THE VIKING BATTALION: Norwegian American Ski Troopers in World War II

1-237810

History of the US Norwegian-American 99th 'Viking' Battalion (Separate), which fought in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe in World War II. Uses memoirs, journals, letters and newspaper articles to track their exploits with the original mission of liberating Norway.

Although they were not initially sent to Norway, they would fight in Normandy, across France and Belgium, helped entrap the Germans at Aachen, protected the city of Malmedy during the Battle of the Bulge (where they stopped an attack by Skorzeny and a SS Panzer Division), helped liberate Buchenwald, guarded the Nazi treasures found in Merkers mine, and finally served as the Honor Guard for King Haakon VII on his triumphant return to Norway.