Hirden

Overview

Vidkun Quisling's fascist party Nasjonal Samling frequently used words and symbols from the old Norse Viking era. During the Second World War, membership was compulsory for all Nasjonal Samling members. In total, about 8,500 Norwegians were members of Hirden during the war. The organisation was dissolved after the liberation, and many of its former members were prosecuted and convicted for treason and collaboration.

History

During the German occupation Hirden got a more military slant. The intention was that it should form the nucleus of a future Norwegian Nazi army, and a "hirdmarine" (Hirden navy)[3] and a "Hirdens flykorps"(Hirden's air force corps)[4] were created in 1942 in addition to the real Hirden, Rikshirden. However, many Hirden members volunteered to Norwegian military units in the war on Nazi German side or served as guards in the various prison camps. Hirden had a broad mandate to conduct operations against dissidents, independent of all police authorities, many of which included the use of violence.[5]

A 2014 Dagsavisen article said that "8 of 10 died in the prison camps where Hirden performed guard duty under the leadership of SS".[6]

  • Uniform of the naval hird, Hirdmarinen.
  • Uniform of the female hird, Kvinnehirden.
  • Vidkun Quisling on the rostrum speaks to Hirden in Halden.
  • Hirden spectacle march to be greeted by Quisling.
  • Hirden women march up Oslo's main street.
  • Quisling speaks to Hirden after oath has been given to him.

Ranks and rank insignia
Rank insignia
Insignia Rank Translation Comparative rank
in the Wehrmacht
Hirdfører
Overste hirdsjef Senior hird chief
Regimentsfører Regimental commander
Nestregimentsfører Second regimental commander
Fylkingfører Wedge leader
Sveitfører District leader
Nestsveitfører Second district leader
Troppfører Troop commander
Underfører
Kommandersersjant Commander sergeant
Kvartermester Quartermaster
Overlagfører Senior squad leader
Furer Leader
Lagfører Squad leader
Mannskap
Nestlagfører Second squad leader
Speider Scout
Nestspeider Second scout
Hirdmann Hird man
Source:[7]

See also

References
  1. NRK. "Stiller ut fargefoto frå 30-talet". Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  2. Erik Veum page 33
  3. Veum pp. 92–98
  4. Veum 98–106
  5. Veum
  6. Pål Nygaard (18 November 2014). "2. Verdenskrig: Etter krigen benektet alle i Vegvesenet at de hadde noe med de jugoslaviske fangene å gjøre. - Kunne de stoppet massedrap?" [World War Two: After the war, everyone in the Public Roads Administration denied involvement with the Jugoslavian prisoners. - Could they have stopped mass murder?]. Dagsavisen. p. 6. Pål Nygaard - Forsker, senter for profesjonsstudier, HiOA (...) 8 av 10 døde i leirene hvor Hirden sto vakt under ledelse av SS.
  7. Hvad enhver NS-mann bør vite - side 5 Retrieved 2017-02-05.

Sources
  • Eirik Veum: Nådeløse nordmenn - Hirden, Kagge Forlag, Oslo 2013, (in Norwegian) ISBN 978-82-489-1451-8
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