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Writer's pictureSi Biggs

Landings at Namsos - Royal Marines first ashore in Norway

Unit/ Formation: Royal Marines


Location: Norway


Period/ Conflict: World War II


Year: 1940


Date/s: 14 - 16th April 1940


The first Allied landings took place between the 14th and 16th. In the north, British troops occupied Harstad in preparation for an attack on Narvik. They were reinforced by French and Polish units through into May.


British troops pick through the ruins of Namsos after a German air raid, April 1940.

A small party of Royal Marines were first ashore at Namsos in April 1940 seizing the approaches to the Norwegian town preparatory to a landing two days later by British and French troops ready for an attack south towards Trondheim.



On 19 April, British and German land forces engaged each other for the first time in World War 2 at Verdal.


The British went ashore in the Andalsnes area to try to hold central Norway with the Norwegian Army. Neither of these operations proved possible and on the 27th April the decision was taken to pull out of central Norway.


Related 'Dits'


Last to Leave - Namsos - Coming in May



Read More/ Web Link: Naval History Homepage

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