Night Falls on Norway

by CW Browning

  “Yes, it smells very bad, but it will heal those up. Put it on nice and thick.” Mrs. Hansen turned towards the door. “That won’t be enough linen strips. I’ll get some more.”

  She left and Anna handed Evelyn the stack of linen strips when she finished with one of her feet.

  “I would wrap multiple layers,” she said, grimacing as Evelyn gingerly began wrapping her foot. “The more padding you have around it, the better. Will the boot still fit once it’s all wrapped?”

  “I think so. There was some room in them.”

  Evelyn grit her teeth and worked quickly, wrapping the linen strips around her foot and around her ankle. She was just finishing when Mrs. Hansen returned with another stack of bandages. She passed them to Anna and nodded in satisfaction when she saw that Evelyn had one foot finished already.

  “Very good,” she said approvingly. “I’ll leave you to do that and I will go finish in the kitchen. I think your brother is getting impatient,” she told Anna as she turned away. “You’d best hurry.”

  Anna nodded and watched as Evelyn applied the salve to the other foot.

  “Don’t worry about Erik,” she said once Mrs. Hansen had gone. “I’ll explain that we were bandaging your feet. He won’t be angry once he knows what’s taking so long.”

  “I want to get moving quickly as well. I understand his concern. We’re trying to stay ahead of one wave of troops and avoid another. We need to be on our way.”

  Anna was silent for a moment.

  “I will get you to Namsos in time,” she finally said quietly. “I promise. If I have to steal a car, I’ll get you there. As much as I would love for you to stay, I know how dangerous it is for you.”

  Evelyn looked up and held out her hand for the other stack of bandages.

  “Hopefully, that won’t be necessary,” she said with a wry smile. “I will make it to Namsos, but it’s not your responsibility to ensure that I do. If it becomes too dangerous, I will leave you and Peder, and go alone.”

  “What? No you won’t. That was never the plan!”

  “Anna, we never had a plan,” she pointed out, beginning to wrap her other foot. “If there is any risk of the Germans finding out who I am, or that you are with me, I will leave. It’s far too dangerous for all of you. You know what’s at stake. I won’t risk you any more than I have to.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Anna muttered crossly. “I’m not going to let you make your way through German lines to Namsos all alone. We will do it together, and we won’t be caught. That is all.”

  Evelyn looked up to argue, but changed her mind. Anna already looked anxious and worried enough. There was no point in making it worse by arguing with her over this. Time would tell whether or not she would have to leave her friends and continue alone.

  And if that time came, she would do it and not look back.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  ––––––––

  11th April, 1940

  Dear Evelyn,

  Well, Herr Hitler finally moved, but not in the direction anyone was expecting. Did you see that invasion coming? I suppose it makes sense strategically, but I still thought he would attack the low lands and France first. So much for Norwegian neutrality.

  Denmark gave up without a fight, but I don’t really blame them. They had no hope of putting up any kind of resistance against the Germans. I’m surprised Norway is fighting, to be honest. I don’t know much about their army, but I was rather under the impression that they were no match for the Wehrmacht either. I sincerely hope I’m wrong. If Norway is lost, Hitler’s U-boats will have free rein in the Atlantic. They’re already causing quite enough damage as it is.

  Belgian forces have been put on alert all along the border. It won’t be long now before Hitler moves west. He’ll try to take France before setting his sights on us. Now that he’s finally moving, I think it will happen quickly. At least the waiting is finally over and now we can get down to the business of fighting this war.

  Our patrols have increased since all this began. I’m flying every day now, sometimes three patrols in a day. We cover some of the North Sea and then loop over Belgium. Tomorrow, though, we’re getting a bit of a change of pace. Our squadron is scheduled to do a reconnaissance flight over Hun territory. I’m not worried about telling you because by the time this letter gets to you, it will be done and over with. Anyway, I’m trusting that you won’t tell Jerry we’re coming to take pictures of his backyard. Rob’s rather chuffed about it. He’s itching to get a shot at them, but I don’t think we’ll get the chance. Our orders are to fly over, take the photos and get out as fast as possible. That’s why they’ve fitted out Spits with the cameras. They’re taking advantage of our speed and maneuverability. Well, at least it will make a change from the North Sea.

  I hope you’re doing well. When do you finish in Wales? It should be soon, I think. Perhaps when you get back to Northolt, we can meet at a pub somewhere.

  I’d better put the light out. Long day ahead tomorrow. Take care of yourself.

  Yours,

  FO Miles Lacey

  RAF Duxford

  Steinan, Norway

  Evelyn looked up and stopped abruptly, grabbing Anna’s arm to prevent her from continuing through the trees. Erik was ahead of them, holding up his hand in a signal to stop moving. She frowned and glanced behind her at Peder. He had come to a halt a few feet behind them and he nodded to her, indicating that he had seen the signal to stop. Bringing up the rear of the group were two of Erik’s men, their rifles in their hands and their faces grim. As everyone stopped, they shifted their grips on their rifles and took a protective stance at the back.

  Erik motioned with his other hand and the two soldiers directly behind him moved forward slowly, flanking him briefly before disappearing into the trees ahead. As soon as they had gone ahead, Erik turned and motioned for Anna, Evelyn and Peder to move off the trail and into the trees.

  Evelyn swallowed and she and Anna moved to their right, stepping between the trunks of the towering pine trees. Peder followed, moving behind a particularly old and wide trunk. He set down his case and looked at them questioningly. Evelyn shrugged in response and peered around the tree closest to her, watching as Erik moved into the trees to the left of the trail. They had been following a lower ridge for about two hours now, but Evelyn hadn’t seen or heard anything to cause alarm. The mountains were quiet and peaceful, giving the impression of walking through a protective canopy. Yet something had obviously disturbed that peace and quiet.

  “This can’t be good,” Anna whispered after a few moments. “They’re still not back.”

  “No, but I haven’t heard any sounds of struggle or alarm,” Evelyn whispered back.

  Anna nodded in agreement and leaned up against her tree.

  “How are you doing?” she asked. “How are your feet?”

  Evelyn shrugged. “I’m fine. The break we had for lunch helped. It was so kind of Mrs. Hansen to pack that food for us.”

  “Perfectly timed as well,” Peder said with a grin, keeping his voice low. “We’d finished the bread and cheese your landlady sent with you.”

  “Erik tried to pay them as well,” Anna said. “They wouldn’t take it from him either, so don’t feel bad about her refusing your money.”

  “I hope and pray they aren’t hurt by the Germans,” Evelyn said. “I wish there was something I could do for them.”

  “They will face the Nazis as we all will, and they will be all right. You must stop worrying about us. You are the only one you should be concerned about,” Anna advised in a low voice.

  “You sound like your brother,” Evelyn muttered. “If I stop caring for others, then there is no point at all to what I do.”

  “I’m not saying to stop caring. I’m cautioning you against making decisions based on emotion rather than reason.” Anna shrugged. “In the end, we all have to take care of ourselves.
If we have help along the way, that is a wonderful thing, but none of us can count on it.”

  “She’s right,” Peder said unexpectedly. “We all must learn to think differently now. We must fight, of course, and do what we can to help to each other, but we can’t get so caught up in the plight of others that we neglect our own interests. There will be pain and sorrow. We cannot stop that. Many people have already died, and many more will follow. As heartless as it sounds, we must learn to become immune to it if we are to survive.”

  Evelyn looked from to the other. “When did the two of you become so wise?”

  “When I saw the ships in Oslofjorden,” he muttered. “Part of me didn’t want to believe that it would come to this, but the other part of me knew that it would happen eventually. That’s why I told you I would join your network if the Germans came. Now they are here and we all must do what we will do. I have chosen to resist. There will be many who will not, but I can’t let that affect my choices. Just as you can’t let your compassion affect yours.”

  Evelyn’s lips twisted. “Point noted.”

  “Here’s Erik,” Anna said a few minutes later, peering through the trees.

  Evelyn straightened up and turned to look. Erik and Philip moved across the trail towards them. There was no sign of the others and, as they drew closer, Erik motioned for them to follow him.

  “What’s happening?” Anna asked as they joined him on the trail once again.

  “We’re near Steinan, southeast of Trondheim. I’ve sent the others on a sweep to make sure we’re not walking into any surprises. I think we’re all right for now, but below...it’s not good. Come. See for yourselves.”

  He turned and led them off the trail in the opposite direction. They moved slowly, pausing frequently, until at last they reached a ridge. He motioned for them to get down and, once they had all crouched low, he moved them forward until the forest floor angled sharply into a steep descent into a ravine. There he stopped and handed Anna a pair of binoculars.

  She took them and looked out over the expanse of land below. Her lips tightened and, after a long moment, she silently handed the binoculars to Evelyn.

  Evelyn caught her breath as she stared out over the valley. Their position on the mountain afforded them an outstanding view of the immediate valley and the miles beyond, stretching to the water in the far distance. Trondheim was marked by the remnants of a thick, black cloud of smoke hanging overhead, the result of a Luftwaffe bombardment that had accompanied the invasion two days before. While that sight was chilling enough, it wasn’t what drew her attention and made her blood run cold. It was the sight of columns of German troops, tanks and trucks forming a mechanical river out of the port city and into the surrounding areas. The Nazis were moving, and they were moving quickly.

  “Panzers!” she breathed. “Already?”

  “Yes.” Erik sounded grim. “This is the first wave of reinforcements. They’re moving east. They’re probably going to meet up with the divisions coming up from the south. Or they’re heading north. Either way, it’s clear Trondheim is well and truly lost. We can’t retake it now, and there’s no way you can go through it or cross the fjord.”

  Evelyn stared at the ominous sea of gray uniforms and Stahlhelms, the distinctive rounded steel helmets worn by the German military. She tamped down an almost overwhelming surge of terror and swallowed, forcing herself to breathe deeply. There were so many of them! It was like a never-ending swarm pouring into the countryside.

  “Marlene!”

  She started and tore her gaze away from the sight to find Anna and Erik both staring at her. She had no idea how long she’d been staring at the spectacle, but she’d obviously missed something that was said.

  “What?”

  “Are you all right?” Anna asked. “You’re very pale.”

  “I...I’m fine.”

  “Erik was saying that we’ll have to go around to the west and follow the fjord up to Steinkjer. We’ll be able to cross there.”

  “The mountains are deeper as you go north, and they will provide very good protection,” Erik said.

  Evelyn swallowed, stole one last look at the advancing troops, and then handed the binoculars back to Erik, turning resolutely away from the ridge. She followed the others back to the trail and looked at Peder.

  “Did you see?” she asked.

  He nodded. “I saw enough.”

  “I wish I had been wrong five days ago,” she said in a low voice. “I wish none of you had to go through this, but I’m glad you and your radio are with us and not still in Oslo.”

  Peder smiled and reached out to squeeze her shoulder gently. “So am I.”

  Evelyn returned his smile and turned to Erik. “Thank you for bringing us this far. I appreciate it more than you can know.”

  He nodded brusquely.

  “You’re welcome, but I’m continuing on with you,” he said. “After seeing what will be right behind you, I can’t leave you three alone. It is too dangerous, and none of you are as familiar with the mountains as I am.”

  “But...what about your men?” Anna asked. “What will they do?”

  “They will continue to move north and join up with what’s left of our battalion. I’ll join them after we’ve seen Marlene safely to Namsos.”

  “What about Anna and Peder?” Evelyn asked. “What will they do when we reach Namsos?”

  “I have an uncle not far from there,” Peder said suddenly. “He is in Gartland. We can go there until we decide what’s best to do.”

  Erik looked at him for a moment, then nodded. “Yes. That is a good plan. It will give you time to see where it will be safe to travel.”

  Philip emerged from the trees ahead and whistled. Erik turned to look, then motioned for them to move back into the trees.

  “I’ll be right back,” he said, turning towards Philip, “and then we’ll get moving again.”

  Evelyn moved off the trail with the other two and watched as Erik stood talking to Philip. While they talked, the other soldiers joined them.

  “Do you think the way ahead is blocked?” Peder asked in a low voice. “If it is, we will have to go east, further into the mountains. That will take more time.”

  “I hope not,” Anna said, glancing at Evelyn. “I don’t think your feet will allow us to go too far off course.”

  “They’re fine,” Evelyn assured her. “That salve is wonderful. I’ll leave the bandages on, and it will be all right.”

  Anna looked skeptical but was silent.

  “What’s wrong with your feet?” Peder asked.

  “The shoes I wore weren’t made for hiking in mountains,” Evelyn said dryly. “My feet are covered in blisters. But the woman at the farm this morning was kind enough to give me these boots and some salve and bandages. I’ll be fine.”

  Peder grimaced. “I’m sorry. I had no idea. And you’ve been carrying that heavy suitcase too. Here. Give it to me and I’ll give you the small case back. It is lighter and smaller.”

  “No. You have your radio.” She smiled at him. “Thank you, but really, I can manage.”

  “I think they’re finished,” Anna interrupted them. “The others are leaving.”

  Evelyn turned to look, watching as Erik shook hands with the other soldiers. Then they all nodded and waved to them before turning to fade into the trees, all except one. Philip turned and began walking back with Erik.

  “Is he staying too?” Peder asked.

  “I don’t know,” Anna said, moving out from behind her tree and back onto the trail.

  “Philip has agreed to continue on as well,” Erik told them. “It will be better with two of us. He is willing to put off joining the others until we get you safely to Namsos.”

  Evelyn looked at the young soldier and smiled. “Thank you.”

  He nodded. “You’re welcome. It will be safer with two of us.” He looked at the rifle draped across
Evelyn’s torso and smiled faintly. “And, of course, three guns are better than two. Lieutenant Salvesen says you’re quite a shot.”

  “She is. But come. We must move. Let’s get ahead of those Germans now while we’re in a position to do so. If we move quickly, we can cover another forty kilometers and reach Skatval.” Erik glanced at Evelyn. “Anna told me about your feet. It’s about an eight-hour trek. Will you be able to do it?”

  She met his gaze steadily.

  “What’s the result if I can’t?” she asked.

  “You won’t make Namsos by Sunday.”

  “Then I don’t have a choice, do I?” She smiled wryly. “Let’s get started.”

  Bialystok, Poland

  Vladimir folded his paper neatly and reached for his coffee. He swallowed the last gulp, then got up from the table. The small restaurant was nearly empty, the only other occupant being an old man who looked as though he had spent his entire life in the fields. He sat hunched over his plate, his eyes down, and paid no attention to the people around him. Not that there were many this early in the day.

  Tucking the paper under his arm, Vladimir turned towards the door and left the small café. It was looking bleak indeed for the Norwegians. The German troops had taken control of all the airfields in Norway on the first day of their offensive, allowing the Luftwaffe unlimited reign over the skies. They used the advantage in true Blitzkrieg fashion, attacking the people of Norway with abandon as they paved the way for their troops. There were reports of villages burning as the German forces swept, virtually unchecked, north. The King, Crown Prince, and all their ministers were in retreat, having escaped Oslo before the Germans landed, and were being ruthlessly pursued by the highly trained German paratroopers. What was left of the Norwegian army was in disarray, scattered and ill-equipped to face the elite forces of Hitler’s Wehrmacht. They wouldn’t be able to hold out very long, and if the King and the other royals were captured, there would be an end to Norway.