Monday, 31 October 2022

Edinburgh - Norwegian Brigade Memorial

Norwegian Brigade Memorial
Edinburgh Princess Street Gardens

 
On 9th April 1940 German forces invaded Norway.  

German Invasion of Norway 1940

The French and British sent an expeditionary force to assist the Norwegians. Despite moderate successes in northern Norway, the Allied Powers were ultimately compelled to withdraw.

On the 10th 1940, a treaty of capitulation for the Norwegian Army was signed. The Germans occupied Norway until 8 May 1945.

German Occupation of Norway

The majority of the Norwegian Army were captured by the Germans. Some evaded capture and became part of the resistance. 

Those that were evacuated to the United Kingdom were formed into free Norwegian units. This included the Norwegian Independent Company 1 and 5 Troop, No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando. 

Norwegians 5 Troop No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando. 

The bulk of the Norwegian Army during the years in exile in Britain consisted of a brigade in Dumfries.

Norwegian troops training at Dumfries 27-Jun-1941

Norwegian Brigade mortar team Dumfries 27 Jun 1941

Norwegian Reconnaissance Squadron Scottland

Norwegian King and the Prince
inspecting Norwegian troops
Scotland 1943

------O------


To commemorate the soldiers from Norway who were in Scotland during the Second World War, a boulder from Norway was presented by the Norwegian Army on the 18th September 1978 and mounted in Princess Street Gardens.

An inscription on the rear of the memorial records This boulder was brought here from Norway where it was worn and shaped for thousands of years by force of nature- frost, running water, rock, sand and ice- until it obtained its present shape.

Norwegian Brigade Memorial
Edinburgh Princess Street Gardens

Norwegian Brigade Memorial
Edinburgh Princess Street Gardens


The memorial bears the inscription:

During the war years 1940 – 1945
The Norwegian Brigade and other army units Were raised and trained in Scotland
Here we found hospitality, Friendship
And hope during dark years of Exile
In Grateful memory of our friends and allies
On these isles this stone was erected
In the Year 1978