The Shetland Bus

[dylanwinter]

I have spent the morning in the Scalloway museum (wind blowing hard here).

brave blokes for sure

some amazing stories

but.....

what did it achieve?

the museum was less clear about why it was worth all those lives

D

 

[Firefly]

Though Norway wasn't liberated until the war was over, activity, including resistance by the Norwegians themselves, meant that something like 400,000 German military of one kind or another (including a large number of U-Boats) were tied up where they could do no harm to the war effort (Hitler was convinced that the allies would invade through Norway). It also helped to restore national dignity and pride to a nation that unwittingly added the word quisling to the dictionary. I remember reading a paperback actually called The Shetland Bus about 50 or more years ago. Can't remember too much about it except everyone seemed to called Larsen, but that bravery (and fortitude) came through very strongly.

 

[Highland Bear]

It was heroic stuff by a group of Norwegian seaman who wanted to remain committed to the war effort for their country and the Allies. Basically a Special Ops outfit to shuttle agents to and from Norway. The book by David Howarth tells a great story.

 

[bikedaft]

Though Norway wasn't liberated until the war was over, activity, including resistance by the Norwegians themselves, meant that something like 400,000 German military of one kind or another (including a large number of U-Boats) were tied up where they could do no harm to the war effort (Hitler was convinced that the allies would invade through Norway). It also helped to restore national dignity and pride to a nation that unwittingly added the word quisling to the dictionary. I remember reading a paperback actually called The Shetland Bus about 50 or more years ago. Can't remember too much about it except everyone seemed to called Larsen, but that bravery (and fortitude) came through very strongly.

+1

great book by the same name

there was a boat in Tayvallich called Roald, the story goes that she was dismantled when the Germans invaded, then reassembled "out of sight" at a later date, and sailed here. (lovely old wooden carvel boat). unsure where she is now, or the veracity of the story

 

[Seajet]

The Shetland Bus did great work, including carrying VIP's in the bomb-bay of Mosquito's; like with the Polish who were to give great, spirited performance in the Battle Of Britain, it kept up hope and support against the invaders; along with blowing things up the locals kept tabs on the Tirpitz for X- boat midget subs then 617 squadron ,to knock out a vital threat to Northern convoys - which included a chum of mine !

There's a reason we get a Christmas tree every year...

 

[SimbaDog]

 

[mtb]

your pictures are great d,
there's a farm which includes hunda island off burray for sale you might pass there soon and be a good chap don't run into any of those causeways Churchill had built

http://www.whathouse.co.uk/home/properties/7509833/sales

 

[dylanwinter]

Though Norway wasn't liberated until the war was over, activity, including resistance by the Norwegians themselves, meant that something like 400,000 German military of one kind or another (including a large number of U-Boats) were tied up where they could do no harm to the war effort (Hitler was convinced that the allies would invade through Norway). It also helped to restore national dignity and pride to a nation that unwittingly added the word quisling to the dictionary. I remember reading a paperback actually called The Shetland Bus about 50 or more years ago. Can't remember too much about it except everyone seemed to called Larsen, but that bravery (and fortitude) came through very strongly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_occupation_of_Norway

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shetland_bus


Dangerous business ferrying guns and people to and from Norway in six knot fishing boats in the dead of winter until the Americans gave them three decent fast boats and the losses and deaths fell to zero

 

[johnwest]

There is an original Shetland Bus in Alesund.

j

 

[wully1]

The Shetland Bus did great work, including carrying VIP's in the bomb-bay of Mosquito's; like with the Polish who were to give great, spirited performance in the Battle Of Britain, it kept up hope and support against the invaders; along with blowing things up the locals kept tabs on the Tirpitz for X- boat midget subs then 617 squadron ,to knock out a vital threat to Northern convoys - which included a chum of mine !

There's a reason we get a Christmas tree every year...

Why was your chum such a threat to the convoys? Was he a u boat captain or something?