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Hero-Film Oslo Presents In Cooperation With Le Trident Paris
Operation Swallow: The Battle for Heavy Water
An account of real events which took place during the last world war.
The men who appear in the film are, with a few exceptions,
the same who participated in the battle:
In the past twelve months we have reported how the Allied air forces
have given the war a new face. Day and night, the German war machine is
attacked at its weakest points.
Yesterday, a squadron of 80 American Flying Fortresses made another sortie.
It dropped a bomb load of hundreds of tons on a factory in Norway,
where they work around the clock to produce a substance
the Germans believe may play a crucial role in the outcome of the war.
This is what we told you on 17 November 1943.
What we could not reveal at the time,
is that the bombardment was only a single episode
of a drama that would last for five long years.
For the Allies, the most exciting part of this batte
was fought in Norway, by 11 saboteurs from the famous Linge Company.
They parachuted onto the Hardangervidda plain,
where they struggled through snow and ice for months,
keeping England informed about the German dispositions.
This modern saga, the battle For heavy water, started in 1939,
behind the venerable facade of the Collège de France.
Here, an intense scientific undertaking took place,
led by the nuclear scientist prof. Joliot-Curie.
Science, industry and civilization will take a giant leap forward
once we are able to control uranium fission.
We still need to do a lot of research, but one day,
we will be the masters of this immense energy reserve.
A new era will begin.
It will benefit the whole world.
[Speaks French]
In the laboratory in Paris, the nuclear research runs its course.
Curie and his closest associates, prof. Halban and laboratory chief Kowarski,
are facing an important decision.
[Science talk in French]
Like a fortress in steel and concrete,
the factory rises out from the middle of the mountainside.
But its production is for peaceful purposes:
Nitrogen fertilizer for agriculture.
The water is led down through the steep penstock
to one of the largest power stations in the world.
Deep down in the factory basement, another kind of production takes place.
Slowly, drop by drop, a precious liquid is made:
Heavy water.
The process is so slow that production is limited to
a few grams a day.
In Paris, Joliot-Curie reveals his plans to the Armaments Minister, Raoul Dautry.
[Speaks French]
His fear is not without reason.
In Oslo, director Aubert of Norsk Hydro
is visited by an emissary from the German government.
The Reich's government would like this business
to be completed as soon as possible.
Once again, I must regretfully decline.
We cannot meet your demands.
Like I said, we accept your terms.
It is not a question of money.
This substance is produced in such small quantities
that we simply cannot make a business transaction.
Business transaction? According to our scientists,
the heavy water can benefit all of humanity.
I do not doubt it.
And do you accept our sincere regrets?
I must say goodbye.
[Speaks German]
In Paris, Minister Dautry meets with a certain "Monsieur A".
[Speaks French]
And shortly thereafter, the secret envoy is on his way to Norway.
But German spies follow Monsieur A on his journey, and attempt to spoil the plan.
[Speaks French]
But Monsieur A arrives safely in Oslo,
and director Aubert gets a second visit in his office.
[Speaks French with a terrible Norwegian accent]
Thank you.
[Speaks French with a terrible Norwegian accent]
[Speaks actual French]
From the factory at Vemork, the heavy water is shipped to Oslo.
The French secret agent goes to Fornebu airport,
where his baggage is loaded into the airliner.
This is observed with great interest by two German spies,
who are watching the departure.
When this car slips into the dark, they have no idea that it is carrying
the heavy water container.
They see the Frenchman getting onto the plane.
What they do not see, is that he immediately jumps out on the other side
and sneaks over to another plane.
The airliner is starting, but the French secret agent
is now getting onto the other plane, which is carrying the precious cargo
and leaves Fornebu quite unheeded.
The old trick has succeeded once more.
Over the North Sea, the decoy plane is attacked by the Germans
and is forced to land at an airport near Hamburg.
Open it, open it!
Simply ordinary granite.
After a journey from Oslo to Edinburgh and from there to Paris,
the heavy water now rests in the basement of the Collège de France.
9 April. The German military invades Norway.
The sea appears to be burning under the blows
from the most fearsome war machine the world has ever known.
At this point there is no force that can stop it.
Black wings cover the sky.
Huge tanks roll along the narrow Norwegian roads.
Soon, the Germans march into Rjukan and occupy the factory at Vemork.
Then comes the invasion of France.
The irresistible storm surge pours into a country
where anything that grows is trampled down.
Civilians flee in endless rows.
Paris is threatened.
The heavy water containers are taken from the Collège de France...
...And are temporarily sheltered in the old prison in the town of Riom.
Meanwhile, the Germans have reached Paris,
and armored vehicles rumble along the Champs-Elysees.
Then the motorized Army continues its onslaught
through a France completely paralyzed by misfortune.
[Speaks French]
In a villa in Clermont-Ferrand, Joliot-Curie and his associates
have quickly set up a makeshift laboratory.
[Speaks French]
Once more, the heavy water is moved.
The ship manages to escape Bordeaux just before the Germans get there.
It transports the heavy water to the laboratories in England.
That is how the small original supply of the precious substance was saved.
Even though the Germans did not get a hold of the heavy water,
they now control the factory.
But their growing demands are met with tenacious resistance from within.
Five thousand kilos, sir.
Five thousand.
This year.
Impossible. For that I would need... - You will get what you need.
I need five thousand kilos.
Goodbye.
Have you got a minute?
It's about these new blueprints.
What did that guy want?
They want us to increase the heavy water production.
Do you know why?
If that's what I think, we have to inform the Allies immediately.
Well, what can they do about it?
I think Professor Tronstad should be informed.
Do you know he just arrived in London?
London. Devastated and mutilated by bombing,
the relentless and indomitable London
has become the center for all resistance in Europe.
Here, people from all occupied countries have found refuge.
One of these is the Norwegian scientist Professor Leif Tronstad.
Personally, I think sabotage is always more effective
against industrial targets than bombing.
I agree with you, Major Tronstad. If it's a small target.
Yes. In this case, the target is particularly difficult.
Look.
And here. A seven-story steel and concrete building.
And the heavy water room right at the bottom, there.
It's a bad target for bombing.
Certainly looks like a job for our new airborne troops.
Noise damned if we can't ship our gliders in there.
Yes. We've got to get at that heavy water somehow.
It'll be hard to land them close.
I'm wondering whether British troops will ever get through those mountains.
We'll send a small advance party of Norwegians.
They can prepare the landing. They can guide them right in.
Right you are, then. We'll get some airborne troops under special training.
You pick your Norwegians.
How about sending Norwegian contact men over straight away,
to keep us up to date on German movements?
Good idea. And I know just the right man.
He is a native of Rjukan who escaped to England a week ago.
At home they think I'm on a a mountain trip.
The only one who knows anything is my brother, Torstein.
No, thanks.
But it's imporant to be back as soon as possible.
We can drop you in tonight if the weather holds.
The difficulty is dropping you in the right place.
Oh no, it will be fine.
As long as I have a good pair of skis, I'll be home by dinner time tomorrow.
Good. So: contact Vemork, contact us.
Good luck. - Thank you.
Thus the first man, Einar Skinnarland, is dropped over Norway.
The weather is good, everything goes as scheduled, and before dark,
Einar reaches Møsvatn where his brother, Torstein, is a dam keeper at Hydro.
Magnanimity.
Generosity.
Endurance.
And Germans. Indeed!
That Hitler guy needs a good thrashing.
You'd like that, wouldn't you?
They're scared of him, you see. That's a mistake.
But if I'd been a few years younger, I would give him a piece of my mind.
Good morning, Torstein. - Good morning.
Good morning, Halvor. - Good morning.
You're here, then? - Where have you been?
Me? I've been hunting in the mountains.
Young people! Instead of doing something useful,
they lark about on skis.
You didn't get across?
Torstein? - Yes?
Do you think you can get me a job at Hydro?
I think I can get you a job at the dam.
Nice. - A job, you say?
I think my hearing's getting bad.
I thought I'd do some work for the Germans, you see.
You scoundrel. - Oh, it might not be such a bad idea.
Here you go. - Thank you.
Will you take this with you? - Yes.
At professor Tronstad's office in London,
new information on the activity at Vemork arrives every day.
Reports, microphotographs and detailed sketches
made by the factory manager, Engineer Brun,
and other members of the home front,
are smuggled across the border to London via Sweden.
Day after day, hour after hour, Professor Tronstad follows the threat
from the heavy water room at the fortified factory.
Dr. Brun!
If you're not otherwise occupied,
I would like to discuss the blueprints with you in the morning.
I'm sorry, but I have to go to Oslo for a couple of days.
Engineer Sørlie will handle it.
Thank you. - You're welcome.
The microfilm is at the bottom of the tube. You can still use the toothpaste.
Good.
I wish I could go with you.
We need you here. You will probably get more missions.
Brun goes to London via a Swedish airport.
The intelligence is very welcome,
as the War Office already in July 1942 decided to blow up the heavy water plant.
Just one more thing. In this job, security is more vital than ever.
Don't contact Kjennarland or any of the other resistance men
except in real emergency.
We won't. Besides, it might lead to reprisals on the civilians.
[Posh mumbling]
In this case, it will be an obviously military operation.
British troops in British uniforms.
About those troops. We can guide them in all right,
but I wish we could see how to get them out of Norway afterwards.
I'm afraid there's no return ticket for them. They're volunteers.
They realize it means prison camp...
Well, I don't think there is anything more.
Is everybody happy?
Why shouldn't we be? We get a free trip home.
Here. Take this with you.
Tronstad says goodbye to the group leader,
Second Lieutenant Jens Anton Poulsson, radio operator Knut Haugland,
Sergeants Klaus Hellberg and second-in-command Arne Kjeldstrup.
The group has been named Swallow. It will be sent in advance to prepare for
the arrival of the specially trained British commandos.
After two attempts are cancelled due to bad weather,
they are dropped onto the middle of Hardangervidda, north of Songadalen,
on a moonlit night in October 1942.
They land safely with twelve containers of food, clothing,
weapons and ammunition.
The strong wind scatters the supplies across the mountain,
and it takes the boys two exhausting days to gather everything together.
Before the hardships begin,
the boys take a moment to feel the joy over being back on Norwegian soil.
Half of the food supply, and any equipment not immediately needed,
is left behind as a security depot.
Meanwhile, the leader has determined
that they are more than 150 km away from their target.
This distance must be made on skis in the freezing cold,
mostly in miserable conditions.
Under such conditions, no man can carry more than 30 kg on his back.
There are eight such loads in total.
That means they have to make the same trip three times a day.
During the short stops each man gets his daily ration,
consisting of a small piece of pemmican, a handful of oatmeal, a little butter,
cheese and sugar, and four biscuits.
On 21 October a fierce blizzard breaks out over the mountain.
Swallow must struggle their way in even more difficult conditions,
in loose, deep snow.
But the march goes on. It is a long way to go.
They find a sled which makes transportation easier, and finally...
Finally, the mountain shows its friendly side.
At regular intervals and at agreed-upon times,
they attempt to contact London.
But the antennae at Home Station fail to capture the weak signal.
Every night they feel more lonely, more abandoned in the great mountain waste.
Once again a storm breaks out over the plateau, and the hardship begins anew.
The trembling magnetic needle is the only thing keeping them alive.
After fourteen days on the march the exhausted men reach Saueslakthytta
near Sandvatn, close enough to the target to be used as a base of operations.
Well, Jens, isn't that what I've been saying all along?
If this isn't nice, I don't know what is. - I wonder if there's any food.
I'm not leaving here until this war is over.
Thank you.
Ssshhh!
For the first time since landing in Norway,
they hear the weak signal from London.
Very weak, until it disappears, like a candle in the wind.
It's gone.
The accumulator is ruined.
It did not survive the water when Hellberg went through the ice.
Major Tronstad's instructions in London were strict:
No contact with civilians.
But the connection with headquarters in London is vital.
Jens must make a decision.
Claus?
Helberg is sent to the village.
But the German patrols are guarding the plateau.
Helberg is an accomplished skier.
Within a few minutes, he outruns all of the German soldiers - except one.
As fate would have it, one of the Germans is a Middle European skiing champion,
a Bavarian mountain trooper.
For four long hours, the two men fight a battle of skill and stamina
as if they were in a sports competition.
But this time, their lives are at stake.
Hellberg thinks he is safe for now.
Hands up!
Aunt Kjersti sends her regards.
You're here now? I've been waiting for you.
There is something you must help us with.
Of the numerous code messages in every language
making their way through the airwaves at headquarters,
one has not yet been received.
The small group on Hardangervidda is silent.
London waits day and night for the call from Swallow,
but always in vain.
Torstein said he would make sure to charge it.
Great.
Hurry now. You should be on the air already.
Hey. There it is.
For the first time, a connection with London is made.
Soon, 40 British commandos specially trained
for the operation against the factory at Vemork
are on their way to Norway in two gliders.
On the plateau, an airstrip is marked with flares.
But an impenetrable fog settles over the lights, blotting them out.
Wish we could see a bit of this "land of the midnight sun".
You'll see enough of it before we get through this lot.
They say the sun shines all night.
Cor, I don't think I'd like that.
Why not? Get a better look at those Norwegian blondes.
Blimey, I'd rather have a bit of dark!
After the aircraft have circled around all night in vain,
they attempt to get back to England on what little fuel they have left.
That was the last chance this month. - Back to waiting, then.
But only one of the planes gets home to tell of the tragic events.
The Germans apprehend the survivors.
Move along.
Open the door.
Get up.
Come along.
By ransacking the soldiers before the execution,
the Nazi officers have found a revealing map.
Rjukan. That means heavy water.
The guard around Vemork is increased,
but in London, the fight is continued
by the chief of the Special Forces section for Norway,
Colonel Wilson, and Major Tronstad.
This is a most unfortunate business,
and the whole job will have to be tackled again in quite another way.
I've expressed to Combined Operations our deep sympathy on the sad disaster
and have suggested that Special Forces should take the operation over,
using Norwegian officers and men of the Linge Company.
They have agreed, and the permission of the War Cabinet
has been obtained for the transfer of responsibility.
From what Brun tells us, Professor Tronstad,
I feel sure the job can be done with six men.
This will necessitate using one aircraft only.
I've already telephoned to Scotland to this effect,
and intensive training will begin tomorrow.
That is grand news, Colonel Wilson.
I'm sure we can manage it despite the extra precautions
the Germans now are bound to take.
The Germans are becoming anxious.
They arrest all suspicious civilians at and around Rjukan.
Torstein is one of them.
Einar realizes it's getting warm, and that it's time to get away.
He joins the Swallow men in the mountains.
Up here, the cold is even worse.
It is even harder to obtain food.
It seems that all life has left the Earth.
Swallow finds shelter in a cabin.
A scanty shelter against one of the worst winters Norway has known in a lifetime.
The storm rages almost uninterrupted. It tears down the primitive antenna,
their only connection to the world. It must be repaired again every day.
The firewood is deep below the snow.
Dry wood is a gift from God in this barren landscape,
where even the animals have fled from the Fimbulwinter.
I'm so hungry. My belly is screaming.
I'll bet one of my buttons that the first thing Jens says when he comes in,
is "I have no bloody idea where the reindeer's gone."
Okay, let's bet. I need a button.
Well, if they haven't caught anything today...
Same damned weather and conditions day in, day out.
I have no bloody idea where the reindeer's gone.
Hey, stop it! I'm the winner - he said it!
No, it wasn't the first thing he said.
What are you laughing at?
Arne has some greens for us.
Here.
Reindeer moss?
You're not expecting us to eat that, are you?
We need something to fill our bellies with.
Reindeer moss.
I suppose it has some nutrition. Vitamin C if nothing else.
After all, people used to mix it into the bread in the bark bread time.
Yeah, and the reindeer survive on it. - There's a big difference.
Reindeer chew cud. They have seven stomachs.
Seven? It's got four.
At least it's got enough of them.
I only have one and it's pretty empty.
We're not ruminants, so we'll have to boil it first.
Any news?
The usual. "No operation tonight."
It's starting to boil here, boys. Go set the table.
Well, set the table, then. - Yes, yes, yes.
When the war is over, I won't spend a cent on women.
It'll be food for all the money.
In Scotland, the Norwegian soldiers are training hard
in preparation for the task.
There is no need to emphasize the importance of the Gunnerside operation
and the need to keep the knowledge of it restricted to the fewest possible number.
The job must be coordinated to the highest degree.
Special training, supplies, up-to-date intelligence, air transport.
I understand, sir.
We are very fortunate in having my friend, Professor Tronstad, as our colleague.
And he may be regarded as our specialist advisor in all particulars.
The intensive training of Gunnerside is in progress.
The six men are among the best of the Linge Company.
It is our job to see that they are helped in every possible way.
We have a model of the special plant, built from the sketches
and the photographs brought from Norway by Mr. Brun.
And now, Colonel Reed, I want you and Professor Tronstad
to discuss the details and the possibilities for the operational party.
That's all for the day, gentlemen.
The Swallow group fights on through hardships and deprivation.
For two days, Jens has been stalking the reindeer.
On the morning of the third day, he spots them.
He comes within range in the evening.
It is doubly welcome because it is Christmas Eve.
Warm reindeer blood gives the body life and strength.
The same day, Helberg is in Rjukan to gather information.
He cannot resist the desire to pass by his home.
["Silent Night" plays on the radio]
However, the instructions are unchanged: no contact with civilians.
No contact with civilians.
They celebrate Christmas as best they can in the mountains.
[Whistles along to the radio]
Quite a meal, huh?
Yeah, not bad.
By the way, I wonder if we shouldn't have the eyes for dessert.
Isn't it strange, guys? When you look at it philosophically, that is.
That it's possible to be so happy, so fabulously happy, just from food?
Look a little happy, then. - No, I can't. I'm stuffed.
It's pretty weird.
Here we're sitting eating reindeer stomach as a vegetable dish, and loving it.
I would never have thought that before the war.
You see, the moss is better when it's been through a reindeer.
How's it going with your poem, Shakespeare?
Well, I don't know.
I'm about to give you a taste of myself, guys.
"When a reindeer from afar he sees He forgets the aching in his knees"
"Across the Store Saura he sped With eyes that gleamed of ***, red"
"Who cares if Shakespeare's dead?"
Better save the power until London send us their Christmas greetings.
It'll be the same old story. - "No operation tonight."
Lucky for the Allies.
They'll come sooner or later.
"They'll be coming 'round the mountains when they come"
"They'll be coming 'round the mountains when they come"
"Singing aye, aye, aye yippee Aye, aye, yippee"
"Aye aye yippee yippee aye"
"I will be drinking Johnnie Walker when they..."
"We'll be drinking Johnnie Walker when they come "
"Singing aye, aye, yippee Aye, aye, yippee"
"Aye aye yippee yippee aye"
"They'll be wearing silk pajamas when they come"
"They'll be wearing silk pajamas when they come"
"Singing aye, aye, yippee Aye, aye, yippee"
"Aye aye yippee yippee aye"
Remember those who went ahead and sacrificed their lives.
For their sake, ensure that the operation succeeds.
You may not understand the full meaning of this today.
But what you are about to do, will be Norwegian history in a hundred years.
Good luck.
Once again, Tronstad says goodbye to a small squad
of Norwegian boys from the Linge Company.
The leader, Second Lieutenant Joachim Rønneberg,
second-in-command Knut Haukelid,
Second Lieutenant Kasper Idland,
Sergeant Birger Strømsheim,
Sergeant Fredrik Kayser,
and Sergeant Hans Storhaug.
This group is named Gunnerside.
They are not dressed in silk pajamas, but in white camouflage suits.
It is 16 February 1943. On the plateau, the flares are burning again.
Again, the sound of an engine is heard over the mountain, but the night passes.
The signal's been weak for a long time.
Then there's no use in waiting any longer.
Heavy-hearted, the Swallow boys return to the cabin.
We will send the usual message.
"Still no contact with Gunnerside."
"The storm has been raging for four days."
"Search impossible." There's nothing more to say.
If they haven't found shelter by now, it's looking bad for them.
But is there nothing we can do? - Not in this weather.
However, the men from Gunnerside have been dropped onto the plateau,
only much further north.
The pilots did not see the flares through the clouds.
Gunnerside tries to find Swallow,
but bad weather forces them back to a cabin near Skrykenvatnet,
which they were lucky enough to find on the night of the drop.
On the morning of the sixth day, a bright sun shines through the snow flurry.
Gunnerside starts towards the position given as Swallow's base.
They spot two skiers on the way.
Is it friend or foe?
Yeah.
We'll wait here.
Where do you think they could be?
They will have to come through here in any case.
Unless something's happened, that is.
It's Knut!
Hi, Knut! - Hello!
Where are the others? - They're just over there.
Finally, Swallow and Gunnerside are united.
Together they continue towards their final outpost:
The Fjøsbudal Lodge, in the mountainside right above Vemork Canyon.
[Mumbling in Norwegian]
You'll have to wait your turn, Claus.
Oh, there's no hurry. I'll get my turn.
Are you cutting off my nose? - Shut up. I've got it.
How long will you make the fuse?
We have one of 80 seconds, but if necessary we'll cut it down to 30.
If you use 30 you'll have to bloody run.
Jens, look at this.
Are you sure this information about the minefields is correct?
Yes, if they haven't been moved in the past few days.
The railway gate should be safe. If not, we'll know it for sure.
Listen up. Does everyone know what they have to do?
Yes. - Yes.
You know the German guards.
If there's fighting, the cover team will handle it.
Okay.
The explosives team goes straight to the target.
By the way, here's an extra ignition kit for each of you.
If something happens to me, or if the plan fails, it's every man for himself.
And finally, remember what Tronstad said. In this war, heavy water is important.
The operation must succeed.
Should anyone be wounded so he can't get away...
Well, it's up to him to decide what to do.
Personally, I believe the wisest choice is to take your own life.
Any questions?
Okay. We start in half an hour.
The way between the Fjøsbudal Lodge and the factory is long and perilous.
First, they must ski down the steep mountain.
At the white dot, weapons are checked and the skis are left behind.
The sides of the gorge must be climbed.
Completely without cover, they must then follow the railway track,
the only possible access between machine gun nests and landmines.
The radio operators have stayed behind to stay in touch with London.
They're on the way now. - Yes.
Too bad we couldn't come with them. - Well.
There's the target. It seems close, but the gorge and the enemy lie between them.
Meter by meter, Helberg has planned a path between the German sentries.
Before the advance on the factory,
the saboteurs remove the white camouflage suits.
The assault will be carried out in full uniform,
so the Germans will not have an excuse to treat them as francs-tireurs.
Further on. It's too steep here.
They're changing the guard.
We'll wait a bit.
All right guys, let's get started.
Haukelid checks that the chain- link fence has not been electrified.
Everything must happen fast. The operation must be completed in four minutes.
German guard: "It is nothing"
Hands up!
Take it easy. If you make any sign of resistance, I'll shoot.
Up against the wall.
What is the meaning of this?
We've come from England to make things a little difficult for the Germans.
Take a good look. You will describe what an English uniform looks like
when you're interrogated later.
Hey, be careful! You mustn't create a short circuit.
Do you think we're repairmen?
There could be an explosion.
Well, that's the whole point.
It's just me. - Come in and help me, then.
Where's the key to the front door? - Well, I think it's...
Keep your hands up. Where is it?
I - I keep it in that drawer.
80 seconds? - No, I'll cut it down to 30.
Get him out. - But I need to find...
What?
You see, I can't buy new ones.
Get him out already. - But my glasses, I need them.
You're wearing them!
Get out now!
Go upstairs. Go!
Let's get out of here.
Have this duct walled shut. - Yes, General.
An impressive act of sabotage.
Damn it!
Everything must be rebuilt at once.
But we cannot...
At once!
And because of the time lost through this attack,
the Reich demands a significant increase in production.
Yes, General.
The saboteurs must still be in the mountains.
It is essential that those men are captured.
Dead or alive doesn't matter.
The saboteurs are already deep in the mountains as the Germans scour the area.
But the plateau is big.
Out in the waste, the boys part ways.
Five of the men will make the long trek to Sweden in full uniform.
Two of them head towards Oslo to carry out other missions.
While the last two stay in the mountains of Telemark,
where they maintain contact with the local home front and with London.
London, where Churchill's courage and tenacity begins to bear fruit.
Aside from the Vemork sabotage, which is reported directly to him,
the British Prime Minister has also received other good news.
The Soviet Army begins its offensive.
In Africa, the British 8th Army forces Rommel's troops into retreat.
The Americans occupy Morocco, Algeria and Tunis.
Each night, the Allied air forces hammer the German cities,
where people bitterly remember Göring's promise:
"No enemy aircraft will ever enter German airspace."
Cemeteries in the sand.
Cemeteries in the snow.
A whole generation is sacrificed to satisfy this grim man
inspecting his armaments factories in his field gray coat.
Goebbels is busy explaining the Army's flexible retreats
to the masses in Nazi Germany.
At the same time he threatens the world with total war,
and with secret weapons.
Secret weapons.
At the factory in Telemark, German engineers
have completed the reconstruction of the heavy water plant.
The German scientists have not given up hope
of penetrating the secrets of nuclear power,
and under guard by SS soldiers, the production continues around the clock.
The heavy water droplets fall ever faster.
Along the European coast, the Germans build their Atlantic Wall.
The German propaganda hurls its threats.
London will be destroyed just as Carthage was.
It almost looks as if the threat will come true, because at this moment,
when the scales are clearly beginning to tip,
the V-1 projectiles soar across the Channel.
But the turmoil of war does not break the silence in the Norwegian mountains.
Knut and Einar still live here,
keeping London informed about German activity.
They sustain themselves by hunting and fishing,
together with a new friend they have named Bamse ("Teddy").
They have built a stone lodge called Bamsebu.
You see, women have no idea how to cook reindeer.
Right. It should be raw, like roast beef. - Yeah.
Isn't it strange that when all this is over,
we'll tell everyone about how fabulously great we had it up here?
And now it looks like the Germans have given up on the raids.
Yeah. But the plateau is still blocked.
Yes, but that's an advantage to us.
We won't have tourists hanging around all the time.
They try to fence us in, but they won't get rid of us.
Oh, Bamse!
Oh, Bamse!
Bamse, are you eating my shopping list?
The poor thing is hungry.
Next time we write a list for London I'll ask for four drops of dog biscuits.
London eventually gets word that a large supply of heavy water
is being gathered at Vemork.
Some of the messages are intercepted by the Germans,
who are using direction finders to locate the secret transmitter.
They also use scout planes.
They even have a search party of 14,000 men searching Hardangervidda.
Knut og Einar must move from place to place.
They are experienced mountaineers who know every path and every rock
better than the enemy.
It's beginning to wear me out, living as an outlaw in the mountains.
I think it's high time that Eisenhower conducts a little invasion.
You should send him a telegram, then. - Don't be silly.
But Knut, seriously. England is full of soldiers.
And the Atlantic Wall is just a big hoax.
You're in over your head.
Nope. He can let loose on France, Belgium, the Netherlands,
even Norway for that matter. So if I were Eisenhower...
...You'd do exactly what he does.
Assessing and speculating and calculating.
No. That's the difference between Eisenhower and me, you see.
I wouldn't waste any time speculating, while others might get the whole cake.
I still think Eisenhower knows that better than you.
I would strike here. Here.
I doubt Eisenhower will let such a chance slip away from him.
Not Bamse either, I see. - What?
But the progress of the war shows that Eisenhower wastes no time.
And not the Allied political leaders either.
A new winter has settled over the mountain.
Knut, Einar and Bamse are always on the move,
as the manhunt continues ceaselessly.
The Germans continue their search, and the net closes more with each passing day.
But the patrols still cannot detect them. The boys always find new hiding places.
They are circled in once more, and the patrols are dispatched.
German soldier: Not a soul.
They must have been here.
And not that long ago.
Move out!
We've found ourselves a cosy spot here.
Yeah.
Bamse!
Good night, then.
G'night.
What a dog's life this is. Right, Bamse?
America becomes more active in the war.
When the huge heavy water supply being prepared at Vemork becomes known,
80 bombers are sent to Norway.
Berlin feels the defeats. Hitler raises his voice even more and screams:
"May God forgive me for the final eight days of the war."
And once more he is able to awaken the enthusiasm of the masses.
Engineer Sørlie, the contact man, brings news from Rjukan.
The destruction from the bombing was not complete,
and Sørlie has learned that the Germans have a new plan.
I just got wind that the Germans have given up the heavy water production at Vemork.
They're going to move the supply and the equipment to Germany.
I reckon it's about ten thousand liters.
That's two years' work for the Germans.
The process involves several stages, with a gradually increasing concentration.
By the way, do you know why the heavy water is so terribly important?
The chemists at Hydro are talking about nuclear power.
Do you know how they will transport it?
Yes. A train from Vemork.
The Germans have already dispatched some SS soldiers to protect it.
Then there's a ferry from Mæl to Tinnoset.
And from there, a special train to the port.
Do you know when?
No. But it will not be long.
We have London on the air in about half an hour. Get some messages ready.
Tronstad will get something to think about.
It's getting serious.
"Heavy water plant and complete stock to be evacuated Germany next week."
"Train Mel ferryboat Tinnoset embarcation harbour Skien."
"Ferryboat only weak link but sinking will cost Norwegian lives."
"Please give definite instructions."
Please mail these immediately. - Okay.
Thank you.
Tronstad? - Yes?
[Posh English mumbling]
Major Tronstad is instructed to ensure that the heavy water
does not reach the German laboratories.
Through the airwaves, the order reaches the small station at Bamsebu.
"Sinking of ferryboat must be carried out at all costs"
"even if loss of civilian lives unavoidable. Success imperative."
Once again, two figures glide down the mountainside.
They are about to fight an unequal battle.
The driver's okay? - Yes.
I don't like this job. Lives could be lost.
If the Germans get the heavy water, even more could be lost.
Is that clock on time? - Yes.
Let's get going.
Do you have enough now? - Yes, I have some petrol, too.
It's strangely quiet here.
Yes. Let's work quickly now.
Keep the engine running. If you hear shots, leave without us.
Everything seems dead and quiet on the ferry,
where the cargo will be loaded in the early morning.
Wait here.
The fuse.
Tar tape.
Give me the clock.
Tar tape.
It's ready.
What the...
What are you doing here, then?
Gestapo are at Rjukan, and we have to get away.
You're that kind of people? You have to hide now, right?
Yes.
Really? Well, we have a place here on the ferry which I think is...
Get in here. - No. We need to get some food first.
I'll get food. Hurry now. - No. We have to get some things in Rjukan.
I will send for it. - No, we have to get it ourselves.
We'll be back tomorrow morning before the ferry leaves.
All right then. But you're on your own. I'm not working tomorrow.
You're not coming along tomorrow? - No, not tomorrow.
That's great!
[Speaking in German]
The German plan is to ship the heavy water across Tinnsjøen,
then by train to the shipping docks, then by boat to Hamburg.
But the English have taken countermeasures.
The submarines are in position as scheduled.
There lies the ship that will take over the cargo.
And in London, Tronstad waits once more.
Yes, I'm certain this is our best bet. - I think so, too.
Halt! Get on board.
The rest of you, up front.
The aircraft take off and take over the watch.
Move up front!
[Mumbling in German]
The three saboteurs are already on their way back to Bamsebu.
Three minutes left.
On 20 February 1944, as the Tinnsjø ferry sinks,
the Third Reich loses its last chance in the battle for heavy water.
The battle was won by a handful of men. They all did their utmost,
also during new missions, until the day that the war was won.
Their hearts keep the memory of the man who was the very soul
of their work, Major Professor Leif Tronstad, who himself was killed
in these mountains during the battle for Norway's freedom.