Colonel-in-chief is a ceremonial position in a military regiment . It is in common use in several Commonwealth armies, where it is held by the regiment's patron , usually a member of the royal family.
63-540: Some armed forces take a light-hearted approach to the position, appointing animals or characters as colonel-in-chief. The Norwegian Army , for example, appointed a king penguin named Sir Nils Olav as a colonel-in-chief. Historically a colonel-in-chief was the ceremonial head of a regiment , usually a member of a European country's royal family. The practice extends at least back to 1740 in Prussia when Frederick II held that position ( German : Regimentschef ) in
126-400: A captain-general instead of a colonel-in-chief, but the posts are essentially the same. The position of colonel-in-chief is distinct from the other ceremonial regimental posts of colonel of the regiment and honorary colonel , which are usually retired military officers or public figures with ties to the regiment. Colonels-in-chief are appointed at the invitation of the regiment. While it
189-611: A company of train. Each regimental district also forms one battalion of landvarn (of 6 companies), and the other arms would form landvarn units in the same proportion. The total peace strength was 118,500 men and comprised 71,836 rifles, 228 field and 36 heavy guns. The additional numbers available on mobilization amount to 282,000 men. The Norwegian infantry was armed with various models of the Norwegian-designed Krag–Jørgensen 6.5x55 rifles and carbines. The field artillery had Ehrhardt 7.5 cm Model 1901 . The budget of
252-400: A framework of six military districts, permitting more rapid mobilization of reservists. These precautions proved effective in 1914 with the outbreak of World War I. Norway's armed forces remained mobilized throughout the war, ensuring Norwegian neutrality in conjunction with that of Denmark and Sweden. Though nominally a neutral nation during the "Great War" of World War I (1914–1918), Norway
315-663: A major concession — the right of free trade through the Sound Strait , becoming exempt from the Sound toll. One of the results coming out of the Kalmar War was the establishment of Denmark–Norway as a competent army recognized throughout Europe. Still, because the Dano-Norwegian Alliance did not achieve a total overall victory, Sweden would recover under Gustavus Adolphus. Surprisingly enough, Sweden and
378-522: A mobile reaction force, so that allies in the region could assist each other if they came under heavy attack. In 2009 the Army introduced the new command and control lines. The Chief of the Army (former General Inspector) now commands three subordinate operational units and five support units: Hans Majestet Kongens Garde is a light infantry battalion based in Oslo at Huseby camp. The main task of Garden
441-808: A part of the reconstruction. After the war the Army was structured to meet an invasion from the East. The Army was established in all parts of the country, from 1972 in five regional "divisions" to commemorate the divisions/districts of the Second World War: East (including the inactive 6th Brigade ), West, South, Trondelag , and 6th Division : North Norway. The first four divisions were divided into 12 regional districts, which could, after full mobilization, embody 11 combat brigades (10 mobilization-dependent). 6th Division controlled Brigade North in Tromsø, two brigade mobilization districts, and two garrisons in
504-483: A system that is first and foremost geared towards the rapid activation of mobilization units armed and trained for territorial defence. As a consequence, Norwegian contributions to international military operations have a high degree of sustainability, as they have a substantial number of reserve units on which to draw. However, without adaptation this force posture is to a lesser extent able to generate forces rapidly and flexibly in response to international crises. Moreover,
567-711: Is the land warfare service branch of the Norwegian Armed Forces . The Army is the oldest of the Norwegian service branches, established as a modern military organization under the command of the King of Norway in 1628. The Army participated in various continental wars during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries as well, both in Norway and abroad, especially in World War II (1939–1945). It constitutes part of
630-617: Is to protect the King and the royal family in peace, crisis and war. After the terrorist attack in 2011 , the unit also functions as a defence force in Norway’s capital Oslo and will assist the police when needed. Brigade Nord is the Norwegian Army's only major combat formation. Brigade Nord is the northernmost combat brigade in NATO and has the capabilities to plan, lead and implement operations with support from other branches of
693-529: Is traditional for a royal personage to hold the position, it is at the discretion of each regiment whom they invite. As of 2024, most colonels-in-chief in the British Army are members of the British royal family . However, one foreign monarch holds the position: In the past non-royal persons have held, or been invited to hold, the post of colonel-in-chief. The Duke of Wellington was colonel-in-chief of
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#1732798786921756-518: Is used as ceremonial dress and service dress; blue full dress uniform as ceremonial dress and mess dress. Blue full dress uniforms are used by professional soldiers. The goal of the Nordic Combat Uniform Project is to procure a common, flexible combat uniform system for the countries Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Although the uniform will be the same in the four Nordic countries, the uniforms will look different because
819-494: The Congress of Vienna . The Royal Decree of 3 July 1817 decided that the Army should, among other things, consist of five infantry brigades. There were 1st Akershus, 2nd Akershus, 3rd Trondhjem, 4th Bergen and 5th Kristiansand infantry brigades. The brigades had a section called the brigade command (5th Brig.kdo.), Which was responsible for the war organization and plans. The union with Sweden lasted until 1905, during which time
882-771: The North Sea , Sweden sought an alternative trade route through sparsely populated Lapland to avoid paying Denmark's Sound Dues . In 1607, Charles IX of Sweden declared himself "King of the Lapps in Nordland" and began "collecting" taxes in Norwegian territory, even south of Tromsø . Since the Sound Dues were Denmark's main source of income, Denmark-Norway did not want to see alternative trade routes established, particularly when established through Norwegian territory. Denmark-Norway protested. King Charles IX of Sweden ignored
945-703: The Northern Seven Years' War before, gave rise to centuries of rivalry between the Norwegians and the Swedes which greatly influenced the machinations of the personal union between the two countries after the Dano-Norwegian loss in 1814. Rather than ceding Norway to Sweden like what was agreed upon in the Treaty of Kiel , Norway denied being ruled under Sweden and rebelled in a short war known as
1008-578: The Norwegian Defence Forces . The brigade is formed primarily around three all-arms battlegroups . Further north, the Finnmark Land Command is in charge of safeguarding Norway's northernmost land territories and the land border to Russia . It is a joint command, including an army staff and army and Home Guard units. In 2024, it was announced that the Finnmark Land Command organisation would be reinforced as part of
1071-831: The Norwegian Independent Company 1 and 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 as well as smaller units stationed in Iceland , Jan Mayen , Svalbard and South Georgia . The 2nd Mountain Company operated in Finnmark from late 1944 under nominal Russian command. Norwegian police troops and units from this brigade took control over Finnmark in 1944 after
1134-589: The Norwegian War of Independence . This would result in a treaty allowing Norway to keep most of its sovereignty while only being loosely held in union with Sweden, until gaining complete independence in 1905. Denmark-Norways's successful defense of its Dominium maris baltici gathered much attention from surrounding countries since the Baltic Sea was a lucrative trade route. Other powers opposed Denmark – Norway and Sweden's vie for total control of power of
1197-410: The 1990s, when a number of garrisons and units were discontinued. This restructuring focused on moving from a fairly static invasion army to a flexible rapid reaction army. The Parliament in 1994 and 1995 approved a series of major organizational changes, for the Army in particular. To ensure a cost-efficient implementation, it is necessary to focus the activities in the Army on the process of transforming
1260-664: The 5th Brigade was established as the Norwegian Army's district organization in Møre og Romsdal and Trøndelag. It was upgraded to the status of the 5th Division in 1916. Despite the escalating hostilities throughout Europe in 1939 and 1940, the Norwegian government at the time failed to mobilize; leaving the Army wholly unprepared for the German invasion of April 1940. The Norwegians were organised into six divisions/districts in April 1940. This amounted to approximately 19,000 men on paper. This
1323-793: The Baltic Sea and would eventually intervene. The rise of the Maritime Powers including Great Britain and the Dutch established a rivalry for power in the Baltic Sea. Archduke Albert of the Habsburgs sought out aid from the Hanseatics in order to challenge the military prowess of King Christian IV. Although a side-note to the war, the Battle of Kringen , in which Scottish mercenary forces were defeated by Gudbrandsdal militiamen from Lesja , Dovre , Vaage ( Vågå ), Fron , Lom and Ringebu
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#17327987869211386-576: The Danish and Norwegians would enter into a brief alliance in the coming Thirty Years' War. Eventually, however, Danish lack of gains in the war and eventual withdrawal, and Sweden's successful military campaign and rise in power led to Sweden's counterattack in the Torstenson War where Denmark-Norway would lose and cede control of the Baltic Sea to the King of Sweden. The Kalmar War, in addition to
1449-466: The Danish army could never mount a serious attack on the capital itself. England and the Dutch Republic were also invested in the Baltic Sea trade, and pressured to curtail Denmark-Norway's power by ending the Kalmar War before a decisive victory could be attained. The Danes and Norwegians, while well-equipped and strong, had relied heavily on mercenary forces and Christian IV, low on funds,
1512-568: The Danish–Norwegian armed forces: a decision echoing down the centuries in traces of German vocabulary used by the Norwegian military to this day. In the early 18th century the Swedes invaded Norway again , and this time the Norwegian army held its own, setting the stage for nearly a century of peace – the longest yet in early modern and modern Norwegian history – during which time a distinct Norwegian identity began to evolve. German ceased to be
1575-766: The German retreat from the Red Army . The Army was reconstructed after the War, based among others on the forces Norwegian Brigade in Scotland and the Norwegian police troops in Sweden as well as on Milorg . The participation in the allied occupation of Germany with the Independent Norwegian Brigade Group in Germany was a very demanding task for the Army in the period of 1946–52, but it was also
1638-516: The Norwegian Army base at Meymaneh was amongst the least secure bases in Afghanistan at one point. Meymaneh is located in northwestern Afghanistan, which has become increasingly restless in recent years. Both the military and political heads of the armed forces agreed about the weakened state of the base. When the Norwegian Army was asked what they needed to defend their position, they asked for 120 troops and long-range weapons. They also requested
1701-463: The Norwegian Army retained a separate entity within the joint kingdoms. Financial budgeting, recruitment, regimental organization, and uniforms were all independent of their Swedish counterparts. The basis for recruitment for the Norwegian Army was initially one of conscription for up to five years by lot drawn amongst rural recruits only. A framework was provided by regular soldiers or hvervede , enlisted as long-service volunteers. As with other armies of
1764-640: The Norwegian Campaign, Norwegian soldiers joined the Norwegian resistance movement after German forces occupied Norway. The Home Front (Hjemmefronten) was the Norwegian resistance movement during Nazi Germany's occupation of Norway (1940–1945). Norwegian soldiers also joined free Norwegian units in the United Kingdom to continue the fight against the Nazis from abroad. These units included
1827-715: The Norwegian government's long-term plan, with the ultimate aim to have it formed as a full brigade. The intention is to have a light infantry battalion, artillery (with embedded anti-aircraft element), engineers and intelligence units based in the region by 2032. According to the Norwegian MoD 2012 White Paper the Brigade Nord maneuver elements will be reorganised. Telemark Bataljonen and The Armoured Battalion will be organized as two near identical mechanized battalions composed mainly of contract personnel, but with some conscripts. The 2nd Battalion will be developed in
1890-730: The Norwegian military contribution as a charter member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( NATO ) since 1949. After the Kalmar War broke out in 1611, the Danish-Norwegian king, Christian IV tried to revive the leidang , with dire results. As the Norwegian peasantry had not been armed or trained in the use of arms for nearly three centuries, they were not able to fight. Soldiers deserted or were captured. The soldiers had to participate in military drills, while providing supplementary labor to
1953-543: The US War on Terror . The Norwegian government was one of the strongest supporters of the war. Norwegian Defence Minister at the time, Bjørn Tore Godal , said "the United States is Norway's most important ally. Norway is already providing intelligence assistance to the United States. If we receive a request for further support, including military support, we will, of course, respond positively, and in accordance with
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2016-414: The age of 56. The men were called out at 21, and for the first 12 years belonged to the line; then for 12 years to the landvarn. Afterwards they passed into the landatorm, in which they remained until they attained the age of 55 years. The initial training was carried out in recruits' schools; it lasted for 48 days in the infantry and garrison artillery, 62 in the mountain batteries, 72 in the engineers, 92 in
2079-450: The army for 1919–1920 was 1,940,000. The divisions received in 1933 the task of establishing their own field manoeuvre brigade with the same number as the division. With full Norwegian independence, legislation was passed strengthening the system introduced in 1885. Liability for military service was extended to 55 years of age and the period of training was lengthened to about five months. Additional localized regiments were created within
2142-479: The army from a large mobilization army to a smaller, professional army. The 2005–08 plan envisaged reduction of the then army from three to two brigades, but the essential and key formation was to be Brigade North . The 6 Division Command was to be organised as a mobile tactical headquarters with the capability to serve as a framework for a headquarters for multinational operations above brigade level in Norway. But to keep Brigade North operational Jane's Defence Weekly
2205-411: The border between Denmark and Sweden. In a February raid, Gustavus nearly drowned at the Battle of Vittsjö after being surprised by a Danish army. In early 1612, Denmark-Norway attacked and eventually conquered two fortresses on the border between the fighting countries, Älvsborg and Gullberg , both in present-day Gothenburg . This was a major setback for Sweden, as the country now lacked access to
2268-445: The colonel-in-chief of a regiment is its (usually royal) patron , who has a ceremonial role in the life of the regiment. They do not have any operational role, or the right to issue orders, but are kept informed of all important activities of the regiment and pay occasional visits to its units. The chief purpose of the colonel-in-chief is to maintain a direct link between the regiment and the royal family. Some artillery regiments have
2331-432: The contributions that Norway has been able to make to international operations have tended to consist of lightly armoured mechanized infantry, well-suited for more traditional peacekeeping tasks ( UNIFIL in southern Lebanon to which Norway contributed a sizable unit for over twenty years) but not sufficiently robust for missions which might entail enforcement tasks. Norway along with other Scandinavian countries, supported
2394-709: The countries will use their own camouflage patterns. FK KKIS (Defence command and control center) CIS TG (Communications and informations systems task group) CIS (Cyber defence academy) FOST (Defence security agency) HMKG (His Majesty The King's guard) Hærens Våpenskole (Army weapons school) Telemark Battalion and attached medical, engineer and logistics companies provided by respective battalions. Forsvarets Spesialkommando (Norwegian Special Operations Command) Hærens Våpenskole (Army weapons school) HMKG school center (His Majesty The King's guard) Military Academy AFA-Office (Administrative parental department) Kalmar War The Kalmar War (1611–1613)
2457-688: The field artillery, and 102 in the cavalry. As soon as their courses were finished the men were transferred to the units to which they would permanently belong, and with them went through a further training of 30 days. Subsequent training consisted of 80 days in the second, third and seventh years of service. The line was organized into 6 divisions of all arms, besides which there was the garrison artillery. There were 56 battalions of infantry, 5 companies of cyclists (skiers), 3 regiments of cavalry (16 squadrons), 27 four-gun field batteries, 3 batteries of mountain artillery, 9 batteries of heavy artillery, and 1 regiment and 2 battalions of engineers. The new Flying Corps
2520-682: The fortress of Älvsborg and thereafter further into Västergötland . A force of 6,000 Danish troops laid siege to the city of Kalmar , ultimately taking it. Norwegian forces, although stationed on the border, were instructed not to enter Sweden. On 26 June a Swedish force carried out the Storming of Kristianopel . In the summer of 1611, Swedish forces under Baltzar Bäck were ordered to invade Norwegian Jämtland . They did so, and armed Swedish peasants marched into Härjedalen . Both Jämtland and Härjedalen were conquered without much fight. However, Bäck's lack of ability, or will, to stop excesses against
2583-503: The light infantry role, composed mainly of conscript personnel. The brigade will be equipped with organic air defence assets. The reorganization is intended to provide the brigade with 2 continuously combat ready battlegroups . Norwegian army field uniforms are mainly two different uniforms: M17, a lightweight field uniform for general use, both in garrison and in field. And M02: A field uniform with breathable membrane, which provides protection against moisture and wind. Service uniform M10
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2646-611: The local community when not in active service. Although the army still did not represent the whole nation, as city residents were exempt from military duty, 1628 is generally regarded by historians as the year when the modern Norwegian army was born. As a result of the Torstenson war ( Danish : Torstenssonfejden , Norwegian : Hannibalfeiden , Swedish : Torstensonska kriget ) lasting from 1643 to 1645, Danish–Norwegian territories were to be ceded to Sweden . This led Christian IV to invite German mercenaries to coach and command
2709-448: The longest period of time: The 6th Division led by the legendary Major General Carl Gustav Fleischer participated in the allied recapture of Narvik. In most divisions, A force of 3 regiments (With 3,750 men in each regiment, 11,250 men in total) was the basic organization of the army. But with the 3rd and 4th Division, There was only 2 regiments (7,500 total men). Total Norwegian Division Force numbered 60,000 Men, in 16 Regiments. There
2772-585: The newly created Garde du Corps , an elite heavy cavalry regiment. By the late 19th century the designation could be given to the children of royalty; there are pictures of the daughters of Russian Czar Nicholas II in the uniforms of their regiments. The German Kaiser Wilhelm II carried the title to an extreme, holding it in dozens of German and (by diplomatic courtesy) Austro-Hungarian (called Inhaber ), British, Russian, and Portuguese regiments. His mother, wife, son, and daughters were also full or deputy colonels-in-chief of various units. In modern usage,
2835-637: The northernmost Finnmark region. At the end of the Cold War the army could mobilise 13 brigades, although 10 of them were less well equipped. This picture definitely changed with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the subsequent break-up of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact. It has been downsized after the end of the Cold War, with the biggest changes taking place in the middle of
2898-663: The obligations of article 5 of the NATO treaty." The Norwegian Army sent troops to support the NATO ISAF mission in Afghanistan, to help free Afghanistan of the Taliban . Norwegian special forces were involved in combat operations during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002, and Norwegian Army troops during Operation Harekate Yolo in 2007. About 590 Norwegians were serving in the ISAF force in 2009. According to Aftenposten ,
2961-624: The official language of command in the army in 1772, in favour of " Dano-Norwegian ". During the French Revolutionary Wars , Denmark–Norway tried to remain neutral. But the British attack on Copenhagen 1801 forced the kingdom to leave the Second League of Armed Neutrality . The British bombardment of the Danish capital in 1807 pushed King Frederik IV to align with French Emperor Napoleon I . Hostilities reached north into Scandinavia and by 1807, Denmark-Norway
3024-424: The period, the payment of a substitute to serve in one's place was permitted. This system was replaced by one of universal conscription introduced in 1854. Enlistment in the active army was however still based on the drawing of ballots, with those escaping full-time service going immediately to the reserve landvern , where they received brief and basic training. In 1884, the basis of service was further modified with
3087-584: The population meant that the locals eventually rose up against the Swedish occupants. In the end, the Swedish troops could not handle the situation and were forced to leave Jämtland/Härjedalen in autumn 1612. On 20 October 1611 King Charles IX of Sweden died and was succeeded by his son, Gustavus Adolphus . On ascending the throne, Gustavus Adolphus sued for peace, but Christian IV saw an opportunity for larger victories, and strengthened his armies in southern Sweden. In response, Gustavus began conducting raids along
3150-466: The protests of King Christian IV of Denmark and Norway. Finally, in April 1611, in response to Sweden's claim of a traditionally Norwegian area in Northern Norway , Denmark-Norway declared war upon Sweden and invaded. The Danish-Norwegian side planned to attack Sweden on three fronts; from Kristianopel towards Kalmar , from Halmstad towards Jönköping , and from the Norwegian side towards
3213-718: The regiment that bore his name . The Governor General of Canada Adrienne Clarkson was invited to be colonel-in-chief of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry , while the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps decided to ask the Governor-General of Australia to serve as its colonel-in-chief. The role has spread to other armies in the Commonwealth of Nations , at least in countries which have royal families. Norwegian Army The Norwegian Army ( Norwegian : Hæren )
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#17327987869213276-429: The sea in the west. Having achieved this success, and aiming to end the war as soon as possible, the Danish command ordered an attack deep into Sweden, towards the capital of Stockholm. However, this proved to be a failure. Scorched earth methods and guerrilla warfare from the Swedish side made this a very difficult task and many of the mercenaries in the Danish army deserted since they did not receive their pay. Thus,
3339-534: The substitution of part-time volunteer rifle clubs for the regular army but this was opposed by the Storting ( Parliament of Norway ) parliamentary majority on the basis of the doubtful effectiveness of such a force. In June 1905, the Storting unilaterally dissolved the 91-year-old union with Sweden. After a short but tense period during which both armies were mobilized, Sweden agreed to the peaceful dissolution of
3402-411: The training period being reduced to 90 days. The regulars of the hvervede were reduced to a cadre of career officers, NCOs, and other specialists. The individual Norwegian recruit now passed through three stages of service with the line regiments, the militia, and the territorial reserve during the 13-year period that his liability for military service lasted. The left-wing parties of the Storting favored
3465-458: The union. In 1911, six brigades were established, which by the Army Order of 1916 were called divisions. The divisions were consecutively numbered without geographical place names. The divisions corresponded to what later became district commands. By 1920, the army of Norway was a national militia. Service was universal and compulsory, liability commencing at the age of 18 and continuing till
3528-521: Was actually a numerically superior force to that of the Germans. However, these divisions were ill-prepared by the time the landings commenced and four were destroyed by the Germans during the initial phases of the campaign. With the German occupational forces in 1940, as with the other parts of the Armed Forces, the Army had to surrender to a superior force, but army units were the ones resisting for
3591-495: Was also a Few Extra Groups, like 3 Dragoon Regiments, 3 Artillery Regiments, a few Mountain artillery battalions and infantry battalions in the far north, with 2 Royal Guards companies in the south. The greatest Norwegian accomplishment of the Second World War was the victory in the Battle of Narvik , especially the mountain war forcing the German forces all the way from the ocean to the Swedish border. In addition to
3654-598: Was at war with Great Britain . Denmark–Norway's alliance with France and Sweden's alliance with the Great Britain led to war with Sweden 1808. Sweden made a bid to acquire Norway by way of invasion while Denmark-Norway made ill-fated attempts to reconquer territories lost to Sweden in the 17th century. As the Napoleonic era drew to a close, the anti-French victorious allies decided to sever Norway from Denmark and unite and award Norway to neighboring Sweden in 1814 at
3717-477: Was finally amenable to persuasion in 1613. With the intercession of James I of England , the Treaty of Knäred was signed on 20 January 1613. Denmark–Norway reached its victory, restoring Norwegian control of Sweden's land route through Lapland by incorporating Lapland as a part of Norway. Further, Sweden had to pay a high ransom for two fortresses (Älvsborg and Gullberg), two towns and six surrounding hundreds captured by Denmark-Norway. Sweden, however, achieved
3780-476: Was fought between Denmark–Norway and Sweden . Though Denmark-Norway soon gained the upper hand, it was unable to defeat Sweden entirely. The Kalmar War was the last time Denmark-Norway successfully defended its dominium maris baltici against Sweden, and it also marked the increasing influence of the two countries on Baltic politics. Since Denmark–Norway controlled the strait between the Baltic Sea and
3843-412: Was in the unenviable position of being dependent on the warring sides for its trade. Coal from Britain was needed to keep the country going, and Norway had thus to agree that each shipload of coal leaving Britain be matched with incoming Norwegian cargoes such as copper ore and fish. This attracted the attention of the opposing German Empire and its Imperial German Navy 's numerous submarines . In 1911
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#17327987869213906-408: Was organized in 3 divisions. The divisions were of unequal strength, according to the importance of the district in which they were recruited. In event of war, each division would mobilize 2 or 3 regiments of infantry (of 3 battalions), 3 or 4 squadrons of cavalry, a battalion of field artillery (of 3 batteries), a battalion of heavy artillery, a sapper company, a telegraph company, a medical company and
3969-407: Was told in May 2004 would require two brigade sets of equipment. The Army had by the end of the decade been significantly downsized from its late Cold War heights, and has for example faced criticism from within claiming that it would now only be able to defend one district of Oslo in the event of a national invasion. Norwegian contributions to international crisis management have been generated from
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