Birger Eriksen
Norwegian Army officer (1875-1958) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Birger Kristian Eriksen (17 November 1875 – 16 July 1958) was a Norwegian military officer (with the rank of Oberst) who was instrumental in stopping the first wave of Gruppe 5 of the German invasion force outside Oslo.
Quick Facts Born, Died ...
Birger Kristian Eriksen | |
---|---|
Born | (1875-11-17)17 November 1875 Flakstad, Lofoten, Kingdom of Sweden and Norway |
Died | 16 July 1958(1958-07-16) (aged 82) Oslo, Norway |
Buried | Vår Frelsers gravlund, Oslo |
Allegiance | Norway |
Service/ | Norwegian Army |
Years of service | 1893–1940 |
Rank | Oberst (Colonel) |
Commands | Coastal fortresses:
|
Battles/wars | |
Awards | War Cross with sword[4][5] Croix de Guerre[4][6] Légion d'honneur[4][6] |
Spouse(s) |
Christiane Sæhlie (m. 1903) |
Relations | Hans Eriksen (grandfather), Casper Eriksen (father)[6] Andreas Olsen Sæhlie (father-in-law)[7] |
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Eriksen was the commander of Oscarsborg Fortress when Nazi Germany attacked Norway in the early hours of 9 April 1940. He gained lasting recognition for ordering the fortress under his command to open fire on the vanguard forces of Operation Weserübung, sinking the 16,000-ton heavy cruiser Blücher.