Norwegian " Tapper og Tro "

[Tor]

Photo

I have actually seen a periode photo of one former Norwegian "Frontkjemper" wear this badge. I can't say for sure when the photo was taken, but since there are NSDAP banners in the background - and the photo is taken in Trondheim I will guess somewhere in 1943/1944. He was wearing it on his HIRD uniform, together with an Infantery Assult badge and a Hird badge. (can't remember if there was a Frontkjemper (Frontfighter badge) merke there as well.

And that is the only evidence I have seen that indicates that it was handed out to frontfighters.

(Rumors tells that there should also be a photo in the Trondheim Company Schröder files of one wearing this badge. They took most of the photos in that area during the war. The archive is now at the University museeum)

[Björn Jervas]

Hello!

"Hilton" - you provided some very good information indeed!
Tor - everyone is talking abut pictures showing the cross in wear, but how come these pictures never are available? Have you seen the picture yourself?

Lillegutt:
"Hi Gyus !
" Tapper og Tro " " Halsorden "
Only beleived to be awarded by Minister of Finance in Quslings Gowernment Prytz , who died in cancer february 1945 . This cross is like the Knight Cross of Iron Cross ."

No. Prytz was never awarded this, but the grand cross of St. Olaf. Strangely enough, I have a feeling we discussed precisely that a year (or something) ago? Or am I mixing you up with someone else??

One very strange fact, is that the medal is unknown to all still living NS members (and GSSN) I have spoken to, about this award. I have not seen it mentioned in any contemporary newspaper, magazine, handbooks, NS intern publications etc. One exception could be the 1944 instruction book, where the word "Ridderkors" is mentioned once.

Indeed a most secret medal!!

B

[Jan Arne S]

Hi Bjørn !

This is an old thread , check date "09-08-2002" .
I have forgot to remove pics , this have been done later .
Thread has been moved to top again .

Jan Arne

[Simon O.]

Hei Bjørn

Were have you been hiding?

Hilsen fra han i Tromsø

Simon

[Tor]

Picture!

Hi Lillegutt!

Yes I have seen that picture myself. And I have tried to get a copy of it from the owner. So far without any luck. But I hope and belive it might be possible in the near future, due to natural causes. He is quite old!

It is not a photo of the presentation. But a photo of one of the owner wearing it probably after finishing his contract.

[Björn Jervas]

Hello!

Jan Arne - I must have freaked out, as I thought It was a new thread, but many of your postings seemed so familiar.... Next time I will check the dates better!!

@Simon "Templar" Orchard: Har vært overalt, men er nå trygt hjemme i Norges beste by

@Tor: I have heard of two pictures, contemporary such, where this cross is said to be seen. I will not deny their existence at all, but how come that NO picture is known? the NS regime were very good in taking pictures on all occations, and I am sure there would be published if there was a ceremony.
The newspapers of the time were also quite good in publishing who got a order or medal, but again - no mentions.
Yesterday I spoke to the "Neststormfører" of GSSN in Tromsø, he has never heard of them....
A most interesting puzzle!!!

B

[Tor]

T&T

I totally agree! But I have seen this with my own eyes. Even through a magnifying glass. And it's totally clear. It can't be anything else than a Tapper and Tro.

The only solution I can come up with, is that if there was any crosses handed out at all, and they thereafter was banned, there will only be private photos of the owner wearing it.

But what I'm curious about is wether it was handed out at all. I have never seen any thing, only heard the rumors. And Fuglesangs statement - through Derek. (maybe it was another minister) Where there ever a sermonie? Why didn't other who finished their contract at the same time get this cross? Are these crosses who one can find only of local caracter? Only persons close to the main office where given them? I don't know. Since I have never in whole my life seen or met anyone who can show me such a cross.

The only thing I can confirm, is that I have seen a photo of the man wearing it.

[Björn Jervas]

Hei Tor!


Are you absolutely sure that the cross you saw not was a Finnish cross??
The "Derek story" is a hearsay, someone told Derek that Fuglesang had told them etc.... Fuglesang died in 1988, and cannot be asked.
But, the NS members I have asked, incl. VQs private secretary never heard of them. (T&T)
You write: "Since I have never in whole my life seen or met anyone who can show me such a cross." I am not sure what you mean, these crosses are frequently found.
I am not sure if they ever was awarded to anyone, and second: why would the order be so "secret"??

The Germans did not protest at any other Norwegian order, like the Frontfighter badge etc, why just the T&T???

B

[Tor]

No it is a T&T, I didn't need a magnifying glass to see that it was a T&T.

Oh- there is one misunderstandig here. Of cause I have seen this cross. All of the different classes. But I have never met any frontfighter that could show me one. That was what I ment. The only badges found are the frontfighter pin, membership badge, occationally an IAB, wound badge and very seldomly a IC.

I will try to make an inquiry to one of the persons who has been in contact with several of the participants to see if he has anything on it. But I doubt it. He would have mentioned it earlier. I'm also eager to be able to search the photoarchives in Oslo to check there.

And that is what is making me a bit suspicious on this badge. Who can say that they have seen one or found one at any frontfighters home?

[Björn Jervas]

Hello Tor!

Well I do agree indeed. I have encountered frontfighters with other badges & awards as well, like the PAB, Finnish crosses, "Nordfront" commemorative cross, and of course various NS/Hird items. This is however unusual, and you are correct.
Never a "T&T".

It gives this conclusion:
- no living frontfighter and/or NS member incl. GSSN has ever seen one.
- no mentions in NS uniform regulations, intern publications or WW2 newspapers.
- no published (yet) picture of anyone wearing it.

Are there any German/Axis medals that could compare? A "secret" medal showing up in the 70s, and noone knew of its existence before???

B

[Øyvind]

"Frontsøster"

Hi!

What about the "Frontsøster" (Frontsister) badge?

Heard that it was given out 9 times, also heard that they were never given out and burned right after the war ended. Any of you guys that have some more info about that badge?

Norwegian

[Ralph A]

Oh, those are very nice.

I have GOT to get me some of those. They really strike a chord... Simply beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[Tor]

Frontsister badge!

Never seen a frontsister badge.

I have talked to 3 former frontsisters. One of them participated from 1941 to the end of the war. She had never heard of it at all. The only thing she was familiar with was the Kriegsverdienst medal, and the kriegsverdienst cross. She was given the medal, and one of her fellow frontsisters got a woundbadge.

And not to forget the redcross badges. DRK etc.

[Björn Jervas]

Hello!

Frontsisters I have spoken to, have not heard of the badge. It does however exist, a few are owned by collectors. Said to have been made in 1944, and awarded 9 times. Appearently designed by Damsleth, like the "Frontkjemper" award.
I have never seen a original Frontsøster badge, and probably never will

B

[Jan Arne S]

Hi Guys !

Here is a pic. of AG Moxness from Norway after she awarded EK 2. class as number 13. of the women . AGM was nurse and got EK 2 after an Airattack on Warhospital in Reval . And she wearing an "standard" "Frontkjempermerke" Frontfighter badge .
Photo is from "Munin" February 1945 .

Jan Arne