Bugle calls of the Norwegian Army

The Norwegian Army had in 2002 officially 59 bugle calls (unofficially 60 if one includes the Valdres Battalion call which is the baseline tune for the Valdres March). These are divided into two groups;


 * A) “Orders” – that is a signal for an action
 * B) “Unit” – which identifies a unit (usually battalion, regiment, brigade, division)

History of the bugle calls
Bugle calls have in history been used to relay orders over distances or to large formation of troops.

Some of the traditions of the Norwegian Armed Forces have their roots from either the personal union with Denmark or Sweden. This is also true when it comes to bugle calls, E.g. the bugle call for "Troop" is in Norway and Sweden identical. But due to Norwegian history and historical trade routes with the United Kingdom and The Netherlands some bugle calls have been borrowed and incorporated into the Norwegian Armed Forces, e.g. the bugle call "Parade" is identical to the same bugle call in Sweden, and identical "to the colours" in the United States.

With the rise of Norwegian nationalism from 1814 to 1905 composers like Johannes Hanssen wrote new bugle calls based on old Norwegian folk tunes. One such example is the Unit call for the Valdres Battalion, which is also the baseline tune for the more known Valdres March.

Today, the bugle calls are primarily used for ceremonial functions such as flag hoist/lowering, change of commands, military burials, religious service, etc.

Bugle calls – “Orders”
The Norwegian Army maintains the following “order” bugle calls:

Revelje - Revellie This bugle is used to awaken the troops and prepare for morning inspection or roll call.

Spisesignal - Mess call This bugle call give notice that a meal is ready to be served.

Oppstilling - Formation – first call This bugle call orders to assemble for formations.

Flaggappell – Flag hoist/lower This bugle call gives notice to all personnel that the national flag (Flag of Norway) is being hoisted/lowered and to stand to attention and render honours.

Tropp – Troop This bugle call orders troop formations to take up positions, or that the battalion/regimental colours / Flag of Norway is to be brought in front of the troop formation for parade.

Vaktombytte – Changing of the guards This bugle call is sounded during changing of the guards ceremony to signal that the new guard has taken up its post and the old guard has been dismissed.

Tappenstrek – Taps This bugle call orders that all activities are to cease for the night. Historically it is linked to the Dutch words tap den doe that is translated as “plug the barrel”, indicating that the serving of alcohol to soldiers was to end and return to base. The word “tattoo” derives from this word.

Rosignal – Lights out This bugle call orders all non essential lights are to be put out.

Appell – Ruffells This bugle call is to announce the entrance of high-ranking officers from the rank of brigadier up to full general. A ruffell is repeated according to the rank number of stars (1- Brigadier, 2 - Major General, 3 -Lieutenant General, 4 – General)

Parademarsj – Parade march This bugle call give notice either to the entrance/attendance of His Majesty the King or to alert soldiers to give their attention and honour the colours as they are presented formally in slow march in front of a formation.

Bønn – Prayer – Remembrance This bugle call orders all services are to be stopped for prayer, religious services or is used for mark an act of remembrance in the same way as “taps” in the USA or “Last post” in the UK and Commonwealth. It can be played by bugle alone or in combination with a drum beat.

Fremad Marsj – Forward March This bugle call orders the unit to advance at normal pace

Holdt – Halt This bugle call orders the unit to stop

Innrykkning – charge This bugle call orders the unit to charge a position and take it.

Alarm – This bugle call indicates that the unit is to stand to.

Flyalarm – Air raid alarm This bugle call signals that an air raid is imminent.

Panseralarm – Tank/panzer alarm This bugle call alerts an attack by armored units.

Ild – Start firing This bugle call orders units to open fire.