Haslund saw the steamer Driva was embarking those civil servants who had been unable to secure a passage on Glasgow.150 Haslund recognised this as a good opportunity to move the bullion quickly away from Molde and more importantly, away from the distinct possibility of it being lost to bombing. Haslund later stated:151
…we decided to take the boxes we already had on the trucks – some 80 large boxes and 180 smaller ones – onboard Driva to be transported northwards, along with passengers.
The engineer Kristian Gleditsch was asked to take over the responsibility for this leg of the transport and was ordered to wait just outside the town until called for. Meanwhile, Driva had docked at the ‘Pharmacy Pier’, but now she too was also woefully exposed to possible air attacks so Haslund began to seek out other ships so that he could divide the cargo. It would be pointless to lose the remaining gold in one raid and splitting the load up would be the best option. Loading began at once and 8 tons were embarked on to Driva as well as 30 passengers. Despite the appalling conditions the loading was completed before 02:00, a remarkable achievement given that Glasgow had only departed an hour beforehand amidst confusion and fire.
Gleditsch, along with his wife, Nini, had been waiting at the Retiro [farm] accompanied by various officials, including those from Norges Bank. Word came for them to begin the journey through the city centre and down to the pier where Driva was waiting. Apprehension and fear filled the smoke laden, choking air as the officials bussed their way through the city centre in a convoy of cars heading towards the pier, dodging the debris from the bombings. For Nini Gleditsch it reminded her of her experiences during the Spanish Civil War; another experience at the hands of the Germans, this time at the opposite end of Europe.
It was just after 02:00 on April 30th that Driva cast off her lines and set out into the fjord, with her crew and passengers praying that their position had not been spotted by the Germans. There was so much light given off by the many fires that the slightest movement would easily be detected from the air, but so as to not make it too easy for the bombers Captain Anton M Petersen ordered that the navigational lights be kept covered.
Inevitably, the Luftwaffe returned and again the bombs fell headlong once more towards Molde and her port. One deadly load screamed towards Driva – the stick of bombs slamming into the water close to the ship causing her to yaw violently. Fortunately there were no injuries or damage to the vessel but it was a close run thing. Driva’s crew, aware that providence was with them on that occasion grappled with their next problem – to head north as best as they could and to ensure that they could lay up out of sight before daybreak. It was springtime in Norway and the nights were getting shorter, dawn would soon etch her fingers across the black canvas of night.
Captain Petersen, prior to sailing, had wisely discussed the route with Haslund and Stenmarck – it was to be a team effort with many things to take into consideration. The plan was to cross an open stretch of sea and then seek shelter away from prying eyes. Crossing this area of sea was extremely hazardous as the ship would be an easy isolated target for any German bomber and there were no islands to hide in or if the worst came to the worst, to beach on. Thankfully the crossing passed without incident and Driva took the opportunity to shelter at Ersholmen, a small fishing village on the west coast. The first part of the journey had been successful to the huge relief of those on board as they made landfall.
Underway again and edging his way up Kornstad Fjord, Captain Petersen could see no signs of German air activity and so decided it would be wise to moor up at Ramsvika. The steamer Kværnes was also moored nearby and Petersen, realising that he needed more charts to navigate north and hoping he could borrow some, berthed alongside her.
It was not good for two ships to be berthed beside each other presenting themselves as one big fat target for the German bombers and so hurried discussions took place whereupon it was decided to move the Driva further up the coast to a more secure and secluded hiding place. Driva pulled away from her temporary berth and had just cleared the pier when an armed twin engine German seaplane took an unhealthy interest in affairs. The plane altered course dramatically stating its intention to attack. First Mate Emil Bergh was at the helm and he immediately turned the ship around and headed towards the shore. This was an inspired move by Bergh who realised that a direct hit on the Driva would send it to the bottom, but if he was close to shore she could be beached as the shore line was very flat. Bergh, with no other option, revved the engines to full speed and beached the vessel just as the plane approached her from astern. Shouted orders to clear the ship were given and the passengers frantically jumped down onto the shore and ran for their lives as the float-plane attacked again…this time strafing the panic stricken passengers. Gleditsch later described the terrifying moment:152
The plane came straight down towards us…on deck we all stood with life jackets at the ready to jump ashore. Just as we slid up next to the other ship, the aircraft was right behind us. The helmsman had increased speed beaching the boat at full speed up on the shore. The bombs just missed going into the sea astern of us. So we ran across the deck over to the other boat, jumped down and ran for safety just as the plane attacked again. As we ran we scattered up a heather-clad hillside, although there were no bushes that could give us cover. We instinctively avoided the road that led up the hill from the quayside. Another bomb fell. The plane was so low down that we clearly saw the bomb coming out. We followed it down, but it moved so fast and then we heard that harsh whistle. Then came the explosions. Again, the bomb had fallen in to the sea about 30 metres away covering us with water, sand and rocks.
D/S Kværnes. Picture Credit: Fjord1 MRF AS, www.fjord1.no
Finally, the attack was over and the aircraft turned away and flew out of the fjord. Fortunately, no one was killed or seriously injured in the attack, although one of the men, Grim Skjetne, a bank employee from Lillehammer, had taken a bullet wound to his leg. Skjetne was taken in and cared for at one of the farms and later that day he was transported by car to Gjemnes and then on to Eide where he was treated for his injuries.
The passengers, weary, wet and dazed from the attack stumbled and staggered their way towards farmhouses where they were well received and cared for. Later that day another aircraft returned, panicking the Driva passengers into thinking they were being attacked again, but the plane on this occasion merely circled overhead and then turned away disappearing into the distance.
The mood of the Driva passengers at that point could only have been grim. But despite their ordeal no one spoke about the reasons why they were there even when one of the farmers became interested. Disturbingly they found out from the farmer that no aircraft had been seen in the area until they had arrived. Had a Quisling passed on their mission to the Germans? Did the Germans know they were carrying gold? Was it just an unfortunate incident and the attack a one-off? Would the Germans come hunting again? No one really knew the answers, but it was clear they couldn’t stay at the farms and risk another attack. For the passengers and crew of the Driva April 30th had been a very long day, but they had to get back quickly to the Driva. It couldn’t just be left beached high and dry for the Germans to help themselves. She had to be re-floated immediately. Despite the attack by the German floatplane damage to the ship was minimal, but the gold had to be moved to the rear of the ship so that they stood a better chance of sliding off the beach. Help came from the men of Visnes who stepped forward to give assistance. They didn’t know what was in the boxes, and no one told them, but with the utmost urgency the boxes were stowed aft of the ship. Whilst the boxes were being re-stowed, watchers stood by scanning the sky for any signs of aircraft, but fortunately all was quiet.
D/S Driva. Picture Credit: Fjord1 MRF AS, www.fjord1.no
High tide inched closer and Driva’s bow started to gently rise. Kværnes moved out from her mooring and a line was secured from the steamer to Driva. The plan was to make best use of the tide as well as the pulling power of Kværnes
to refloat the Driva. The moment of truth arrived. Kværnes took up the slack in the line and then gently increased her speed to full revs. A small pause and Driva gently slid off the beach and settled herself in the water. There were no leaks; no damage and all appeared well. Driva had been lucky, but it is clear that without the assistance of the steamer the task may just have been beyond Driva’s crew, passengers and the farm folk of Visnes. It had been a close call.
13
The Road from Molde
Meanwhile, in Molde, Haslund, who had remained in the town had been kept aware of events at Visnes and he must have been mightily relieved when news came that Driva had been re-floated after the attack. But the events in Kornstad Fjord made him reconsider his plans. Orders were subsequently issued that Driva should move on to Gjemnes, but that the passengers could no longer be risked and that they should travel to Gjemnes by car or other means.
Haslund raised concerns that Driva presented herself as a substantial target for the German bombers. She would also need to be re-bunkered with coal. In his opinion, and after discussion with Stenmarck, it was thought prudent to move the remaining bullion by fishing vessels, which could steal their way around the many islands out of sight of prying German eyes. Fishing vessels would also be the perfect camouflage to carry the bullion and less suspicious than a large ship, which were still considered as ‘fair game’ by the Germans. Stenmarck agreed with Haslund and in turn contacted shipyard owner and engineer, Arne Grønningsæter to see if vessels could be acquired without too many questions being asked. Grønningsæter obliged and with the help of various officials five fishing vessels were dispatched to Gjemnes to be placed at Haslund’s disposal.
Meanwhile, the chaos in Molde was unrelenting and it was not a healthy place to stay. Haslund and his men had been suffering a torrid time and just before the final boxes of gold were evacuated from the Confection factory due to the raging fires, a man was killed by falling debris from the factory. Sadly, Peter Rekdal was the seventh and final victim, standing absolutely no chance against the falling masonry and tiles that collapsed on top of him. Nonetheless it was a small miracle that despite the constant bombings and conflagrations the death toll in Molde was kept to single figures.
Transport was once again a priority and on this occasion a Colonel Mork commandeered four lorries to transport the gold in. The lorries also served a dual purpose and a number of officials joined the transport among them Professor Keilhau, Thore Boye and various officials from the Ministry of Justice.153 The lorries had to complete several trips to move the 10 tons of bullion, reaching Gjemnes before the fishing vessels, which forced Haslund to hide the bullion in various secret locations. This amounted to some 287 boxes of bullion with cash and valuables split between five iron boxes, five wooden crates and seven smaller wooden boxes. Despite this considerable load the transport was achieved without too much fuss and the soldiers attached to the transport guarded the gold, supported by soldiers from the Gjemnes area.
By April 30th the situation on the west coast had rapidly deteriorated with yet more bombing and this continued unabated into May. Margaret Reid, secretary to Captain Frank Foley, the British Secret Intelligence officer who had assisted General Ruge and regularly transmitted messages to the British government, describes the frantic events in her diary whilst at Molde on Tuesday April 30th.154
We were left in a little wood above the town of Molde. It was many times larger than Åndalsnes and showed the ravages of heavy bombing. There were, however, still many houses standing and Captain Denny [Senior British Naval Officer Åndalsnes & Molde] had his headquarters in a comfortable villa on the fringe of the wood. The officers all showed signs of strain. They had had their headquarters burnt down over their heads four times already – their wireless sender had given away their location to the raiders. They were also without food. Captain Denny offered us a tablet of chocolate – I refused saying we had had supper before we left – but these men in an abandoned town had had nothing to eat all day. They were in hiding. The Germans thought the town had been deserted since the King and Government had left the day before.
Traitors had been busy giving the enemy information about the Royal Party’s movements. At the moment when a British destroyer [sic] slipped up to the jetty and the Royal Party went on board, waves of bombers came over the town and dive-bombed the harbour… When dusk began to fall we moved down the road to the quay. It was only about ten minutes through the town…passed through empty streets, picked our way over shattered glass – hardly a house had a window to it – and skirted smouldering embers where fire had broken out. I thought of Keats’s lines:
“And little town thy streets for evermore will silent be
And not a soul to tell why thou art desolate shall e’er return!”
We waited in the lee of a big building which had been a hospital, but which like the rest was partially burnt out…Near the quay a coke dump blazed furiously; it must have been visible for miles and was an excellent guide for bombers as the ships had to moor alongside.
Margaret Reid and Captain Foley were evacuated on the ‘Ulster Prince’ whilst General Ruge was later evacuated to Tromsø on HMS Diana courtesy of Captain Denny. Sadness and resignation descended over the Commander-in-Chief as he left behind a shattered Molde taking passage north in the destroyer in an attempt to carry on the fight.
Haslund’s task though, was far from over. Molde which for a short but distinguished time had been the nation’s capital, now lay in bombed, burnt-out ruins and was finished as a military post. General Ruge moved his Supreme Command to Furset, and it was here that he addressed his Norwegian forces from the Mission House at Batnfjordsøra.155
Soldiers! The British and French Governments have decided to withdraw their forces from South Norway for reasons of which we are not yet fully aware. As we cannot count on further support in this part of the country, the Norwegian Government has decided to give up the struggle in South Norway for the time being, but to continue in North Norway. It is painful to have to give up such an important part of our country, but without aircraft, tanks and heavy support weapons we cannot carry on the fight.
I thank you all for your services and for the great effort each of you has made. I begged the Government to be allowed to stay here with my troops, but the Government has decided that I must take over as Supreme Commander of the Norwegian Forces in North Norway and I am therefore leaving for the north today. Consequently, I bid you farewell and discharge you herewith. Thank you for your devotion to duty.
We all hope that continuation of the struggle will finally defeat the enemy and that we may meet again in a free and peaceful Norway. We have probably many a hard days’ struggle ahead before that point is reached. But whatever happens, let us remember: God is on our side!
Unlike Keats’s words, General Ruge’s final address was very prophetic, and although he did not know it at the time it was to be five very long years before they would all meet again in a ‘free and peaceful Norway’. His words gave succour to those who assembled there on that fateful day. Perhaps unknown to General Ruge at that moment in time, the fight back had already begun.
Haslund, meanwhile, took his leave of Molde travelling towards Gjemnes. Having only journeyed a short distance he was accosted by a Norwegian Army officer, Captain Malterud of the Military Treasury office, desperately seeking representatives of Norges Bank. Malterud, having learnt that Haslund was connected to the treasury in some way explained his circumstances. The captain revealed that he needed cash to pay the troops – about 1 million Norwegian Krone. Haslund was now in a difficult position; he knew that payment to the troops was right and just, but without being able to confirm the officer’s intentions as honourable and bereft of any accompanying cash he could do little. Haslund considered the matter carefully and replied that he would meet again with the Captain at Gjemnes that evening and that the officer would need to bring the required requisitions and receipts so that a legal process could ensue. This delay gave him t
ime to carry out the necessary checks on the man’s identity and authority to request such a sum of cash. Haslund later spoke of the experience.156
After I had confirmed Malterud’s identity I asked him to come to Gjemnes in the evening…He was accompanied by a Sergeant. In the company of both men the locks were opened on two iron boxes and the money counted and paid out. The money, in 5Kr & 10 Kr notes, was placed roughly equal in two potato bags.
The officer thanked Haslund, turned and the two walked off. The troops would get their deserved pay.
Haslund’s attentions now turned to the small fishing vessels that he had earlier requested. Although Driva could have taken the bullion to Tromsø it would have been too great a risk. Five fishing vessels had been procured. Three boats came from Bud, whilst the other two came from Hustad.157 The fishing boats, known more commonly as ‘puffers’ due to the sound of their single stroke engine, arrived at Gjemnes ready to play their part in the transport. Rumours abounded that the Germans were close by and so people went about their business confused and uncertain as to what was going to happen next. An atmosphere of nervousness and fear enveloped the community, but Haslund kept his focus on moving the gold away from Gjemnes to Tromsø.
Unloading of the trucks and stowing the bullion onto the fishing vessels by the guard soldiers took place in the dark – not a single light was shone to give the game away, but this in itself brought problems of seeing where to tread safely and Haslund later commented that it was pure good fortune that people or boxes did not fall overboard. To compound matters further refugees thronged around the pier seeking any means possible to get away. Later, during the night the Driva arrived with her exhausted crew and she was emptied of her 260 boxes of bullion. Loading of the puffers continued with four of the vessels being laden with bullion boxes, 547 in total. The fifth puffer was designated to carry passengers and soldiers only, although all the puffers would have a small guard onboard. To assist with the passage, planning and what to do in an emergency each puffer was to have their own ‘commander’. For the purposes of the journey these were to be Fredrik Haslund, Einar Gerhardsen, Kristian Gleditsch, Major Bjørn Sunde and Sgt Pettersen, who was ordered to command the 5th puffer. Guns were taken onboard, but kept hidden and only to be used if necessary.158
Gold Run: The Rescue of Norway’s Gold Bullion from the Nazis, 1940 Page 19
