4 ms·
During WWII, Rjukan became the target of commando raids by joint British and Norwegian Resistance forces to sabotage the Norsky Hydro plant nearby, which was pr
by jackgavigan 13y ago
During WWII, Rjukan became the target of commando raids by joint British and Norwegian Resistance forces to sabotage the Norsky Hydro plant nearby, which was producing heavy water for the Nazi nuclear bomb programme.
This was proper, hardcore, bad-ass, hero stuff. Guys parachuted into occupied enemy territory, knowing that they faced execution by the Gestapo if they were caught, trekked cross-country for weeks, hid out in the wilderness for months and snuck into a heavily-guarded facility to plant demolition charges. Later they sank a ferry carrying supplies of heavy water being transported back to Germany.
More details here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_heavy_water_sabotage http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_heavy_water_sabotage
- arethuza 13y agoThe movie of the mission, The Heroes of Telemark was almost as common a TV fixture in my youth as The Great Escape: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Heroes_of_Telemark http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Heroes_of_Telemark
- rurounijones 13y agoand has little resemblance to the real story somewhat unsurprisingly which is a shame because the truth is way more badass than the movie
- the_watcher 13y agoThis is one of those movies that could really benefit from a well made, modern treatment.
- fidotron 13y agoThe BBC/Ray Mears "Real Heroes of Telemark" is fairly good, and you most definitely get an idea of how tough the guys involved were. Balls of steel.
- mailshanx 13y agoHere is a gripping account of the Norwegian heavy water incident. It's a short and excellent read, very strongly recommended: http://www.damninteresting.com/heavy-water-and-the-norwegians/ http://www.damninteresting.com/heavy-water-and-the-norwegian...