Back in Britain
We huddled about not knowing what to expect as the ship slowly drew up to the dock. An army captain approached us and introduced himself as Captain X. (his nom du guerre) I have forgotten the name he used. He informed us that he was second in command of the base, he was going to look after us during our stay in the Shetlands. He told us to consider ourselves under close arrest, just a formality, until such time as military intelligence cleared us. They had to be positive that we were who we claimed to be. He left but returned shortly with two other officers and we were escorted off the ship and taken to a large building near the dock.
We had to take baths in gentian violet in order to rid ourselves of the lice that we had. This was done in the venereal disease ward of the base hospital. We were then examined by doctors who had been flown in from an RAF nearby base. There also were fresh clean clothes for us, and finally, food.
After partaking of our first sit-down meal in weeks we gathered in the officers lounge where we were joined by some of the officers of the Vigra as well as a few other naval and army officers. Captain X informed us that we would be leaving by plane in the morning for London where we were to be debriefed by MI9.
An army major joined us and introduced himself as Major Rogers. He immediately explained that he was the commanding officer and that he believed that one of the crew members had something for him. He suggested that that individual should see him in his office the following morning after breakfast.
He insisted that we send cables from there to our families back in Canada to let them know that we were still in the land of the living. These cables would be delivered before official news could be delivered through official channels.
Immediately after breakfast the following morning I was ushered into Major Roger's office. He reached for the sash, opened it and glanced at the contents. Turning to me he asked if I had ever heard the phrase "Heavy Water". I expressed my ignorance; he then advised me to remember the phrase as it would be meaningful to me after the war. In discussion with Helen M. Nilsen when we first returned to Norway in 1965 [A], he informed me that what I had carried to Major Rogers was up-to-date intelligence on the German attempts to develop and store Heavy Water in Norway.
I rejoined the crew and we were soon on our way to the airport and London. We were assured by Captain X. that the BBC would be broadcasting special messages over the next few days to advise the people back in Norway of our success in getting to the Shetlands.
When our Norwegian friends heard on the BBC broadcast the following night the message, "Coconuts on holiday", they then knew that we had made it safely back to England.
Our part in the success we had in evading capture was limited to our actions during the first twelve to fifteen hours, after that we were, in the words of Magnus Hauge, "six sacks of potatoes", that had to be delivered as ordered.
When we took off from Wick, we little realized the adventure we faced. We returned due to the courageous and dedicated actions of a group of zealous Norwegian patriots, who unselfishly helped us in our difficulty. They were not detracted from aiding us although they knew they faced certain death should they be caught. We owe much to all those brave people who helped us in our time of need. Words can never express our gratitude to our "HELPERS".
We huddled about not knowing what to expect as the ship slowly drew up to the dock. An army captain approached us and introduced himself as Captain X. (his nom du guerre) I have forgotten the name he used. He informed us that he was second in command of the base, he was going to look after us during our stay in the Shetlands. He told us to consider ourselves under close arrest, just a formality, until such time as military intelligence cleared us. They had to be positive that we were who we claimed to be. He left but returned shortly with two other officers and we were escorted off the ship and taken to a large building near the dock.
We had to take baths in gentian violet in order to rid ourselves of the lice that we had. This was done in the venereal disease ward of the base hospital. We were then examined by doctors who had been flown in from an RAF nearby base. There also were fresh clean clothes for us, and finally, food.
After partaking of our first sit-down meal in weeks we gathered in the officers lounge where we were joined by some of the officers of the Vigra as well as a few other naval and army officers. Captain X informed us that we would be leaving by plane in the morning for London where we were to be debriefed by MI9.
An army major joined us and introduced himself as Major Rogers. He immediately explained that he was the commanding officer and that he believed that one of the crew members had something for him. He suggested that that individual should see him in his office the following morning after breakfast.
He insisted that we send cables from there to our families back in Canada to let them know that we were still in the land of the living. These cables would be delivered before official news could be delivered through official channels.
Immediately after breakfast the following morning I was ushered into Major Roger's office. He reached for the sash, opened it and glanced at the contents. Turning to me he asked if I had ever heard the phrase "Heavy Water". I expressed my ignorance; he then advised me to remember the phrase as it would be meaningful to me after the war. In discussion with Helen M. Nilsen when we first returned to Norway in 1965 [A], he informed me that what I had carried to Major Rogers was up-to-date intelligence on the German attempts to develop and store Heavy Water in Norway.
I rejoined the crew and we were soon on our way to the airport and London. We were assured by Captain X. that the BBC would be broadcasting special messages over the next few days to advise the people back in Norway of our success in getting to the Shetlands.
When our Norwegian friends heard on the BBC broadcast the following night the message, "Coconuts on holiday", they then knew that we had made it safely back to England.
Our part in the success we had in evading capture was limited to our actions during the first twelve to fifteen hours, after that we were, in the words of Magnus Hauge, "six sacks of potatoes", that had to be delivered as ordered.
When we took off from Wick, we little realized the adventure we faced. We returned due to the courageous and dedicated actions of a group of zealous Norwegian patriots, who unselfishly helped us in our difficulty. They were not detracted from aiding us although they knew they faced certain death should they be caught. We owe much to all those brave people who helped us in our time of need. Words can never express our gratitude to our "HELPERS".
Five members of the crew on board ship on their way back to Canada.
Rear L to R George Grandy, Gord Biddle, Ken Graham
Front L to R Maurice Neil, Harvey Firstone
