Norway was invaded by Germany in April of 1940. Defending against the invasion were troops from the UK, France, Norway and other countries supported by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. While the defenders were heroic and inflicted major damage upon the Germans, especially the German Navy, they ultimately lost and had to retreat.

In 1990, to commemorate the valiant defense, a medal was issued and several commemorative flight covers were issued and signed by some surviving pilots and aircrew who had participated in various battles.

First of all, here is the medal.

Plus, the cover and bio for Nick Knilans, who participated in the sinking of the Tirpitz.

The Invasion of Norway happened on the 7th of April.

Here are two covers:

Ben Rice, 201 Squadron providing cover to the Allied evacuation of Norway.
Jaakko Hillo, Finnish fighter ace credited with 8 air victories.

And, a cover signed by Peter McGregor, who participated with 46 Hurricane Squadron in the Battle of Narvik.

The cover collection came to me from my good friend and GDC contributor, Janos. The medal from a very nice Norwegian, John Mangor, and the info on Jaakko Hillo from my friend in Finland, Rainer. If you add in Canada, where this is now domiciled, we have a fully international effort and network of friends and collectors at play here.

Thank you all,

John

hi john z
i would like to thank you for putting this great history documentation about the invasion of norwy 1940 i am very proud to know how members like janos and outhers helped you in this history hunt thank you for your intrest and time consumeing with this important history lesson god bless andy militarynut

The German occupation of Norway took place in 1940.

A key battle to take the country was in Narvik. The Germans participating in the invasion of Narvik were eligible for the Narvik shield in Gold or Silver.

Norway was put under German military administration and the Reichsmommissariat was established.

There were a lot of souvenir rings and jewelry produced for German occupiers to buy as souvenirs of the invasion and of their garrison in Norway.

I have a few to show you here:

Norwegen 1940
Banak 1940
Norge Map
Norge Ship 1940
Norge Viking Ship Blue Sail
Norge Viking Ship Red Sail
Norge Trondheim 1940

Banak is interesting. It was (ad still is) a northern airbase originally used by the Norwegain Air Force, taken over by the Germans and then retaken and used by the Norwegians to this day

Wikipedia has this to say,
Banak was taken over by the Luftwaffe during the German occupation of Norway during
World War II. The Wehrmacht was planning an attack on the Soviet Union from Finnmark
and designated Banak as their primary air base in Northern Norway. By September 1940,
the main runway was extended to 1,000 by 200 meters (3,280 by 660 ft), constructed in
wood. Three hangars were built, allowing the air base to house bombers. The air station's
prime function during the war was to facilitate attacks on the Arctic convoys. Expansion
continued, and by 1943 there were two parallel runways, both 1,800 meters (5,900 ft) long.
The air station was blasted in October 1944 during Operation Nordlicht, the German retreat
from Finnmark.[4]

john

Great rings !

ALL good! , pleasure to see and learn.. That R K Eagle is fabulous!



Thanks , John!

I picked up some more rings:

Norwegen 1940-41 with a Naval motif.
Norwegen 1940 Luftwaffe, 2 different patterns
Oslo Wappen, 2 rings one inscribed Oslo 1944

J

very nice.. the 40-41 is Costal Artillery!. Hard one to find!!!

Thanks, G.

I don't show it, but the coastal artillery ring has engraved the phrase 'St u WK Horten'. Horten is located in South Norway close to Tvedestrand and not far from my wife's hometown of Risor. It is, even today, home to a large Norwegian naval base.

Thank you for your help and advice on these and in this forum.

John

Just in time for Christmas in the Great White North.

Initials EN engraved Stavanger
Kampfgeschwader 26 Stavanger
Marine Artillery Stavanger

More Christmas presents for me:

Norge 1940 Luftwaffe Stavanger
Norge 1940 Luftwaffe 2/32 Stavanger
Norge 1940 Ship Stavanger

The last arrivals (interesting note that 6 of the 8 have Stavanger City inscribed on them):

Norge Flag
Norwegen 1940 Luftwaffe Ship

A very nice Christmas present.

John

Thanks to Gaspare's help and a stupid high bid on an auction site, here is my 6th Norway 1940 Luftwaffe ring (with a Christmas wreath motif?)

j