MESSAGES DECEMBER 1942.
Local/898 Srl 800
GROUSE 4th December 1942.
GLAD TO HEAR FROM YOU STOP
OPERATION IS BEING PLANNED NOW FOR NORWEGIANS ONLY STOP
SORRY WE CANNOT AGREE TO EXACT LISTENING TIMES PROPOSED BY YOU STOP
FOLLOWING IS BEST WE CAN DO STOP
MONDAY 0700 HOURS REPEAT 0700 HOURS STOP
WEDNESDAY 0900 HOURS REPEAT 0900 HOURS STOP
SATURDAY 1700 HOURS REPEAT 1700 HOURS STOP
AS WELL AS THESE SKEDS THERE WILL BE A DAILY SKED FROM NOW UNTIL END OF NEXT MOON PERIOD AT 1000 HOURS EVERY DAY REPEAT 1000 HOURS EVERY DAY STOP
ONE PARTY OF SIX MEN WILL LEAVE ON FIRST SUITABLE DAY AFTER FIVETEEN DECEMBER STOP
OUR NUMBER SIXTEEN STOP
THEY WILL LAND AT DROPPING POINT USED BY YOURSELF UNLESS YOU SUGGEST BETTER PLACE STOP
WHAT STORES AND EQUIPMENT DO YOU REQUIRE STOP
WHAT ABOUT GUARDS AT TARGET?
HAVE YOU ANY RECENT INFORMATION?
(This must be transmittted on the first possible occasion, therefore please give necessary signal as soon as Swallow comes up)
Origin SN/A
GROUSE 4th December 1942.
GLAD TO HEAR FROM YOU STOP
OPERATION IS BEING PLANNED NOW FOR NORWEGIANS ONLY STOP
SORRY WE CANNOT AGREE TO EXACT LISTENING TIMES PROPOSED BY YOU STOP
FOLLOWING IS BEST WE CAN DO STOP
MONDAY 0700 HOURS REPEAT 0700 HOURS STOP
WEDNESDAY 0900 HOURS REPEAT 0900 HOURS STOP
SATURDAY 1700 HOURS REPEAT 1700 HOURS STOP
AS WELL AS THESE SKEDS THERE WILL BE A DAILY SKED FROM NOW UNTIL END OF NEXT MOON PERIOD AT 1000 HOURS EVERY DAY REPEAT 1000 HOURS EVERY DAY STOP
ONE PARTY OF SIX MEN WILL LEAVE ON FIRST SUITABLE DAY AFTER FIVETEEN DECEMBER STOP
OUR NUMBER SIXTEEN STOP
THEY WILL LAND AT DROPPING POINT USED BY YOURSELF UNLESS YOU SUGGEST BETTER PLACE STOP
WHAT STORES AND EQUIPMENT DO YOU REQUIRE STOP
WHAT ABOUT GUARDS AT TARGET?
HAVE YOU ANY RECENT INFORMATION?
(This must be transmittted on the first possible occasion, therefore please give necessary signal as soon as Swallow comes up)
Origin SN/A
LOCAL 679 SERIAL 837
CYPHER TELEGRAM FROM SWALLOW DESP 1128 9-12-1942
RECD 1326 9-12-1942
TRANSLATION
No. 2
TWO OF NINE STOP
OUR WORKING CONDITIONS DIFFICULT STOP
GERMAN SKI PATROLS ARE SEARCHING HUTS AND FARMS IN THE MOESVATN DISTRICT STOP
RADIO D/F STATION ESTABLISHED AT THE BEND TWENTY METERS FROM MOSDAMMEN STOP
OUR CONTACT NOW GROUSE ONE STOP
ENDS
TP 0123 10-12-1942 MFB
CYPHER TELEGRAM FROM SWALLOW DESP 1128 9-12-1942
RECD 1326 9-12-1942
TRANSLATION
No. 2
TWO OF NINE STOP
OUR WORKING CONDITIONS DIFFICULT STOP
GERMAN SKI PATROLS ARE SEARCHING HUTS AND FARMS IN THE MOESVATN DISTRICT STOP
RADIO D/F STATION ESTABLISHED AT THE BEND TWENTY METERS FROM MOSDAMMEN STOP
OUR CONTACT NOW GROUSE ONE STOP
ENDS
TP 0123 10-12-1942 MFB
AT: HQ
TO SWALLOW 10th December 1942.
PLEASE KEEP TO PRESENT FREQUENCIES FOR NORMAL WORKING UNLESS WE GIVE YOU A CHANGED FREQUENCY SIGNAL TELLING YOU TO CHANGE TO Z REPEAT Z OR X REPEAT X STOP
Z IS 7745 REPEAT Z IS 7745 STOP
X IS 6995 REPEAT X IS 6995 STOP
OUR NUMBER 18 STOP
THESE ARE THE ALPHA FREQUENCIES STOP
YOU SHOULD KEEP TO THE TIMES MENTIONED IN OUR TELEGRAM SIXTEEN OF DECEMBER FOURTH STOP
Origin SN/A (RX for 1400 hrs. GMT to-day)
TO SWALLOW 10th December 1942.
PLEASE KEEP TO PRESENT FREQUENCIES FOR NORMAL WORKING UNLESS WE GIVE YOU A CHANGED FREQUENCY SIGNAL TELLING YOU TO CHANGE TO Z REPEAT Z OR X REPEAT X STOP
Z IS 7745 REPEAT Z IS 7745 STOP
X IS 6995 REPEAT X IS 6995 STOP
OUR NUMBER 18 STOP
THESE ARE THE ALPHA FREQUENCIES STOP
YOU SHOULD KEEP TO THE TIMES MENTIONED IN OUR TELEGRAM SIXTEEN OF DECEMBER FOURTH STOP
Origin SN/A (RX for 1400 hrs. GMT to-day)
TRANSLATION OF TELEGRAM RECEIVED FROM SWALLOW. 17 DEC 1942
LOCAL 975
NO CONTACT STOP
CHARGING OF ACCUMULATOR IMPOSSIBLE STOP
CURRENT ONLY ABOUT THREE HOURS STOP
SEVENTEENTH STOP
SEND AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE DRAW HOMESTATIONS ATTENTION TO THIS STOP
YOUR NUMBER TWENTY EIGHT UNDERSTOOD STOP
TWO ONE ONE MEANS OPERATION TODAY AND SEVEN SIX NINE NOT TODAY STOP
EXTRA SKEDS FIFTEEN HUNDRED HOURS EVERY DAY UNTIL WEDNESDAY ENDS
LOCAL 975
NO CONTACT STOP
CHARGING OF ACCUMULATOR IMPOSSIBLE STOP
CURRENT ONLY ABOUT THREE HOURS STOP
SEVENTEENTH STOP
SEND AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE DRAW HOMESTATIONS ATTENTION TO THIS STOP
YOUR NUMBER TWENTY EIGHT UNDERSTOOD STOP
TWO ONE ONE MEANS OPERATION TODAY AND SEVEN SIX NINE NOT TODAY STOP
EXTRA SKEDS FIFTEEN HUNDRED HOURS EVERY DAY UNTIL WEDNESDAY ENDS
LOCAL 850/SRL 944
CYPHER TELEGRAM REDC FROM PLOVER RECD. 16-12-1942.
TRANSLATION
GERMAN GARRISON AT MOES DAMMEN ABOUT 60 MEN 3 AA GUNS ONE SEARCHLIGHT.
DROPPING IMPOSSIBLE I AM BEING STRONGLY SEARCHED FOR GROUSE STOP
12 STOP
FROM NEXT CONTACT I WILL USE THE NEW CALL SIGNS FOR PLOVER PLAN JIJR REPEAT JINR HOMESTATION USES PHME REPEAT PHME FOR PLOVER ALPHA PLAN I USE PDNA REPEAT PDNA HOMESTATION USE GOBB REPEAT GOBB STOP
THE LEADERSHIP ASKS IF I CAN SEND MESSAGES ABOUT THE THICKNESS OF THE ICE AND THE DEPT OF THE SNOW ON THE AGREED UPON LAKES IN FIGURE CODE SENT BY BAMSE PLOVERS SUCCESSOR.
CHEERIO ENDS
TP 1840 17-12-1942 MFB
CYPHER TELEGRAM REDC FROM PLOVER RECD. 16-12-1942.
TRANSLATION
GERMAN GARRISON AT MOES DAMMEN ABOUT 60 MEN 3 AA GUNS ONE SEARCHLIGHT.
DROPPING IMPOSSIBLE I AM BEING STRONGLY SEARCHED FOR GROUSE STOP
12 STOP
FROM NEXT CONTACT I WILL USE THE NEW CALL SIGNS FOR PLOVER PLAN JIJR REPEAT JINR HOMESTATION USES PHME REPEAT PHME FOR PLOVER ALPHA PLAN I USE PDNA REPEAT PDNA HOMESTATION USE GOBB REPEAT GOBB STOP
THE LEADERSHIP ASKS IF I CAN SEND MESSAGES ABOUT THE THICKNESS OF THE ICE AND THE DEPT OF THE SNOW ON THE AGREED UPON LAKES IN FIGURE CODE SENT BY BAMSE PLOVERS SUCCESSOR.
CHEERIO ENDS
TP 1840 17-12-1942 MFB
MESSAGE FROM SWALLOW. RECD. 23-12-1942.
SRL. 38
No, 41.
TRANSLATION
WHICH DAY ENDS THE STANDBY PERIOD STOP
OUR PLACE OF RESIDENCE FETTERHYTTA STOP
TWENTY THIRD STOP
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO ANGEL PKE AND NORWEGIAN FRIENDS STOP
SPECIAL GREETINGS TO SIXTY ONE STOP
ENDS
SRL. 38
No, 41.
TRANSLATION
WHICH DAY ENDS THE STANDBY PERIOD STOP
OUR PLACE OF RESIDENCE FETTERHYTTA STOP
TWENTY THIRD STOP
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO ANGEL PKE AND NORWEGIAN FRIENDS STOP
SPECIAL GREETINGS TO SIXTY ONE STOP
ENDS
LOCAL NO 807
CIPHER TELEGRAM FROM STOCKHOLM
DESP. 1400 23-12-1942.
RECD. 1605 23-12-1942
4692
FOLLOWING FROM 8627
MESSAGE FROM OSLO DATED DECEMBER 18TH.
STATES THAT GROUSE IS BEING SEARCHED FOR BY POLICE IN HIS DISTRICT.
HE WILL ? RECEIVE ASSISTANCE OVER FRONTIER IF HE ARRIVES IN OSLO.
TP EYW 1750 23-12-1942
CIPHER TELEGRAM FROM STOCKHOLM
DESP. 1400 23-12-1942.
RECD. 1605 23-12-1942
4692
FOLLOWING FROM 8627
MESSAGE FROM OSLO DATED DECEMBER 18TH.
STATES THAT GROUSE IS BEING SEARCHED FOR BY POLICE IN HIS DISTRICT.
HE WILL ? RECEIVE ASSISTANCE OVER FRONTIER IF HE ARRIVES IN OSLO.
TP EYW 1750 23-12-1942
STOCKHOLM 24th December, 1942.
0726 PRIVATE CIPHER
FOLLOWING FOR 8627.
YOUR 4692 OF 23-12-1942.
CAN YOU DISCOVER CHRISTIAN AND SURNAME OF GROUSE MAN IN QUESTION AS BOTH BROTHERS ARE PROBABLY ON THE RUN
0726 PRIVATE CIPHER
FOLLOWING FOR 8627.
YOUR 4692 OF 23-12-1942.
CAN YOU DISCOVER CHRISTIAN AND SURNAME OF GROUSE MAN IN QUESTION AS BOTH BROTHERS ARE PROBABLY ON THE RUN
GESTAPO RAID NORWEGIAN TOWN
HUNT FOR SECRET WIRELESS
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
STOCKHOLM, DEC. 23.
News has been received here of a gestapo raid on December 4 on the Norwegian Industrial centre of Rjukan, which resulted in the arrest of 22 Norwegians and the confiscation of a number of secret wireless sets. After sounding a false air-raid alarm to keep peole indoors, 200 members of the Gestapo , armed with machine-guns and hand-grenades, entered the town in motor-cars and searched every house. they broke up the floors and walls and in some cases confiscated the scanty food reserves of the occupants. The search lasted for 15 hoursm during which a state of siege prevailed. It is reported that the Gestapo failed to find the men whom they were particularly anxious to arrest.
German troops in Norway are being granted very little Christmas leave. The German authorities have ordered the closing of the ports of Stavanger, Haugesund, Bergen and Trondheim, except to ships which are already expected.
HUNT FOR SECRET WIRELESS
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
STOCKHOLM, DEC. 23.
News has been received here of a gestapo raid on December 4 on the Norwegian Industrial centre of Rjukan, which resulted in the arrest of 22 Norwegians and the confiscation of a number of secret wireless sets. After sounding a false air-raid alarm to keep peole indoors, 200 members of the Gestapo , armed with machine-guns and hand-grenades, entered the town in motor-cars and searched every house. they broke up the floors and walls and in some cases confiscated the scanty food reserves of the occupants. The search lasted for 15 hoursm during which a state of siege prevailed. It is reported that the Gestapo failed to find the men whom they were particularly anxious to arrest.
German troops in Norway are being granted very little Christmas leave. The German authorities have ordered the closing of the ports of Stavanger, Haugesund, Bergen and Trondheim, except to ships which are already expected.
WRONG WARNING!
GESTAPO men sounded a false air raid alarm before beginning the search and round-up of every house in the Southern Norwegian town of Rjukan, according to the Norwegian Telegraph Agency, quoted Reuter.
Armed with machine-guns, hand grenades and full fighting equipment, 200 of the Gestapo threatened all opposition with court-martial and shooting.
declaring a "state of emergency", they broke down floors and walls and confiscated radio sets and all food. Twenty-two people were arrested.
GESTAPO men sounded a false air raid alarm before beginning the search and round-up of every house in the Southern Norwegian town of Rjukan, according to the Norwegian Telegraph Agency, quoted Reuter.
Armed with machine-guns, hand grenades and full fighting equipment, 200 of the Gestapo threatened all opposition with court-martial and shooting.
declaring a "state of emergency", they broke down floors and walls and confiscated radio sets and all food. Twenty-two people were arrested.
Nothing fresh - Grouse still at large.
Not hot news. I'm glad to see.
Not hot news. I'm glad to see.
24th December, 1942.
To: SN With compliments of AD/S.1
Cutting from "The Times" 24-12-1942.
To: SN With compliments of AD/S.1
Cutting from "The Times" 24-12-1942.
LOCAL / 186
CIPHER TELEGRAM RECEIVED FROM STOCKHOLM DESP. 1550 26-12-1942.
RECD. 1900
NO. 4704.
YOUR TELEGRAM 0726 DECEMBER 24TH
IT IS L. WHO IS ON RUN STOP BROTHER M. WAS SEIZED BY GERMANS AS HOSTAGE AS REPORTED MY TELEGRAM 4583 DECEMBER 10TH STOP
MY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING TELEGRAM
ABOVE FROM 8627
TP 0733 27-12-1942 WM
CIPHER TELEGRAM RECEIVED FROM STOCKHOLM DESP. 1550 26-12-1942.
RECD. 1900
NO. 4704.
YOUR TELEGRAM 0726 DECEMBER 24TH
IT IS L. WHO IS ON RUN STOP BROTHER M. WAS SEIZED BY GERMANS AS HOSTAGE AS REPORTED MY TELEGRAM 4583 DECEMBER 10TH STOP
MY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING TELEGRAM
ABOVE FROM 8627
TP 0733 27-12-1942 WM
LOCAL / 185
CIPHER TELEGRAM RECEIVED FROM STOCKHOLM DESP. 1555 26-12-1942.
RECD. 1900
4705
FOLLOWING FROM 8627
MY IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING TELEGRAM.
L IS EINAR SKINNARLAND.
M IS TORSTEIN SKINNARLAND.
TP 0730 27-12-1942 WM
CIPHER TELEGRAM RECEIVED FROM STOCKHOLM DESP. 1555 26-12-1942.
RECD. 1900
4705
FOLLOWING FROM 8627
MY IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING TELEGRAM.
L IS EINAR SKINNARLAND.
M IS TORSTEIN SKINNARLAND.
TP 0730 27-12-1942 WM
SOE Headquarters from Stockholm. (8627) N 401 24-12-1942
GROUSE
I enclose herewith a cutting from a recent newspaper relating to the razzia in Rjukan which we presume will be of interest.
We understand that members of our party were outside the town and hope that this means that they will be safe, but as mentioned in our telegram 4692, the police are searching for Grouse.
Stor Gestaporazzia i norsk industriort.
FRÅN DAGENS NYHETERS SPECIELLE KORRESPONDENT.
Starka avdelingar av den tyska säkerhetspolisen, Gestapo, företogo nyligen en omfattande razzia i den kända industriorten Rjukan i Norge, varvid undantagstillstånd proklamerades, alla hus genomsöktes och ett flertal arresteringar företogos.
Fr...gen den 4 december ryckte omkring 200 Gestapomän i största hemlighet in i samhället, som är internationellt känt genom Norsk Hydros stora anläggningar och räknar cirka 6400 invånare. gestapotruppernavoro utrustade med maskingevär, handgranater och annan krigsutrustning och anlände i bilar på natten. Aktionen f"reföll att vara mycket väl förberedd. Vid ankomsten till Rjukan uppdelades trupperna i två avdelningar.
Rjulans samhälle ligger i Vestfjorddalen vid foten av det högsta fjället i södra Norge, Gaustatoppen. Endast en tillfartsväg i vardera ändan av dalen leder från samhället. Genom att ta ställning vid dessa vägar kunde tyskarna hindra eventuella flyktförsök och företa en "finkamming" av vartenda hus och vartenda tänkbart gomställe. Att komma uppför de lodrär.. ..svarranterna är praktiskt taget om...
Samtidigt med att razzian inleddes gavs falsk flyflarm, och därefter ryckte tyskarna fram under skydd av sina automatvapen. Inga skott lossades från norsk s..la under aktionen och befolkningen iakttog lugn.
På en rad platser funno Gestapomännen hemliga radioapparater sedan dubbelgolv och väggar hade uppbrutits. Tjugutvå arresteringar företogos. Fem av de anhällna ha senare frigivits, medan resten insatts på Akerhus fästning i Oslo.
Razzian på gick från klockan halv 6 på morgonen till halv 9 på kvällen. Under denna tid var det förbjudet för norrmännen att lämmna sina bostäder och maskingevär voro uppställda i alla gathörn. Arbetet i fabrikerna låg helt nere.
Tyskarna och de norska nazisterna ha länge varit irriterade över förhållandena i Rjukan, där man bland 6400 invånare endast lyckats få 27 organiserade nazister. tre dagar efter razzian kom rikskommissarie Terboven till platsen i egen salonsvagn och f"retog inspektion. Därefter blev undantagsillståndet upphävt.
Enligt uppgift lyckades icke tyskarna vid razzian gripa de Rjukanbor som de voro särskilt intresserade av att få tag i. Under den sista tiden ha omfattande spaningar med skipatruller företagits över fjällvidderna, där dock utsikterna att infånga de flyktade norrmännen anses vara mycket små.
Major Gestapo Raid in Norwegian Industrial Town
From Dagens Nyheter’s Special Correspondent
Strong units of the German security police, the Gestapo, recently carried out an extensive raid in the well-known industrial town of Rjukan in Norway. A state of emergency was proclaimed, all houses were searched, and a large number of arrests were made.
Early in the morning of December 4, about 200 Gestapo men secretly moved into the town, which is internationally known for Norsk Hydro’s large facilities and has approximately 6,400 inhabitants. The Gestapo troops were equipped with machine guns, hand grenades, and other military equipment and arrived by car during the night. The operation appeared to be very well prepared. Upon arrival in Rjukan, the troops were divided into two units.
The town of Rjukan lies in the Vestfjord Valley at the foot of southern Norway’s highest mountain, Gaustatoppen. Only one access road at each end of the valley leads to the town. By taking up positions on these roads, the Germans were able to prevent any attempted escapes and to carry out a “fine-tooth comb” search of every house and every conceivable hiding place. Climbing the sheer mountain sides is practically impossible.
At the same time as the raid began, a false air-raid alarm was sounded, after which the Germans advanced under cover of their automatic weapons. No shots were fired from the Norwegian side during the operation, and the population remained calm.
In several places the Gestapo men found secret radio transmitters after breaking open double floors and walls. Twenty-two arrests were made. Five of those detained were later released, while the rest were imprisoned at Akershus Fortress in Oslo.
The raid lasted from half past five in the morning until half past eight in the evening. During this time Norwegians were forbidden to leave their homes, and machine guns were positioned at every street corner. Work at the factories came to a complete standstill.
The Germans and the Norwegian Nazis have long been irritated by conditions in Rjukan, where among 6,400 inhabitants they have managed to recruit only 27 organized Nazis. Three days after the raid, Reich Commissioner Terboven arrived at the site in his own private railway car and carried out an inspection. After that, the state of emergency was lifted.
According to reports, the Germans failed during the raid to capture the Rjukan residents they were particularly interested in apprehending. In recent times, extensive searches using ski patrols have been carried out across the mountain plateaus, but the prospects of capturing the escaped Norwegians are considered very small.
GROUSE
I enclose herewith a cutting from a recent newspaper relating to the razzia in Rjukan which we presume will be of interest.
We understand that members of our party were outside the town and hope that this means that they will be safe, but as mentioned in our telegram 4692, the police are searching for Grouse.
Stor Gestaporazzia i norsk industriort.
FRÅN DAGENS NYHETERS SPECIELLE KORRESPONDENT.
Starka avdelingar av den tyska säkerhetspolisen, Gestapo, företogo nyligen en omfattande razzia i den kända industriorten Rjukan i Norge, varvid undantagstillstånd proklamerades, alla hus genomsöktes och ett flertal arresteringar företogos.
Fr...gen den 4 december ryckte omkring 200 Gestapomän i största hemlighet in i samhället, som är internationellt känt genom Norsk Hydros stora anläggningar och räknar cirka 6400 invånare. gestapotruppernavoro utrustade med maskingevär, handgranater och annan krigsutrustning och anlände i bilar på natten. Aktionen f"reföll att vara mycket väl förberedd. Vid ankomsten till Rjukan uppdelades trupperna i två avdelningar.
Rjulans samhälle ligger i Vestfjorddalen vid foten av det högsta fjället i södra Norge, Gaustatoppen. Endast en tillfartsväg i vardera ändan av dalen leder från samhället. Genom att ta ställning vid dessa vägar kunde tyskarna hindra eventuella flyktförsök och företa en "finkamming" av vartenda hus och vartenda tänkbart gomställe. Att komma uppför de lodrär.. ..svarranterna är praktiskt taget om...
Samtidigt med att razzian inleddes gavs falsk flyflarm, och därefter ryckte tyskarna fram under skydd av sina automatvapen. Inga skott lossades från norsk s..la under aktionen och befolkningen iakttog lugn.
På en rad platser funno Gestapomännen hemliga radioapparater sedan dubbelgolv och väggar hade uppbrutits. Tjugutvå arresteringar företogos. Fem av de anhällna ha senare frigivits, medan resten insatts på Akerhus fästning i Oslo.
Razzian på gick från klockan halv 6 på morgonen till halv 9 på kvällen. Under denna tid var det förbjudet för norrmännen att lämmna sina bostäder och maskingevär voro uppställda i alla gathörn. Arbetet i fabrikerna låg helt nere.
Tyskarna och de norska nazisterna ha länge varit irriterade över förhållandena i Rjukan, där man bland 6400 invånare endast lyckats få 27 organiserade nazister. tre dagar efter razzian kom rikskommissarie Terboven till platsen i egen salonsvagn och f"retog inspektion. Därefter blev undantagsillståndet upphävt.
Enligt uppgift lyckades icke tyskarna vid razzian gripa de Rjukanbor som de voro särskilt intresserade av att få tag i. Under den sista tiden ha omfattande spaningar med skipatruller företagits över fjällvidderna, där dock utsikterna att infånga de flyktade norrmännen anses vara mycket små.
Major Gestapo Raid in Norwegian Industrial Town
From Dagens Nyheter’s Special Correspondent
Strong units of the German security police, the Gestapo, recently carried out an extensive raid in the well-known industrial town of Rjukan in Norway. A state of emergency was proclaimed, all houses were searched, and a large number of arrests were made.
Early in the morning of December 4, about 200 Gestapo men secretly moved into the town, which is internationally known for Norsk Hydro’s large facilities and has approximately 6,400 inhabitants. The Gestapo troops were equipped with machine guns, hand grenades, and other military equipment and arrived by car during the night. The operation appeared to be very well prepared. Upon arrival in Rjukan, the troops were divided into two units.
The town of Rjukan lies in the Vestfjord Valley at the foot of southern Norway’s highest mountain, Gaustatoppen. Only one access road at each end of the valley leads to the town. By taking up positions on these roads, the Germans were able to prevent any attempted escapes and to carry out a “fine-tooth comb” search of every house and every conceivable hiding place. Climbing the sheer mountain sides is practically impossible.
At the same time as the raid began, a false air-raid alarm was sounded, after which the Germans advanced under cover of their automatic weapons. No shots were fired from the Norwegian side during the operation, and the population remained calm.
In several places the Gestapo men found secret radio transmitters after breaking open double floors and walls. Twenty-two arrests were made. Five of those detained were later released, while the rest were imprisoned at Akershus Fortress in Oslo.
The raid lasted from half past five in the morning until half past eight in the evening. During this time Norwegians were forbidden to leave their homes, and machine guns were positioned at every street corner. Work at the factories came to a complete standstill.
The Germans and the Norwegian Nazis have long been irritated by conditions in Rjukan, where among 6,400 inhabitants they have managed to recruit only 27 organized Nazis. Three days after the raid, Reich Commissioner Terboven arrived at the site in his own private railway car and carried out an inspection. After that, the state of emergency was lifted.
According to reports, the Germans failed during the raid to capture the Rjukan residents they were particularly interested in apprehending. In recent times, extensive searches using ski patrols have been carried out across the mountain plateaus, but the prospects of capturing the escaped Norwegians are considered very small.
No. N/303 31 december 1942.
To: S.O.E. Stockholm (for 8627) From: Headquarters (SN).
GROUSE
Thank you for your N. 401 of December 24th, and the newspaper cutting enclosed with it.
We have been in communication with SWALLOW and they are all well, but habe been advised to lie low for the next fortnight.
We will let you know telegraphically of any development from this side when the occasion arises.
To: S.O.E. Stockholm (for 8627) From: Headquarters (SN).
GROUSE
Thank you for your N. 401 of December 24th, and the newspaper cutting enclosed with it.
We have been in communication with SWALLOW and they are all well, but habe been advised to lie low for the next fortnight.
We will let you know telegraphically of any development from this side when the occasion arises.
weggum.com