Knut Wigert
- Karl Johan Aarsæther
- Knut Aarsæther
- Olav Aarsæther
Operation Seagull agents
- Cpl. Sverre Granlund - had also served as a commando during Operation Musketoon
- Sgt. Thorlief Daniel Grong
- Lt. Per Getz
- Pte. Eivind Dahl Eriksen
- Pte. Hans Rohde Hansen
- Tobias Skog
Telavåg agents
- Emil Gustav Hvaal (codename Anchor)
- Arne Vaerum (codename Penguin)
References
Sources
- Jensen, Erling; Ratvik, Per; Ulstein, Ragnar (1995) Kompani Linge (Oslo: LibriArte) ISBN 82-445-0057-3
- Manus, Max (1995) Mitt liv (N.W. Damm) ISBN 978-8251793995
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