The German Invasion of Norway

On 9 April 1940, Nazi Germany invaded Norway in a surprise assault. Norway had attempted neutrality, but its long North Sea coastline and access to Swedish iron ore shipments made it strategically vital to both Germany and the Allies. Although underprepared, Norwegian forces resisted for roughly two months, allowing the king and government to escape to London and establish a government in exile.

At various points during the occupation, approximately 300,000 to 400,000 German troops were stationed in Norway. The occupation was militarily heavy, even if daily life did not always resemble the extreme brutality seen in Eastern Europe. Nazi racial ideology classified Norwegians as “Germanic,” which shaped both policy and propaganda during the occupation.

The Norwegian Resistance

Resistance activity in Norway developed cautiously. The high number of German troops made open rebellion difficult. Over time, sabotage networks formed, often in coordination with the British Special Operations Executive (SOE).

Gunnar Sønsteby became a key figure in what came to be known as the Oslo Gang. His group carried out more than twenty major sabotage missions. They destroyed weapons factories, disrupted railways, sank ships, and eliminated ration archives to prevent German control over food distribution.

The film accurately reflects Sønsteby’s discipline: constant movement between safe houses, multiple false identities, and methodical planning.

Collaboration and Reprisals

Norway also had collaborators. Vidkun Quisling led a fascist party that aligned with the occupiers and eventually became head of the Nazi-backed puppet regime. After the war, his name became synonymous with traitor.

Resistance assassinations escalated in 1944 and 1945. The killing of high-ranking collaborators led to brutal German reprisals, including executions of Norwegian civilians. After particularly severe retaliation in early 1945, the Norwegian government in exile temporarily suspended further assassination operations.

The film does not soften this reality. Sønsteby and his comrades executed Norwegian collaborators. Historians generally cite approximately 82 resistance liquidations of Norwegian collaborators during the occupation. These actions remain ethically complex and are still debated.

After the War

Germany surrendered on 8 May 1945. Quisling was arrested, tried, and executed later that year. Many resistance members carried psychological scars long after victory.

Sønsteby declined postwar intelligence work and instead spent decades lecturing young people about democracy, responsibility, and the danger of complacency. He received numerous international decorations, including the War Cross with three swords, a distinction unique in Norwegian history.