Quisling Says He Is “Martyr Of Norway”

Northern Advocate, 21 August 1945, Page 4

Quisling Says He Is “Martyr Of Norway”

(Ree 1 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 20. The trial of Quisling began this morning in Oslo. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Quisling is alleged to have negotiated with Hitler before the German invasion of Norway, claiming that it was vital for Norway to come under Germany’s protection. He is also j charged with encouraging Norwegian forces not to resist the Germans in 1940 and with trying unlawfully to alter the constitution of the State. The Gslo radio says the verdict is not expected before next Monday. Letters to Hitler The prosecutor (M. Schoedjt) produced a number of documents recently found in Germany which, he said, showed that Quisling, for years, had co-operated with high German Nazis. The most important of these documents were letters from Quisling to Hitler. Rosenberg, Keitel and Jodi, under examination by the British after their arrests, stated that Quisling, with German military and financial suport, had long prepared for the invasion of Norway and had established groups to assist the German invading troops. Quisling’ told Rosenberg that Britain had agreements with Norway for an Allied occupation, but Quisling reiterated the belief that Norway's fate must be bound with Germany. The prosecutor added that Quisling, in the autumn of 1939, through his representative in Germany, Hakelin, kept the Germans informed of Norwegian developments. His plan was to take over the Government in a coup d’etat, for which purpose he asked Germany’s help.

Rosenberg and Admiral Raeder were most interested in Quisling’s plans, which were speeded up and finally discussed at a meeting between Quisling and Hitler, who, according to Raeder, then issued orders for the invasion. Quisling was anointed adviser and paid 200,000 reichmarks. Quisling continued to urge the Germans to forstall the western powers and suggested that a number of Quis ling’s followers should receive military training in Germany for paralysing military opposition in Norway, also for the capture of King Haakon. “Savious of Scandinavia” Speaking in his own defence towards the end of the day’s hearing, Quisling vigorously described himself as the saviour of Scandinavia and the martyr of Norway.

He shouted repeatedly to the crowded court that it was he who saved Norway and Sweden from destruction as battlefields.

Quisling denied supplying military information to the Germans and declared that he fought throughout for Norway and Norwegian neutrality. He caused a murmur of incredulous astonishment when he claimed he fought the Germans to safeguard Norwegian interests. He flatly denied discussing the invasion of Norway with German leaders before April, 1940, and described documents produced by the prosecution, detailing these conversations as fabrications. When asked whether he contacted the Germans before April, 1940, he replied, after hesitation, “Yes, but not in the sense mentioned in the indictment.”

Quisling acknowledged talks with Hitler and Ribbentrop, and claimed he persuaded Hitler to negotiate peace between Finland and Russia in order to prevent the war spreading to Scandinavia.

Accused added that he prevented the danger of French invasion of Norway for the purpose of cutting off the Swedish copper mines. He explained his friendship for Germany by his belief that Germany had established herself as the greatest country in Europe; therefore Norway sought to maintain friendly relations with her.