Karl Neipl and Peter Ewinger
Setesdalsveien 9
In Kristiansand Cemetery, an Austrian man named Karl Neipl is in one grave, and a German soldier named Peter Ewinger is in another. Neipl and Ewinger collaborated with the resistance movement stationed at Kristiansand harbor. They informed the resistance movement about German ship traffic and troop movements. Neipl and Ewinger were ultimately charged with working against Nazi Germany. On Odderøya, next to the playground shown in the picture, you will find a memorial at the place where Neipl and Ewinger were hanged. They were sentenced to death seven times, for seven offenses, with each offense having carried the death penalty. (Nordahl-Hansen, 2006). A group of German soldiers was forced to watch the hanging of Kark Neipl and Peter Ewinger as a warning of what would happen to them if they betrayed Nazi Germany and cooperated with the Norwegian resistance movement. The history of war is often painted in terms of good and evil. Norwegians who lived during World War II talked about ‘good Norwegians’ and ‘bad Germans.’ ( Rosendahl, 2021). Did many Norwegians think German soldiers were Nazis or not? What do you think?
As seen on
World War II in Kristiansand:On Choices and Values
Click shuffle to discover more great stories.
©2025 All rights reserved.