大象传媒

"This story was submitted to the People's War site by CSV/大象传媒 Radio Nottingham on behalf of Sydney Barthorpe with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions"

We left our night abode in the early morning, but had made little progress when we were intercepted by three Norwegian officers, who were trying to catch up with their own unit The More Regiment. They said "you cant go that way". We just got over a road to talk to them when a large German column started to go through. "Where are you making for" they asked. "Andalsnes" was our reply. "We live in Otta" they said "which is just up the road to Andalsnes. If vou would like to give us a few hours for some sleep you may join us". It appeared that the Germans had broadcast a message saying the Norwegian troops could lay down their anns, and go home if they wished. This was what the soldiers where doing. One of the Norwegians was a captain and the other two where lieutenants. Their names where Capt. Ole Bergseth Lt Rypdai and 2nd Lt Hofseth. One of the lieutenants was King Haakon's guide for when the King was skiing in the mountains.
We left Punjen Seter together about midnight, making our way north, walking easily on the deeply frozen snow crust. Every now and then one of the lieutenants would go scouting ahead on skis to see if any patrols where about. If any patrols were spotted we made detours but were still able to advance in the right direction. We spent the time walking trying to get to know one another. In the early stages we got the impression that they thought the British let them down, but we got on very well together. King Haakon's guide said he had taken Lt Vallance (of the Foresters) to Sweden on skis and had met the other two on the way back.

At the end of this day we came to a large skiers hostel named Peer Gynt. Here we found some venison tubs in the attic. There was no shortage of logs outside, so we were able to keep quite warm. We were much in need of rest owing to the heavy going, so we elected to spend two days here.
When we left there didn't seem any danger so we travelled in daylight, but were often going knee deep in snow. That night we stayed at a place near Vardhoj. A pity we could not ski, there were many pairs left there. On the next day we saw Storch spotter planes patrolling the area. We arrived at Haugesietri and took a short rest before carrying on to Breidjoriet, where we spent the night.
On the following morning the two lieutenants went scouting around. It was quite some time before they returned. When they did return the three Norwegian officers got together and had a serious discussion. We knew by the look on their faces all was not well. They came to us and said the situation was serious. We were surrounded by Germans, today they would have to say goodbye. Had they stayed and been caught with us they would certainly have been shot for helping us to escape. We exchanged souvenirs and addresses, and set off once more. The Norwegians stayed with us for about one mile. Then we shook hands, before they left they said "if any of you could have spoken Norwegian we could have taken you as one of us". It was with sorrow we waved goodbye.
From now on we had to go back to doing our own thinking. Our position at this time was in the high Rondane mountains around Dovre. The whole area was like a snow desert. We walked and walked, with no food and nowhere to sleep for two days, then at 3 o'clock on third morning we saw the dim outline of three bungalows. Had we known they were in a dangerous position, I think we would have passed them by, but in our condition they were a welcome sight. We searched each building for food and then settled down in the one with most bedding. After cooking ourselves a meal we got down to some well needed sleep. We woke at 11 o'clock that morning and got a real shock! The Germans were only about 200yds away filling shell holes on the road. This was a very unhealthy situation. Behind us was just bare mountain with no cover what so ever. There was a forest about half a mile beyond the Germans, but our only hope of getting there was if the Germans decided to go to there field kitchen for dinner, leaving the road clear for us.
We sat wondering what was to be our next move, when for some reason someone suggested that if we were going to be another three days without food we had better eat, while the enemy dispersed. Like fools we lit a fire to cook something, none of us thinking about the smoke! Sgt. Davies went out with the binoculars to keep a lookout in case they came across, it might have been possible for someone to hide. Unknown to us they were curious about the smoke, but instead of coming frontal the Austrian mountain troops did a wide detour. They got w right behind us with out being seen. One officer went up to Sgt. Davies who was still looking through the glasses and tapped him on the shoulder. "Don't bother about them, the war is over for you" he said. Four of were sat round the fire, I was stirring the coffee and Bert Rouse was seeing to some pearl barley. The door was in the far corner behind us, we heard nothing until someone behind us said "come on get dressed". I stood up and looked round and said "that's buggered it!". I was looking down the barrel of a luger pistol. Bert said "who is it". I said "Germans". In all five officers stood behind us, three of whom could speak English. They asked us to get dressed once more, then took us out to the main road.
Then the questions came, "what regiment are you, what ship did you come on, what day did you land" etc. We gave them no answers. They demanded again an answer to these questions, saying "if you don't tell us we'll shoot you". We did not give much for our chances anyway. However at that moment a staff car pulled up, and out jumped an Austrian Alpine major. He came over to the lieutenant in front of us and it was soon obvious they were falling
out. Not knowing any German at that time we could not follow the conversation. The major drew his pistol on the Lt then called some of the troops and we were marched away.
These men were friendly and did their best to try and converse with us. We eventually ended our journey at Dombas Tourist Ho.tel; which was being used as there headquarters. We were kept in the ball room which was below ground level, and were fairly well treated. Our time was spent cleaning the dining hall and loading lorries with captured materials. During the few days we were here, the major asked us were we had come from and we said Tretten. He asked how and we said "on foot the whole way". To this he replied "it's impossible", which was praise indeed from him. He also said you "British fought well at Tretten, I was there too". I had some Norwegian Kroners and asked him if I could go to their canteen and buy same chocolate to which he replied "with pleasure". I went round to the canteen window and was met by the Lt who had captured us. He said "not for you English swine". I told the major he said "give me the money and take my chocolate". A few more prisoners were brought to us, so they said they were sending us to Germany. We set off on open lorries and finished the journey by bus, some of the scenery was familiar to us.
On arrival at Oslo we were put in the prison which was quite close to the dockyard. Twice a day they took us for exercise in a small orchard. We could see the ships loading and unloading, On our first day here they tried to get information by coming round with sheets of foolscap saying "you can write home telling them what you wish your letters won't be censored. If you play football you can ask for footballs. If you wish you can tell them when you came to Norway and what ships you came in". We did not fall for that rubbish so they tried another approach. One at a time they took us into a room where a young interpreter started to soft soap us. He asked me about my parents, brothers, and sisters, then told us about his family. Then he said "what ship did you say you came in". My reply "I didn't say". Then he'd say what a wonderful time we would have in Germany. Then more questions, trying to catch us oft guard.
When they found they were getting nowhere, the attitude changed, and we got the boot through the other door. We were taken to a separate room so that we could not tell the others what was going on.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.