Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 29, 2026

Norwegian High Command

The Norwegian High Command 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.

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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)3
References

References

  1. "Forsvarets overkommando". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  2. Nøkleby, Berit (1995). "Forsvarets Overkommando, FO". In Dahl; Hjeltnes; Nøkleby; Ringdal; Sørensen (eds.). Norsk krigsleksikon 1940-45 (in Norwegian). Oslo: Cappelen. pp. 114–115. ISBN 82-02-14138-9.
  3. Njølstad p.145