The ''Førergarde'' ('leader guard' in Norwegian) was the personal guard of
Vidkun Quisling
Vidkun Abraham Lauritz Jonssøn Quisling (; ; 18 July 1887 – 24 October 1945) was a Norwegian military officer, politician and Collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, Nazi collaborator who Quisling regime, headed the government of N ...
, the leader of the
puppet Norwegian government during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
.
The ''Førergarde'' was founded in April 1942. At first, it numbered about 150 people personally selected by Quisling from the members of
Hird
The hird (also named "De Håndgangne Menn" in Norwegian), in Scandinavian history, was originally an informal retinue of personal armed companions, hirdmen or housecarls. Over time, it came to mean not only the nucleus ('Guards') of the royal arm ...
, the paramilitary wing of the fascist
Nasjonal Samling
The Nasjonal Samling (, NS; ) was a Norway, Norwegian far-right politics, far-right political party active from 1933 to 1945. It was the only legal party of Norway from 1942 to 1945. It was founded by former minister of defence Vidkun Quisling a ...
party (NS). They were his most trusted fighters, also performing special tasks. Over time, the unit grew to the size of a company of 250-300 people. They were also recruited from the front veterans of the Volunteer
Norwegian Legion
Norwegian Legion (, ) was a Norwegian collaborationist formation of the Waffen-SS during World War II. It was formed in German-occupied Norway on 29 June 1941, in support of the war aims of Nazi Germany. The unit was disbanded in 1943.
Histor ...
and
SS-Polizei-Battaillon 506. On August 17, 1943, the Førergarde, together with the police and the Hird organization, formally joined the
Norwegian Armed Forces
The Norwegian Armed Forces () are the armed forces responsible for the defence of Norway. It consists of five branches, the Norwegian Army, the Royal Norwegian Navy, which includes the Norwegian Coast Guard, Coast Guard, the Royal Norwegian Air ...
.
The organization was headed by ''sveitfører'' Per Carlson (April 20, 1942 - April 1, 1944), Sverre Henschien (until February 1945) and ''sveitfører''
Sophus Kahrs (until May 9, 1945).
The members of the bodyguard wore a special oval silver badge with a black enamelled edge. At the top was the emblem of the NS party (
St. Olaf's cross), on which sat an eagle with outstretched wings, and below the initials "VQ" in white.
See also
*
NS Kamporganisasjon
NS Kamporganisasjon () was an elite group within the fascist Nasjonal Samling (NS) party in Norway. Established in 1934 by the NS Central Office, its composition was restricted to NS officers and the most active party members. Each member had to sw ...
*
Operation Weserübung
Operation Weserübung ( , , 9 April – 10 June 1940) was the invasion of Denmark and Norway by Nazi Germany during World War II. It was the opening operation of the Norwegian Campaign.
In the early morning of 9 April 1940 (, "Weser Day"), Ge ...
(the German code name for the attack on Norway and
Denmark
Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...
)
References
External links
Photos of the førergarde
Norway in World War II
Nasjonal Samling
1942 establishments in Norway
1945 disestablishments in Norway
Vidkun Quisling
German occupation of Norway
Collaboration with Nazi Germany
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