Who commanded the oldest of the Norwegian service branches in 1940?
Norwegian Army Norway achieved full independence in 1905, and in the first century of its short life has contributed to three major conflicts, World War II, the Cold War and the War on Terror. The Norwegian Army currently operates in Northern Norway and in Afghanistan as well as in Eastern Europe. The Army is the oldest of the service branches, established as a modern military organization in 1628. The Army participated in wars during the 17th, 18th and 19th century as well, both in Norway and abroad.
Mons Haukeland Mons Olai Haukeland (29 February 1892 – 26 July 1983) was a Norwegian gymnastics teacher and military officer, and district leader of Milorg during World War II until his arrest in 1943. He was imprisoned at Grini concentration camp from 8 to 9 December 1943, then at Sachsenhausen until the camp was liberated. He has been called father of the Norwegian Home Guard, being its general inspector (Norwegian: "generalinspektør" ) from its formation in 1946 to 1958. He was promoted to the rank of major general in 1954.