Who was the leading ace for Norway in WWII?

Norway’s leading ace in World War II was Svein Heglund. He was credited with shooting down 16 German aircraft while serving as a Norwegian pilot in the Royal Air Force.

Heglund was studying in Switzerland when Germany invaded Norway in April 1940. He escaped to Canada, joined the Norwegian training effort at Little Norway, and later flew operationally with Norwegian RAF squadrons, including No. 331 Squadron. His combat career included Hurricane and Spitfire operations against German forces.

Some historical lists give slightly different victory totals, including 14.5, because aerial victories were recorded and credited under varying wartime standards. That accounting difference does not change his standing: Heglund is generally identified as Norway’s highest-scoring fighter ace of the war.

He received the Norwegian War Cross with two Swords, the British Distinguished Service Order, and the Distinguished Flying Cross with Bar. After the war, he continued serving in the Norwegian Air Force and eventually became a major general.