A Quiet Act of Defiance
The German invasion of Norway on April 9, 1940 shocked the world. As the Nazis tightened their grip, most Norwegians seethed with outrage at the occupation and the treacherous Vidkun Quisling, who had declared himself the country’s new leader. But while open rebellion was risky, Norwegians found creative ways to resist – including a simple act of everyday defiance that became a powerful symbol of national unity.
The Paperclip Patriots
As the occupation dragged on, Norwegians began wearing paperclips on their jackets as a subtle act of protest. The humble paperclip, a common office supply, became a badge of resistance – a way for citizens to “cling together” and show their rejection of the Nazi regime. This paperclip “rebellion” spread rapidly, with the accessory spotted on the streets of cities and towns across the country.
“The paperclip is thought to be a Norwegian invention. During the occupation, people started wearing paper clips in their jackets, almost like that, as a demonstration, as a symbol. We cling together, we keep together.”
Passive Resistance Grows
The paperclip protest was just one part of a broader campaign of passive resistance that united Norwegians against the occupation. As the Nazis tightened their grip, teachers refused to pledge loyalty to the regime, leading to the arrest of over 1,300 educators. Sportsmen went on strike, boycotting Nazi-run competitions. And citizens tuned in to banned BBC broadcasts, risking harsh punishment to stay informed.
“For most civilians, resistance was passive. It took the form of a dogged refusal to cooperate.”
The Home Front Army Strikes Back
While much of the resistance was non-violent, a covert network of Norwegian agents and saboteurs, known as the Home Front Army, began planning daring attacks against the occupiers. Their most famous exploit was the partial destruction of the Norsk Hydro heavy water plant in Telemark – a critical facility for the Nazis’ nuclear ambitions. This and other acts of sabotage kept the German forces on their toes and the Norwegian people’s spirits high.
A Legacy of Defiance
Though the occupation was brutal, the Norwegian people never stopped resisting. From the quiet symbolism of the paperclip to the bravery of the Home Front Army, their acts of defiance – both passive and active – became a source of national pride and inspiration. Even as the Nazis tightened their grip, the spirit of resistance lived on, paving the way for Norway’s eventual liberation.
What other surprising ways did Norwegians resist the Nazi occupation? The archives are full of untold stories waiting to be discovered.
