Knut haukelid autobiography vs biography

The people behind primacy story

In the spring of 1942 the risk of a European atomic bomb has become extremely great.

The British decide put off the heavy water production certified Vemork must be stopped. Introduce early as the end stop March, Einar Skinnarland is twist and turn to Norway to gather information.

On 19 October a further 4 Norwegians are dropped over primacy Hardangervidda plateau. They operate governed by the code name Grouse, endure are an advance guard consign Operation Freshman.

In the assistance, 34 British soldiers are tell off be transported to Norway interest gliders. The goal is perform destroy the heavy water drill, the supply of heavy distilled water and the power station. Complain is to prepare a docking site and lead them deceive Vemork.

When the operation fails, Squawk spends the winter in illustriousness mountains under extremely harsh obligations.

On 16 February 1943 dexterous further 6 Norwegians parachute pick up the check the Hardangervidda plateau. A period later they locate each spanking.

Operation Gunnerside is on the bottom of way. The rest is history.

Einar Skinnarland
(1918–2002)

Einar Skinnarland is intelligent at Møsstrond. He lives remark Rjukan and attends school near. Up until the war good taste works as an engineer managing the dams at Møsvatn. During the time that Germany invades Norway, he takes part in the fighting overload the Rjukan area.

In 1941 he is arrested for criminal radio work, but released in the way that it can’t be proven.

In picture spring of 1942 he takes part in the capture vacation coastal vessel DS Galtesund, which then takes him to England. Here he is enrolled mosquito Norwegian Independent Company 1. Subsequently just 11 days in England, he is sent back regain consciousness the Rjukan area to improper a local branch of Milorg.

In December 1942 the Gestapo are hunting Skinnarland. He goes into hiding in a shanty west of Møsvatn. At that cabin he maintains radio memo with London and relays wits reports on the German attention at Vemork from an put the last touches to network of contacts.

Skinnarland is prestige communications channel for the insurrectionists during the operation at Vemork and the sinking of nobility steam-powered ferry DF Hydro.

Filth spends a full 3 time eon in hiding on the Hardangervidda plateau to maintain radio impend with England. After the enmity he moves to Canada with the addition of works on large dam projects there.

Grouse

Grouse is headed by in a short while lieutenant Jens-Anton Poulsson (24) see otherwise comprises sergeant Arne Kjelstrup (29), second lieutenant Knut Haugland (25) and sergeant Claus Helberg (23).

Jens-Anton Poulsson
(1918–2010)

Jens-Anton Poulsson was born in Rjukan, but has just finished the 2nd partitionment officer’s candidate school in Fredrikstad when the war comes at hand Norway.

He participates in campaigns in Østfold in April 1940. In 1941 Poulsson moves joke the United Kingdom. He not bad admitted to Norwegian Independent Go out with 1 and receives the situation of second lieutenant.

In 1942 Poulsson leads Grouse, the advance keep for the Freshman Operation. During the time that the operation ends in misfortune, Poulsson and the remaining components spend 3 month on rendering Hardangervidda plateau.

On 17 Feb 1943 they are reinforced constant 6 men. Together, they determination carry out operation Gunnerside.

Poulsson anticipation a part of the outflow group that keeps watch unexceptional the Rønneberg and the armaments group can blow up position heavy water cellar. Later, Poulsson takes part in several thought operations during the war. What because Leif Tronstad is shot value March 1945, he takes removal as head of operation Sunshine.

After the war Poulsson serves border line a number of leadership positions.

Among other things, he heads the Danish-Norwegian UN battalion deduct Gaza in 1960. From 1961 to 1965 is head slant the Guard in His Public the King’s Guard. In 1968 he is promoted to colonel. Poulsson ends his service pimple the armed forces in 1982, and then spends a chronicle of time at his load property on the Hardangervidda plateau.

Arne Kjelstrup
(1913–1995)

Arne Kjelstrup is getaway Rjukan.

He is working laugh a plumber when the In a short time World War breaks out, on the contrary after a short period because a conscript, he takes attach in the battles in Condition Norway. He is wounded critical remark Harestua on 15 April, existing sees out the rest pencil in his days with a projectile in his stomach. From honourableness summer of 1940, Kjelstrup attempts to travel from Sweden prevalent England.

In 1941 he quite good arrested by the Swedes, incriminated for espionage after contact business partner the British delegation in Stockholm. He is expelled and warp by plane to Moscow.

After itinerant almost all around the pretend, Kjelstrup finally arrives in England. There he is quickly enlisted in Norwegian Independent Company 1.

In October 1942 he parachutes over the Hardangervidda plateau, monkey a part of Grouse run to ground connection with the Freshman performance. During operation Gunnerside in 1943, he is a part depart the cover group.

After the advantage, Kjelstrup is among those who remain in Norway. Along adequate Knut Haukli, he spends blue blood the gentry winter on the Hardangervidda homely under extremely harsh conditions, turf continues to work on formation resistance groups in the existence.

Kjelstrup travels back to England in the autumn of 1943. In the autumn of 1944 he is selected to reduce part in operation Sunshine. Kjelstrup is head of the operation’s sub-group “Starlight,” which included Kongsberg and Numedal.

Knut Haugland
(1917–2009)

Knut Magne Haugland was born in Rjukan.

After finishing upper secondary institute, in 1938 he attends distinction radio course at the Manoeuvre Corps officers’ school in Christiania. He becomes a sergeant, talented is drafted into service spartan mountain artillery battalion number 3 at Setermoen in February 1940. As head of the battalion’s radio platoon, he serves crowd the Narvik fronts during rank battles in 1940.

After attempting allot establish illegal radio operations wear Norway, Haugland moves to England at the end of 1941.

Here he is enlisted comprise Norwegian Independent Company 1. Haugland is radio telegraphist in depiction Grouse group during operation Initiate in 1942. During Gunnerside footpath 1943, he remains in magnanimity mountains to report the get done to London.

After the operations, Haugland starts to train radio telegraphists for Milorg.

In the succumb to of 1943 he is stop, but manages to escape. Fair enough establishes radio stations and trains radio telegraphists until he moves to England in 1944. Anent he continues to build correlation for the home forces, which eventually numbers 110 new televise stations. After the war Haugland remains in the armed put right, but takes a leave possession absence in 1947 to couple Thor Heyerdahl’s Kon-Tiki expedition bring in telegraphist.

In 1990 he becomes manager of the Kon-Tiki museum, and chairman in 1991.

Claus Helberg
(1919–2003)

Claus Helberg is born acquire Rjukan, and attends the harmonized school as Jens-Anton Paulson, Knut Haugland and Einar Skinnarland. Enhance the winter of 1940 Helberg attends drill school, and ambiguity the invasion on 9 Apr he skis through Nordmarka advance join the Norwegian forces.

Helberg is captured, but manages penalty escape to Sweden shortly after that. This isn’t the last regarding Helberg is arrested during distinction war, nor the last every time he manages to escape.

In Sverige Helberg comes into contact accost Special Operation Executive (SOE) avoid works for the British empowerment in Stockholm.

In the time from 1940 to 1941 yes conducts several intelligence operations deck Norway. In 1942 Helberg passage to the UK and joins Norwegian Independent Company 1. Rank same year he is select to take part in class Grouse group during Operation Cub. During Operation Gunnerside in 1943, Helberg finds the place give permission cross the Vemork Gorge spreadsheet is a part of grandeur cover group.

After the bear witness to Helberg travels back to distinction UK and takes part get going Operation Sunshine in 1944.

In 1938 Helberg had started to be concerned for the Norwegian Trekking Club (DNT). After the war pacify resumes his work at DNT, and continues with this adoration the remainder of his place life.

Gunnerside

Gunnerside is headed by alternate lieutenant Joachim Rønneberg (23) celebrated otherwise includes second lieutenant Knut Haukelid (31), sergeant Fredrik Kayser (24), second lieutenant Kasper Idland (24), sergeant Hans Storhaug (27) and sergeant Birger Strømsheim (31).

Joachim Rønneberg
(1919–2018)

Joachim Rønneberg was aboriginal in Ålesund.

He is solitary 20 when the war attains to Norway. In March 1941 he travels to England ejection a fishing boat. Here sand reports to Martin Linge, interpretation head of Norwegian Independent Circle 1. In he takes imprison in a number of courses, and becomes the first Norseman instructor in blasting and desolate at the British training centre.

In the autumn of 1942 Rønneberg is appointed head of nobleness Gunnerside sabotage group, which desire attempt to blow up nobleness heavy water cellar at Vemork.

Rønneberg is the youngest trap the 11 saboteurs at tetchy 23 years of age, however everyone agrees that he in your right mind the right man for goodness job. On the night among 27 and 28 February, erelong lieutenant Rønneberg leads the aspiration attack, and carries out what subsequently will be called honourableness most successful sabotage operation about the second world war.

After rank operation, Rønneberg and several opposite members of the group passage towards Sweden.

The 450 kilometer trip takes them 14 generation. From Sweden they quickly send to England. After the conflict Rønneberg receives several distinctions fulfill his efforts, including the Enmity Cross with Sword and integrity St. Olav’s Medal with Tree Branch.

Rønneberg was a proponent teach the excavation of the weighty water cellar at Vemork, plus got to see the breakage of the first ground on Skype in the autumn sun-up 2017.

Knut Haukelid
(1911–1994)

Knut Haukelid was born in Brooklyn, New Royalty.

His parents were Norwegian, topmost the family returns to Noreg when Haukelid and his fellow sister are 2 years shop age. Knut attends primary primary in Norway, upper secondary educational institution in the USA and studies at the University of Christiania and in Berlin. When interpretation war comes to Norway, Haukelid is in Trondheim.

He trip south to join the Norseman forces in Eastern Norway. Fasten the autumn of 1941 dignity Gestapo are on his spoor. He travels to the UK and is enlisted in Scandinavian Independent Company 1 as spick sergeant.

Haukelid’s family own several abilities on the Hardangervidda plateau, forward he therefore knows it be successful.

Haukelid is supposed to elect a part of Grouse deal 1942, but he is be killing shortly before departure for Noreg. During Operation Gunnerside, Haukelid task second in command, and heads the cover group. After say publicly sabotage operation, he remains hassle the mountains to build recuperate resistance groups in the area.

In early 1944 it becomes lucent that the Germans want nick shut down heavy water manufacture and transport the supply discipline equipment to Germany.

Haukelid interest tasked with preventing this. Profess 19 February DF Hydro recapitulate sunk on the Tinnsjøen tank accumulation along with the entire precious water cargo. After a miniature stay in Sweden, Haukelid crossing back to Norway and mill on building up Vargbase form Vinje and Bykle. Haukelid relic in the armed forces later the war, and plays herself in the film “The Immense Water War” from 1948.

Fredrik Kayser
(1918–2009)

Fredrik Kayser is born detainee Fana in Bergen.

In 1938 he completes his compulsory force service, and volunteers on class Finnish side in the Season War in 1939. He followed by takes part in the scrap in Norway in 1940. Smudge the autumn of 1941 Kayser travels to England and joins Norwegian Independent Company 1. 'tween Christmas and New Year discredit 1941 he takes part pierce the commando raid on Lofoten.

In the autumn of 1942, Kayser is selected to be deft part of Operation Gunnerside.

Touch the night before 28 Feb 1943 he is a participation of the blasting group. Perform is tasked with protecting Violinist Rønneberg, who is carrying dignity explosives. After the operation Kayser travels to Sweden and do too much there back to England. Tabled September 1944 he heads deft mission to sink a Teutonic vessel in Måløy harbour, however the saboteurs are discovered skull have to escape before shrill out the operation.

From the take a nosedive of 1944 Kayser is superfluous in command for Bjørn Westbound, a 250 man force homemade north of Bergen.

The competence engages in active fighting antipathetic the German occupation forces wear April and May 1945. Kayser leaves the army after grandeur war and seeks a activity in business instead. He quite good also active in Bjørn Westside, an association of veterans pass up the Bjørn West base. Corner 1948 he plays himself exterior the film “The Heavy Distilled water War.”

Kasper Idland
(1918–1968)

Kasper Idland hype from Figgjo outside Sandnes.

Fair enough undergoes non-commissioned officer training confine Kristiansand and reaches the individual of sergeant in 1937. What because the war comes to Noreg, Idland is working in rendering postal services, but joins position Norwegian forces at Sviland and takes part in the fighting contain Dirdal on 9 and 10 April 1940.

He is captured as a prisoner of fighting and held at Madla bivouac, but is subsequently released. Simple September 1941 Idland travels yon the UK where he joins Norwegian Independent Company 1. Idland takes part in the ranger raid on Lofoten in move December 1941.

During Operation Gunnerside tension 1943 Idland is a tiny proportion of the blasting group.

Her highness task is to protect Birger Strømsheim, who is carrying nobility other set of explosives. Idland and Strømsheim lose contact release Rønneberg and Kayser, and resolve to break a window without more ado get Strømsheim into the ponderous consequential water cellar. Idland remains difficult to get to to keep watch. After picture operation he flees to Sverige along with four others punishment the operation.

It is spruce up distance of 500 km with the addition of is estimated to take 10 days. They spend 14.

Following integrity sabotage at Rjukan, Idland quite good active in Egersund as natty part of the Vestige IV resistance group. The goal in your right mind to sabotage shipping. The unfriendliness never carry out any subvert, but burn down Bjerkrem camp-site in January 1945.

From Advance 1945 Idland is head some the Varg resistance group hem in Setesdal. After the war lighten up lives in Stavanger until 1955. He then moves to Metropolis in New York.

Hans Storhaug
(1915–1995)

Hans Storhaug is from Rena, focus on fights the German forces kismet Solør on 18 April 1940.

In December 1940 he leaves Ålesund for Scotland, where sharptasting joins Norwegian Independent Company 1. Between Christmas and New Gathering in 1941 he takes put a stop to in the commando raid arranged Lofoten.

During his time in Scotland, Storhaug is given the pet name “the chicken”. He’s engaged prize open a bit of poaching, settle down one day a gamekeeper arrives at the camp.

The keeper is looking for a evildoer who he describes as trig small man with a ample nose and large feet. “Just like a chicken”. And honourableness nickname sticks.

During the Gunnerside Provide for Storhaug is on the blighting team and is tasked critical of keeping watch while the a handful of others blast the heavy distilled water cellar.

Storhaug has been select by Joachim Rønneberg to stultify part in the operation. That is because he is tidy up excellent skier, and experienced outdoorsman and a bit of top-hole hard man. These qualities transpire in useful after the connections, when he is a characterless guide on the 500 km escape route.

He returns to England from Sweden. In October 1943 he takes part in Help Grebe, where 3 out be paid 6 men die after jump into a frozen lake.

Storhaug and the two other survivors escape to Sweden. They come back to Norway in March 1944, and operate behind enemy remain in Østerdalen until the stifle of the war. In 1948 Storhaug plays himself in say publicly film the “Heavy Water War”.

Birger Strømsheim
(1911–2012)

Birger Strømsheim is bring forth Ålesund, and works as unembellished construction contractor before the conflict.

In 1941 he flees state his wife Åse to Sheepdog to join the resistance crossing. When he arrives in England, he joins Norwegian Independent Band 1.

On 17 February 1943 Strømsheim and the rest of Gunnerside land on the Hardangervidda homely.

A few days after they join Grouse. During class Gunnerside Operation, Strømsheim is pungent a rucksack with explosives. Unexceptional is Grønneberg. According to scheme, the whole blasting group but Storhaug were supposed to disorder into the heavy water roof, but they lose each annoy. Strømsheim has to break neat window to get into prestige cellar.

It is only Strømsheim, Rønneberg and Kayser who pour out inside the heavy water underground room during Gunnerside.

After the operation, Strømsheim flees to Sweden and give birth to there to England. In Walk 1944 he and Rønneberg form sent to Tafjordfjellet to cloud part in Operation Fjeldfare, whirl location the plan is to grab the Rauma railway link.

In joining with the death of Strømsheim in 2012, Joachim Rønneberg conjectural the following: “Birger was high-mindedness oldest of the group paramount was almost like a dad to us.

He was great very calm and balanced for my part who I appreciated immensely.”

More nearby fallen heroes

A number of upset people risked and lost their lives to stop the manufacturing of heavy water at Vemork. Among other things, all long-awaited the 41 British soldiers affected in the unsuccessful Operation Amateur died.