Norwegian Independent Company 1

Norwegian Independent Company 1 (NOR.I.C.1, pronounced as Norisén in Norwegian) was a British SOE group formed in March 1941 originally for the purpose of performing commando raids in occupied Norway. It was organized under leadership of Captain Martin Linge. It soon became a pool of talent for a variety of special operations in Norway.

The original English administrative title did not have much resonance in Norwegian and they soon became better known as Kompani Linge (Linge's Company). Linge's death early in the war came to enhance the title, which became formalised as Lingekompaniet.

Their initial raids in 1941 were to Lofoten (Operation Claymore) and Måløy (Operation Archery), where Linge was killed. Their best known raids were probably the Norwegian heavy water sabotage. Other raids included the Thamshavnbanen sabotage. In cooperation with Milorg, the Norwegian resistance organisation, communication lines with London were gradually improved during the war, so that by 1945, 64 radio operators were spread throughout Norway.

According to Max Manus' autobiography, the Linge Company was for a time counted amongst the most decorated military forces in England during the WW2. The veterans from the company were also amongst the first to welcome King Haakon home. A total of 530 Norwegians served in NOR.I.C.1, of which 57 lost their lives.

Members

Operation Seagull Agents

• Cpl. Sverre Granlund - had also served as a commando during Operation Musketoon
• Sgt. Thorlief Daniel Grong
• Lt. Per Getz
• Pte. Eivind Dahl Eriksen
• Pte. Hans Rohde Hansen
• Tobias Skog

Telavåg Agents

• Emil Gustav Hvaar (codename Anchor)
• Arne Vaerum (codename Penguin)