Chief of Defence (Norway)

Last modified: 2021-08-25 by christopher oehler
Keywords: chief of defence | lion: with axe (yellow) | lion: with axe (white) | cross: scandinavian |
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image by Željko Heimer

• Description of the flag
• Minister of Defence
• Minister of Defence, 1905-1937
• Minister of Defence, 1901-1905

• Norwegian Rank Flags (Text)
• Norwegian Historical Rank Flags (Text)
• Norway – State Arms
• Norway

The flag is a standard Norwegian tounged flag with a yellow lion rampant holding an axe, in upper hoist square.
Željko Heimer, 26 March 1996

State flag defaced with yellow lion with axe in canton. Regarding the dateing of this flag, Jan Oskar Engene mentions it found in 1965 source, so it must have been adopted between in 1937 and 1965. Possibly the position was also formed in the same time. Waht's this possition anyway - is that the head of the joint chiefs of staff, that would be the highest military authority (beside the king, of course). What's the original norwegian title? Then would the general inspectors be the chiefs of their respective services...
Željko Heimer, 9 July 2002

According to my encyclopedia, the position was first established during the war of 1940, then reestablished in 1942. The position was abolished in 1946, probably because Crown Prince Olav was appointed Chief of Defence in exile in 1944 and upon liberation and the return of the royal family, the crown princes involvement in political and operational military matters was no longer appropriate. Then in 1963 the position was established once again. My guess is that the CoD's flag dates from about 1963, though I have no sources to support this. He is the joint chief of staff. The title is Forsvarssjefen.
Jan Oskar Engene, 17 July 2002

image by Željko Heimer

The minister's flag has a white lion, while the one of the chief of defence is yellow. Both are mainly used on cars. Other command/rank flags have batons, stars or emblems added to the canton.
Jan Oskar Engene, 26 March 1996

State flag defaced with white lion with axe in canton. The design if that of the modern coat of arms artistic redention, and not that as used on royal standards which is of 1905 design. However, an analog flag (for MoD) was used already before 1905, so possibly there was one such white lion flag with 1905 lion design, too? Or was the MoD flag abandoned in 1905, and reintroduced (with appropriate modifications) only latter on, when already new design was in use (that 1937, right?).
Željko Heimer, 9 July 2002

Ralf Hartemink's website shows a better image of the current arms plus an excellent one of the 1905-1937 one here.
Santiago Dotor, 9 July 2002

The MoD flag continued to exist after 1905 with the lion moved from lower hoist corner to upper hoist corner where it has remained since though the lion design has changed - as you note.
Jan Oskar Engene, 9 July 2002

image by Jan Oskar Engene

image by Željko Heimer

The state flag with the herring salat in the canton defaced with white lion with the axe from the coat of arms in the lower hoist corner.
Željko Heimer, 17 July 2002