in detail
In October 1942, on the initiative of the Norwegian National Socialist leader Vidkun Quisling, a decision was made to set up the Berg internment camp for political prisoners. The guards under the command of Elvind Wallestad, the former chief of the Quisling party militia »Hird«, were recruited from the structure of the party. Some former SS volunteers also joined the guard unit. Administratively the internment camp was under the umbrella of the police ministry. The camp began operations when the first Jews were interned on 26 October 1942. On 25/26 November 1942, there were 320 Jews confined in the camp. Of these almost all, except for 50 persons from so-called mixed marriages, were removed out and deported.
Between 1942 and 1945, the internment camp had between 285 and 300 persons. Toward the end of the war, as many as 500 prisoners were confined at the same time in the internment camp. Along with Jewish prisoners, there were a number of political opponents of the Quisling government.
On 2 May 1945, a week before surrender, the Swedish government was able after intensive efforts to gain the release of the last 50 Jews.
In the post-war period, a prison was set up on the grounds of the internment camp. It still exists. A memorial stone there recalls the former internment camp. The Jewish prisoners are not explicitly mentioned.
In October 1942, on the initiative of the Norwegian National Socialist leader Vidkun Quisling, a decision was made to set up the Berg internment camp for political opponents. The first prisoners were 320 Jews, of whom all but 50 were removed and deported. On the average, at any one time there were some 300 political opponents of the Quisling regime confined in the camp.
Today a commemorative stone recalls the camp but there is no explicit mention of the Jewish prisoners.
October 1942
Establishment of the internment camp Berg for political prisoners on the initiative of the Norwegian National Socialist leader Vidkun Quisling.
26 October 1942
Internment of the first Jews.
25/26 November 1942
Removal and deportation of the 320 Jews in the camp, except for 50 prisoners in so-called mixed marriages.
1942 to 1945
Between 285 and 300, at the end of the war as many as 500 prisoners interned at the same time in the camp.
2 May 1945
Release of the last 50 Jewish prisoners as the result of efforts by the Swedish government.
Post-war period
Establishment of a prison on the grounds of the internment camp. A commemorative stone recalls the earlier internment camp; the Jewish prisoners are not mentioned.
Berg, probably 1944, internment camp with the villa of the commandant in the background, Norges Hjemmefrontmuseum.
Berg, 2004, commemorative stone on the grounds of the prison, Bjarte Bruland.
Berg, 2004, prison cells in the cellars of the kitchen, Bjarte Bruland.
Berg, probably 1944, roll call, in the background the »Jewish Barracks«, Norges Hjemmefrontmuseum.
