Description
Object description
Norwegian NCO served with Norwegian Independent Company 1 (Linge Company) attached to Special Operations Executive in GB and Norway, 1942-1945, including raid on Norsk Hydro heavy water plant at Vemork, 2/1943
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Norway and GB, 1919-1942: civilian work; military training; involvement in war against Germany; capture and period in POW Camp, Oslo; return to work; journey to Stockholm and interview with British Attaché; information gathering missions to South Norway including information on German interests in heavy water; flight to GB to join Special Operations Executive, 1942; pattern of training; reactions to posting in Norway; story of flight to Norway. Aspects of operations as NCO with Norwegian Independent Company 1 (Linge Company) attached to Special Operations Executive in Norway, 10/1942-5/1943: weather; equipment taken on mission; problems transferring equipment to base during Operation Grouse; shelter taken during journeys; rations; activities on arrival at base; discovery of mission; communications; story of falling through ice en route to base; discovery of sledge; story of accident during landing of Royal Engineers during Operation Freshman; reactions to accident; reason for movement out of base; survival through winter including story of lamb stew; methods of maintaining morale; hunting for reindeer; Christmas 1942; use of reindeer; cooking of meals; wait and searches for additional Norwegian personnel; arrival of additional personnel.
REEL 2 Continues: details of solo reconnaissance mission to Norsk Hydro heavy water plant at Vermork; plan for approach to Vermork with team for Operation Gunnerside; plan in case of capture; clothing worn; weather and morale at start of journey; journey to Velmork; equipment hidden and equipment taken on to heavy water plant; crossing of gorge; final approach to and entry into Norsk heavy water plant; details of plant interior; activities during raid; description of explosion; reunion with team; withdrawal from plant including route taken; reason for return to base including reactions following mission; loss of map during journey to rendezvous with team; continuation of journey; reunion with team; posting as instructor and start of journey to operational area; story of fight with and escape from German patrol; breaking of arm; help gained from civilians; journey with broken arm; medical treatment gained from Germans; dinner in hotel; story of arrest of all guests in hotel including confiscation of pistol; journey towards Oslo; description of escape from bus and subsequent chase; medical treatment received; journey to GB via Sweden; further details of period skiing with broken arm including rations; story of reunion with civilian who helped him.
REEL 3 Continues: description of living in an occupied country; story of hearing news of Winston Churchill becoming Prime Minister; opinion of Special Operations Executive's work in Norway; opinion of need for Norwegians to take part in Vemork raid; previous knowledge of team; opinion of raid's leadership; problems from weather; sources and opinion of equipment; story of apricots; opinion of 1965 film Heroes of Telemark; details of 1948 film Kampen om tungtvannet or The Fight for Heavy Water; details of final mission to Norway, 1944-1945; background in Norway, 1919-1942; longest ski journey.