On Sunday 29/9 [A] at 11:00 hours we agreed with the Mil.Org. group at Os that the removal was to be effected towards Lönningdal. This meant that we had to use a motorboat as distances were long and, in addition, we would have to pass two coastal fortresses (Röttingen and Swarvhella) and the naval base at Hatvik. The reason why we picked Sunday for this task was that from Hatvik the whole area of the Björnefjord formed a daily training center for German naval units of 15 to 20 vessels which were scattered over the fjord.
Mr. E. Evensen was the owner of an open 21 foot motorboat. This type of boat was commonly used by people in the area when hunting tor tunney-fish, which the German Navy was well aware of.
We were of the opinion that this would arouse less sensation, but we had to face the fact that the Germans frequently wanted to buy fish from the boat which might possibly result in their trying to hail us.
Mr. Torvald Jakobsen and Einar Evensen were to effect the transportation and around 13:00 hours the airmen were embarked in this boat at Eneviken, Strönen and the voyage for Lönningdal started. Five of the Canadians were placed flat on the floor and covered with tarpaulin. Afterwards I often recollected how uncomfortable they must have felt lying on the hard floor for hours during the passage although we enjoyed one of those fine and sunny autumn days with the fiord smooth as a mirror. This made, no doubt, the voyage more pleasant than if storm and rain had prevailed. Aft sat the chief pilot together with Mr. Jakobsen and myself. During the trip I had the opportunity of admiring this efficient and magnificent type of a leader.
The trip seemed to develop favourably for us. It did not seem as if the Germans on the fortresses paid our small louse of a boat much attention as it made its way over the fjord. A surf boat passed at long range apart from which everything was calm.
But the trip had merely started and when passing Björnen we encountered an obstacle which almost made the blood freeze in our veins and which should long live in our minds.
We were approximately amidst the fjord when suddenly a sentry boat which had been stationed at Tysnes came speeding towards our starboard side. Retreat by land was out of the question and the situation was indeed getting hot.
Heavily loaded as we were there was the question whether they believed us to carry a load or fish from which they wanted to buy or had their suspicion arisen? The only card in our hands was our audacity and a cool mind, but would it be possible to bluff the Germans?
Our course was 90 degrees towards the sentry boat. We turned 20 degrees starboard (towards the sentry boat) and Mr.Jakobsen prepared himself with his hand on the harpoon in the bow. Our plan was to make the Germans believe that we had discovered a tunney-fish and that we were preparing for hunting .
It this bluff would succeed the German Navy would, from our point of view, have suffered a serious defeat but we knew only too well what would be our fate if we were being caught in a situation like this. Compare the MTB caught in the Korafjordan. But back to this incident.
The sentry boat was now less than 500 meters away and some reaction was to be expected in some way or other. But there was no reaction. What would have been the result if only one of those hiding under the tarpaulin had risen? Through telescope (binoculars) with which the sentry boats. were equipped, yes, even with bare eyes, this would have meant a catastrophe to everyone of us. But then, at a distance of less than 200 metres, the Germans ported the helm and turned off.
This was indeed unbelievable. We all sat paralysed in the boat and not a word was uttered tor a long time, but we all had our thoughts.
Those covered by the tarpaulin fortunately did not know what had happened. The course was amended and within half an hour we reached land on the other side. The only thing left now was the passing of the station at Hatvik, but we were now confident that we would succeed and so we did,
The passing of Hatvik was in itself exciting but nothing happened and in the twilight we gained contact with Mr. Hjelle and his men who took over the precious load which for 5 days was so unexpectedly entrusted to our care.
The remainder of the risky task will be told by Mr. Haldor Ovredal.
Mr. E. Evensen was the owner of an open 21 foot motorboat. This type of boat was commonly used by people in the area when hunting tor tunney-fish, which the German Navy was well aware of.
We were of the opinion that this would arouse less sensation, but we had to face the fact that the Germans frequently wanted to buy fish from the boat which might possibly result in their trying to hail us.
Mr. Torvald Jakobsen and Einar Evensen were to effect the transportation and around 13:00 hours the airmen were embarked in this boat at Eneviken, Strönen and the voyage for Lönningdal started. Five of the Canadians were placed flat on the floor and covered with tarpaulin. Afterwards I often recollected how uncomfortable they must have felt lying on the hard floor for hours during the passage although we enjoyed one of those fine and sunny autumn days with the fiord smooth as a mirror. This made, no doubt, the voyage more pleasant than if storm and rain had prevailed. Aft sat the chief pilot together with Mr. Jakobsen and myself. During the trip I had the opportunity of admiring this efficient and magnificent type of a leader.
The trip seemed to develop favourably for us. It did not seem as if the Germans on the fortresses paid our small louse of a boat much attention as it made its way over the fjord. A surf boat passed at long range apart from which everything was calm.
But the trip had merely started and when passing Björnen we encountered an obstacle which almost made the blood freeze in our veins and which should long live in our minds.
We were approximately amidst the fjord when suddenly a sentry boat which had been stationed at Tysnes came speeding towards our starboard side. Retreat by land was out of the question and the situation was indeed getting hot.
Heavily loaded as we were there was the question whether they believed us to carry a load or fish from which they wanted to buy or had their suspicion arisen? The only card in our hands was our audacity and a cool mind, but would it be possible to bluff the Germans?
Our course was 90 degrees towards the sentry boat. We turned 20 degrees starboard (towards the sentry boat) and Mr.Jakobsen prepared himself with his hand on the harpoon in the bow. Our plan was to make the Germans believe that we had discovered a tunney-fish and that we were preparing for hunting .
It this bluff would succeed the German Navy would, from our point of view, have suffered a serious defeat but we knew only too well what would be our fate if we were being caught in a situation like this. Compare the MTB caught in the Korafjordan. But back to this incident.
The sentry boat was now less than 500 meters away and some reaction was to be expected in some way or other. But there was no reaction. What would have been the result if only one of those hiding under the tarpaulin had risen? Through telescope (binoculars) with which the sentry boats. were equipped, yes, even with bare eyes, this would have meant a catastrophe to everyone of us. But then, at a distance of less than 200 metres, the Germans ported the helm and turned off.
This was indeed unbelievable. We all sat paralysed in the boat and not a word was uttered tor a long time, but we all had our thoughts.
Those covered by the tarpaulin fortunately did not know what had happened. The course was amended and within half an hour we reached land on the other side. The only thing left now was the passing of the station at Hatvik, but we were now confident that we would succeed and so we did,
The passing of Hatvik was in itself exciting but nothing happened and in the twilight we gained contact with Mr. Hjelle and his men who took over the precious load which for 5 days was so unexpectedly entrusted to our care.
The remainder of the risky task will be told by Mr. Haldor Ovredal.