Hirden[1] (the hird) was a uniformed paramilitary organisation during the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany, modelled the same way as the German Sturmabteilungen.

[2] Vidkun Quisling's fascist party Nasjonal Samling frequently used words and symbols from the old Norse Viking era.

The organisation was dissolved after the liberation, and many of its former members were prosecuted and convicted for treason and collaboration.

However, many Hirden members volunteered to Norwegian military units in the war on Nazi German side or served as guards in the various prison camps.

Hirden had a broad mandate to conduct operations against dissidents, independent of all police authorities, many of which included the use of violence.