Sentrum in Oslo, Norway — Northern Europe (a Nordic Country in Scandinavia)
Generalløytnant Otto Ruge
Da det gjaldt - 1940
⎯⎯⎯
Lieutenant general Otto Ruge
There when it mattered - 1940
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 9, 2024
1. Generalløytnant Otto Ruge / Lieutenant general Otto Ruge memorial - text
1940 - 1945
Otto Ruge overtok som
kommanderende general
11. april 1940. Hans mot
og faste beslutning om
å forsvare landet, og
hans dyktighet under
de vanskeligste forhold,
ble en inspirasjon for
hele norge i den videre
kamp for frihet
Norway at war
1940 - 1945
Otto Ruge took over as commanding general on April 11, 1940. His courage and firm decision in defending the country, and his skill under the most difficult conditions, became an inspiration for the whole of Norway in the future fight for freedom.
Erected 1982 by Oslo Kommune.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is April 11, 1940.
Location. 59° 54.417′ N, 10° 44.451′ E. Memorial is in Oslo. It is in Sentrum. It is on Kirkegata, on the left. The memorial is just outside the gates of Akershus Fortress. It is surrounded by trees, and is not particularly conspicuous. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: Grev Wedels Plass 2, Oslo 0150, Norway. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Den Gamle Logen / The Old Lodge (within shouting distance of this marker); Militær Hospitalet / Military Hospital (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Nasjonalmonumentet for krigens ofre 1940-45 / National Monument for Victims of War 1940-45 (about 150 meters away); Akershus Fortress surrender - 1945 (about 150 meters away); Norges Bank (about 180 meters away); a different marker also named Norges Bank (about 180 meters away); Christiania Bygård (about 180 meters away); Max Manus (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oslo.
Also see . . . Otto Ruge (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Otto Ruge (9 January 1882 – 15 August 1961) was a Norwegian general. Ruge was Commander-in-chief of the Royal Norwegian Armed Forces after Nazi Germany's assault on Norway in April 1940.(Submitted on August 8, 2024.)
In 1940, Colonel Ruge was promoted to major general and assumed command after the formercommander-in-chief, Generalmajor Kristian Laake, who was supposed to go into retirement a few days after the German attack on Norway, displayed a defeatist attitude and consequently was relieved of command. General Ruge persuaded the government to fight the German invaders. He was convinced that fighting would be vital to the country and the nation's self-respect, but pragmatic enough to realize that a need for Allied help was crucial to succeed….Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 9, 20242. Generalløytnant Otto Ruge / Lieutenant general Otto Ruge memorial
Ruge's main strategy was to slowly retreat northward and to establish a defence line south of Trondheim while waiting for the Allies to reconquer that city. However, the Allies launched their pincers toward Trondheim too late, and too far away from their destination. As a result of this several of the pincer forces became entangled in combat before the attack against the city could be launched.
Ruge was evacuated after the fall of southern Norway and participated in the Battle of Narvik. After the withdrawal of Allied forces he remained in Norway to negotiate the surrender of the remaining Norwegian Army. Subsequently, he was arrested by the Germans and sent to Germany for the restof the war.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 9, 20243. Generalløytnant Otto Ruge / Lieutenant general Otto Ruge statue
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 9, 2024
4. Generalløytnant Otto Ruge / Lieutenant general Otto Ruge memorial - rear view
Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 452 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 8, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
