SS Skijeger Batalion Norge

SS Skijeger Batalion “Norge”(SS-Jäg.Schi.Btl. Norge)

6^th SS Gebirgjagerdivision “Nord”

The SS Skijegerbataljon Norge (SS-Jäg.Schi.Btl. Norge) was one of the truly Norwegian SS units and earmarked for service in the arctic conditions of the northernmost points on the Eastern Front. “Skijeger” is Norwegian for a Special Forces soldier with emphasis on cross country skiing. This would of course transfer the skiing heritage of Norwegian youth into the battlefield as cross country skis was often the only way to move over the vast winter landscape of Northern Finland.

The unit itself, which was under direct command of 6^th SS Gebirgjagerdivision Nord, was established the summer of 1943. A pure Norwegian skiing unit was established as early as the fall 1943 when a Skiing Company was put together by Gust Jonassen and the NS Youth Organization NSUF. These soldiers received their training in Sennheim and was sent to the Finnish front during the winter of 1943. Many Norwegians transferred into this new unit from other SS divisions in addition to new recruits enlisting from Norway. When it reached the strength of a Battalion the name was changed and SS Skijegerbatajon Norge became a reality.

The chance to finally be able to fight on the Finnish front weight heavily for those that volunteered. Although the unit being under German command, this was in the eyes of the Norwegian soldiers finally the chance many had been waiting for—to fight in a truly Norwegian unit on the Finnish front.

They were primarily put into duty on the Northern Karelean front in Finland. The unit was at its largest 700 men strong. It was under the command of Sturmbannfuhrer Frode Halle, who earlier had served with Frw. Legion Norwegen and Rgt “Norge”. All commanders were Norwegian and the language used was exclusively Norwegian.

For the most part, the unit did patrols and reconnaissance on the frontline as well as behind it. They saw very little direct combat and had few losses until Midsummer night 1944.

During the summer of 1944 a large part of the Battalion had been sent forward to defend two hills in the Finnish forest called Hasselmann and Kaprolat. These hills were well in front of the frontline but somewhat built out with primitive bunkers and trenches. It was only 30 km from the Murmansk Railroad and it was during the month of June evidence that the Russians were building up their forces close by. The unit asked for reinforcements or possibly permission to withdraw as their unit at this time was only just over 200 man strong. No answer from the German command was given.

In the days and weeks prior to the attack, the Russians could clearly be heard as they were constructing a log road through the marshy terrain towards the Norwegian positions at Kaprolat. This information was relayed to 6. SS-Geb.Div ”Nord”. Logging could be heard as close as the other side of the minefields as reported by the guards.

The Russians has estimated that as many as 1000 Norwegian soldiers were defending the hills. They initiated the attack on Kaprolat on 25^th June 1944 with a whole regiment supported by two artillery battalions, estimated at between 4000 and 5000 soldiers. During the attack a large number of Norwegian soldiers tried to make an escape south towards the Hasselmann hill. But only very few made it there. A small group of soldiers escaped towards Northwest and walked for 12 days before reaching friendly positions. (All photos courtesy: Geir Brenden)

The battlefield of Kaprolat and Hasselmann is in a very remote area on the Russian side of the Finnish border. It was re-visited for the first time in 2003.

To see how it was found, click on this link.