SWEDISH PRISONERS OF
WAR IN NORWAY?
During a hike in the forest north of Oslo, the capital of
Norway, together with two old friends on May 5, I noticed an information sign
set up close to the path. The main content of the information on the sign was
that Swedish prisoners of war had built the stone walls set up in the forest.
Swedish prisoners of war in Oslo?
The war of 1807 – 1808 between Denmark/Norway and Sweden led
to military actions within Norway. The official reports of the fightings in
Norway contents some figures of Swedish prisoners of war . After the battle of
Prestbakke in the county Østfold about 361 Swedish prisoners of war were taken.
Østfold is a county in the southeastern Norway.
The Swedish battalion : 1. Sødermanlands bataljon consisted
of about 150 soldiers.We do not know if the stone walls were built by men from
Sødermanland in Sweden – but it might be a possibility?
I do not know if the prisoners from the battle of Prestbakke were the
same prisoners who built the stone walls in the forest situated north of Oslo?
Anyway the year 1808 is written on the sign.
Swedish prisoners of war were imprisoned at the Akershus Castle in Oslo. Cheap labour was wanted at the Nordberg Farm. The prisoners were not satisfied with the food at the Akershus Castle. No money was given to the Swedish prisoners for the work done at the farm, but they all got food.
Many of the prisoners working at the farm escaped during the work.
Swedish prisoners of war were imprisoned at the Akershus Castle in Oslo. Cheap labour was wanted at the Nordberg Farm. The prisoners were not satisfied with the food at the Akershus Castle. No money was given to the Swedish prisoners for the work done at the farm, but they all got food.
Many of the prisoners working at the farm escaped during the work.
The Danish Prince Christian August av Augustenborg (1768-1810) was the military leader
of the Norwegian forces. About 400 Norwegian soldiers were killed during the
war. After the war, Prince Christian August accepted an official request to become the King of Sweden .
The French General Jean Baptiste Bernadotte became the King
of Sweden when Christian August died just after having accepted the request to become King of Sweden in 1814 -and King of Norway too.
History in the trees in forest close to Oslo – hiking is
an interesting activity!
Sources/bibliography:
-Per Erik Olsen: Blodig blågult nederlag. 1807-1808: Grensekrigen mellom Norge og Sverige.
( Published: Norge i krig .Norske soldater gjennom 1000 år.." Vi Menn.Norge i Krig. 2014".)
-Norges historie. Bind 9. Kampen om Norge 1784-1814 av Knut Mykland. J.W. Cappelens Forlag .A.S. 1978.
-Grace Brynn: Fra kirkegård til storgård. Published: Nordre Aker Budstikke. June 22, 2008.
Sources/bibliography:
-Per Erik Olsen: Blodig blågult nederlag. 1807-1808: Grensekrigen mellom Norge og Sverige.
( Published: Norge i krig .Norske soldater gjennom 1000 år.." Vi Menn.Norge i Krig. 2014".)
-Norges historie. Bind 9. Kampen om Norge 1784-1814 av Knut Mykland. J.W. Cappelens Forlag .A.S. 1978.
-Grace Brynn: Fra kirkegård til storgård. Published: Nordre Aker Budstikke. June 22, 2008.
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