Birger Eriksen
Birger Kristian Eriksen | |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 November 1875 Flakstad, Lofoten, Kingdom of Sweden and Norway |
| Died | 16 July 1958 (aged 82) Oslo, Norway |
| Buried | Vår Frelsers gravlund, Oslo |
| Allegiance | Norway |
| Branch | Norwegian Army |
| Years of service | 1893–1940 |
| Rank | Oberst (Colonel) |
| Commands | Coastal fortresses:
|
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | War Cross with sword Croix de Guerre Légion d'honneur |
| Spouse(s) |
Christiane Sæhlie (m. 1903) |
| Relations | Hans Eriksen (grandfather), Casper Eriksen (father) Andreas Olsen Sæhlie (father-in-law) |
Birger Kristian Eriksen (17 November 1875 – 16 July 1958) was a Norwegian military officer (with the rank of Oberst) who was instrumental in stopping the first wave of Gruppe 5 of the German invasion force outside Oslo. Eriksen was the commander of Oscarsborg Fortress when Nazi Germany attacked Norway in the early hours of 9 April 1940. He gained lasting recognition for ordering the fortress under his command to open fire on the vanguard forces of Operation Weserübung, sinking the 16,000-ton heavy cruiser Blücher.