Norwegian Campaign order of battle

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The German operation for the invasion of Denmark and Norway in April, 1940 was code-named Weserübung, or "Weser Exercise". Opposing the invasion were the partially mobilized Norwegian military, and an allied expeditionary force composed of British, French, and Polish formations. The following list formed the order of battle for this campaign.

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Germany

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XXI Gruppe

On 1 March 1940, the German 21st Army Corps was renamed Group XXI and placed in charge of the invasion of Norway. The group was alloted 2 Mountain and 5 Infantry divisions for this task. It was led by the commanding officer of the XXI Korps, General der Infantrie Nikolaus von Falkenhorst. His Chief of Staff was Colonel Erich Buschenhagen.

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Luftwaffe

The Luftwaffe's X Fliegerkorps organization was commanded by Lieutenant-General Hans Ferdinand Geisler, and had operational command of all Luftwaffe units participating in Operation Weserübung.

  • Parachute troops
  • Aircraft available
    • 102 Fighters.
    • 233 Bombers.
    • 39 Dive-bombers.
    • 165 Reconnaisance aircraft (including floatplanes).
    • 582 Transport aircraft.
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Kriegsmarine

The German fleet commander was Vice-Admiral Gunther Lutjens. The following naval units were deployed for the operation.

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Danish

Due to a non-aggression treaty with Germany, the army of Denmark had not been mobilized and no fortifications had been built. As a result, only a few elements of the Royal Danish Army were able to mount a defense.

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Royal Danish Army

The Commander in chief of the Danish army was General William Wain Prior.

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Royal Danish Navy

The small Royal Danish Navy consisted of a few coastal vessels.

  • 2 Coastal Defense Vessels - Niels Juel, Peder Skram.
  • 6 Torpedo Boats.
  • 7 Submarines.
  • 3 Mine Layers.
  • 9 Mine Sweepers.
  • 4 Inspection Ships.
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Norwegian

Due to the speed and surprise achieved by the German forces, the Norwegian military was only able to partially mobilize their military. Actual unit strengths only achieved a portion of their listed organizations. Some of the norwegian forces where ad-hoc battalions. The commander of the Norwegian army at the time of the invasion was General Kristian Laake. He was replaced by Colonel Otto Ruge on April 11th.

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Royal Norwegian Army

  • The Royal Guards battalion - based in Oslo and Elverum, the only unit that recived proper training during the inter-war years.
  • 1st Division - This division was based in Oslo, and was commanded by Major-General Carl J. Erichsen.
    • 1st Infantry Regiment.
    • 2nd Infantry Regiment.
    • 3rd Infantry Regiment.
    • 1st Cavalry Regiment.
    • 1st Artillery Regiment.
  • 2nd Division - This division was based in Oslo, and was commanded by Major-General Jacob Hvinden Haug.
    • 4th Infantry Regiment.
    • 5th Infantry Regiment.
    • 6th Infantry Regiment.
    • 2nd Cavalry Regiment.
    • 2nd Artillery Regiment.
  • 3rd Division - This division was based in Kristiansand and Stavanger, and was commanded by Major-General Einar Liljedahl.
    • 7th Infantry Regiment.
    • 8th Infantry Regiment.
  • 4th Division - This division was based in Bergen, and was commanded by Major-General William Steffens.
    • 9th Infantry Regiment.
    • 10th Infantry Regiment.
  • 5th Division - This division was based in Trondheim and Molde, and was commanded by Major-General Jacob Ager Laurantzon.
    • 11th Infantry Regiment.
    • 12th Infantry Regiment.
    • 13th Infantry Regiment.
    • 3rd Artillery Regiment.
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Royal Norwegian Navy

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Allied

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Mauriceforce

Commanded by Major-General Carton de Wiart V.C., this group began landing at Namsos on April 14th.

  • French 5e Demi-Brigade Chasseurs Alpins - Commanded by Général de Brigade Antoine Béthouart.
    • 13ème Battalion Chasseurs Alpins.
    • 53ème Battalion Chasseurs Alpins.
    • 67ème Battalion Chasseurs Alpins.
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Sickleforce

Commanded by Major-General Bernard Charles Tolver Paget, this force landed at Åndalsnes starting April 18.

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Rupertforce

Commanded by Major-General Pierse Joseph Mackesy, this force landed at Harstad, near Narvik, between April 15 and May 5.

  • French 27e Demi-Brigade de Chasseurs Alpins - Commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Valentini.
    • 6ème Battalion Chasseurs Alpins.
    • 12ème Battalion Chasseurs Alpins.
    • 14ème Battalion Chasseurs Alpins.
  • French 13e Demi-Brigade de Légion Étrangèr - Commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Magrin-Verneret. Landed at Harstad on May 5.
    • 1er Battalion
    • 2ème Battalion.
  • Polish Carpathian "Podhale" Brigade - Commanded by General Zygmunt Bohusz-Szyszko.
    • 1st Demi-Brigade
      • 1 Battalion.
      • 2 Battalion.
    • 2nd Demi-Brigade
      • 3 Battalion.
      • 4 Battalion.
  • Troop, 3rd King's Own Hussars (personnel only, no tanks)
  • 203rd Field Battery/51st Field Regiment.
  • French 342me Independent Tank Company.
  • French 2me Independent Colonial Artillery Group.
  • British 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Independent Companies.
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Royal Navy

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Allied Navies

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See also

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