THE HEROES OF TELEMARK

BACKGROUND

In the late 1930s and early 1940s, scientists were racing to create nuclear fission as a forerunner to developing a nuclear reactor and, more disturbingly, the ability to create a nuclear weapon.  British, American and German scientists were at the forefront of this race.  The Germans occupied Norway in the spring of 1940 gaining access to the hydro power plant at Vemork near Rjukan in the Telemark region in Southern Norway.  At the time, Vemork was the only facility in Europe producing ‘heavy water’ (necessary to achieve nuclear fission) in large scale volumes.  This situation set the conditions for the Allies to mount a daring raid to destroy the facility to prevent Hitler from creating a weapon.  

THE RAID 

An early effort by a British raiding force ended tragically when the plane carrying the force was shot down over Southern Norway. Most of the force died in the crash with the survivors being shot by the Germans.  The successful sabotage of the Vemork plant, ‘Operation Gunnerside’, was carried out by Norwegian commandos on 29 February 1943 and immortalised on screen in the 1965 film ‘The Heroes of Telemark’.

Prior to the actual raid, the 9 Norwegian volunteers who took part conducted their training in Scotland learning survival and explosives expertise before parachuting onto the remote Hardangervidda Plateau where they had to survive through the harsh winter with no supplies.  After the raid, the saboteurs, all of whom escaped, dispersed with some staying in Norway and others crossing into Sweden to recover back to England for further resistance missions.  The last surviving member of the saboteurs, Joachim Ronnenberg, died in his hometown of Alesund, Norway on 21 October 2018 at the age of 99.

THE HARDANGERVIDDA

The Hardangervidda Plateau is situated in southwestern Norway and covers an area of about 2,500 square miles.  It is the largest high-level plateau in Europe having an average elevation of 3,500 feet.  In winter it can be a beautiful but barren and forbidding place with deep snow, high winds and extremely cold temperatures.  Average winter temperatures are – 10/15C but -30C is not unusual with windchill. Navigation is a challenge in poor weather and the risk of hypothermia and frostbite are ever present.

THE TREK

Ross, George and Andrew intend to cross the HardangerviddaPlateau on skis from Geilo to Rjukan (site of the raid) in March 2022 using the network of tourist huts that cross the plateau.  The trek will take 5/6 days averaging around 25km per day.

THE CHARITY

Ross and George will be raising money for Open Door, a local charity that sits at the heart of the Exmouth Community providing support to those in need for over 25 years.  Open Door supports the whole community including the homeless, those facing financial difficulties, long term unemployment, those struggling with addiction, domestic abuse, bereavementand loneliness.  Projects include; the Community Café, Men’s Shed, Community Craft Room, Parent Hub and, in collaboration with Exmouth Community College the Haven and ICE projects providing a safe space and mentoring to allow young people to reach their potential.    

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