Latest news with #LiberationConvoy
Edinburgh Reporter
26-05-2025
- Edinburgh Reporter
Liberation Convoy – S/S Hestmanden opens to the public on Monday
The Norwegian War Sailor Museum arrived in Leith on Saturday and will open to the public on Monday morning. Stian Lunde, Museum Mediator, S/S Hestmanden, and a team of volunteers will show people round the ship. One story is of a young teenager who joined the ship for two weeks, but meantime Germany invaded Norway, and the young man did not return home for six years. There are many stories of sailors who were exiled from their homeland, and much to see on board the vessel which is travelling to a number of ports. The steamer, first coal-fired and now equipped with diesel engines may be seen from Ocean Terminal and is lying in front of Britannia. The Norwegian War Sailor Museum, is the last surviving vessel from Nortraship's extensive fleet. Hestmanden is one of about 1,000 Norwegian merchant ships that supplied food, medicine, fuel and arms to the Allies throughout the Second World War. From Monday morning the ship is open for guided tours and onboard exhibitions including films in two audio visual areas below decks where documentaries will be screened. Monday 26: 11am – 5am Tuesday 27: 11am – 5am Wednesday 28: 11am – 5am Thursday 29: 11am – 5am S/S Hestmanden the only ship to survive both world wards in the 20th century A flotilla of ships recreating the bravery of merchant war sailors and secretive special forces in a Liberation Convoy of historic vessels that once sailed as part of the daring 'Shetland Bus' during WWII was greeted with a floating salute as it arrived at Lerwick in time for the 80th anniversary of VE Day. This celebration of peace is considered by the organisers behind the convoy to be even more important than ever given the presence of war in Europe once more. The vessels included four wartime fishing boats – S/S Hestmanden, M/K Erkna, M/K Andholmen, M/K Heland, M/B Arnefjord – that were used to ferry refugees from Norway to the UK, before returning with radios, explosives and British-trained Norwegian special forces soldiers ready to sabotage the occupying Nazi regime. On arrival in Shetland the local lifeboat, and water jets fired into the air from other vessels and a replica Viking longboat were among those joining crowds of people at Lerwick Harbour as part of the special journey to commemorate the heroics of the 'Shetland Bus' crews. From there the convoy sailed on and the Hestmanded visited Stromness in Orkney and Aberdeen en route to Edinburgh. From here the ship sails to Newcastle and then back to Norway. The convoy's aims are to commemorate the 80th anniversary of peace in Europe with a grand tribute to the heroic war sailors who risked or lost their lives during WW2, and to celebrate the close relationship between the UK and Norway. About half Norway's merchant ships were torpedoed and sunk by German submarines, killing some 4,500 of the 30,000 Norwegian war sailors, while 44 of the Shetland Gang's members went down with boats sunk by fighter planes, submarines or harsh winter storms. The convoy has been organised by an informal group of individual volunteers, maritime enthusiasts and wartime historians, museums and organisations. The project is supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, the Norwegian Navy, the Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce and several charitable foundations and Companies. Norwegian and British dignitaries laid wreaths at The Shetland Bus Memorial in Scalloway today to commemorate the brave efforts of the British-Norwegian resistance during World War II. Those attending included the Lord Lieutenant of Shetland, Norwegian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Shetland Islands Council Convener and Norwegian Military Attaché. During WWII, the Shetland Bus – a lifeline of Norwegian fishing boats and submarine chasers – smuggled agents, refugees, and supplies between Shetland and Nazi-occupied Norway. The memorial includes a metal sculpture representing one of these fishing boats, placed on top of rocks gathered from the birthplaces of the 44 Norwegian crew members who died during the Shetland Bus operation. It's a poignant reminder of their sacrifices, and testament to the historical significance of Scalloway. S/S Hestmanden the only ship to survive both world wards in the 20th century Like this: Like Related
Press and Journal
20-05-2025
- General
- Press and Journal
A look inside S/S Hestmanden - the Norwegain warship berthed in Aberdeen this week
Anyone passing Port of Aberdeen yesterday may have noticed an almost-200ft warship sailing into the harbour. The impressive S/S Hestmanden is visiting the Granite City as part of Liberation Convoy – a month-long journey across the North Sea. She is one of five Norwegian vessels taking part in the project to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. 'This is the first time she has left Norway in 60 years,' historian Ragnhild Bie told The Press and Journal. Hestmanden has visited Lerwick, Stromness and Kirkwall in recent weeks with almost 10,000 people taking the opportunity to step onboard. Now, those in the north-east can immerse themselves in the merchant cargo ship's 114-year history. The P&J was invited along for a tour led by Ragnhild and the ship's captain, Hallvard Klungtveit. 'As far as we know, it's the first time the ship has been in Aberdeen since during the war in April 1944,' he said. 'She knew her way in, she was steering perfectly, and we were met by dolphins.' As we arrived, several people were already making their way around the vessel – soaking in the history and the sunshine. Hestmanden is the only preserved Norwegian cargo vessel to have sailed in convoys during both the First World War and Second World War. She now operates as a floating museum which is open during the summer in Norway. 'This is not just a museum building,' Captain Hallvard said. 'This is a living museum. 'We have people living onboard, we have food cooking in the galley, we have heat in the engine room. 'She's alive.' The crew carry out maintenance during the winter, including on the engine which was built in Scotland in 1911. 'We try to keep everything as original as we can, all of the equipment and the engine,' Ragnhild said. 'We just have to update the radios and electronic maps to be safe and secure.' Each year, volunteers dedicate around 18,000 hours to keep Hestmanden running smoothly. Since the late 1940s, she has been fuelled by diesel which is manually fired up in the engine room. 'Per hour, she burns around 280 litres of diesel,' the captain shares. 'She's an expensive lady.' From the wheelhouse and sailor's cabins, to the lounge for first-class passengers and the captain's salon, the public have access to much of the ship. Visitors can truly immerse themselves in Hestmanden's history, spending hours making their way around all of the displays. One of the sections is dedicated to the Shetland Bus – the perilous route which Hestmanden travelled during the Second World War. She and a group of fishing boats were used to smuggle soldiers, secret agents and freedom fighters between Nazi-occupied Norway and Shetland. Ragnhild said: 'For many Norwegians, Scotland became a home away from home.' 'We hope visitors leave the ship having learnt something, Catain Hallvard added. 'A lot of young people were sailing during the war, some as young as 14, and we want to share that history with young people today.' Captain Hallvard, Ragnhild and all the other crew members are looking forward to welcoming more visitors onboard and sharing more of Hestmanden's stories. Early in her life, the merchant cargo ship gained the nickname: 'the lucky ship'. The historian explained: 'Hestmanden was attacked outside of Swansea by a German bomber that flew so low it knocked out the mast. 'They dropped several bombs but they all missed, so Hestmanden has been called 'the lucky ship' since.' Hestmanden is open to the public on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week between 11am and 5pm. 'The convoy has been great,' Ragnhild said. 'Aberdeen and Norway still have a very close connection today. 'We're honoured to come here and continue that relationship. 'It's been so much fun having school children and visitors onboard. 'Hopefully we'll be able to come again – sooner than another 80 years!'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘Shetland Bus' convoy greeted with floating salute as it arrives in Lerwick
'Shetland Bus' convoy greeted with floating salute as it arrives in Lerwick A convoy of ships that retraced a route used for secret operations during the Second World War has arrived in Shetland after sailing from Norway. The Liberation Convoy, which followed the journey made by the so-called 'Shetland Bus' during the war, was greeted with a floating salute as it arrived in Lerwick on Tuesday night. The Shetland Bus vessels 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. The Hestmanden was part of the Shetland Bus convoy that arrived in Lerwick on Tuesday (Dave Donaldson/PA) The recreation of events this year honoured the 80th anniversary of VE Day which will take place on May 8, with vessels firing water jets into the air in celebration of the historic victory in Europe. ADVERTISEMENT The vessels included: the Hestmanden, the Erkna, the Andholmen, the Heland and the Arnefjord which were used for missions during the war. Sailors described this week's voyage as choppy, having left Bergen, Norway, early on Monday morning. On board, passengers enjoyed champagne while a trumpet player heralded the arrival on Tuesday evening in Lerwick. src=' alt='' width='3800″ height='5700″ /> A passenger aboard one of the Norwegian vessels (Dave Donaldson/PA)[/caption] The convoy was organised by a group of volunteers, maritime enthusiasts, wartime historians, museums and various other groups. The project was supported by the Norwegian ministry of defence, the Norwegian navy, the Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce and a number of charitable foundations and companies. Members of the public will be invited onboard the vessels for memorial services and events over the next few days.
Powys County Times
05-05-2025
- Powys County Times
Daughter of ‘Shetland Bus' sailor embarks on trip from Norway to Scotland
The daughter of a late and highly decorated seafarer who operated a secret operations route between Norway and Scotland during the Second World War is retracing the journey in a commemorative voyage. Ahead of the VE Day 80th anniversary, Astrid Larsen, the daughter of Leif Anders 'Shetlands' Larsen, is travelling on a 'Shetland Bus' vessel between the two countries in a Liberation Convoy recreating the route. 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. Mr Larsen was one of the most famous men who operated the Shetland Bus, having barely escaped Norway in February 1941 in a fishing boat before joining the Norwegian Naval Independent Unit, a cover title that came to be known as the Shetland Bus. He was the skipper of the fishing vessel Arthur during an attempt to sink the German battleship Tirpitz in the Trondheimsfjord in 1942, which failed. Despite the failure, he received a Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, making him the first non-British person to gain one. After the war ended, he returned to Norway where he was married and had three daughters, including Astrid. Mr Larsen died after a stroke in 1990, aged 84. Some of the boats used during the war are now being reunited to take part in a Liberation Convoy which is travelling from Norway to Lerwick in Shetland next month, arriving in time for events commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 8. Mr Larsen's daughter, Astrid Larsen, aged 73, is travelling on one of the boats, which is due to arrive in Lerwick in the Shetland isles on May 6. Remembering her father, the retired healthcare professional said: 'We were a very normal family, the only special thing was that sometimes people wanted to speak with my father about the war, but he didn't like to speak about it. 'I think it was the same for many men and women who had experienced difficulty during the war.' Ms Larsen, who has one grown-up son, was born in 1951, just a few years after the war ended. She says her father learned to navigate Norwegian waters through the help of his own father, who owned a small fishing boat. Asked about her father's achievements in the war, Ms Larsen, of Bergen, Norway, said: 'My father did a great job, but he always said there were many others just like him, and that together they did a great job. 'He made 52 trips from Norway to Shetland during the war, so I am proud of what he did.' Ms Larsen is no stranger to the Shetland Isles, having travelled there some 30 times throughout her life. However, this marks the first time she will have travelled there on the same boats used by the Shetland Bus. She said: 'I'm not nervous at all, just excited. I really look forward to this trip and I think it's great we have the boats together. 'I think it will be a very good experience and I look forward to talking with the other people there. 'I have been to Shetland many times but never in one of these boats or in a convoy, so it'll be different. 'I started going to Shetland with my husband when my father was still alive. I really like Shetland, the nature, the people, and it's a very relaxing place.' She added: 'I continue to go every summer and take friends and family, there are so many people in Norway who want to go to Shetland. 'I think I have been more than 30 times.'
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Daughter of ‘Shetland Bus' sailor embarks on trip from Norway to Scotland
The daughter of a late and highly decorated seafarer who operated a secret operations route between Norway and Scotland during the Second World War is retracing the journey in a commemorative voyage. Ahead of the VE Day 80th anniversary, Astrid Larsen, the daughter of Leif Anders 'Shetlands' Larsen, is travelling on a 'Shetland Bus' vessel between the two countries in a Liberation Convoy recreating the route. 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. Mr Larsen was one of the most famous men who operated the Shetland Bus, having barely escaped Norway in February 1941 in a fishing boat before joining the Norwegian Naval Independent Unit, a cover title that came to be known as the Shetland Bus. He was the skipper of the fishing vessel Arthur during an attempt to sink the German battleship Tirpitz in the Trondheimsfjord in 1942, which failed. Despite the failure, he received a Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, making him the first non-British person to gain one. After the war ended, he returned to Norway where he was married and had three daughters, including Astrid. Mr Larsen died after a stroke in 1990, aged 84. Some of the boats used during the war are now being reunited to take part in a Liberation Convoy which is travelling from Norway to Lerwick in Shetland next month, arriving in time for events commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 8. Mr Larsen's daughter, Astrid Larsen, aged 73, is travelling on one of the boats, which is due to arrive in Lerwick in the Shetland isles on May 6. Remembering her father, the retired healthcare professional said: 'We were a very normal family, the only special thing was that sometimes people wanted to speak with my father about the war, but he didn't like to speak about it. 'I think it was the same for many men and women who had experienced difficulty during the war.' Ms Larsen, who has one grown-up son, was born in 1951, just a few years after the war ended. She says her father learned to navigate Norwegian waters through the help of his own father, who owned a small fishing boat. Asked about her father's achievements in the war, Ms Larsen, of Bergen, Norway, said: 'My father did a great job, but he always said there were many others just like him, and that together they did a great job. 'He made 52 trips from Norway to Shetland during the war, so I am proud of what he did.' Ms Larsen is no stranger to the Shetland Isles, having travelled there some 30 times throughout her life. However, this marks the first time she will have travelled there on the same boats used by the Shetland Bus. She said: 'I'm not nervous at all, just excited. I really look forward to this trip and I think it's great we have the boats together. 'I think it will be a very good experience and I look forward to talking with the other people there. 'I have been to Shetland many times but never in one of these boats or in a convoy, so it'll be different. 'I started going to Shetland with my husband when my father was still alive. I really like Shetland, the nature, the people, and it's a very relaxing place.' She added: 'I continue to go every summer and take friends and family, there are so many people in Norway who want to go to Shetland. 'I think I have been more than 30 times.'
