The Defence Medal 1940–1945 () is the award rewarded to those military and civilian personnel who participated in the fight against the German

invasion An invasion is a military offensive in which large numbers of combatants of one geopolitical entity aggressively enter territory owned by another such entity, generally with the objective of either: conquering; liberating or re-establishing con ...

and

occupation of Norway The occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany during the Second World War began on 9 April 1940 after Operation Weserübung. Conventional armed resistance to the German invasion ended on 10 June 1940, and Nazi Germany controlled Norway until the ...

between 1940 and 1945. The Defence Medal 1940–1945 can be awarded both to

Norwegian Norwegian, Norwayan, or Norsk may refer to: *Something of, from, or related to Norway, a country in northwestern Europe * Norwegians, both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway * Demographics of Norway *The Norwegian language, including ...

and foreign citizens. The medal may still be awarded due to the large number of participants in the defence of Norway during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

and the difficulties tracking down all eligible recipients. The medal is in bronze. On the obverse is the coat of arms with the inscription . On the reverse is the royal flag, the flag and national flag. Above these a narrow circle with the inscription (Participant in the struggle). The image is surrounded by a chain. The band is in the Norwegian national colors. The band can be fitted with a rosette if the recipient has distinguished himself several times. The medal is made by the goldsmith firm of J. Tostrup in

Oslo Oslo ( , , or ; sma, Oslove) is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. The municipality of Oslo had a population of in 2022, while the city's greater urban area had a population of ...

.''Deltakermedaljen'' (Norwegian war medals)
/ref> As of 2017, the Defence Medal 1940–1945 ranks as 23rd of the Norwegian decorations.

Qualification details

The medal was awarded to those meeting one of the following criteria: * Taking part in the campaign in Norway in 1940 for five days or more. * Service in the

Norwegian armed forces The Norwegian Armed Forces ( no, Forsvaret, , The Defence) is the military organization responsible for the defence of Norway. It consists of five branches, the Norwegian Army, the Royal Norwegian Navy, which includes the Coast Guard, the Royal ...

and merchant fleet outside of Norway for four months or more (awarded for less than four months service if one served in units that moved to Norway as part of the liberation). * Taking part in the campaign in Finnmark (winter 1944-45) for one month or more. * Allied soldiers who took part in the

liberation of Norway The occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany during the Second World War began on 9 April 1940 after Operation Weserübung. Conventional armed resistance to the German invasion ended on 10 June 1940, and Nazi Germany controlled Norway until the ...

and served for one month or more. * Service in the resistance forces for four months or more.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Defence Medal 1940-1945 Military awards and decorations of Norway Awards established in 1945 1945 establishments in Norway