Quisling

Quisling, after Norwegian fascist politician Vidkun Quisling, is a term used to describe traitors and collaborationists. It was most commonly used for right-wing political parties and military and paramilitary forces in occupied Allied countries which collaborated with Axis occupiers in World War II Europe, as well as for their members and other collaborators.

In contemporary usage, "Quisling" is synonymous with "traitor", and particularly applied to politicians who appear to favor the interests of other nations or cultures over their own. It was Dictionary.com's Word of the Day on July 9, 2006.

Europe in World War II

Quisling forces were formed in most occupied European countries. They were used by the Axis to control the local population and free German forces for major military operations against Allies. However, as they were unpopular, German forces had to stay behind anyway.

European Quisling organizations of World War II included:Belgium
*Flemish National Union;Czechoslovakia
*Slovak People's PartyDenmark;France
*Mouvement Franciste
*Légion Française des Combattants
*Amis de la Légion
*Légion Française des Combattants et des volontaires de la Révolution Nationale
*Service d'Ordre Légionnaire
*Parti Populaire Français
*Rassemblement National PopulaireNorway
*Nasjonal Samling;Greece
* Security BattalionsThe Netherlands
*Nationaal-Socialistische Beweging;USSRYugoslavia
*Bela garda (Slovenian "White Guard")
*Domobranci (Slovenian "Homeland Defense")
*Ustasha
*Domobrani (Croatian "Homeland Defense")
*Chetniks
*Forces of Dimitrije Ljotić and Milan Nedić

See also

* Fifth column
* Benedict Arnold