Gunnar Knudsen had experience in shipping and engineering as well as government finance and agriculture. Those qualifications make his government an example of how capable civilian leadership could still struggle with defence policy. Seven defence ministers served during his time as prime minister, with Christian Holst's tenure from August 1914 to February 1919 providing unusual continuity. A force based largely on volunteers and reservists needed ministers who understood the demands of that model. Frequent changes at the ministry made it harder to sustain that understanding.
Chapter · 2:01-4:30
Defence-minister turnover weakened long-term planning
Gunnar Knudsen understood shipping and government finance, but the rapid turnover of defence ministers made consistent policy difficult for Norway's volunteer and reservist forces.