Table of Contents
Who was involved in Operation Gunnerside?
On the evening of February 27, 1943, nine Norwegian commandos infiltrated the German-held Vemork plant, a hydroelectric plant owned by Norsk Hydro just outside of Rjukan, Norway. Their mission was to destroy the water pipes in the basement of this plant.
Why was it called Operation Gunnerside?
On the night of 16 February 1943, in Operation Gunnerside (named after the village of Gunnerside, where SOE head Charles Jocelyn Hambro and his family used to shoot grouse), an additional six Norwegian commandos were dropped by parachute by a 138 Squadron Halifax bomber from RAF Tempsford.
Who were the SOE in ww2?
Formed in 1940, the Special Operations Executive was an underground army that waged a secret war in enemy-occupied Europe and Asia. Its agents demonstrated incredible courage and resourcefulness in their guerrilla war. By working with resistance forces, they provided a boost to the morale of occupied societies.
How accurate is Heroes of Telemark?
In the public mind, the raid was captured in true Hollywood style by the 1965 film The Heroes of Telemark starring Kirk Douglas. That version was not quite true to real life – but the story of the real heroes of Telemark is still extraordinary.
Was Telemark a true story?
The Heroes of Telemark is a 1965 British war film directed by Anthony Mann based on the true story of the Norwegian heavy water sabotage during the Second World War from Skis Against the Atom, the memoirs of Norwegian resistance soldier Knut Haukelid.
What is the purpose of heavy water in a nuclear reactor?
Heavy water is used as a moderator in some reactors because it slows down neutrons effectively and also has a low probability of absorption of neutrons.
How did they use sabotage in WW2?
By World War II sabotage had evolved and become more sophisticated. Nations organized agencies who were trained to attack military targets and disable the enemy’s war effort. Britain used sabotage to great effect by establishing the Special Operations Executive (SOE).
How did Germany develop the atomic bomb in WW2?
At the outset of World War II, Germany far outpaced other countries in atomic research. In 1938, German scientists discovered nuclear fission. The Germans had even organized a special scientific unit headed by quantum physicist Werner Karl Heisenberg to develop an atomic weapon, amassing stockpiles of uranium for the effort.
Who was involved in the resistance in Germany?
The resistance in Germany included German citizens of non-German ethnicity, such as members of the Polish minority who formed resistance groups like Olimp.
Are there any underground agents in the military?
Many are underground agents, unconnected to official military authorities. More often than not, though, they have been trained and unofficially sanctioned by intelligence agencies or senior members of the armed forces. The German government turned to sabotage during World War I in an attempt to thwart U.S. trade with Europe.