Norwegian Army 1940

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yantaylor
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Norwegian Army 1940

#1

Post by yantaylor » 09 Apr 2019, 21:43

Hello every one.

I am having trouble trying get down on paper the full organisation of each of the six Norwegian division in April 1940.
I know that some of these divisions could contain shore batteries and even aircraft, which makes it all the more challenging.

I am also at a loss of trying to locate an emblem for each of these division, up to now only the 6th division has an emblem on Wiki.

It seems that the main part of these divisions is the brigade, here is one of the Divisions [the 5th], which I am working on now.

5. divisjon (Organisation April 1940)

Divisional Headquarters: Trondheim
Formed: 1916
Linage: 5. Brigade
Commander: Major General J. Laurantzon
Battle Honours: Sør-Trøndelag & Narvik

5. Brigade Headquarters (Trondheim)
Møre Infantry Regiment no. 11(Aandalsnes)
Sør-Trøndelag Infantry Regiment no. 12 (Trondheim)
Nord-Trøndelag Infantry Regiment no. 13 (Steinkjer)
Dragoon Regiment no. 3 (Stjordal)
Engineer Company no. 1 (Trondheim)
Artillery Regiment No. 3(Trondheim)
Trøndelag Engineering Battalion
5. Supply Group
5. Division Schools

You can see that I have no data at all of what the regiments contain, or the dragoos or artillery for that matter.

Can anyone help please.

Yan.

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Re: Norwegian Army 1940

#2

Post by diciassette2000 » 11 Apr 2019, 11:01

At the time of the German invasion the Norwegian army was not at all ready to support a war. There were 6 military districts that had the task of mobilizing in the event of war each a division as well as some (few) units of Army Corps and Army. The districts each had a brigade in peace in the same numbering as the division that was to be mobilized. Unfortunately, the mobilization took place in an uneven and fragmentary manner, so it is extremely difficult to completely reconstruct its scope. in the following diagram I have tried to summarize it with regard to the 5th division that defended the Trodheim region. The first list concerns the units that were supposed to compose it while in the second the ones actually mobilized are specified.
Higher Commands
Unit
Superior unit Location Commander/Status
5:e Div H.O.K. Gen.Maj Jacob Ager Laurantzon
5. Div.stab 5. Div Trondheim Kaptein Finn Berg
5. Brig.stab 5. Div Trondheim
5. Div. skole (school) 5. Div Trondheim Organized as reinf. company
- befelsklasse+troppf.kursus 100 elev. in Værnes 9.April
- forskole 60 elev. in Trondheim 9.April

Kavalleriet (Cavalry)
Unit
Location/Depot Commander/notes
D.R.3 - Trøndelag DR 5. Div Oberst Andreas Wettre
Already mobilizing from 8th April
Gev.esk D.R. 3 Rinnleiret (Verdalsöra)
3.hj.esk. D.R. 3 Rinnleiret
5.hj.esk. D.R. 3 Rinnleiret
Mitr.esk D.R. 3 Rinnleiret
Mot. mitr.esk. D.R. 3 Rinnleiret
Øvelse avd. D.R.3/5.Div ?

Artilleriet (artillery)
Unit
Superior unit Location/Depot Commander/notes
A.R.3 - Trøndelag AR 5. Div/5. Brig oberst Oscar S. Strugstad
Not mobilized.
Stab/AR3 A.R. 3 Trondheim
Stabsbatteri A.R. 3 Trondheim
I A.R. 3 Trondheim
II A.R. 3 Trondheim
Lv detachment 5. Div ? existence unclear

Land fortresses
fortress name
notes
- Hegra (Ingstadklejva) fort


units sorting under the coastal artillery
Agdenes festnings luftvern Agdenes festn. Trondheimsfjord 6 lvmitr.tr.

Infanteriet (infantry)
I.R.11 - Møre IR
5. Div Molde oberst David Thue
Mobilized according to plan. It did also mobilize an additional field battalion (III/IR11)>
Reg. stab Molde
I Setnesmoen (Åndalsnes)
II Setnesmoen
Lvbat. Setnesmoen
Øvelse avd. Setnesmoen
3 x lufv.mitr.tropp + 2 x vaktdet. Setnesmoen 3 AA machine gun platoons + 2 guard detachm.
I.R.12 - Sør-Trøndelag IR 5. Div oberst Erland Frisvold
Reg. stab Trondheim In Finnmark since Jan 1940
I Trondheim Not mobilized
II Trondheim Not mobilized
Lvbat. except two kp. Værnes
two kp/Lvbat. Storler at Nypan Depot used to organize improvised units, fighting south of Trondheim.
Øvelse avd. Not mobilized
I.R.13 - Nord-Trøndelag IR 5. Div oberst Ole B. Getz
Mobilized according to plan. It did also mobilize an additional field battalion (III/IR13)
Reg. stab Steinkjer
I Steinkjer In Narvik area since Jan 1940
On 9th April in transfer Elvegårdsmoen to Narvik, 1kp stationed in Narvik
II Steinkjer
Lvbat.
Øvelse avd.

Ingenjørsvåpnet (engineer units)
Unit
Superior
formation Depot Notes
Ing bat.5 5. Brig Trondheim
Pi.kp.5 Ing bat.5 Trondheim Not mobilized
Sb.kp.5 Ing bat.5 Trondheim Not mobilized

In effect mobilized
Within D.K.5 (District Command 5)
On the 9.April the district became effectively separated into two parts, when Trondheim fell to the Germans. I have therefore separated the area into three parts; Trondheim area, south of Trondheim and north of Trondheim.
Trondheim area
None of the units with depots in or near Trondheim could mobilize. These were IR12, AR3 and Ing.bat.5. A small improvised unit was formed just south of Trondheim, using depots belonging to L/IR12. Another improvised unit was formed at the old fort Ingstadkleiven (Hegra) toward the Swedish border.
Already organized units
A guard detachment of 24 men in Trondheim. 9.April the unit was from IR11. The unit was disarmed by the Germans but could go back to Dombås where it was equipped again, and continued to function as guard detachment.
The school of 5.Div had officer and platoon leader schools at Værnes, and basic school in Trondheim. All in all the strength of a company. They evacuated north (see North of Trondheim).
The Trøndelag flygeavdelning (air unit) was based at the Værnes airfield. It was a reconnaissance unit with 9 Fokker biplanes and a Moth, and a base unit. All in all 60-70 off and 200 men. The air unit evacuated to
Distriktkommando.5 (District command)
commander: generalmajor Jacob Ager Laurantzon
5.Div school
- officer course at Værnes
- platoon leader course at Værnes
- basic school (60 men) in Trondheim
All in all 12 off, 2 uoff and 161 men; They gathered at Værnes and organized as a motorized rifle company, fully winter equipped. They operated north of Trondheim. commander: kaptein Harald Silseth
Ing.bat.5 (engineer battalion)
commander: oberstløytnant Nils T. Eggan
Did not mobilize as planned. Men from the battalion were however organized into two small engineer companies by IR11. See "south of Trondheim".
Trøndelag flygeavdelning
commander: major Thomas F.C. Vetlesen
All in all 60-70 off. and 200 men with some AA machine guns.
The air crafts with half the personnel of the Speidervingen (26 off, 45 men) evacuated to Selbusjøen on the morning of 9.April. The rest capitulated at Værnes on 10.April, due to a strange demobilization order. - stasjonskommando (air field command)
- feltverksted (field workshop)
- speidervingen (air reconnaissance squadron) (9 Fokker biplanes, 1 Tiger Moth, 3 AAMG, 33 off, 111 men)
IR12 at Trondheim
commander: oberst Erland Frisvold
Did not mobilize any troops.
AR3 at Trondheim
commander:
Did not mobilize any troops.
Hegra (Ingstadklejven) fort
commander: major Reidar Holterman
The fort was inactive, but major Holterman gathered a number of men there

South of Trondheim
IR11 at Åndalsnes
commander: oberst David Thue
IR11 could mobilize under ordered forms in Åndalsnes. The regimental HQ was situated in Molde, while the barracks and depots were situated at Setnesmoen just outside Åndalsnes. Mobilization didn't start until 11.April due to the unclear circumstances and problem to get in contact with the over command during 9.April, and on 10.April there was fear that German warships could sink the shipping necessary to transport the personnel to the mobilization site.
I/IR11 (inf.battalion) (55 off, 794 men)
commander: kaptein Gunnar Juel
Set up finished 14.April.
II/IR11 (inf.battalion) (55 off, 696 men)
commander: kaptein Ivar Navelsaker
Set up finished at 14.April.
L/IR11 (local defence inf.battalion) (44 off, 703 men)
commander: major Einvald Uri
Set up finished at 15.April. The unit lacked mortar platoon.
III/IR11 (inf.battalion) (39 off, 446 men, 25 horse chariots, 8 trucks)
commander: major Alv Kjös
The battalion was set up 24.April, outside of normal organization plans, using officers that had been unable to reach their assigned unit, and men from IR12 and IR11. It had only a HMG-platoon, instead of a company, and lacked the mortar platoon.

Engineer units
Pi.kp.5 (pioneer bat.) 60 men
Sb.kp.5 (liaison comp.) 60 men
commander: kaptein Örnulf Stadheim
Personnel belonging to the engineer battalion in Trondheim was equipped from the depots of IR11, and organized into two small companies.
Bilkp.5 (transport company) 200 men, 150 vehicles
commander: löytnant Lief Hallesby
Improvised transport unit.
Auxiliary units: Three AA-machine gun platoons and two guard detachments
Kommando Munthe (improvised inf.unit) 20 off, 173 men
commander: kaptein G. Munthe
Improvised unit. Operated in Gaula valley and Röros.
Fyrmalds unit (small inf. unit) (4 off, 27 men)
commander: löytnant Fyrwald
Improvised unit. Stationed at Brekkan as rear area protection.

North of Trondheim
Two regiments, IR13 and DR3, had depots north of Trondheim.
Already organized units
II/IR13 had just been set up at Steinkjersannan in order to relieve I/IR13 in Narvik. They had been organizing since 5.April and were ready by 8.April. Parts of the cavalry regiment DR3 had begun organizing at Rinnleiret (Verdalsøra) on 8.April for neutrality watch.
DR3
commander: oberst Andreas Wettre
DR3 had their barraks and main depots at Rinnleiret, at Verdalsøra. On 8.April they had begun mobilizing part of their strength for neutrality watch. That was: a staff company (half strength), a mortar platoon (horse drawn), a motorized machinegun platoon and two bicycle companies. Later (set up began 11.April) the unit was expanded.
- stabseskadron (staff squadron)
- geværsesk. (rifle squadron)
- 3.Hjulrytteresk. (bicycle squadron)
- 5.Hjulrytteresk. (bicycle squadron)
- mitraljøsesk. (machine gun squadron)
- motormitr.esk. (motorized machine gun squadroon)
- bombekastertroppen (mortar platoon)
IR13 at Steinkjer
commander: oberst Ole B. Getz
IR13 had their barraks and main depots at Steinkjersannan, at Steinkjer. On 9.April IR13 had one battalion at Narvik and another just organized at Steinkjer. In addition they organized the local defence battalion L/IR13 and an improvised battalion, III/IR13.
I/IR13 (inf battalion) was on neutrality watch at Narvik since January 1940.
II/IR13 (inf battalion) (50 off, 690 men, 36 LMG, 9 HMG, 2 mortars)
commander: major Kolbjørn Knudsen
Set up finished 8.April.
L/IR13 (local defence inf. bat.)
commander: retired major Olav Aavatsmark
- stabskp. (staff) set up at Haugslia (Verdal) ready 12.April
- lv.kp.1 set up at Haugslia (Verdal) ready on 11.April (100 men, only rifles?)
from 12.April under III/IR13. - lv.kp.2 set up at Grong ready 12.April (80 men on 11.April; 4 off, 104 men, 19 non combat on 19.April)
- guard det. Rødhammer (20 men) at the bottom of Lyngsfjord, ready late at 10.April
- guard det. Vemundvik (18-20 men), ready late at 10.April
- guard det. Snåsa at Viosen
Øvelseavd/IR13 (training unit) (ca 30 men)
commander: retired oberstløytnant Carl Soelberg
From 12.April taken into III/IR13.
III/IR13 (inf battalion)
commander: kaptein Thor Sire
Set up began 12.April at Kvam, using lv.kp.1 from L/IR13, the school company and Øvelseavd/IR13 as cadre.
5. Brigadekommando
commander: Ole B. Getz

Hope it help
all the best
maurizio


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Re: Norwegian Army 1940

#3

Post by jwsleser » 11 Apr 2019, 16:04

Thanks Maurizio

That is lot of detailed info. I am working on this as well. What is the source?

Pista! Jeff
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diciassette2000
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Re: Norwegian Army 1940

#4

Post by diciassette2000 » 11 Apr 2019, 16:58

Many years of archive research and also research on Norwegian and German texts (of course with the help of friends that I will never stop thanking) ... therefore this oob is the result of crossed research and not of a single text and it is also to keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive ........
All the best
maurizio

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Re: Norwegian Army 1940

#5

Post by jwsleser » 11 Apr 2019, 20:48

Thanks Maurizio

I was wonder which Norwegian sources you are using.
Jeff Leser

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yantaylor
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Re: Norwegian Army 1940

#6

Post by yantaylor » 11 Apr 2019, 21:17

Brilliant Maurizio.

Is there any chance of going through the other five divisions please? You seem to be well up on this subject.

BTW; do you know where I can find divisional emblems for these divisions?

Thank you very much
Yan

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Re: Norwegian Army 1940

#7

Post by diciassette2000 » 12 Apr 2019, 16:49

Only 5 and 6 division.....in my researchs i never find a divisional emblem of these divisions (norvegians)....
All the best
maurizio

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Re: Norwegian Army 1940

#8

Post by diciassette2000 » 12 Apr 2019, 17:10

6 infantry division

Higher Commands
Unit
Superior unit Location Commander/Status
6:e Div - Nord Norge H.O.K. Gen. Carl Gustav Fleischer
6. Div.stab 6. Div Harstad
6. Brig.stab 6. Div Harstad Kroken gård in Salangsdalen(setup 20.April 40???)
6. Div. skole 6. Div
- troppførerkurs Plat.comm. course in Harstad (begun 1.Mars 40)


Artilleriet (artillery)(all mobilized)
Unit
Superior unit Location/Depot Commander/notes
mot.batt.9 6. Div Setermoen 4 x 7.5 cm feltkan. (motorized)
Målselv->Øyjord (setup April 40)
mot art.batt.10 6. Div ? 4 x 7.5 cm feltkan. (motorized)
Finnamark (setup Jan 40)
Lv.art.batt. 6. Div ? 3 x 7.5 cm kan. (motorized)
jernbanekanon 6. Div Narvik 1 x 7.5 cm kan. (on train)

Infanteriet (infantry)
I.R.14 - Sør-Hålogaland IR
6. Div
Reg. stab Mosjøen
I 6. Div Mosjøen Mobilized according to plan in April 1940
II 6. Div Mosjøen In Finnmark since Mars 1940
Lvbat. 6. Div Mosjøen Mobilized according to plan in April 1940
Øvelse avd. 6. Div Mosjøen
I.R.15 - Nord-Hålogaland IR 6. Div
Reg. stab Narvik
I 6. Brig Elvegårdsmoen Depot taken 9.April. Unit setup May 1940
II 6. Brig Elvegårdsmoen Setup Jan 1940. In transfer from Setermoen to Elvegårdsmoen at 9.April
Lvbat. 6. Div Elvegårdsmoen Depot taken 9. April.
Øvelse avd. 6. Div Elvegårdsmoen Depot taken 9. April.
I.R.16 - Troms IR 6. Div
Reg. stab Tromsø
I 6. Brig Setermoen
II 6. Brig Setermoen Setup 20.April
Lvbat. 6. Div
Øvelse avd. 6. Div Setermoen

Altabataljon 6. Div Altagard Setup mid April 1940
Varangerbataljon 6. Div Kirkenes Setup Jan 1940
Garnisjonskp. Sør Var. (GSV)
(reinforced company) 6. Div Kirkenes Setup end of April 1940

Ingenjørsvåpnet (engineer units)
Unit
Superior
formation Depot Notes
Ing.bat.6 6. Brig Elvegårdsmoen
Pi.kp. 6 Ing.bat.6 Elvegårdsmoen Setup as Pi. detatch. in 6.Brig and 7.Brig in April 1940
Sb.kp. 6 Ing.bat.6 Elvegårdsmoen Troms, setup Jan 40
Sjelvst.sb.avd. 6. Div setup Jan 40
Lv.pi.kp. 6 6. Div Narvik (setup Jan 40)
Brukp. H.O.K. Hvalsmoen Bridge laying unit(s). Not mobilized. Equipment destroyed by bombing of Hvalsmoen.

Mobilized units
District command 6 stretched from Mosjøen in the south to the Soviet (former finnish) border in the north. Due to the recently finished Winter war they had been given priority and were relatively well equipped. A number of units from southern Norway was in the area on neutrality watch.
For geographical reasons the area may be divided between a southern part, from Mosjøen to Bodø, and a northen from Narvik to the Finnish border.
Already organized units
I/IR12 I/IR13
South of Narvik
IR14 at Mosjöen

Narvik and North
IR15 at Elvegardsmoen
IR16 at Tromsø

All the best
Maurizio

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Re: Norwegian Army 1940

#9

Post by John T » 13 Apr 2019, 00:18

diciassette2000 wrote:
11 Apr 2019, 16:58
Many years of archive research and also research on Norwegian and German texts (of course with the help of friends that I will never stop thanking) ... therefore this oob is the result of crossed research and not of a single text and it is also to keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive ........
All the best
maurizio
Could you then please explain why Significant parts of the text are from Robert Mårtenssons now defunct Norway 1940 website ?

including gramatical errors?

diciassette2000
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Re: Norwegian Army 1940

#10

Post by diciassette2000 » 13 Apr 2019, 11:31

no one ...... I am neither a plagiarizer nor an incorrect one even if you want to make it seem .... the notes are mine and had over the years by collaborators who do not even have to interest you ....
All the best
maurizio

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Re: Norwegian Army 1940

#11

Post by John T » 13 Apr 2019, 14:13

yantaylor wrote:
09 Apr 2019, 21:43

Can anyone help please.

Yan.
you can find a lot in the web archive:

https://web.archive.org/web/20170517204 ... w_inf_brig
and
https://web.archive.org/web/20110605110 ... ition.html


Kind Regards
/John

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Re: Norwegian Army 1940

#12

Post by jwsleser » 13 Apr 2019, 14:55

John

Thank you for the links. I tried searching The Wayback Machine when you first posted, but Safari wouldn't open the page. Tried Chrome this morning and was able to open everything. I believe Safari has a security block on that website.

There is this link as well with more organizations.

https://web.archive.org/web/20160910081 ... #dragonreg

I was building an TO&E chart from other sources, but no need to finish doing that. This is excellent information.

Again thanks!

Pista! Jeff
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Re: Norwegian Army 1940

#13

Post by jwsleser » 13 Apr 2019, 15:11

Did a bit more exploring. Robert Mårtensson created a wonderful site. He collected and presented a lot of information at that site. Here is the index page.

https://web.archive.org/web/20110605100 ... index.html

From there you can read all the material he posted. He has the OB for the units, so that is another bit of work I will stop working on. Haarr in his The Battle for Norway lists the major units in Appendix B.

Pista! Jeff
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Re: Norwegian Army 1940

#14

Post by yantaylor » 13 Apr 2019, 21:00

Smashing stuff guys, I will need some time to sort through which regiments, battalions and companies are in each of the six divisions/brigades.

Yan

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Re: Norwegian Army 1940

#15

Post by jwsleser » 14 Apr 2019, 15:54

All the OB info is found here:

https://web.archive.org/web/20110605100 ... rence.html

The D.K number is also the division/brigade number.

Pista! Jeff
Jeff Leser

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