Fleischer was the Commander of Norwegian troops near Narvik andinflicted the first reversal suffered by the German Army in World War II. He had been unable to save the garrison in Narvik but when the British arrived in Norway he began operations to contain the German troops in the mountains north of Narvik. Fleischer mistrusted the British and had launched his attack in terrible conditions, but when the British withdrew from central Norway he felt betrayed. However in June 1940 he accompanied the Norwegian Government into exile and left for London. Although he had no troops he was appointed Commander in Chief of the Norwegian Army abroad but was involved in frequent arguments with the British. He was posted to Ottawa, Canada as military attache and committed suicide shortly afterwards.