6th Division (Norway)

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The 6th Division (6. divisjon) was a division of the Norwegian Army. It existed from 1897 until it was disbanded on 1 August 2009, with a major reorganization in 2002. Its headquarters were at Heggelia, Norway, and its battle honours come from World War II: the Battle of Gratangen and the Battle of Narvik. Notable leaders include General Carl Gustav Fleischer, an important WWII figure, and the last commander was Major General Kjell Grandhagen.

In World War II, the division was ready to fight when Germany invaded on 9 April 1940. With help from British, French and Polish forces, it helped recapture Narvik. The Germans later retook Narvik, and the Allied forces evacuated in June 1940, leading to Norwegian demobilization. General Fleischer died in 1942 after being sent to Canada as a military attaché. After the war, the division was re-established in 1945 when Norway was liberated.

During the Cold War, the division did not see combat. In the 1980s it covered northern Norway, with areas in North and South Hammerfest and Brigade Nord in Tromsø. It included the 14th and 15th mobilization brigades and two northern garrisons in Finnmark (Porsanger and Sør-Varanger).

Following the Cold War, the division was reorganized in 2002 as part of a broader reform. In peacetime it consisted of about 1,200 officers and NCOs, around 3,000 enlisted soldiers, and about 200 civilian staff. In wartime its numbers could rise above 12,000. It was the only Norwegian Army division equipped with modern heavy weapons, such as Leopard 2A4NO tanks, CV9030 IFVs, and M109A3GN howitzers. Infantry used Bv206 tracked vehicles, snowmobiles, and other light transport. Airlift support came from the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s Tactical Helicopter Group at Bardufoss. The division’s motto was “Styrke for fred, evne til strid” (Strength for peace, capability for war). It also included engineering and NBC units.

The 6th Division was disbanded on 1 August 2009.