European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 23, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A sentry in the courtyard below Akers Hus prepares for the changing of the guard. A costumed tour guide awaits a group of visitors inside the fortress. Ceded to Sweden by the victors. Until 1905, Norway and Sweden were Allied under swedish leadership. In that year Norway broke free it was a Neutral nation during world War i. The most interesting collection in the museum covers world War ii. Norway was attacked by Germany in 1940 and suffered five years of occupation. Wartime posters and six mannequins in authentic nazi storm trooper uniforms Are Stark reminders of the occupation. One Swastika emblazoned placard shows a Soldier shouting Der Sieg wird Uri Serwein Victory will be ours. When War broke out Norway had the fourth largest and most modern merchant Fleet in the world. These ships were put at the disposal of the allies and during the War about 500 of the 1,000 ships were sunk and 4,500 norwegian seamen perished. Model ships and a Wall of Honor listing the seamen who died in the War Are among the exhibits. A super Marine spitfire fighter in free Norway colors dominates the world War ii Section. Suspended from the ceiling is a German v-1 rocket one of Hitler s wonder weapons. The exhibit reaches into the 50s with a dehavilland Vampire fighter suspended from the roof of the Entrance Hall. The Vampire surprisingly sleek for a nearly 45-year-old fighter and also compact 38-foot wingspan 31 foot length was Norway s first Jet combat plane. The nuclear age is remembered with an honest John rocket also suspended from the ceiling. The resistance museum is in the Battery House of the fortress on a Knoll below Akers Hus. The German attack on april 9, 1940, and Swift Conquest of Norway seared a place in the memory of a generation of norwegians and the museum vividly details those years. Nazi instruments of torture and the outline of norwegian resistance plans and details on acts of heroism Are part of the displays. Nearby on the fortress grounds two important events in norwegian history Are remembered. One is the Monument to norwegian patriots murdered by the nazis. The other is the site where maj. Vidkun Quisling was executed after the War. Quisling betrayed his country by cooperating with the nazis and his name like Benedict Arnold in the United states is synonymous with traitor. Akers Hus is really two fortresses. The original built under the guidance of Haakon and improved throughout the 14th Century was constructed around two courtyards separated by a 60-foot main Tower. Visitors see the outline of the main Tower called the Vag Halsen or Devil s Tower in a ragged pattern of cobblestones in the Central courtyard. The Walls of the Devil s Tower were 10 feet thick and intended to be a final defense if invaders penetrated a series of obstacles and six different Gates and lattices. The 16th Century was the most traumatic for Akers Hus residents and the most destructive for the fortification. A peasant revolt led by Knut Alysson was successful in occupying the Akers Hus grounds in 1502. Hendrik Krumm Dike representing the King lured Alysson from the fortress and had him beheaded. Alysson s head was placed on the Western Tower and the Skull remained there for a decade. Knuts Tarnet the Western flanking Tower is a reminder of the grisly incident. In 1531, King Christian ii responding to a conflict within the double monarchy led a Force on Akers Hus. His siege failed but the fortress began to decay. The deterioration was accelerated in 1527 when lightning struck demolishing the Northern continued on Page 6 the twin towers of Oslo s City Hall dominate this View. A nazi propaganda poster in the defense museum. February 23, 1989 stripes Magazine