Kevin Jackson
BBC Scotland News
Report from Bergen at the Scaloway Museum in Norway
Part of the “Shetland Gang” crew filmed on the Scaloway pier in 1944
Sounds like a spy novel plot, “Shetland Bus” was carried out in a real undercover investigation carried out to aid Norway’s resistance during the Nazi occupation during World War II.
Under the cover of winter depths and darkness, a small fleet of fishing boats left the security of Scotland’s northernmost island to deliver valuable cargo and special agents to coves and fishing ports 200 miles away along the Norwegian coast.
On a dangerous return journey, refugees fleeing occupation were hidden in the bow of a fishing boat, as they were seeking sanctuaries in the British Isles.
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in Europe (VE) day, six historic ships that formed part of the Shetland Bus fleet will reschedule from Bergen, Norway, recreate their journey to Shetland.
They are scheduled to arrive in Lerwick on Tuesday in time to commemorate VE Day.
Liberation transport fleet
M/K Erkuna carried 60 refugees from Norway on a single trip in 1941
Norway was invaded by Nazi Germany on April 8, 1940, a few months before the full French occupation.
The Norwegian government, including Hacon VIII, and its royal families, were forced into exile in London, with thousands of Norwegians crossing the North Sea to evacuate to Britain, following on fishing boats and other small vessels.
In July 1940, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill established a secret organization called Special Operations Enforcement (SOE) with the sole purpose of carrying out espionage and obstruction missions throughout German occupation Europe.
The Shetland bus convoy was part of the Norwegian branch of the SOE and supported the Norwegian resistance movement.
Between 1940 and 1945, they created 200 North Sea intersections, transporting hundreds of resistance agents, large quantities of weapons and supplies, and rescued more than 300 Norwegian refugees from the occupation.
Liberation transport fleet
M/K Heland transported 23 refugees from Vigra to Shetland on February 25, 1942.
The 200-mile intersection took place in the winter, making the most of the time in the dark and preventing it from being spotted by German patrols.
But this meant that the oceans were often dangerous.
The crew and passengers had to endure not only the heavy conditions of the North Sea, but also the constant risk of discovery by German aircraft and patrol boats.
Liberation transport fleet
MK Arnefjord safely headed to Mousa Island in Shetland to deliver crews and passengers
On September 27, 1941, Mk Arnefjord left Herner Island and headed northwest of Bergen with 20 refugees.
The weather began calmly, but soon we encountered a violent storm. Everyone was seasick and some discussed retreating.
Eventually, Arnefold safely crossed it and delivered its crew and passengers to Musa Island in Shetland.
But others weren’t that lucky. Of the six boats that crossed the North Sea with Arnefjord that weekend, only four made it.
In total, 10 fishing boats were lost on Shetland Bus fleets, and 44 men lost their lives.
Morten Neset is the current skipper for M/K Arnefjord and will travel to Shetland as part of the Liberation Convoy
The current skipper of Morten Neset at MK Arnefjord will be making his return trip to Shetland as part of his VE Day celebration.
He told BBC Scotland News that boats must create intersections in winter or late autumn to avoid being detected by Germans.
“If they crossed a clear summer day, they would be found soon,” he said.
“The Shetland buses were really important to Norway’s general population because they showed that someone was “stopping for them” in resistance to occupation. ”
Liberation transport fleet
M/K andholmen was used to land alliance soldiers during the battle with Narvik in May 1940
The Scaloway memorial remembers 44 men who lost their lives
Bill Moore of the Shetland Bass Friendship Association said it was difficult to say how it had an impact on the war, but it was an important part of the resistance movement that gave the Norwegians optimism and hope.
People said they were “on a Shetland bus” as a code to escape the profession.
The Shetland residents hosted soldiers and refugees from Norway during the war, and formed a close bond between the two places they endure to this day.
The Liberation Convoy will depart from Bergen, Norway at 7pm on Sunday and arrive at Lerwick on the morning of Tuesday May 6th, where they will be taking part in commemoration of many VE Days.
