The Defence Medal 1940 – 1945 is the award rewarded to those military and civilian personnel who participated in the fight against the German invasion and occupation of Norway

Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany

The occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany started with the German invasion of Norway on April 9, 1940, and ended on May 8, 1945, after the capitulation of German forces in Europe. Throughout this period, Norway was continuously occupied by the Wehrmacht...

 between 1940 and 1945.

The Defence Medal can be awarded both to Norwegian

Norway

Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...

 and foreign citizens. The medal may still be awarded due to the large number of participants in the defence of Norway during World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

 and the difficulties tracking down all eligible recipients.
The medal is in bronze. On the obverse is the coat of arms with the inscription 9 April 1940 - May 8, 1945. On the reverse is the royal flag, the flag and national flag. Above these a narrow circle with the inscription DELTAGER I KAMPEN (Participant in the struggle). The image is surrounded by a chain. The band is in the Norwegian national colors. The band can be fitted with a rosette if the recipient has distinguished himself several times. The medal is made by the goldsmith firm of J. Tostrup

Jacob Tostrup

Jacob Ulrich Holfeldt Tostrup was a Norwegian goldsmith.-Biography:He was born in Hjelmeland in Rogaland county, Norway. He was the son of infantry captain Nicolay Tostrup and his wife Thale Margrethe Resen Holfeldt...

 in Oslo

Oslo

Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...

.

Qualification details

The medal was awarded to those meeting one of the following criteria:

• Taking part in the campaign in Norway in 1940 for 5 days or more.
• Service in the Norwegian armed forces and merchant fleet outside of Norway for 4 months or more (awarded for less than 4 months service if one served in units that moved to Norway as part of the liberation).
• Taking part in the campaign in Finnmark (winter 1944-45) for 1 month or more.
• Allied soldiers who took part in the liberation of Norway and served for 1 month or more.
• Service in the resistance forces for 4 months or more.