Oscarburg fortress in Drobak Narrows, Oslofijord

[RF]

But they had much further to go for escape than the Dutch did - and the Dutch military did have two days advance warning of the German attack, so that ships in the builders yard, such as the new cruiser Jacob van Heemskerck, were safely towed to Britain on 10th May 1940.

[hammy]

Yes , but in the Norwegian case we are talking about ships in commission with the crews aboard - bit of a scandal , apparently .
I just wondered if the wrappers had come off yet .

[Terje Langoy]

There would seem to have been a fair amount of right wing sympathy among the Norwegian population at the time , judging by the degree of support for Vidkun Quisling , the subsequent recruitment to the SS Wiking Division , and so on . Or is this more a case of unworldly insularity ?
Also , a number of the Norwegian naval vessels appear to have been tamely let fall into German hands , which I believe was something that the late King Haakon wanted forgotten and buried after the end of the war .
Is that still a bit of an off-limits subject of discussion in Norway today , or has emotion cooled sufficiently for historical comment ?
Terje ?
Some of these ships ( three modern small torpedo-boote types , and a minelayer , Olaf Tryggvassen ) could have been useful , if only on North sea convoy escort , had they managed to get over here , as most of the mobile Dutch units did .

An interesting but seriously complex question, Hammy ...

I recall a documentary (norwegian) broadcasted a while ago where a veteran was being interviewed - he spoke about these very things you question and though he could only reflect his personal views it did however hold a few interesting perspectives - a different and IMO valuable angle on this broad issue. I could add to that the fact that this pro-German attitude earned him little respect with some of us (them being younger generations breed on political correctness) but personally I admired him very much for the simple fact that he cut beneath the “censorship” and spoke his mind straight out. I take the truth before any convenient lie - no matter how ugly it may be.

To understand the pro-German attitude one must take into consideration that before World War Two the “great ogre” for the common Norwegian actually was the Russians. I recall seeing a Norwegian pre-war poster depicting a German and Norwegian soldier together in arms against Russia. Communism in the East undoubtedly played a part in any enemy perceptions in Norway before the war and this fear could only be reinforced after Russia attacked Finland ... which she did in 1939.

This also seems supported by the fact that norwegians joined the German military forces to fight in Finland ... against the Russians. But a discussion still rages whether their choice to wear German uniforms were simply the necessary means to join their fellow allies in Finland or due to a pro-German attitude.

Hopefully you will find better answers at this forum.

http://www.nuav.net/

[Gary]

Norge and Eidsvold certainly didnt fall tamely into anyones hands.
Such a sad loss of so many men

[Terje Langoy]

The guns at Kopaas:

http://www.verneplaner.no/galleri.php?f=oscarsborg&i=0

(Press the link “Neste” for more photos)

http://uexplorer.wordpress.com/2009/08/ ... ers-ved-drøbak/

and Oscarsborg:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/norue/sets ... 863628904/

Kaholmen torpedobattery:

http://www.verneplaner.no/galleri.php?f ... 9735|69740

(Press the link “Neste” for more photos)


...and for Marcelo another few sites of interest.

“Batterie Trondenes” (Narvik)

http://www.adolfkanonen.com/battery_origin.htm

“Batterie Vara” (Kristiansand)

http://www.kanonmuseet.no/?node_id=16&menu_id=16

Gneisenau turret Caesar (Trondheim)

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/sh ... ort-Norway

Gneisenau turret Bruno + other gun sites near Bergen

http://home.hib.no/mediesenter/krigsminne/


Text may be in Norwegian on several of these links. If translation is needed just sound the horn. Last but certainly not least, here´s a link to one of the most esteemed wartime vessels under Norwegian flag

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HNoMS_Sleipner_(1936)

[marcelo_malara]

Thanks Terje. I want to add, for those interested in Norwegians coasts and ports, can download the Sailing Directions for Norway, in http://www.nga.mil/portal/site/maritime ... d73927a759 you have to select Pub 182. This is a professional guide used by sailors.

Regards

[hammy]

Thank you very much Terje , and Marcelo too , that is excellent .