National Geographic: Untold Stories of World War II Page #3

---

London had to make a move.

A second Norwegian squad,

specially trained in explosives,

would drop onto the Hardangervidda

and join their comrades

in an assault on the heavy-water plant

February, 16, 1943

under cover of night

the six new men landed.

Now the commandos were ready to strike

a blow against Hitler's A bomb

if they could penetrate the factory's

formidable and deadly defenses.

To the commandos, the heavy-water

plant appeared impervious to attack.

To reach the factory, the saboteurs

had to cross a deep, narrow gorge.

There was only one road in.

over a suspension bridge.

And the bridge was patrolled 24 hours

a day by German soldiers.

Any direct assault would be doomed.

But the chasm itself, with its steep,

icy wall, lay unguarded.

Someone said he thought it was rather

impossible to cross that gorge.

But it was decided that one should

go down in daylight and find out.

In daylight,

I went down into the valley.

I climbed down the gorge,

crossed the river,

and started climbing up

on the other side.

And then the same way back up

to my friends up in the mountains...

and told the fact that was possible

to cross the gorge.

You felt that this may be serious,

very serious for you,

and you accepted that

you might not come through.

We climbed down the river and up

on the other side,

and our plan was to get in position

for the attack by 11:30,

because at 12 o'clock at night,

there was guards down

at the suspension bridge.

We wanted to see the German guards

being relived,

coming up in the factory area,

and enter the barracks,

before we went inside.

We all thought we would be discovered

when we forced the gate.

But nothing happened.

Two of us carried a full set

of charges,

in case one should be shot,

there should always be a reserve.

The task for the demolition team:

To attach explosives

to the heavy-water cells,

located in a basement room.

Meanwhile, their comrades

on lookout waited.

Each passing moment increased

the chance of discovery.

If we had been discovered,

I knew that during such circumstances

you have to act.

Do I shoot? A shot would, of course,

maybe spoil the whole operation.

Inside, they overpowered

a Norwegian workman.

Holding him at gunpoint,

the saboteurs placed their charges,

pausing only to decide how much time

they would need to escape

before the blast.

Suddenly, they were interrupted

by their captive.

He broke in and said, It's all right,

you may blow the factory,

that's all right.

But may I have my glasses?

Because it's hopeless to get

new glasses in Norway today.

And you would have thought that

you probably said, Damn your glasses!

We have no time for looking

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes