During the war, 20 new airports and as many new power plants were built in this country. At the end of the war, 30 percent more power could be produced than at the beginning of the war. Both in the south and north of the country, the railway was greatly extended. The existing road network was improved and numerous new roads, bridges and quay facilities were built. Along the coast, over 300 coastal forts were completed. More than any other developer on the German side, OT contributed to the completion of the projects. In Norway, many of the buildings are still in use.
Photo: Riksarkivet, RAFA3309_68a, photographer: Pieper
Although the main responsibility for the brutal treatment of prisoners of war and forced laborers lay with the SS and the Wehrmacht, the OT was by no means an innocent party. The organization was part of the Third Reich's power apparatus and carrier of the Nazi ideology. That is the most important reason why an estimated 4,000 people died while working for OT in Norway.
"Prisoners of war have a right to have their personality and honor respected."
Extract from the Geneva Convention of 1929, paragraph 3
The National Archives, photographer: Leiv Kreyberg
