Vemork Sabotage

In 1942 during World War II a mission was undertaken by an elite group of Norwegians to destroy a heavy water plant high in the mountains of Rjukan, Norway. The brave men apart of this mission risked their lives on that day to stop the Germans advancement in Nuclear Development. It was believed by many of the people that assigned the mission that some would die on the mission. The attack on Vemork is considered one of the most spectacular and daring events of World War II. Now it should be known that the Vemork heavy water sabotage was not one event with one group of people. It started as a resistance with some 2,000 troops but after many failed attempts to reach the facility successfully a planned attack was coordinated. Bombing runs were …show more content…
Before the men attended this training, many had never had any military experience at all. These were ordinary people like me and you but they did something extraordinary. They included a postal worker, teacher, factory worker, and a tour guide. This group was known for its guerilla warfare and their stealth behind enemy lines. The night of February 27th was when the operation was set to go. The nine men were led by a 23-year-old by the name of Joachim Ronneberg who had no military experience before the training in England. The men had three options to attack the plant. They could travel down from the mountains across minefields to the facility, they could cross the heavily guarded suspension bridge, or they could descend to the bottom of the valley across a frozen river and climb a 500 ft cliff. They chose to climb the cliff in the freezing weather and because of careful planning they knew each stairway and crevice to enter the facility and plant the bombs. What’s funny about the infiltration of the plant is it took just one cut and a few seconds to break into one of the most strategically important institutions in the entire theatre of the Second World …show more content…
When the bombs went off many people inside weren’t sure if something had happened or if it was just a normal noise at the plant. This worked in the Norwegians favor. After the plant was destroyed many of the men had to live underground for years until the wars end and some were in complete isolation. Some would eventually return to England but others would not and their lives were changed by the experience as many were not the same people when they returned. The only still known survivor of the team is Joachim Ronneberg who is now 97 years old. The men of this mission are an inspiration to everyone. Many movies and books have been written and produced about the incredible