Shetland
has always enjoyed strong links to Norway, most obviously and commonly recalled
in Viking culture and the Up Helly Aa celebrations. The strength of the bond though is much more
than a far off history. It surfaces
throughout the years and manifests in language, culture and heritage. It wasn’t until 1468 that Shetland passed from
Norway to Scotland. The Shetland flag is a Nordic cross in the colours
of the Scottish Flag.
During the second
world war it the strength of bond between Shetland and Norway surfaced through
the Shetland bus operation. I can do no
more than write the briefest of notes on this remarkable operation.
Initially
Shetland was a place of refuge for those escaping the Nazi invasion of Norway;
the sea crossing to Shetland being the shortest sea passage to safety. It was quickly realised that what started as
an escape route could also serve as a supply and infiltration route. Many Shetlanders had vital roles within the
operation but a specific policy decision restricted operatives to being
Norwegian only. Nevertheless there
developed and remains a very strong link between all members of the operation
whatever their original role. Supported
by the British with administration, training, weapons and other resources but
manned exclusively by Norwegians, a small fleet of Norwegian fishing vessels
was assembled and prepared for the hazards of weather and enemy action. Using stealth and disguise as their primary
cover runs across the North Sea were established by
Initially
the “Shetland Buses” were able to blend easily with Norwegian fishing boats but
soon a shortage of diesel and other restrictions in Norway simply drew
attention to these craft instead of blending in, they now stood out as unusual.
By
1943 a number of heavy loses from both enemy action and weather combined to force
a rethink in the modus operandi. Help
came from the US government which donated 3 submarine chasers. These sleek and distinctive warships from the
same sort of stable as MTB’s combined speed with firepower replaced disguise as
there primary defence. The runs were re-established.
The
Hitra is one of these warships and thanks to an enthusiastic group of volunteers has been restored and preserved.
Although owned by a Trust she is officered by retired officers but crewed
by Royal Norwegian Navy ratings. Don’t tell
the MOD otherwise this might be a model and savings measure for the future of the
Royal Navy.
By complete chance we were
to meet Hydra at our next port of call and then a few days later transiting a
fjord just north of Bergen. Hydra will
be visiting Shetland next month and I hope we can meet up once again.
The
ships might have changed but as ever, there was one constant and essential ingredient,
the bravery of the operators. These men
and women served in a variety of roles from “driving the buses” to those who
landed and conducted clandestine operations ashore with The Resistance. Imagine then our delight and surprise in Florø to be
greeted by an elderly Norwegian who recognising the Shetland flag made himself
known to us a survivor of this wartime operation. Language was something of a challenge and he
was pressed for time but it was a privilege and pleasure to host Jans Larsen. It was difficult to understand his precise
role but from what we could gather he served on the “bus” with his brothers and
made at least 2 runs. I’m not sure if
these were on the “sub chasers” or on fishing boats. Presenting him with a Shetland flag seemed an
appropriate gift and our own tribute to him and his comrades.
His fallen comrades are remembered in Scalloway. A poignant cairn containing a rock from the village
or local area of each man commemorated is blended with local Shetland stone
from key sites in Shetland associated with the operation and together support a
model of one of the original buses.
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