Vidkun Quisling: Norway's traitor

Witness History

BBC

History, Personal Journals, Society & Culture

4.4 • 1.6K Ratings

🗓️ 22 January 2024

⏱️ 11 minutes

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Summary

In December 1939, fascist Norwegian politician Vidkun Quisling travelled to Berlin from Oslo for a secret meeting with Adolf Hitler.

Quisling suggested to Hitler that the British were planning to move into Norway for their own strategic needs. Norway hadn’t been a concern for the Nazis but the meeting alarmed Hitler and within months Germany started its invasion of Norway.

From that moment, Quisling was consigned into history as a traitor. So much so that in the time since, his name has become a byword for traitor in numerous languages.

Matt Pintus hears from Norwegian journalist, Trude Lorentzen, who decided to study Quisling’s life after stumbling across his suitcase in an online auction.

As part of her voyage of discovery, Trude interviewed Quisling’s Jewish neighbour Leif Grusd who was forced to flee to Sweden when the Nazis took over Norway.

Leif Grusd's interview was translated from the NRK podcast "Quislings koffert" - Quisling's suitcase - released in 2021. It was made by production company Svarttrost for NRK.

(Photo: Vidkun Quisling and Adolf Hitler. Credit: Getty Images)

Transcript

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0:00.0	Take some time for yourself with soothing classical music from the mindful mix,
0:06.0	the Science of Happiness Podcast.
0:08.0	For the last 20 years I've dedicated my career to exploring the science of living a happier more meaningful life and I want
0:14.4	to share that science with you.
0:16.1	And just one thing, deep calm with Michael Mosley.
0:19.4	I want to help you tap in to your hidden relaxation response system and open the door to that
0:25.4	calmer place within. Listen on BBC Sounds. Hello you're listening to the Witness History podcast from the BBC World Service with me Matt Pintis.
0:41.6	Today the man whose name has become the byword for traitor
0:45.2	in numerous languages.
0:46.7	Vid Kun Kizzling was installed as Norway's
0:49.3	puppet fascist leader during World War II by Adolf Hitler. He lived in luxury as the Nazis
0:56.0	invaded the country and rounded up the Jewish population. But our story starts in
1:01.5	2015.
1:03.4	Norwegian journalist Truda Laurenzen is scrolling through her phone.
1:08.1	She's looking for some art for her living room and an unusual auction item has caught her eye.
1:17.0	Suddenly I just realized there was this great pile of belongings to Norway's most hated man, his carry-on suitcase with his initial son.
1:28.3	And since his name is so important in Norway, as a storyteller I knew this could be the central point of a special
1:36.3	way to tell about this man.
1:40.7	My children started crying when I brought it home because this man is so evil in Norway.
1:48.0	So yeah, it's like coming home with something from Adolf Hitler.
1:52.0	The initials on the Batted Brown suitcase are Vee and Q,
1:56.0	Vidkung Quizling. Truda wonders just how significant this infamous relic could be.
	...

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