Tag Archives: Heavy Water

The Heroes of Telemark: Norway’s Secret War Against Hitler’s Atomic Dreams (Part Two)

 

Leif Transtad with King Haakon VII, 1944
Lake Tinnsjo, sight of the SF Hydro sinking
The ferry SF Hydro
King Haakon VII congratulating Telemark commandos.

Shortly after the conquest of Norway by Nazi Germany, Allied intelligence determined that an electrical plant at Rjukan, Norway was providing a crucial element in a potential German atomic bomb. As a result, Norwegian commandos embarked on one of the most successful and heroic operations of World War II.

Discover the untold story of the Norwegian heroes who sabotaged Hitler’s atomic weapons program. This episode delves into the daring Operation Freshman and the subsequent Operation Gunnerside, revealing how a small group of resistance fighters and Allied commandos risked everything to destroy the Nazi heavy water production facility at Vemork. Learn about Leif Tronstadt, the brilliant chemist-turned-spy, and the brave men who skied across treacherous terrain to change the course of World War II. Uncover the high-stakes world of wartime espionage, cutting-edge science, and unsung heroism in this gripping tale of courage against overwhelming odds.