| Description |
1 online resource : illustrations, photographs, facsimiles |
| Contents |
The Sinking of the Blucher April 8-9th -- The Flight & Fight Begins April 9th -- The Bank and the Bullion -- Flight to Lillehammer April 9-10th -- Allied Help Arrives -- Move the Bullion! -- Andalsnes -- HMS Galatea -- The Road to Molde April 24th-29th -- Molde-Capital of Norway -- A Daring Rescue April 29th -- D/S Driva April 30th -- The Road from Molde -- Welcome Arrivals -- HMS Enterprise -- The 'Sealed Cargo' Arrives in the UK -- Pimpernel Gold -- Atlantic Sailings -- The Issue of Gold |
| Summary |
The German invasion of Norway on the night of April 8th/9th 1940 almost took Norway completely unawares; had it not been for the defiance of one small coastal battery, the Norwegian Royal Family, Government, and nearly 50 tons of Gold bullion would have had no chance to escape. In desperate haste the Royal Family fled Oslo by rail, dodging bombs and strafing, eventually reaching the port of Molde which was subsequently devastated by fire bombing. The gold with extraordinary ingenuity was moved by road, rail and fishing boat, hotly pursued by the Germans. Its weight and the need for total secrecy created unique transportation problems. After several instances of near disaster, the Norwegians managed to get the gold to the coast where the Royal Navy came to the rescue. Such was the difficulty of extricating the bullion, it was not possible to load it in one cargo, and it was taken off in three Royal Navy Cruisers, HMS Enterprise, Galatea and Glasgow, from different locations. The ships were attacked in port, then constantly harassed and bombed by the Luftwaffe as they made their way back to the UK. The loss of the bullion was a blow to the Germans. They had gained a country, but lost a King, a government and huge amount of bullion that would have financed their war machine. That loss is directly attributed to a visionary bank chief, a Colonel, a hastily assembled body of Norwegians and the ships and men of the Royal Navy, ever resourceful, brave and loyal to their respective countries. This is their story |
| Notes |
Originally published as Redd Gullet! by Dinamo Forlag, Norway |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index |
| Notes |
Print version record |
| Subject |
World War, 1939-1945 -- Norway
|
|
HISTORY -- Europe -- Western.
|
|
Economic history.
|
| SUBJECT |
Norway -- Economic conditions.
http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85092640
|
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Norway -- History -- German occupation, 1940-1945.
http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85092680
|
| Subject |
Norway.
|
| Genre/Form |
History.
|
| Form |
Electronic book
|
| ISBN |
9781612002873 |
|
1612002870 |
|
