Oslogjengen facts for kids

Oslogjengen (which means The Oslo Gang) was a brave group of people who fought against the German occupation of Norway during World War II. They were also known as part of Kompani Linge's Oslo team. This secret group worked in Oslo, the capital of Norway, from May 1944 until the war ended in May 1945. They were a key part of the Norwegian resistance movement.

The Oslogjengen group was connected to both the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) and the Norwegian resistance group called Milorg. They had about ten members, and their leader was Gunnar Sønsteby. From May to September 1944, they were the most important sabotage group in Oslo. They carried out many successful secret missions to disrupt the German forces.

Why Oslogjengen Was Formed

Stopping Forced Labor

In May 1944, the Nazi government in Norway announced a new rule. All young men born in 1921, 1922, and 1923 had to join "national labor duty." This meant they would be forced to work for the Germans.

Earlier that year, a secret document was found and shared by the underground newspapers. This document, written by a "Minister of Justice" named Sverre Riisnæs, suggested sending 75,000 young Norwegians to fight on the German-Soviet war front. The Norwegian resistance movement decided they had to stop these plans at all costs.

Oslogjengen's Sabotage Missions

Fighting the Labor Duty

The first missions of Oslogjengen aimed to stop the forced labor plans.

• On May 18, 1944, and again on June 17, 1944, they destroyed a machine used to sort registration cards for the labor duty.
• They also blew up the registration office at Akersgaten 55 in Oslo.

Because of these actions, thousands of young people left their homes. They hid in the forests to avoid being forced into labor. When the German authorities found out, they tried to stop food supplies to these young people by taking away their ration cards. To help, Oslogjengen stopped a truck full of ration cards in August 1944. They took the cards and made sure the young people could get food.

Other Important Operations

Oslogjengen carried out many other important missions:

• Destroying Explosives: In June 1944, they attacked two factories that made sulfuric acid. This acid was used to make explosives for the Germans. The factories were Norsk Svovelsyrefabrikk and Lysaker kemiske Fabrik A/S.
• Damaging Airplanes: In August 1944, they attacked a bus garage. This mission destroyed 25 Messerschmitt fighter planes and 150 airplane engines.
• Targeting Railways: A special train engine from the Thamshavn railway had been damaged before. It was sent to Oslo for repairs. In September 1944, Oslogjengen damaged it again at Skabo Jernbanevognfabrikk.
• Other Targets: They also attacked other important places. These included Raufoss Ammunisjonsfabrikk and Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk (factories making ammunition and weapons). They also targeted oil storage facilities and a large supply of ball bearings, which are important for machines.

The End of the War

In May 1945, as the war was ending, Oslogjengen had one more crucial mission. They secured all the important files in the Ministry of Justice and Police. This prevented the Germans from destroying them.

After the war ended, members of Oslogjengen had an honorable role. They served as guards for Crown Prince Olav when he returned to Norway on May 13, 1945. They also guarded King Haakon when he came back in June 1945.

Who Were the Members?

Oslogjengen had about ten members. Gunnar Sønsteby was the person who organized their missions. Sadly, some members lost their lives during the war. Gregers Gram and Edvard Tallaksen were shot by the Germans in November 1944. Roy Nielsen was also killed by the Germans.

Other brave members of the group included Birger Rasmussen, Andreas Aubert, William Houlder, Per Mørland, and Henrik Hop. Sometimes, Max Manus also helped them. Later, two more Linge agents, Arthur Pevik and Viggo Axelssen, joined the group.