Battle of Vinjesvingen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Vinjesvingen |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Norwegian campaign | |||||||
|
|||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Norway |
 Germany |
||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Thor O. Hannevig (POW) |
? | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| ~300 soldiers | ? | ||||||
The Battle of Vinjesvingen was an important fight during World War II in Norway. It happened in May 1940 in the Telemark area. This battle was one of the last places where Norwegian soldiers bravely fought back against the German invasion in southern Norway. The other was Hegra Fortress.
Contents
Why the Battle Happened
This battle was part of the larger Norwegian campaign. It was a time when Germany invaded Norway in 1940. The Norwegian soldiers at Vinjesvingen aimed to stop the German army from moving further west. They also wanted to help Allied forces that might arrive from the west.
Setting Up Defenses
A brave Norwegian officer named Second Lieutenant Thor O. Hannevig led the defense. He managed to secretly gather a lot of weapons, gear, and fuel. He took these supplies from depots right under the noses of the German forces.
The equipment was brought to Vinje and Vågsli in Telemark. There, Hannevig created a special fighting group. This group became known as the Telemark Infantry Regiment.
What Weapons They Had
The soldiers had many different types of weapons. These included Krag–Jørgensen bolt action rifles, which are a type of gun where you load each bullet by hand. They also had Madsen light machine guns and Colt M/29 heavy machine guns.
For bigger attacks, they used mortars. These fired shells high into the air. They also had mines and explosives. These were used to destroy bridges and roads. This helped slow down the German advance.
The Battle Begins
Many people in the area joined the fight. At its peak, about 300 men were part of this force. The number of soldiers changed often, but their spirit remained strong.
Fighting Tactics
The Norwegian defenders fought several small battles. They often set up ambushes for the German forces. An ambush is a surprise attack from a hidden position. They used their small arms and IEDs (homemade bombs).
A key tactic was to destroy or damage bridges and roads. This made it very hard for the German army to move quickly. It bought the Norwegians more time.
The Main Fight
The most intense part of the battle happened from May 3 to May 5. Large numbers of German soldiers were sent to the area. The German forces suffered many losses during these fierce fights.
Eventually, it became clear that southern Norway could not be held. The Allied forces, who were trying to land at Åndalsnes, could not break through. Because of this, Lieutenant Hannevig started talks to surrender.
After the Battle
The Battle of Vinjesvingen ended on May 5, 1940. The Norwegian forces at Vinjesvingen surrendered. This happened after all other Norwegian forces in southern Norway had also laid down their arms.
Even though they surrendered, the battles at Vinjesvingen had a huge impact. During the German occupation of Norway, this battle became a symbol of resistance. It gave people hope and boosted their spirits during a very difficult time. However, most people in Norway did not know about these specific battles while they were happening.
See also
- List of Norwegian military equipment of World War II
- List of German military equipment of World War II
