Milorg (abbreviation of militær organisasjon – military organization) was the main Norwegian resistance movement during World War II. Resistance work included intelligence gathering, sabotage, supply-missions, raids, espionage, transport of goods imported to the country, release of Norwegian prisoners and escort for citizens fleeing the border to neutral Sweden.[1]
Following the German occupation of Norway in April 1940, Milorg was formed in May 1941 as a way of organizing the various groups that wanted to participate in an internal military resistance. At first, Milorg was not well coordinated with the Special Operations Executive (SOE), the British organization to plan and lead resistance in occupied countries. In November 1941 the Milorg became integrated with the High Command of the Norwegian government in exile in London, answering to the British Army's Department British Field Office IV, which dealt with sabotage operations, but Milorg's British counterpart, SOE, was still operating independently. This lack of coordination led to a number of deadly incidents, creating bitterness within Milorg. SOE changed its policy at the end of 1942, and from then on Milorg and SOE efforts were coordinated.[2]
Mainly for fear of retaliation, like the Telavåg tragedy in 1942, Milorg kept a low profile at first. But they became more active as the war progressed.
Its first permanent bases were established in the summer of 1944. At the time of the German capitulation on 8 May 1945, Milorg had been able to train and supply 40,000 soldiers. They then also played an important part in stabilizing the country.[3][4]
Twenty of the around 80 radio stations were uncovered, leading to the deaths of at least 20 radio operators in combat or prison. The radio station in the loftofKvinneklinikken, was raided on 1 April 1944. Knut Haugland shot four of the raiders, and escaped. "Corncrake" (atFlaskebekk) transmitted from 2 April and it was raided on 4 July. Deaths included one German and two Norwegians on site, and one Norwegian at the hospital. The radio stations contributed to Milorg getting a key role in the Nazi home management program (Hjemmefrontens Ledelse), because the majority of HL's communications abroad, went through Milorg's radio network.[5]
Milorg was organised as a council and 14 districts.
Rådet ("The Council") had between 2–4 members.[6] (In practice, The council ceased to exist from January 1945, when it only consisted of Sven Arntzen and Hauge—both of them being representatives in the leadership of Hjemmefronten (HL), as Milorg's and Krigspolitiet's representatives, respectively.[6])
Den sentrale ledelse (SL)—"the central leadership"—was subordinate to The council.
Eva Kløvstad District Chief of D-25, who worked under codename Jakob
Elsa Endresen (codenamed Lotte)[10] (In the last year of the war, Hauge told colleagues in SL, on occasion that "This is so dangerous, that only Lotte can do it!")[10]
Josef Haraldsen, District Chief of Vestfold, who for years after the war, served as a private in the Home Guard[11]
