The Viking image does not fit the modern Norwegian. The country is known for it's love of peace. It was neutral during WWI, and neutral until Germany attacked on April 9th 1940.
In Norway the term cavalry is used for tanks, mechanised (assault) infantry (“Storm”), armoured anti tank units and recon (both armored and unarmored). In the USA, the term cavalry is used for armored and unarmored recon units, also if they include MBT’s.
Within these pages you will find informoation about the armoured vehicles used in the Norwegian Cavalry and army.
The Norwegian cavalry mainly fought against the Swedes until the Second World War. The motorizing process did not start until the 1920’s. However, at the outbreak of WWII, the Norwegian cavalry did not possess any tanks, and many units still used horses. Due to the German occupation, the cavalry did not exist from 1940 to 1944. In 1944 a company was restored in the UK under the name: “Norwegian Independent Reconnaissance Company”. Our King, HM Harald V was educated at the Cavalry Officers Academy at Trandum (now situated in Rena).
Cavalrymen can easily be recognized by their black beret, coat-of-arms, the horse-mounted dragoon with his lance, and the yellow and green cord worn around the right arm. The Cavalry is the only branch to have this type of cord.