Freiwilligen Legion Norwegen

In 1933, a Norwegian pro-Nazi party was instituted by Vidkun Quisling and was called the "NASJONAL SAMLING" (National Unity).
In April 1940, Germany invaded the Norwegian coastlines because Hitler feared that the British fleet would invade Norway's vital strategic seaports and take control of its natural iron resources. During the German occupation of Norway, the pro-Nazi Party under Quisling's leadership actively supported the Germans.

There was a Norwegian interest in forming an expeditionary force to fight along side the Finnish against the Soviets. With German support represented by Reichskommissar Josef Terboven, the pro-nazi party called for a meeting of four high officials of the Norwegian Army to create a legion. A massive recruiting rally was held on the University Square in Oslo on 4 July 1941.

The Norwegian Government intended to form a full regiment of two battalions but due to strict admissions standards and brief six terms of enlistment only one battalion was realized. They were to be titled "Gula" and "Frosta" (later the named for the 1st battalion was changed to VIKEN, the other battalion was never formed).
The Legion was sent to Bjolsen Skole camp in Norway where uniforms were received. The Legionnaires were surprised to receive German SS uniforms since they had expected to wear Norwegian or Finnish uniforms.

The only difference was the Norwegian National Flag sleeve patch worn on the SS uniforms. Members of the Nasjonal Samling and its para-military arm "Hird" were allowed to wear their emblem, a circular St Olaf's Cross with upright swords in silver and black as a sleeve patch. In addition a cuff title bearing the Legion�s name was issued. A standard Legion collar patch (right collar only) displaying a Norwegian lion holding an axed was used.

On 29 July 1941 the first 300 Norwegian volunteers arrived in Kiel, Germany, and were sent to Fallingbostel Training Camp. By August 1941 the total number of recruits had grown to over 700. By the end of 1941, it had the strength of 1218 men with an additional reserve battalion provided for replacement. The officers were sent to Lauenburg training camp.

The Legion was officially named "Den Norske Legion" (The Norwegian Legion). The Legion was commanded respectfully by Major Jorgen Bakke and Major Finn Kjelstrup (both ex-Norwegian Officers) however both officers resigned in early December 1941. In December 1941, after completing six months enlistment, Legionnaires re-enlisted for another six months. Originally the plan was to have them serve in the Finnish sector of the Eastern Front but because of the critical situations elsewhere in Russia, the Legion was train to the Leningrad Front.

This Legion had no contacts with their compatriots in the WIKING Division who were considered full Waffen-SS cadre personnel. In February 1942, the Legion under the Command of Sturmbannführer Arthur Quist was sent to the quietest sector near Leningrad front to support the 2nd SS (motorized) Infantry-Brigade and 250th Spanish Blue Division. The 2nd SS Brigade was an international unit, which included Dutch, Flemish and Latvians. In Norway the recruitment continued unabated. In April 1942, the effective strength of the Legion amounted to 1150 men with another 150 on reserve.
By May 1942, the entire Legion, having taken almost half in casualties over the previous three months, was relocated to Konstantinovka for refitting. In July the losses combined with earlier casualties and six months enlistment caused a manpower shortage in the Legion.
In August 1942, the Legion was reinforced with 200 new recruits, in addition, another 93 men contingent arrived from the 1st Norwegian Police Company. By the end of December 1942, the Legion's strength drop to 20 officers and 678 other ranks. On 1 March 1943, the Legion including the 1st Police Company was withdrawn from the Front lines and sent to Norway on home leave. In May 1943, about 600 veterans were sent to the Grafenwohr training camp in Germany where the III SS Panzer Corps was being formed. Here in the Grafenwohr training camp, the Legion was disbanded and the Norwegian volunteers were offered to re-enlist in the new "23. SS Panzer-Grenadier Regiment Norge," (23rd SS Panzer-Grenadier Regiment Norway).

Norwegian Postal History

Postal History: In 1941, the Norwegian government made an agreement with Germany that mail sent by Norwegian volunteers in the German forces had free Feldpost services. Postal rates of 20Rpf was charged for packages sent from Germany weighing 250gms to 1000gms, and 35Ore fee for those posted in Norway. Feldpost mail from units with open addresses were required to add the "Portofreie Dienstsache" notation, even when dispatching mail through Feldpost offices. All mail was censored.

Feldpost numbers assigned to the Norwegian Legion

The Norwegian Legion (1941-1943) was assigned the following Feldpost numbers for the Viken Battalion.

Norwegian Legion Feldpost

Norwegian Legion Feldpost

The Norwegian Legion SS-Feldpost cover shown above was mailed by a Norwegian War Correspondent.

SS Skijaeger Battaillon Norge

During the summer of 1941, the SS Norwegian Volunteer Ski Company with 120 men was formed in Finland. In September 1942, this company was sent to the SS Training camp in Sennheim, Alsace, in care of a Finnish SS-Hauptsturmführer. The NCOs and officers went to various SS Training schools in Germany.

In February 1943, after intensive infantry training, the ski company was sent by train to Danzig where it was joined by the NCOs and officers. The company was placed under the command of Obersturmführer Gust Jonassen, who was the founder of the ski company. The Ski Company was sent to the Karelian area of northeastern Finland where it was attached to the SS Reconnaissance Detachment 6, of the "6. SS Geb Div Nord" (6th SS Mountain Division). The Ski Company served in Finland till July 1943. The volunteers were sent on an extended home leave.

In October 1943, enough volunteers had joined to form a new SS Norwegian Ski Battalion, composed of three companies. A Number of volunteers transferred from the Nordland Division, who expressed a preference for serving in Finland. The formation of the SS Norwegian Ski Battalion took place in Oulu, Finland. The ski battalion was designated the "SS Skijaeger Battaillon Norge" and was attached to the SS Reconnaissance Detachment 6 where it served in the northeastern part of Finland.

In October 1943, an independent Norwegian Police unit that was outfitted and managed by the Waffen-SS arrived in Finland for a six month service.
Designated as the "2. Norwegen Polizei Kompanie" it was deployed to guard the defensive perimeter located in Schapk-Osero just 10kms behind the Nord Divisional front-line. In April 1944, the 2nd Police Company, which fought with distinction was withdrawn from the front lines and sent back to Norway.

The Norwegian Ski Battalion was depleted of needed personnel and as a consequence it extended their defensive lines. By June 1944, the battalion had the strength of 300 men and in the course of continuous fighting it was depleted to half of its manpower when it was confronted and overran by the Russian 731st Rifle Regiment. After retreating through northern Finland and Norway, the depleted battalion was sent to the training grounds at Mysen, Norway for refitting. In August 1944, the ski battalion received 200 new recruits from Norway including 150 volunteers of the 3rd Norwegian Police Company.

Feldpost number assigned to the SS Skijaeger Battaillon Norge & SS 2.Norwegen Polizei Kp

SS Skijaeger Btl----------------------------------- 00504

SS 2.Norwegen Polizei Kp-----------------------02148

Norwegian Waffen-SS Feldpost

Norwegian SS-Feldpost

The SS-Feldpost cover shown above was mailed by a Norwegian who was in training in the SS-Junkerschule Tolz.

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