Bamse Dog WWII Hero and Norwegian Legend

Bamse, a Norwegian Elkhound, was a loyal companion to a Swedish sailor during World War II.

He was born in 1939 and lived on the Swedish minesweeper HSwMS Tre Kronor.

Bamse served on the ship from 1943 to 1945, where he became a beloved mascot and a symbol of hope for the crew.

The sailors adored him, and he even had his own uniform.

Bamse was known for his bravery and loyalty, and he played a significant role in boosting the crew's morale during the war.

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Bamse was owned by the Hafto family, who lived in the northern part of Norway.

Bamse's early life was marked by a remarkable display of loyalty and companionship, particularly towards the family's youngest daughter, Vigdis.

Bamse took up residence in Vigdis's room for 12 days and nights, allowing only the doctor and her mother to enter, and Vigdis made a full recovery.

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Bamse's early life in Norway was quite remarkable. Bamse was owned by the Hafto family, who lived in the northern part of Norway.

Bamse became very close to the family, especially Vigdis, the youngest daughter. She was a special part of the family's life.

Bamse took up residence in Vigdis's room for 12 days and nights, allowing only the doctor and her mother to enter. This shows how much he cared for her.

The people of Montrose are in for a treat as the Aalesund ship arrives in town for a commemoration event. The event promises to be a big day for the town, with a parade featuring sea cadets from Stonehaven, Dundee, and Arbroath, and the pipe band of Lathallan School.

A big day indeed, with a parade that will showcase the town's spirit and community. The parade will take place along Wharf Street, making it a great opportunity for locals and visitors to come together and enjoy the festivities.

Dr Andrew Orr, chairman of the Montrose Heritage Trust, has expressed his excitement about the event, saying it will be a wonderful way to mark the 70 years since Bamse's death. The presence of Bamse with the Norwegian Navy in World War Two has left a lasting impact on the town, and this event will be a great way to celebrate that.

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Bamse was a 14-stone St Bernard dog who became a global mascot for the Royal Norwegian Forces during World War II.

He was a gentle giant who started as a family pet in the Norwegian fishing town of Honningsvag, but eventually joined the mine-sweeper Thorodd as a registered crew member.

Bamse donned his own steel helmet as he took his place in the Thorodd's bow gun turret, making a huge contribution to the morale of the crew.

He gallantly saved the lives of two crew members and became a well-known and much-loved figure in Dundee and Montrose, Scotland.

Bamse even took part in football matches and shepherded the crew back to the ship at pub closing time, breaking up fights and taking the local bus to get there.

He was a true hero who earned the hearts of both locals and Norwegians, and his memory has been kept alive in Norway and in Montrose, where a larger-than-life statue of him was unveiled in 2006.

Bamse's acts of heroism included pushing an assailant into the sea to save a young lieutenant commander and dragging a sailor back to shore who had fallen overboard.

He even got a bus pass attached to his collar, which he used to travel on the local buses unaccompanied to fetch his crewmates at the Bodega Bar in Dundee.

Bamse's iconic status as a patriotic symbol began during World War II.

He started out as the ship's mascot, but soon became the mascot of the Royal Norwegian Navy, and then of all the Free Norwegian Forces.

An iconic photograph of him wearing a Norwegian sailor's cap was widely used on patriotic Easter cards and Christmas cards.

The PDSA recognized his importance by making him an official Allied Forces Mascot.

Bamse, the beloved Swedish dog, left a lasting impact on the nation's heart.

He was a loyal companion to the Swedish Navy and a symbol of their bravery.

His heroic actions during World War II earned him a special place in Swedish history.

Bamse was awarded the Swedish War Dog Medal, a prestigious honor for canine heroes.

The Swedish Navy's canine unit was formed in 1940, and Bamse was part of this elite group.