Hirden
Hirden (the hird) was an ideological, paramilitary organization in the Norwegian party Nasjonal Samling (NS) from 1934 to 1945. Hirden served as the party's political troops, similar to the Sturmabteilung of NSDAP.
History
Hirden's forerunner was formed in 1933 under the name Spesialavdeling (SA) and was a voluntary organization for members of Nasjonal Samling from 18 to 45 years. Hirden were officially defined as the party's political and ideological soldiers, but they mainly served as guards during political meetings and speeches, after countless attacks from and conflicts with communists, which was also the main basis for Hirden's formation. In the 1930s, there were around 500 members in Hirden. During the occupation Hird membership became mandatory for young, male party members from 1941, and later also for women. All members wore uniforms at events and in member service. There were about 8,500 members in Hirden during World War II.
The term hird was introduced in 1934 and was originally the medieval name for the bodyguards of kings and great men.
Hirden was dissolved in May 1945, and many members were convicted in the so-called "treason settlement".
Rikshirden and other
Rikshirden was the first formation and the actual Hirden, and most other units were based on it. In addition, the term Hird after the war has been used as a common name for the entire Hirden, including Kvinnehirden (the female hird).
- Rikshirden (1933–1945). Rikshirden was political and had important propaganda tasks.
- Førergarden (1942–1945) was Vidkun Quisling's personal bodyguard and the party's parade division.
- Hirdens Flykorps (1942–1945) was founded in March 1942 to form the foundation for the future Norwegian Air Force.
- Hirdmarinen (1942–1943) was to lay the foundation for the future Norwegian navy.
- Kvinnehirden (1934–1945). This was the party's medical squad and service staff at large events. Kvinnehirden was actually subject to NS Kvinneorganisasjon (NSK), the women's organization of Nasjonal Samling.
NS had several children and youth organizations, including:
- Unghirden, Guttehirden, Jentehirden and Småhirden. The organizations were subject to NS Ungdomsfylking (NSUF), not Hirden even though they used the term «hird».
Gallery
Vidkun Quisling speaks to Hirden, 1941.
Hirden.
Førergarden meets Qusiling at Fornebu airport after his state visit to Hitler in Berlin after "Statsakten" in February 1942.
Førergarden.
Vidkun Quisling speaks to Hirden and NS sympathizers under the slogans "Norskdom (Norwegiandom) - Fridom (Freedom) - Kristendom (Christendom)" during a summer rally in Sarpsborg in 1942.
Hirden women march up Oslo's main street.
