Øyvinn Øi

Øyvinn Øi was born in Hadsel, the son of lector Gunnar Øi and Thora, née Lind. In 1926 he married Aagot Hesselborg, with whom he had four children.[1]

After his examen artium Øi took an officer exam attending the Norwegian Military Academy. He also did military studies in France.[1]

Øi, a captain in the general staff, became known to the general public for his lecture entitled "Det strategiske overfall" ('The Strategic Attack') to the officers' society, Oslo Militære Samfund, on 6 March 1939.[2] In this lecture, Øi stated that Norway had inadequate defences and was vulnerable to a foreign attack. This caused a stir in some groups, especially the social democrat newspaper Arbeiderbladet, which came close to accusing him of treason.[3]

A memorial at Jar commemorates Øyvinn Øi, Joar Olsen, Jon Vislie and others.

Norway was indeed invaded when Operation Weserübung reached the country on 9 April 1940. Øi was killed on the same day at a road block set up by German forces at Grorud.[3] He had volunteered to go on a mission to Oslo on behalf of the Norwegian general staff after the staff had evacuated from the Norwegian capital.[1]