Wilhelm Von Tangen Hansteen

Wilhelm von Tangen Hansteen (11 May 1896 – 6 September 1980) was a Norwegian Army officer.

From 1937 to 1941, Hansteen served as Norwegian Military attaché to Helsinki. In this position he worked for stronger Norwegian support for Finland during the Winter War.

After a short period in Stockholm, he was in 1942 surprisingly promoted directly from Major to Major General and appointed Commander in Chief of the Norwegian Armed Forces. He held this position until 1944 when then-Crown Prince Olav was made Commander in Chief. Hansteen served as Deputy Commander for the rest of World War II.

Hansteen continued his distinguished military career after the war, serving as commander of the Norwegian forces in Germany from 1946, as commander of the Norwegian Army from 1948, and as commander of NATO forces in Norway from 1951. He retired from the army in 1966, and died in Oslo, the city he was born.

Preceded by
Post vacant
Chief of Defence of Norway
1942–1944
Succeeded by
Crown Prince Olav
Persondata
Name Hansteen, Wilhelm von Tangen
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth 11 May 1896
Place of birth
Date of death 6 September 1980
Place of death


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