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Press and Journal
19-05-2025
- Press and Journal
Public invited to step onboard as Norwegian war ship arrives in Aberdeen
Members of the public will be able to step onboard a Norwegian war ship while she is berthed in Aberdeen. The S/S Hestmanden is the only preserved cargo vessel to have sailed in convoys during both the First World War and Second World War. The almost-200ft merchant ship is now taking part in a month-long peacetime convoy across the North Sea to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. After stops in Lerwick, Stromness and Kirkwall, S/S Hestmanden has arrived at Jamieson's Quay in Aberdeen North Harbour. She will be open to the public from tomorrow until Friday between 11am and 5pm, with admission free for all visitors. Those who step onboard will be able to immerse themselves in exhibitions and storytelling to learn about the vessel's 114-year history. Nicknamed 'the lucky ship', S/S Hestmanden helped secure medicine, food and fuel, as well as ammunition and weapons to aid the resistance during the Second World War. She and a flotilla of fishing boats were also used to smuggle soldiers, secret agents and freedom fighters between Norway and Shetland. On their return journeys, they brought back refugees and soldiers fleeing the Nazi-occupied country. The dangerous route was famously dubbed the 'Shetland Bus'. Captain Jack Cowie of the Gordon Highlanders was the liaison officer for the fishing boats in transit through Aberdeen. His daughter Isabell Jack said: 'Obviously it was a secret operation so not much was said to us as children. 'But Dad was well liked and had a nice manner about him, with a warm sense of humour, and integrity. 'I think this helped him in this role. 'Dad was proud of what he did, but he wasn't a man to make a fuss. 'After the war ended, he returned to his job working for the bank, until he retired.' After leaving Aberdeen, S/S Hestmanden will visit Edinburgh and Newcastle.
Daily Record
25-04-2025
- Daily Record
Scots ship convoy to cross North Sea marking 80th anniversary of VE Day
A convoy of former World War II vessels will cross the North Sea in May to celebrate unsung British and Norwegian heroes – as Europe commemorates the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The flotilla is made up of historic fishing boats and a merchant ship. These vessels were used to smuggle special forces soldiers, secret agents and freedom fighters from Shetland to Norway, along with explosives, weapons and radios for the resistance movement. On their return journeys, they brought back refugees and soldiers fleeing Nazi-occupied Norway. The perilous route, which risked the constant threat of discovery by German submarines and planes, was famously dubbed the 'Shetland Bus' by the fearless sailors who navigated it, and the British soldiers who took part in the operation. Captain Jack Cowie, of the Gordon Highlanders, was the liaison officer for Norwegian fishing boats in transit to and from Shetland through Aberdeen . His daughter Isabel Jack said: "Obviously it was a secret operation so not much was said to us as children. "But Dad was well-liked and had a nice manner about him, with a warm sense of humour, and integrity and I think this helped him in this role. He was proud of what he did but he wasn't a man to make a fuss. "After the war ended, he returned to his job working for the bank until he retired." Many of the boats used during World War II have been brought together again to take part in The Liberation Convoy. MK Andholmen was one of the vessels used for missions to Shetland, as well as Orkney and the mainland. Current skipper Per Ola Holm said: "Everyone who crewed those small boats and ships taking the route knew they were risking their lives." Another vessel from the convoy is the merchant ship D/S Hestmanden. She served as part of the Norwegian merchant fleet, which operated from the UK throughout WWII and helped secure supplies of medicine , food and fuel, as well as ammunition and weapons to aid the Allies' resistance. Norwegian historian Ragnhild Bie said: "Some 4500 war sailors lost their lives and countless others endured psychological and physical traumas that affected them and their families long after the war." The Liberation Convoy will cross from Bergen in Norway to Lerwick in the Shetland Islands for VE Day ceremonies on May 8, before it branches out to ports across the Shetland Islands, the Orkney Islands, Scotland, and England. The convoy is "fitting recognition" of the alliance between Norway and the UK, and of Shetland's special role, according to Lord Lieutenant of Shetland , Lindsay Tullock. He said: "The arrival of the Liberation Convoy in Shetland will be an opportunity to acknowledge the long-standing alliance between the people of Shetland, the rest of the United Kingdom and Norway."
STV News
25-04-2025
- General
- STV News
Liberation Convoy vessels to cross North Sea to celebrate unsung war heroes
A peacetime convoy of former World War II vessels will cross the North Sea in May to celebrate unsung British and Norwegian heroes, as Europe commemorates the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The flotilla is made up of historic fishing boats and a merchant ship. These boats were used to smuggle special forces soldiers, secret agents and freedom fighters from Shetland to Norway, along with explosives, weapons and radios for the resistance movement. On their return journeys, they brought back refugees and soldiers fleeing Nazi-occupied Norway. The perilous route, which risked the constant threat of discovery by German submarines and planes, was famously dubbed the 'Shetland Bus' by the fearless sailors who navigated it, and the British soldiers who took part in the operation. Captain Jack Cowie of the Gordon Highlanders was the liaison officer for Norwegian fishing boats in transit to and from Shetland through Aberdeen. His daughter Isabell Jack said: 'Obviously, it was a secret operation, so not much was said to us as children. But Dad was well-liked and had a nice manner about him, with a warm sense of humour, and integrity, and I think this helped him in this role. 'Dad was proud of what he did, but he wasn't a man to make a fuss, and after the war ended, he returned to his job working for the bank, until he retired.' Commemorating their bravery, many of the small boats originally used during WWII have been brought together again to take part in The Liberation Convoy. MK Andholmen, was one of the vessels used for missions to Shetland, as well as Orkney and mainland Scotland. 'Ordinary Norwegians were trained as special forces soldiers in both England and Scotland,' said Per Ola Holm, the current skipper of MK Andholmen. 'Many went on to crew the Shetland Bus vessels as they dodged German submarines and war planes during their dangerous missions, or they returned home on sabotage missions and to fight the occupying Nazi regime.' He added: 'Everyone who crewed those small boats and ships taking the route knew they were risking their lives, but the fragile link it provided between the Shetland Islands, the Orkneys and occupied Norway was just too important.' Another vessel from the convoy is the merchant ship D/S Hestmanden. She served as part of the Norwegian merchant fleet, which operated from the UK throughout WWII and helped secure supplies of medicine, food and fuel, as well as ammunition and weapons to aid the Allies' resistance. 'The UK generously welcomed our Royal Family and government in exile after the Nazis invaded, and throughout the war some 30,000 Norwegian war sailors served the Allied resistance alongside Britain's own mariners,' said Norwegian historian Ragnhild Bie, whose two grandfathers were both war sailors. 'Some 4,500 war sailors lost their lives and countless others endured psychological and physical traumas that affected them and their families long after the war had ended,' added Bie, who is serving as crew onboard Hestmanden, which has been turned into a floating war sailors' museum. The Liberation Convoy will cross from Bergen in Norway to Lerwick in the Shetland Islands for VE Day ceremonies on May 8, before it branches out to ports across the Shetland Islands, the Orkney Islands, Scotland, and England. The convoy is 'fitting recognition' of the alliance between Norway and the UK, and of Shetland's special role, according to the Lord Lieutenant of Shetland, Lindsay Tullock. He said: 'As we commemorate and give thanks to those who were lost, we remember also the resilience of the men and women involved in the liberation of Norway and Europe. 'The arrival of the Liberation Convoy in Shetland will be an opportunity to acknowledge the long-standing alliance between the people of Shetland, the rest of the United Kingdom and Norway. 'People of Shetland have vivid memories and recollections of the covert Shetland Bus operations during the Second World War. The enduring relationship between Shetland and Norway has strengthened over the years and will continue to do so as we join together in Remembrance on the 80th Anniversary of the end of the War in Europe.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Liberation Convoy to recreate wartime route from Norway to UK for VE Day events
A flotilla of 'Shetland Bus' vessels used for secret operations during the Second World War will cross from Norway to Scotland to remember unsung heroes ahead of VE Day commemorations. The fishing boats and merchant ship were used to smuggle special forces soldiers and secret agents from Shetland to Nazi-occupied Norway. They also carried weapons, explosives and radios for the resistance movement and on their return journeys brought refugees and soldiers escaping from the Nazis. Vessels travelling the route, dubbed the 'Shetland Bus', were at constant risk of discovery by German submarines and planes. Some of the boats used during the war are now being reunited to take part in a Liberation Convoy which will travel from Norway to Lerwick in Shetland next month, arriving in time for events commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 8. They include MK Andholmen, which was used for missions to Shetland, as well as Orkney and mainland Scotland. Per Ola Holm, current skipper of MK Andholmen, said: 'Ordinary Norwegians were trained as special forces soldiers in both England and Scotland. 'Many went on to crew the Shetland Bus vessels as they dodged German submarines and war planes during their dangerous missions, or they returned home on sabotage missions and to fight the occupying Nazi regime. 'Everyone who crewed those small boats and ships taking the route knew they were risking their lives, but the fragile link it provided between the Shetland Islands, the Orkneys and occupied Norway was just too important.' Captain Jack Cowie of the Gordon Highlanders was the liaison officer for Norwegian fishing boats which were in transit to and from Shetland through Aberdeen. His daughter Isabell Jack said: 'Obviously it was a secret operation so not much was said to us as children. 'But dad was well liked and had a nice manner about him, with a warm sense of humour and integrity, and I think this helped him in this role. 'Dad was proud of what he did, but he wasn't a man to make a fuss, and after the war ended he returned to his job working for the bank until he retired.' The merchant ship D/S Hestmanden will also be taking part in the convoy. During the war it served as part of the Norwegian merchant fleet, which operated from the UK and helped secure supplies of medicine, food and fuel, as well as ammunition and weapons, to aid resistance by the Allies. Norwegian historian Ragnhild Bie, whose two grandfathers were both sailors during the war, said: 'The UK generously welcomed our royal family and government in exile after the Nazis invaded, and throughout the war some 30,000 Norwegian war sailors served the Allied resistance alongside Britain's own mariners. 'Some 4,500 war sailors lost their lives and countless others endured psychological and physical traumas that affected them and their families long after the war had ended.' The convoy will arrive in Lerwick on May 6 and vessels will be open to the public from May 7. Later in the month the convoy will travel on to ports in Orkney, mainland Scotland and England. Lord Lieutenant of Shetland Lindsay Tullock said: 'As we commemorate and give thanks to those who were lost, we remember also the resilience of the men and women involved in the liberation of Norway and Europe. 'The arrival of the Liberation Convoy in Shetland will be an opportunity to acknowledge the long-standing alliance between the people of Shetland, the rest of the United Kingdom and Norway. 'People of Shetland have vivid memories and recollections of the covert Shetland Bus operations during the Second World War. 'The enduring relationship between Shetland and Norway has strengthened over the years and will continue to do so as we join together in remembrance on the 80th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe.' The convoy has been organised by a group of individual volunteers, maritime enthusiasts, wartime historians, museums and organisations. It is supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, the Norwegian Navy, the Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce and several charitable foundations and companies.
The Independent
24-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
Liberation Convoy to recreate wartime route from Norway to UK for VE Day events
A flotilla of ' Shetland Bus' vessels used for secret operations during the Second World War will cross from Norway to Scotland to remember unsung heroes ahead of VE Day commemorations. The fishing boats and merchant ship were used to smuggle special forces soldiers and secret agents from Shetland to Nazi-occupied Norway. They also carried weapons, explosives and radios for the resistance movement and on their return journeys brought refugees and soldiers escaping from the Nazis. Vessels travelling the route, dubbed the 'Shetland Bus', were at constant risk of discovery by German submarines and planes. Some of the boats used during the war are now being reunited to take part in a Liberation Convoy which will travel from Norway to Lerwick in Shetland next month, arriving in time for events commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 8. They include MK Andholmen, which was used for missions to Shetland, as well as Orkney and mainland Scotland. Per Ola Holm, current skipper of MK Andholmen, said: 'Ordinary Norwegians were trained as special forces soldiers in both England and Scotland. 'Many went on to crew the Shetland Bus vessels as they dodged German submarines and war planes during their dangerous missions, or they returned home on sabotage missions and to fight the occupying Nazi regime. 'Everyone who crewed those small boats and ships taking the route knew they were risking their lives, but the fragile link it provided between the Shetland Islands, the Orkneys and occupied Norway was just too important.' Captain Jack Cowie of the Gordon Highlanders was the liaison officer for Norwegian fishing boats which were in transit to and from Shetland through Aberdeen. His daughter Isabell Jack said: 'Obviously it was a secret operation so not much was said to us as children. 'But dad was well liked and had a nice manner about him, with a warm sense of humour and integrity, and I think this helped him in this role. 'Dad was proud of what he did, but he wasn't a man to make a fuss, and after the war ended he returned to his job working for the bank until he retired.' The merchant ship D/S Hestmanden will also be taking part in the convoy. During the war it served as part of the Norwegian merchant fleet, which operated from the UK and helped secure supplies of medicine, food and fuel, as well as ammunition and weapons, to aid resistance by the Allies. Norwegian historian Ragnhild Bie, whose two grandfathers were both sailors during the war, said: 'The UK generously welcomed our royal family and government in exile after the Nazis invaded, and throughout the war some 30,000 Norwegian war sailors served the Allied resistance alongside Britain's own mariners. 'Some 4,500 war sailors lost their lives and countless others endured psychological and physical traumas that affected them and their families long after the war had ended.' The convoy will arrive in Lerwick on May 6 and vessels will be open to the public from May 7. Later in the month the convoy will travel on to ports in Orkney, mainland Scotland and England. Lord Lieutenant of Shetland Lindsay Tullock said: 'As we commemorate and give thanks to those who were lost, we remember also the resilience of the men and women involved in the liberation of Norway and Europe. 'The arrival of the Liberation Convoy in Shetland will be an opportunity to acknowledge the long-standing alliance between the people of Shetland, the rest of the United Kingdom and Norway. 'People of Shetland have vivid memories and recollections of the covert Shetland Bus operations during the Second World War. 'The enduring relationship between Shetland and Norway has strengthened over the years and will continue to do so as we join together in remembrance on the 80th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe.' The convoy has been organised by a group of individual volunteers, maritime enthusiasts, wartime historians, museums and organisations. It is supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, the Norwegian Navy, the Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce and several charitable foundations and companies.
