by Ross Kemp
Tovey praises 96
Helberg, Claus 136–44, 150–4, 156, 159–65 passim, 166
escape of 172–7
honours for 184
missing 166, 167
oedema suffered by 150
see also Operation Gunnerside; Operation Swallow; Vemork
Henderson, Lt 235, 236
Herdla 63, 76, 77, 84, 85
Hill, Flt Lt Tony 103
Hitler, Adolf 268
resources concentrated on east and south by 57
summary-execution order of ix, 149
troops sent to safeguard Norway by 97–8
HMS Atherstone 187–8, 209, 211, 213, 234
HMS Berwick 31
HMS Campbeltown:
conversion of 202
explosion aboard 238–9
former role of 202
role of, in Operation Chariot, see Operation Chariot
HMS Chiddingfold 62, 69, 73
Anhalt pursued by 85–6
HMS Eagle 6
withdrawal of 12
HMS Gallant, mine hits 46
HMS Hood 193
HMS Illustrious 7, 10, 12, 14–15, 15–16, 17–18
aviation fuel tanks on, contamination of 17
fire in hangar of 11–12
first flight takes off from 18–22
Germans bomb 47–50
Germans’ bombing survived by 50–1
Germans’ second bombing of 51–2
Germans target 45–6, 51
Italians seek revenge on 39
praise for 44
second flight takes off from 30–1
see also Operation Judgement
HMS Juno 50
HMS Kelly 67
HMS Kenya 55–6, 70, 71, 73
beached Anhalt destroyed by 93
designated operational HQ 62
holed 87
Mountbatten boards 67
HMS Offa 62, 70
Donna pursued by 85
HMS Onslow 62, 70, 77–8, 79
HMS Oribi 62, 70, 73, 77, 78, 79
HMS Prince Albert 106, 125
HMS Prince Charles 62, 66–7, 69
HMS Prince Leopold 62, 66–7, 69
HMS Royal Oak 109
HMS Sturgeon 213
HMS Tuna 55, 62, 67
HMS Tynedale 187–8, 209, 210–11, 213, 234
HMS Warspite 3, 38, 272
Hobbs, Staff Sgt 259
Hooper, Lt 261
Howard, Maj. John 243–9, 251–2, 254, 255–7, 260, 263–7 passim, 269–70, 274–5, 276–8 passim
film version of 272
knocked unconscious 259
worst feared by 261
Howard, Joy 249
Humphreys Lt Pat 29
Hydro 181–3
Idland, Kasper 148–50, 160–5 passim, 167
honours for 184
return of, after sabotage 168–71
see also Operation Gunnerside; Vemork
Italian Air Force 11
flying boats of 13
Italy:
Balkans invaded by 45
Greece invaded by 14–15, 45
new ships of 2
and Operation Judgement, see Operation Judgement
see also Taranto
Jago, Lt Cdr Jackie 49
Jaguar 235–6
Janvrin (airman) 23, 28
Japanese Navy, Pearl Harbor attack planned by 44
Jones, Sub-Lt 33
Jones, Reginald 102–3, 128–9
honours for 127
Jutland, Battle of 53
Kabbo Point 18
Kayser, Fredrik 148–50, 160–5 passim, 167
honours for 184
return of, after sabotage 168–71
see also Operation Gunnerside; Vemork
Kemp, Lt Neil 24, 26, 41
killed 49
Keyes, Adm. 59
Kiggell (airman) 23, 28
Kindersley, Brig. Hugh 243, 274
Kjelstrup, Arne 137–44, 150–4, 156, 160–5 passim, 167
honours for 184
oedema suffered by 150
see also Operation Gunnerside; Operation Swallow; Vemork
Komrower, Lt 73–4, 80
Krebs 59
Kristiansen, Kristian 156
Lamb, Lt Charles 23, 24, 28–9, 46, 49–50
Lambe, Charles 195
Lancastria, see RMS Lancastria
Larsen, Alf 182–3
Le Presbytière 111, 119
Lea, Lt 33, 42
Libeccio 28
Linge, Capt. Martin 62, 74, 79
company named after 137
killed 81–2, 95
Littorio 26–7, 32, 40, 41, 44–5
Loch Fyne 106
Lofoten Islands 58, 61
Longest Day, The 272
Longmore, Air Marshal, Taranto air-attack planning of 11
Lovat, Lord 273, 277
Luck, Col. Hans von 252, 267–8, 275
Luddington, William 49
Luftwaffe:
British cities bombed by viii, 44
Illustrious bombed by, see under HMS Illustrious
Italian invasion of Greece aided by 45
Norway attacks of 5
RAF’s thrashing of 18
Lyster, R/Adm. 10, 30, 35, 45
Taranto air-attack planning of 10–11
third strike ruled out by 37–8
Maaloy 61
Macauley, Sub-Lt Douglas 26
Malta 3, 4, 14, 52
Manhattan Project, see under USA
Mar Grande 13, 31
Mar Piccolo 13, 27, 35, 42
Maund, Lt Michael 27
Mecke, Kapitän zur See Karl-Conrad 189
Mediterranean Fleet 13, 38, 43, 45
Cinderella service 2
depleted resources of 3
Millin, Bill 277
Milorg 173
Montgomery, Capt. Bob 198
Morford Lt 30–1
Møsvatn Dam 135, 138
Mountbatten, Lord Louis 200, 201–2
appointed Director of Combined Operations 195
Archery a coup for 96
Biting men visited by 106
Frost greeted by 126
Kenya boarded by 67
Keyes replaced by 59–60
Murray (airman) 28
Mussolini, Benito (‘Il Duce’) 45
Mediterranean ‘claimed’ by 2
war on Britain declared by 1
Nagel, Peter (a.k.a. Pte Newman) 108, 127
National Archives, Kew 97, 172, 184
Nelson, Adm. Viscount Horatio 6, 10, 53
Newman, Lt Col. Charles 187–8, 196–7, 212, 219, 225, 230–1, 237
honours for 240
mission’s nature divulged by 206
taken prisoner 232–3
Newman, Pte, see Nagel, Peter
Nile, Battle of 6
Nock, Lt 228
Norman, Grp Capt. Sir Nigel 101
Normandy landings 247, 250
glider pilots a precious asset in 253
Operation Deadstick’s part in, see Operation Deadstick
Norway:
coastline of 9, 61
heavy-water sabotage in, see Operation Gunnerside; Vemork
help needed by 2
Hitler seeks to safeguard 97–8
Lofoten Islands 58, 61
and Operation Archery, see Operation Archery
and Operation Gunnerside, see Operation Gunnerside
perilous waters of 55–6
puppet ruler in 63
Vaagso, see Vaagso
see also Operation Archery
Norwegian campaign 5, 9
Norwegian Free Forces 91
Norwegian Independent Company 137
Norwegian Resistance 134, 137
O’Flaherty, Lt Denis 88–9
Old Mole 199, 212, 216, 220, 222, 223, 225–8 passim
Operation Anklet 61, 65–6
failure of 97
Operation A
rchery 54–98
British casualties during 74, 80, 81, 82, 83, 86, 95
Commandos’ intensive training for 64
communications problems during 76–7
final objectives of 63
first major incursion since Dunkirk 66
greater significance of 97
planning brief of 61
postponement of 67
prisoners taken during 94
stormy start to 66–7
Tovey praises 96
vital combat experience given by 95
see also Vaagso
Operation Biting 99–130
bombers take off for 113–14
British casualties during 122
code names of groups within 107
cover story for 104
diversion raids during 112, 114
‘Drake’ group in 112, 117, 121
final rehearsal for 110
French Resistance aid 110–11
Frost reveals object of 100–1
intensive training for 105–6, 109–10
Navy’s lateness in 122–3
Navy’s lateness in, explained 124
‘Nelson’ group in 112–13, 114, 117–18, 121
objective achieved in 122
paratroopers chosen for 104
paratroopers drop over Bruneval in 115–16
postponements of 99–100
request for volunteers for 107
‘Rodney’ group in 113, 121
veiled in secrecy 100
see also Bruneval; Würzburg
Operation Chariot 186–240
‘all hell was let loose’ 191
assembly of raiding force for 205
British casualties during 215, 216, 218–19, 220, 224–9 passim, 236, 239
cover story for 205–6
critical moment of 191
dress rehearsal for 208
flotilla decided on for 203–4
honours for 239–40
loss of life expected in 194
main objective of 195
prisoners taken during 232–3, 234
RAF a reluctant partner in 194
Operation Claymore 58–9
Operation Deadstick 241–78
British casualties during 260, 266, 273, 276, 277
Howard briefs officers and men for 246–7
postponement of 249
Operation Excess 45
Operation Freshman 144–7
British casualties during 145–7
Operation Grouse 136–44, 145, 147
name change of, to Swallow (q.v.) 147
snowstorm hampers 141
see also Operation Gunnerside
Operation Gunnerside 132, 147, 153–77 passim
Grouse and Freshman precede, see Operation Freshman; Operation Grouse
Helberg’s remarkable escape following 172–7
honours following 184–5
objective of 147
postponement of 153–4
rough plan of 136
see also Vemork
Operation Judgement 1–53
aircraft damage during 36–7
aircraft lost in 19
British casualties after, see HMS Illustrious: Germans bomb
British casualties during 32
broad outline of 11
Churchill’s Commons address after 42–3
code name of 15
Cunningham’s lukewarm congratulations concerning 38, 52–3
Cunningham’s ultimate praise for 39
daily sorties during early stages of 16
faulty bombs used in 35
Illustrious bombed after, see under HMS Illustrious
Italian casualties during 41
Italians seek revenge for 39
medals awarded for 52–3
most junior pilots in 28
postponements of 12
radio and telegraphy silence observed in 19–20, 31, 35–6
torpedoes and bombs dropped by, numbered 41
see also HMS Illustrious; Taranto
Operation Swallow 149, 150–4, 172, 180
Operation Grouse (q.v.) renamed as 147
reindeer feast of 152
see also Operation Gunnerside
Paine (airman) 28
Pantelleria 46
Patch, Ollie 27, 29
Paul, Capt. Lt Friedrich 235, 236, 237
Pegasus Bridge 278
Pickard, Wg Cdr Charles 101, 108–9, 113, 115, 125
honours for 127
killed 127
Pine-Coffin, Lt Col. Geoffrey 270–1, 275, 276
Platt, Lt 225
Poett, Brig. Nigel 251–2, 255, 265–6, 270, 274–5
Pollock, Lt David 16
Portal, Air Chf Mshl Sir Charles 126
Poulsson, Jens Anton 136–44, 150–4, 160–5 passim, 167, 173
honours for 184
see also Operation Gunnerside; Operation Swallow; Vemork
Pound, Adm. Sir Dudley 5–6, 11, 44, 126
Priday, Brian 256, 261
Prince Philippe 200
Princess Josephine Charlotte 205
Pritchard, Capt. Bill 198, 226, 227
Purdon, Lt 223–4, 232
Quisling, Vidkun 63
RAF’s rivalry with, RAF’s rivalry with 16
Ragsundo 87
Ramsey, Sgt 83
Rediess, Gen. Wilhelm 166
Regia Aeronautica, see Italian Air Force
Renault, Gilbert (‘Col. Rémy’) 110, 127
Riccardi, Adm. 4, 40
River Orne, British assault on bridge of, see Operation Deadstick
RMS Lancastria 188
Roderick, Lt 221
Rodier, Lt 219, 225, 229
Rommel, Fld Mshl Erwin 45, 52, 248, 268
Rønneberg, Joachim 148–9, 155, 157, 158, 159, 160–5 passim, 167, 168–72
honours for 184
return of, after sabotage 168–71
see also Operation Gunnerside; Vemork
Roosevelt, Franklin D.:
Churchill meets 134
Gunnerside monitored by 132
Illustrious praised by 52
Ross, Capt. John 120
Roy, Capt. 221–2, 224–5
Royal Air Force (RAF):
1st Airborne Division of, chosen for Bruneval operation 104
1st Airborne Division of, Churchill’s wish to create 116
growing short of pilots 52
Luftwaffe thrashed by 18
Navy’s rivalry with 16
and Operation Archery, crucial to outcome of 63
over Vaagso 76
photographic reconnaissance aircraft of 16, 35, 38, 42, 84, 103–4, 111, 128–9, 252
reconnaissance photos stolen from 16–17
reluctant partner in St Nazaire operation 194
Scottish bases of 60
see also individual operations by name
Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) 62, 75
Royal Navy:
Alexandria adopted by 3
ammunition shortage of 3
formidable reputation of 4
‘never refuses action’ 10
in Norwegian campaign 5
USA gives Buchanan to 202
see also individual operations by name
Rugsundo 68, 71, 73
Ryder, Cdr Robert 187–8, 200–1, 203, 207, 212–13, 219, 227
dispatch of 229–30
honours for 240
St Nazaire:
apocalyptic vision in 233
Campbeltown’s explosion in 238–9
detailed model of 206–7
guns protecting 205
operation to destroy, see Operation Chariot
San Pietro 14, 31
Sarra, Sub-Lt 27–8
Savage, AB Bill 230
honours for 240
Scapa Flow 64, 66, 94
Scarlett, Lt Norman (‘Blood’) 21, 25–6
captured 26
mentioned in dispatches 40
POW 39–40
Schmidt, Maj. Hans 251, 267
Sharp, Sgt 121
Sicily 45
Singapore 3
Skelton, Lt 31
Skinnarland, Einar 138, 167, 168, 177, 180–1, 184
honours for 185
Slaughter, Lt 40
Slaughter, Lt 32
Smalley, Lt 220, 225
Smith, Lt ‘Sandy’ 244, 260, 262–3, 271
Sohler, Capt. Lt Herbert 214
Sørlie, Rolf 182–3
Sparke, Sub-Lt Julian 26
killed 52
Special Operations Executive (SOE):
‘Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’ 136
purpose of 135
and Vemork, see Operation Gunnerside; Vemork
Special Service Brigade:
formation of 57
in Normandy landings 273
SS Anhalt 85–6
Kenya destroys 93
SS Eismeer 78
SS Normar 78
SS Reimar Edzard Fritzen 78
Stavanger 63, 77
Storhaug, Hans 148–50, 160–5 passim, 167
honours for 184
return of, after sabotage 168–71
see also Operation Gunnerside; Vemork
Strachan, CSM 108, 120–1, 126–7
honours for 127
promoted 127
Straits of Otranto 16
Strømsheim, Birger 148–50, 160–5 passim, 167
honours for 184
return of, after sabotage 168–71
see also Operation Gunnerside; Vemork
Sueter, R/Adm. Sir Murray 53
Suez Canal 52
Sullom Voe 66
Sumburgh 63
Sutton, Lt Alfie 33
Swayne, Lt 22, 26, 236
Sweeney, Lt ‘Tod’ 261, 266–7
Sword Beach 242, 277
Tappenden, L/Cpl Ted 261, 265, 266
Taranto:
daily sorties in countdown to raid on 16
flares dropped on 23–4
huge Italian fleet at 6
Illustrious aircraft reach 23
Italians assess damage to 38, 40
layered defences of 10, 13–14
Lyster rules out third strike on 37–8
obvious Italian fleet location 13
raid on 24–39
salvage work in 40
torpedoes and bombs dropped by, numbered 41
see also Operation Judgement
Taylor, Maj. Nigel 273
Terboven, Josef 166, 168, 175, 176
Thornton, Sgt ‘Wagger’ 269
Tibbits, Lt Nigel 186, 215, 229
Tilshead barracks 100, 104
practice parachute drop at 106
Times, Taranto attack covered by 44
Timothy, Lt 113, 120, 122
Tirpitz 192–3, 195, 221, 222, 239
sunk 240
Todd, Lt Richard 272, 274
Torrens-Spence Lt Michael 30, 32–3, 41, 46
Illustrious bombing survived by 47
Tovey, Sir John 96
Trafalgar, Battle of 53
Trento 35
Trondheim 77
Tronstad, Prof. Leif 149–50, 162
U-boats 2, 188, 191–2, 210–11
Ulvesund 65, 73, 77, 79
Ulvesund Hotel 79, 81, 82–3, 92, 95
destruction of 95