Last Hero of Telemark

October 22, 2018 11:44 AM

Joachim Rønneberg, commander of Operation Gunnerside and other Norwegian sabotage raids against German heavy water production during World War II, died October 21, 2018, age 99. He was the last survivor of the real "Heroes of Telemark".
posted by cenoxo (17 comments total)

Cattle die,
kinsmen die,
you yourself die;
One thing now that never dies
the fame of a dead man’s deeds.
- Hávamál
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 12:11 PM on October 22, 2018 [17 favorites]

.

I work with a relative of one of the participants in that raid, and just recently read the book about it that he loaned me. Fascinating stuff. RIP Mr. Rønneberg, and thank you for your service.
posted by Snowflake at 12:23 PM on October 22, 2018 [1 favorite]

.
posted by Making You Bored For Science at 12:30 PM on October 22, 2018

.
posted by lalochezia at 1:00 PM on October 22, 2018

.
posted by rtha at 1:22 PM on October 22, 2018

.
posted by JoeXIII007 at 1:48 PM on October 22, 2018

He was 23 or 24 at the time of the Telemark raid, played in the movie by a much older actor.

I had done (and was doing) nothing of note when I was that age. The war really did bring out the best in people.
posted by epo at 2:03 PM on October 22, 2018

Lieutenant Joachim Holmbore Rønneberg old and young.
posted by cenoxo at 3:07 PM on October 22, 2018 [1 favorite]

I had no idea about this story until we went to the Nordic Museum in Seattle recently. I've been looking for something to read about it, I look forward diving into it starting here.
posted by Gorgik at 3:13 PM on October 22, 2018

•
posted by MovableBookLady at 4:02 PM on October 22, 2018

I toured a vintage B-17 bomber a few years ago with a man who had piloted one during WW II. He survived 30 missions over Nazi Germany and told us fascinating stories about what the conditions were like in the air for him and his crew of ten airmen. Someone asked him how old he was when he was leading these missions. He paused, thought for a moment, and then said "I was 22 years old."
posted by PhineasGage at 4:19 PM on October 22, 2018 [2 favorites]

.

This picture shows how insane the topography is at Vemork; that's the valley they rappelled into, in the dark, in the snow, to cross the frozen river, to climb back up to the hydro plant, while carrying explosives.

I've been looking for something to read about it, I look forward diving into it starting here.

Try Winter Fortress by Neal Bascomb if you're looking for a book on it.
posted by peeedro at 5:04 PM on October 22, 2018 [4 favorites]

.
posted by bryon at 5:30 PM on October 22, 2018

See also the WP article Norwegian heavy water sabotage > Published Histories section for a list of additional books.
posted by cenoxo at 6:00 PM on October 22, 2018

.
posted by filtergik at 3:54 AM on October 23, 2018

.
posted by haiku warrior at 4:36 AM on October 23, 2018

En av våre aller beste. Verdenen skylder deg evig takk.

.
posted by widdershins at 7:42 AM on October 23, 2018