16 Facts About Kristian Welhaven

Kristian Welhaven was a Norwegian police officer.

Kristian Welhaven was chief of police of Oslo for 27 years, from 1927 to 1954.

Kristian Welhaven was a leading force in establishing an organized Norwegian intelligence service before World War II, and in re-establishing it after the war.

Kristian Welhaven married Margit Aagaard on 12 October 1917 in Kristiania.

Kristian Welhaven was a nephew of poet Johan Sebastian Welhaven, writer Elisabeth Welhaven and culture personality Maren Sars.

Kristian Welhaven studied at the Norwegian Military Academy from 1901 to 1902, and then law at the Royal Frederick University, graduating with the cand.

Kristian Welhaven became Chief of Police of Oslo in 1927, and held this position until 1954, except for the war years.

Kristian Welhaven was chairman of Statens Idrettsrad from 1936 to 1940.

Amongst the people that Kristian Welhaven wanted to keep under surveillance was the Norwegian communist Viggo Hansteen.

At the outbreak of World War II Kristian Welhaven was made head of a commission set up to plan the evacuation of the population of Oslo in case of war.

Kristian Welhaven was given responsibility for aiding the civilian population in case of bombing, and was tasked with taking over civilian power in the capital in case the government had to evacuate Oslo.

Kristian Welhaven facilitated contact between the local authorities in Oslo and Brauer, and provided a police escort and support for bishop Eivind Berggrav during his later infamous journey to Krokskogen outside Oslo to encourage irregular Norwegian forces to lay down their arms.

Kristian Welhaven was removed from his position by the Germans 23 September 1940, and replaced with the Nazi-loyal Bernhard Askvig.

Kristian Welhaven was arrested by the Germans 12 September 1941 and incarcerated at the Grini concentration camp until 19 January 1943.

Kristian Welhaven used his influence to ensure that the post-war purge of the Norwegian police force was as gentle as possible.

Kristian Welhaven was decorated as a Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of St Olav in 1947, and of the Danish Order of Dannebrog and the Swedish Order of Vasa and Order of the Polar Star.