Hi Siri, thank you for your words of encouragement and perspective about the war and the atrocities of the germans. It will be hard to keep this concise because I have a lot to say. I am a distant cousin to you and have been trying to find someone on your side of the family to help us fill in the details of our grandfather (actually my great great grandfather). From what I have found (forgive me if i am mistaken) your grandfather JNB was born in 9/1897. Does your family have any idea who he was named after? I am almost 100% certain that your JNB was named after his uncle and nephew (both JNB) the uncle who died that same year – 1897. Our Grandfather (also JNB) was also a sea captain supposedly died at sea in 1897. We have a few family stories about him but not much. To add to the story, our grandfather’s 4th child was also JNB. However, his JNB (jr.) was born in 1884 and died as an infant. It is my theory that your grandfather was named after the two JNB’s that died on our side of the family to carry on that name and seafaring legacy. It is almost like your grandfather is the incarnate of ours. Our JNB was a sea captain of a 3 masted sailing ship in the 1800’s the J.L. Pendergast. He would have been your grandfathers uncle. The only story we have is that he stopped a mutiny onboard and ran down below with “two pistols,” to thwart the resistance. I think he was later thrown overboard as retaliation years later. All we know is that he died onboard or that there was an “accident.” Months later his brother (your GREAT grandfather) has a son in September of 1897 and names him the same – JNB out of respect for that name and seafaring legacy . We have recently discovered a “christening/batism” spoon from 2/3/84 for JNB (the infant) which we only recently discovered. Had the infant survived, I am certain your grandfather would not have been born with the identical name to his cousin. Anyways, let me know if any of this is familiar. It would be great to figure out more about our Backer family. All the best

It has always interest me about why Germany didn’t invade Great Britain by way of Scotland, so close by sea to Norway. I’ve learned that the raging North Sea was a big deterrent and that Germany didn’t have a strong enough naval force to succeed. Also, Germany air power was needed elsewhere on the Europe Continent and couldn’t successfully combat against the UK Spitfire.
Denmark & Norway’s role in WWII is very interesting to me and how they succeeded in keeping Democracy alive, which has not been as informative in History Books as UK, France, etc.

Try the Hoover Institution and Archives for Norwegian newspapers. Weblink

Bernt Balchans Operation Sonnie known as Opetation Balder in Norway.

I have a much smaller story. On a tour to Norway, our bus driver told us his father has an old tractor he keeps in front of his house and he refuses to get rid of it. It is his way to honor and thank the Allies who liberated Norway. He got the tractor after the war through the efforts of the Marshall Plan. He remained grateful 65 years later. That is my vague memory of the story; no doubt there is much more to the story.

although this might be too late, id be more than happy to read up on it. you already have my attention 😀

Svein, I have read that up to 50% of the oil transported for the Allies was done by the Norwegians. What is disturbing to me, is that no one yet, has mentioned that when the Germans invaded Norway, approximately 30,000 rough, tough and Norwegian sailors were on ships away f all over the world, away from their families and couldn’t go home to fight. Can you imagine the rage and anger these seaman had, yet they continued to fight in the capacity they were able. Some of these seaman were torpedoed on different ships up to four times. My heroes unregognized and unappreciated by WW 2 scholars (?)

Please do write your book. Our children and grand children need to hear these stories. It is heart-warming to know this part of history and the brave souls who endured such times.
Have you considered after writing to submit your book to Movie producers?
Best wishes with what ever you choose.