Beisfjord

Beisfjord(Norwegian) Ušmá(Northern Sami)
Village
Beisfjord Beisfjord
Coordinates:68.3762°N 17.5960°E/68.3762; 17.5960
Country	Norway
Region	Northern Norway
County	Nordland
District	Ofoten
Municipality	Narvik Municipality
Area
• Total	0.69 km2(0.27 sq mi)
Elevation	8 m (26 ft)
Population (2023)
• Total	672
• Density	974/km2(2,520/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00(CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00(CEST)
Post Code	8522 Beisfjord

Beisfjord(Norwegian)orUšmá(Northern Sami)is avillageinNarvik MunicipalityinNordlandcounty,Norway.The village is located about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) southeast of thetown of Narvik,at the southeastern end of the 11-kilometre (6.8 mi) longBeisfjorden(an arm off of the largeOfotfjorden). The village sits in a valley surrounded by steep mountains, with the Lakselva river flowing through it and emptying into thefjord.The 0.69-square-kilometre (170-acre) village has a population (2023) of 672 and apopulation densityof 974 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,520/sq mi).

History

Beisfjord was the location of one of the most notoriousconcentration campsduringWorld War IIin Norway. It was called"Lager 1 Beisfjord"(meaning Camp #1 Beisfjord). This was a concentration camp forYugoslav(mostlySerb)prisoners of war,and later for Soviet POWs. The Yugoslavs consisted of about 900 men, 88 of whom were between 14 and 18 years of age. They were housed there for about six months, until the survivors were transferred out in October 1942.

During one three-week period in July 1942, 311 men died, some fromtyphus,but most on one day when the German high command ordered all 287 prisoners in the sick quarters to be executed, citing concerns over health risks. All but about 100 were marched to a prepared mass grave and shot (this was known as theBeisfjord massacre). Those who were not yet dead were buried alive. When the remaining 100 prisoners refused to leave the barracks, the Germans doused the place with gasoline and set it on fire. Those who did not burn to death were shot as they tried to escape. In all, during the six-month stay in Beisfjord, about 83% (over 700 prisoners) of the Yugoslavs died.

After the remaining Yugoslavs were transferred out in October 1942, Russian prisoners were brought to Beisfjord and kept there until 1945. In all, 3,500–4,000 Russians had passed through the camp by the war's end.