Figure 1.--Most Norwegian refugees wento Sweden. They were safe there, but stuck in camps. A smaller number managed to make it to Britain where they could join the military units formed by the governmednt-in-exile. There were also a few Norwegian children in Britain. A school was established so they could study in Norwegian. We do not yet know where in Britain the school was located. One reader suggests the Shetland Islands. It is true that some Norwegians fleeing the NAZIs made for the Shetlands. We think, however, the Shetlands with its limited resources were more of a way-station, before continuing on to mailand Britain. A British reader writes, "The castle is interesting. The Norwegian flag f.lies so I would think that this is where the school was. I suspect it was mainland Scotland. Don't think there is this type of structure in the Shetland Isles."

Most people in NAZI-occupied Europe had no way to go because modt of the continent was occupied. Thus the refugee problem did not become a major problem until after the War. Norway was an outlier. Norway was across the Baltic from NAZI Europe. There was a long difficult to close border with neutral Sweden. In the north was a border with Finland, but most of the population was in the south. To the west was the North Sea and Britain. A sea escape was possible, but required a fairly substantial craft to cross the tempetuous North Sea. As a result, escsaping from occupied Norway was possible, especially reaching Sweden. The German occupation, largely for racial reasons was relatively light. So unless, except for the small Jewish population, the Norwegian people were not targeted by the NAZIs. There was labor conscription. Most refugees went to Sweden. There were also small numbers in Britain. At the beginning of the German invasion anf Throughout the War, Norwegians were able to cross the border into Sweden. These included Jews, political figures, resistance fighters, labor conscripteesd, and others who feared the Germans. The Germans established border patrols, but this was a virtually impossible task given the length of the border and Sweden's refusal to return the refugees. Norewgian living along the border helped the refugees evade the German patrols and became known as 'border pilots'. The Swedish authorities harbored the refugees, but did not encourage flight from Norway. They confined the refugees in camps. An estimsted 50,000 Norwegians escaped to Sweden. We are not sure about the number of children, but among the refugees were family groups. Some of the male refuf\gees wanted to join the Norwegian armed forces abroad otganized by the Londin government-in-exile. Some managed to travel through the Soviet Union and get to Britain. This became more complicated after the German invasion of the Soviet Union (June 1941). A few individiduals including officsers and pilots managed to get permissiion to exist Sweden on Swedish-flag vessels. The Norwegian government in exile after considerable effort got Swedish permisddion to form military formations among the refugees in Sweden (1944). They were called 'Police troops' so Sweden coukld retain its neutral stance. A number of Norwegians managed to make their way to Britain during the War. A few more were brought to Britain as a result of several British raids.

Geography

Most people in NAZI-occupied Europe had no way to go because modt of the continent was occupied. Thus the refugee problem did not become a major problem until after the War. Norway was an outlier. Norway was across the Baltic from NAZI Europe. There was a long difficult to close border with neutral Sweden. In the north was a border with Finland and the Soviet Union, but most of the population was in the south. And we know of no Noregians seeking refuge in the Soviet union which at first was aAZI ally. With Barbarissa, the Soviet frontier became a war zone. To the west was the North Sea and Britain. A sea escape was possible, but required a fairly substantial craft to cross the tempetuous North Sea. As a result, escsaping from occupied Norway was possible, especially reaching Sweden. Flight could be arduous, but possible

German Occupation (1940-45)

The German occupation of Norway began wih the invasion of the neutral country (April 9, 1940) and lasted until the liberation following the German surrender (May 8, 1945). Except for Czechoslovakia and Poland, Norway and Demarrk were the two countries occupied by the NAZI for the longest period. The character of the occupation, however, was very different because of the NAZI racial policis which saw the Nordic population of Norway and Denmark as having racial value. Norway was continuously occupied by the Wehrmacht during this period and for reasons known only to Hitler, it was proportionally the most heavily garrisoned country in the NAZI Empire. The Reichskommissariat Norwegen (Reich Commissariat of Norway) became the civil authority throughout the occupation. The Reichskommissariat worked with the collaborationist Quisling puppet government. Qisling entered the English language as synnomnous with traitor. Ironically, Quisling was frustrated that the Germans did not give him the power he sought. There were other NAZI-sympathizers, but not many. King Haarkon and the legitimate government managed to escape to Britain and set-up a government-in-exile in London. The NAZI occupation authorties appointed leaders and local officals. Quisling's pro-NAZI Nasjonal-Samling (NS) colleagues were appointed to head labor unions and other organizations. The Germans banned all political parties except the NS. They Reichskommissar Terboven ordered several important security operations. The German occupation, largely for racial reasons was relatively light. So unless, except for the small Jewish population, the Norwegian people were not targeted by the NAZIs. Notice the term relatively. No German occupation was pleasant, even the countries which the Germans considered as having valuable racial material (Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway). Besides the political repression, the most serious issues in Norway were labor conscription and serious food shortages.

Destination Countries

Norwegians after the German invasion and occupation (April 1940) had few options if they decided to flee the country. Geography provided onlt two options: across the North Sea to Britain or overlsnd to Sweden. The North Sea was an impossible obstacle unless you had a sturdy boat. The Norwegians did have one wy out. This was more than many countries had in NAZI-occupied Europe. Most Norwegian refugees headed for Sweden. Young men could do it fairly easily. For families it was more difficult. The Swedes took in large numbers of Finnish children, but here both goverments could organize the evacuation of the children. With Norway, because of the German occupation, this was not possible. so the refuge flight was more on an individual basis and involved family groups. Individuals fleeing from he Germans could not be sure that the Germans would not rrest family members. Thus most of the childten reaching safety in Sweden came with their parents. There were also small numbers of Norwegian children that made it to Britain. This included families brought back to Britin as a result of raids in the north.

Sources

Created: 9:50 AM 9/10/2010
Last updated: 7:51 PM 5/1/2016