Norwegian High Command Explained

The Norwegian High Command (Norwegian: Forsvarets Overkommando, FO) was Norway's top military leadership from 1970 to 2003. It was established in Northern Norway in 1940 by General Otto Ruge. It was then re-established by the Norwegian Government-in-exile in London in 1942, lasting until 1946. The High Command was re-established in 1970, lasting until 2003, when a different organization was formed.^[1]

World War II

The Norwegian High Command was re-established on 6 February 1942. Wilhelm von Tangen Hansteen was Chief of Defence until 1 July 1944, when Crown Prince Olav took over.^[2]

Organization

Among the offices were

• FO II, which dealt with intelligence.
• FO-IV had "responsibility for the Armed Forces military operations in Norway and the cooperation with Milorg"^[3] including Special Operations.^[2]
• FO's "hjemmekontor" (where Jacob Schive worked)^[4]

Notes and References

1. Encyclopedia: Forsvarets overkommando . . Kunnskapsforlaget . Oslo . Norwegian . 24 October 2010 .
2. Encyclopedia: Berit . Nøkleby . . Forsvarets Overkommando, FO . Norwegian . . . . . . 1995 . Cappelen . Oslo . 82-02-14138-9 . 114–115 .
3. Njølstad p.145
4. Njølstad p.145