46 National Archives reference: T 236/215.
47 Armed bank guards were employed by Norges Bank. They trained with their firearms at Akershus Fort, Oslo prior to WW2.
48 Orienteering, 1990 – Norges Bank in-house magazine.
49 Ibid.
50 Quisling made his first broadcast at 19:32. The meeting at Hamar broke up around 19:40. Nobody from the government at Hamar heard that broadcast.
51 Radio broadcast by Vidkun Quisling on April 9th 1940.
52 Koht, H. Norway Neutral and Invaded: Hutchinson, London, 1941, pp. 79–80.
53 Rognes, according to some, later became closely associated with the gold transport; although to date the author has been unable to prove this. However, Rognes did become instrumental in setting up early resistance in Norway, being one of the pioneers of MILORG, the Norwegian military resistance group. His exploits rapidly came to the attention of the British and eventually he was brought to the UK in Feb 1941. Initially, Rognes was posted to the Shetlands to work with other Norwegians with the famed ‘Shetland Bus’ and became known as ‘Kapteinen på Shetlands’ – ‘Captain on the Shetlands’. His involvement with the resistance, including such famed fighters as Max Manus and later with Norwegian SOE has never really been fully appreciated.
54 Kersaudy, F. Norway 1940: Collins, Glasgow 1990, p. 80.
55 Pettersen was accepted on the Norges Bank Board in 1939 and Skurdal in 1935. Source: Ole-Johan Olsen of Norges Bank.
56 A diversionary force of 350 Royal Marines – ‘Operation Henry’ – was landed at Namsos on the 14th April.
57 Lieutenant Diesen was Admiral Diesen’s son.
58 Some reports have suggested as few as 8–9 Ju-52 aircraft arrived over the Dombås area. However, Geirr Haarr’s account is finely detailed and it is his figures I have made use of.
59 National Archive reference: ADM199/482.
60 Colonel Thue, officer commanding Infantry Regiment 11 (IR11), around April 23rd, handed over to Trygve Lie the sum of one million, one hundred thousand kroner in cash. This cash was presented to Lie in suitcases with a full inventory of the contents. Receipts were also signed and handed over. Apparently, the cash had been stored in a farm cellar.
61 The question raised in the House also requested information about the Danish gold reserves. Sir John Simon, later The Right Honourable Viscount Simon, was a liberal politician and Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1937–1940. He resigned in May 1940 to become Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain. He never served in Churchill’s War Cabinet. Reference: HC Deb 16 April 1940 vol 359 c792.
62 Jøstadmoen camp was situated close to the town of Lillehammer. The camp is still in use.
63 Albert Viljam Hagelin (1881–1946) was a Minister of Domestic Affairs in Quisling’s National Samling Government. He was shot at Akerhus Fort, Oslo in May 1946 after being found guilty of treason during the Norwegian Post-War Trials.
64 An English translation of Grieg’s original text by unknown transcriber. Document resides in the Imperial War Museum, London. Ref: 8934 Misc 16 (356).
65 Many people left the party after purges by the NS. The organisation had become concerned about those not fully supporting Quisling.
66 This is an English translation of Grieg’s original text. The transcriber is unknown, but this document resides in the Imperial War Museum, London. Ref: 8934 Misc 16 (356).
67 Haslund gave four radio broadcasts from Boston, USA in 1940 describing the events that surrounded the gold transport.
68 There were 10 type G3 rail trucks and two passenger coaches. Source: Norwegian Railway Museum.
69 Harnes, P.A. Gulltransporten – dramaet dag for dag: Romsdal Sogelag, 2006, p. 30.
70 This is an English translation of Grieg’s original text. The transcriber is unknown, but this document resides in the Imperial War Museum, London. Ref: 8934 Misc 16 (356).
71 Harnes, P.A. Gulltransporten – dramaet dag for dag: Romsdal Sogelag, 2006, pp. 31–32.
72 Churchill had made an arrangement with the Admiralty to issue to him first all telegrams on Norway, thus he was in a position of knowledge long before his contemporaries. Source Kersuady, 1990.
73 This transmitter was apparently offered to Foley by the Colonel commanding Åndalsnes district HQ. Source: Margaret Reid’s War Diary, Gyldendal Norsk Forlag, 1980 (English Translation), p. 35.
74 Kersaudy, F. Norway 1940: Collins, Glasgow 1990, p. 109. Authors’ note: Francis Edward Foley was a British Secret Service agent (joined in 1918). His designated code was A1. During the evacuation of Norway, Foley, along with his secretary Margaret Reid, was transported to Britain on the Ulster Prince. After the Norwegian Campaign he was given the task of questioning Rudolph Hess. In 1949 Foley retired to Stourbridge (there are memorials to him in Stourbridge, his birthplace Highbridge, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, London, Israel and Berlin). He is reputed to have saved over 10,000 Jews in his role as a Passport Control Officer in Berlin. He passed away in 1958.
75 Ibid., p. 81.
76 Derry, T. K. The Campaign in Norway: 1952. Author’s note: the complete book is available to download on-line.
77 The railway is a branch line of the Oslo to Trondheim main line.
78 Andresen, AP, I Natt Og Tåke Mot England, Cappelen, 1992 p. 18.
79 Donald, W. Standby for Action – A Sailor’s Story: William Kimber, London, 1956, p. 22.
80 Ibid., p. 23.
81 The Admiral was in fact Rear Admiral John Guy Protheroe Vivian KBE, CB.
82 Authors note: HMS Black Swan later received a direct hit that passed through the quarter-deck, right through the wardroom, passed through a fresh water tank, exited the aft magazine and between two ratings who were carrying shells and out through the hull between the two propeller shafts. The bomb fortunately failed to explode, although some members of the crew were badly hurt. HMS Black Swan was patched up to make her seaworthy and she duly made for Scapa Flow. She survived the war.
83 The War Illustrated’ May 17th 1940. Author’s note: it is possible that this quote is purely propaganda and therefore must be treated with caution.
84 Andreas Lund’s report to Norges Bank dated 21st June 1946. Source: Norges Bank, Oslo.
85 Author’s personal interview with Ove Voldsrud in 2007 at his home in the presence of his family.
86 Some aircraft were lost to anti-aircraft fire over Åndalsnes whilst others crashed due to possible mechanical faults.
87 The Royal Norwegian naval vessel Trygg was eventually lost to a bomb that passed through the ship, but fortunately did not explode. However, Trygg was severely holed and as a result she sunk.
88 National Archives reference: ADM116/4680.
89 Admiral Sir Philip Louis Vian GCB, KCB, KBE, CMG & DSO with two bars, St Olav’s Medal with Oakleaves. Vian was perhaps most famous for his rescue of 299 prisoners from the German ship ‘Altmark’ in Feb 1940.
90 Captain Michael Maynard Denny, RN (later Sir): the Senior Naval Officer (SNO) in charge of Åndalsnes and Molde. He was made Captain in 1936. Awarded the following recognitions: Companion of the Order of the Bath for services at Åndalsnes & Dunkirk in 1940; the St Olav Medal in February 1943 for his part in the Norwegian campaign; Commander of the British Empire in the New Years Honours List of 1944; Mentioned in Dispatches for his part in the attack on the Tirpitz in April 1944; Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his part in Operation Iceberg of October 1945; Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in Her Majesty’s Birthday Honours List of 1950 and finally Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (CGB) in Her Majesty’s Birthday Honours List of 1954. Born October 1896 he passed away in April 1972. He was Senior Naval Officer, Åndalsnes landing, Norway; Chief Staff Officer, evacuation of Dunkirk – both 1940 and from June 1940 he was Flag Captain, HMS Kenya (cruiser) & Chief Staff Officer to Rear-Admiral Commanding 10th Cruiser Squadron (Malta and Russia convoys, Vaagso Raid, Norway 1941). Denny was evacuated from Molde on 30th April at 22:45 on the Ulster Prince. Source: National Ar
chives ADM/196/56.
91 National Archives: CAB 44/72.
92 Ibid.
93 Ibid.
94 Ibid.
95 National Archives reference: ADM199/482.
96 Author’s note: Kristian Gleditsch was born in 1901 and died in 1973. He was a graduate engineer and later became director of the Norwegian Graphical Survey. During the invasion Gleditsch and his wife, Nini, followed the government to Lillehammer. When appointed to become Haslund’s deputy he duly followed the gold transport from Åndalsnes to Tromsø. His wife returned to the UK on HMS Devonshire, along with the King and government, but Kristian Gleditsch took a more circuitous route via Russia and Canada and eventually entered the UK four months later. Gleditsch remained in London until the end of the war whereupon he returned to Norway.
97 Martin Linge was an actor prior to the war, but was perhaps better known as Captain Linge, the commander of ‘Linge Company’ also known as ‘Kompani Linge’ and NORIC1 (Norwegian Independent Company No. 1) – a Norwegian Special Forces group used exclusively by the Special Operations Executive (SOE) for operations in Norway. Captain Linge tragically lost his life on 27th December 1941 during ‘Operation Archery’ – the raid on Måloy on South Vågsøy, Norway.
98 Foreign & Commonwealth Office publication 1996. When Britain declared war on Germany in September 1939 Germany was sorely in need of funds to fuel her war economy and her economic base was still too weak to enable a protracted conflict. Germany had already acquired gold from Austria, Czechoslovakia and Danzig. To add Norwegian bullion to fund the German war machine would have been very welcome.
99 Kristian and Nini Haslund Gleditsch worked for the Norwegian Aid Committee to Spain during the Spanish Civil War. Kristian Gleditsch was secretary from 1936–1937. Nini remained in Spain from 1937–1939 organising medicine and food for children. She later worked with the victims and refugees of the conflict.
100 HMS Galatea – Captain Brian Betham Schofield, RN (27th February 1940 – 1st March 1941).
Source: National Archives: ADM/196/118.
101 The brother of Major Bjorn Sunde, Major Arne Sunde was onboard HMS Galatea (and this was to cause some dramatic confusion later amongst some Norwegians), along with Ben Vogt and Vice-President Øyvind Lorentzen, who were later to be instrumental in the NOTRASHIP agreement.
102 National Archive reference: T236/215.
103 Ronald Palmer later became Chief Writer of the Pay Office – the most senior rating of the Lower Deck serving on HMS Galatea when war broke out. He had joined the ‘Senior Service’ prior to WW2.
104 HMS Galatea was lost to a torpedo strike by U557 on 15th December 1941 with a resultant heavy loss of life. 22 officers and 440 ratings went down with the ship, but 144 men were saved. U557 was lost the next day to an accidental ramming by the Italian motor torpedo boat Orione. There were no survivors from the German submarine.
105 John Henry Godfrey was born in Handsworth, Birmingham, in July 1888. He was educated at King Edward Grammar School, Birmingham, and Bradfield College. In 1903 he served on HMS Britannia as a naval cadet, being promoted Midshipman (1904), Acting Sub-Lieutenant (1907), Sub-Lieutenant (1908) and Lieutenant (1909). He served on the destroyers Welland (1909), Bramble (1910–12), Blanche (1913), Charybdis, (1914) and Euryalus (1914–16). He was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander (1916) and served in the Mediterranean and Black Sea (1917–19). He was also mentioned in dispatches and awarded the Légion d’honneur (Chevalier) and the Order of the Nile. After his appointment as War Staff Officer in the Home Fleet in 1919, and promotion to Commander in 1920, he served in Plans Division (1921–23), and at the Staff College, Greenwich (1923–25). He was appointed second in command of Diomede in New Zealand (1925–28), promoted to Captain in 1928, was Deputy Director, Staff College (1929–31), and commanded Suffolk in the China Station (1931–33), before returning as Deputy Director, Plans Division (1933–36). He commanded HMS Repulse in the Mediterranean (1936–38) and then served as Director of Naval Intelligence and Rear-Admiral (February 1939–December 1942). In 1942 he was appointed Vice-Admiral. Godfrey was subsequently appointed Flag Officer commanding the Royal Indian Navy in February 1943. He had been placed on the retired list and promoted to Admiral (September 1945) but continued to serve in his old rank until March 1946. He returned to England and after leave finally retired in September 1946. Godfrey was awarded CB in 1939. He died in August 1971 at Eastbourne. Source: www.janus.lib.cam.ac.uk
106 Gleditsch, Nini and Kristian, Glimt Fra Kampånene, Dreyers Forlag, Oslo, 1954, p. 47.
107 Ibid., pp. 47–48.
108 Fannestranda is a roadway that emerges from the centre of Molde out towards the end of the fjord. Large summer houses line the route.
109 Letter to author.
110 The Norwegian Government and Royal party arrived in Molde on the 23rd April.
111 Grieg, Nordahl. Flagget, Gyldendal, Oslo, 1945 p. 23.
112 Per Bratland (1907–1988), photographer. Bratland is well known for his picture of King Haakon and Crown Prince Olav standing by a Silver Birch tree during a lull in the bombing of Molde. The article appeared in rbnett and was written by Per Kåre Tveeikrem and published 28.04 2010 – the anniversary of King Haakon and the famous picture. See website for further details: http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=no&u=http://www.rbnett.no/krigsvaaren/article212139.ece&prev=/Dimvns&sa=X&ei=JZGWUOffCejE0QW3mICQAg&sqi=2&ved=0CC4Q7gEwAg
113 Bratland, Per. Er Vi Slik? Aschehoug & Co., Oslo, 1971, pp. 54–72.
114 The Vecko Journal, a Swedish a weekly publication in 1940 but now published on a monthly basis.
115 In Harnes’ book, ‘Gulltransporten – dramaet dag for dag’ he mentions that during the autumn of 1941 Per Bratland was visited in London by Nordahl Grieg and asked about the history behind the photos at Molde. Grieg, as we know, had been there in the area on the same day and his thoughts after that had been on the expression of King Haakon as they appeared on the photos. In 1942, inspired by what he saw, Greig penned the famous poem, ‘The King’ in which he describes the mood at Glomstua from his own experiences and Bratland’s photos. Greig, along with other members of the transport had been quartered at a secondary school at Rauma, not far from Glomstua. Later the King personally signed the back of the poem “With warm thanks for the beautiful poem, Haakon R”. Later, in 1942, King Haakon celebrated his 70th birthday by issuing 20 copies of a special edition of his book “All for Norway”. They were presented to government officials, royalty and…to Per Bratland, signed by the King giving his personal thanks.
116 Molde suffered a devastating fire in 1916 when approximately 1/3rd of the city was lost to fire. In 1940 the fires started by incendiaries destroyed approximately 2/3rds of the city. Subsequently, much of Molde was re-built after the war.
117 Ræstad’s background was very interesting and it would appear his appointment was a sound and natural choice. Having been a lawyer and author on law and economics he had answered the call of politics during the 1920s being appointed Foreign Minister in Otto Blehrs government. From 1933 until the invasion Ræstad had been leader of the Norwegian Broadcasting Board, but his counsel was also sought on other important state matters such as Notraship – the merchant shipping agreement between Norway and Great Britain. His knowledge of legal matters would certainly have been put to good use.
118 National Archives reference: T236/215.
119 National Archives: T236/21.
120 National Archives reference: AIR 20/1085.
121 Lotte, a Finnish name was given to women volunteers in honour of Lotta Sværd, a Finnish national heroine. Later, during the ‘Winterwar’ between Finland and USSR the Finnish female volunteers became well known for their humanitarian work. Norway’s ‘Lottes’ were based on the Finnish model and was originally established in 1928.
122 National Archives reference: ADM199/482.
123 Michael, M. Haakon King of Norway: Allen & Unwin, London, 1958, p. 163.
124 National Archives re
ference: CAB 44/72.
125 Ibid.
126 Author’s note: I have been unable to find any documented evidence or eye witness account to any espionage activity in Molde, although unsubstantiated rumours of espionage still surface from time to time.
127 Author’s note: the political and public outcry, had it become known that Britain’s gold reserves were being moved out would have been substantial and probably very damaging. Churchill had taken a gamble, albeit a calculated one, risked his political career and had got away with it. Yet it had been a close run thing as an article appeared in the French newspaper ‘Le Soleil’ detailing the movement of Britain’s gold. Fortunately, either it passed without notice or there were some very deft and nimble secret service initiatives that meant the story failed to run in the UK.
128 National Archives reference: ADM 199/474.
129 Harnes, P.A. Gulltransporten – dramaet dag for dag: Romsdal Sogelag, 2006, p. 67.
130 Author’s note: this was probably the moment when a Heinkel 111 flew over very low and HMS Glasgow’s gunners opened fire. According to the ‘Ship’s Log’ only one aircraft was recorded as flying over the cruiser. One small Norwegian vessel and four naval trawlers are recorded as being alongside the ship. Some unconfirmed reports state there was more than one bomber.
131 Harnes, P.A. Gulltransporten – dramaet dag for dag: Romsdal Sogelag, 2006, 70–71.
132 Author’s note: Captain Legernes had been promised that he would be paid for the trips to Glasgow, but no recompense was ever received.
133 http://www.regjeringen.no/en/archive/Bondeviks-2nd-Government/the-office-of-the-prime-minister/Taler-og-artikler-arkivert-individuelt/2004/speech_at_commemoration_of_hms.html?id=268518
134 National Archives reference: ADM 199/474.
Gold Run: The Rescue of Norway’s Gold Bullion from the Nazis, 1940 Page 26
