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Uniforms of the Norwegian and Danish Police Troops

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The Uniform of the Norwegian Police Troops Established in Sweden

Introduction

The Norwegian Police Troops (Norwegian: Polititroppene, or Reservepolitiet) was the term used for the Norwegian army unit established in Sweden during the Second World War. The troops were manned by Norwegian refugees. More information about the Norwegian Police Troops in Sweden. At the beginning of the training, the men’s uniform consisted of a simple overall. However, this clothing wasn’t suited as a battle dress in combat.

Uniform A/44

After some time, the Norwegian troops were equipped with a slightly modified version of the Swedish Army’s battle dress, m/1939. The buttons were removed and replaced with buttons with the Norwegian Lion imprinted instead of the Swedish Three Crowns. The coat was close-fitted at the waist and the pocket and pocket flaps were different. Further, the Norwegian coat had no half-belt. At the top of the left sleeve was a badge attached with the text “Norge” (Norway) and at the top of the right sleeve was a sign with the Norwegian flag. Under the coat, they wore a shirt and tie. The trousers were equipped with two hip pockets and a side pocket on each leg. Three headgear was used: garrison cap, peaked cap, and fur-hat m/1909. The helmet they were equipped with was the Swedish helmet m/1926 with av painted white "N" on each side. There was also a long coat, fur-coat, and ski wear. The uniform was designated Uniform A/44. The image to the right shows a Corporal with the Norwegian Police Troops wearing uniform A/44. A "Norway” sign is attached at the top of the left sleeve. The uniform was a modified version of the Swedish uniform m/39. Photo Mimmi Nilsson (1887 - 1964). Image: Kulturparken/Smålands museum, ID: MINI1442. Officers wore rank insignias on the shoulder straps in the shape of a different number of stars while NCOs wore chevrons on the left sleeve. Insignias for the branch of the Army were worn on both sleeves and had different colors depending on the branch such as; red - infantry, red-blue artillery, etc. The Norwegian nationality insignia as well as a button with the Norwegian Lion was worn on the headgear. The image to the left shows the Swedish helmet m/1926 with a painted white “N” on each side. The image to the right shows the coat A/44 for an officer with the Norwegian Police Troops in Sweden. On top of the right sleeve is a sign with the Norwegian flag. This particular coat might be an early test model since the pockets look very much like the ones on the Swedish uniform m/1939. Image: Armémuseum, ID: AM.020205. DigitaltMuseum. The image to the left shows the garrison cap for an officer, with the Norwegian Police Troops. Image: Armémuseum, ID: AM.020207. DigitaltMuseum.

The Danish Navy Uniform used in Sweden

The Danish navy’s personnel in Sweden numbered about 200 men and they were garrisoned at Karlskrona naval base in Blekinge, southern Sweden. These Danish sailors were wearing the Danish navy uniform. On the tally of the sailor’s cap, they wore the text “Orlogsflåden” which is the Danish name of their navy. During exercises ashore, they wore the Danish Brigade’s army uniform. On 29 August 1943, the Danish Navy managed to escape from Denmark with 13 navy ships when the Germans tightened their grip of Denmark. The Danish ships sought protection in Swedish ports which was granted by Swedish authorities. These ships were later brought to Karlskrona naval base.

The Danish Air Squadron’s Uniform used in Sweden

Among the Danish refugees were a dozen pilots from the Danish Air Force. They were secretly placed two and two at different Swedish airbases and was trained to fly the Swedish light bomber aircraft Saab 17. The Danish airmen wore Swedish Air Force uniforms: the uniform m/1930 and the Swedish flying suit. However, the uniforms were worn without any insignias or badges. The image to the right shows the Swedish Air Force uniform m/1930 with peaked cap m/1930. The Flight officer on the image is wearing rank insignias for Lieutenant. On the chest is his pilot wings. For more information, see Uniforms of the Swedish Air Force. The image to the left shows the Swedish light bomber Saab 17 produced by Swedish Aerospace Inc, a Swedish aerospace and defense company. Saab 17 was built in two versions; bomber and air reconnaissance. The first set of aircraft was delivered to the Air Force on 23 March 1942. For more information, see History of the Swedish Air Force.

The Uniform of the Danish Brigade Established in Sweden

Danish Police Troops was established in Sweden correspondingly to the establishment of Norwegian Police Troops. The Danish police troops were known as the Danish Brigade (Danish: Den Danske Brigade or Danforce) and manned with Danish refugees. The establishment of the force began on 1 November 1943. Like in the case of the military training of the Norwegians the training of the Danes was also referred to as training of police officers not to arose unnecessary Nazi German interest. However, from the fall of 1944, the training was significantly militarized. More information about the Danish Police Troops in Sweden. Unlike the Norwegian troops, the Danish troops were divided into different branches of the armed services (Army, Navy, and Air Force) and therefore wore different uniforms.

The Danish Army Uniform used by the Brigade

At the beginning of the training, the Danes’ uniform consisted of simple cotton overalls, a greatcoat, and a garrison cap. However, this clothing wasn’t suited as a battle dress in combat. For winter usage they were also supplied with ski wear. When the brigade was transferred to Denmark in May 1945 they were therefore dressed in a different uniform. This was a battledress produced in the summer of 1944 and consisted of a waist short jacket, trousers, a greatcoat, and a cap. The uniform was made of the same cloth as the Swedish battle dress m/1939. The short jacket had some resemblance to the British Battledress 1937. Officers wore shoulder belts. On one of the sleeves, the Danes attached an armlet of red cloth with white edges. The text on the armlet read “DANMARK” (Denmark) placed under a danish Crown. The image to the right shows a soldier of the Danish Brigade wearing the brigades battledress with the short jacket.

To the left, as a comparison, are Swedish soldiers wearing the standard version of the Swedish Army’s uniform m/1939.

The dummy to the left is dressed in the uniform used by the Norwegian Police Troops, A/44, here with the peaked cap. Image: Wikipedia. The image to the right shows Norwegian soldiers wearing the uniform of the Police Troops with helmets and ammunition belts. Image: Wikipedia.

The image to the left shows the short jacket m/1940 used by the Danish Brigade, a private soldier. Image: Armémuseum. ID: AM.014385. DigitaltMuseum. The image to the right shows the greatcoat m/1939 used by the Danish Brigade. Image: Armémuseum. ID: AM.014387. DigitaltMuseum.

The image to the left shows the garrison cap used by the Brigade. Image: Armémuseum. ID: AM.014394. DigitaltMuseum. Small. The image to the right shows helmet m/1937 used by the Brigade. On the left side of the helmet was a sticker or a painted image of the Danish flag. Image: Armémuseum, ID: AM.014392. DigitaltMuseum.