The 12th Man Read online

  Copyright © 2010, 2014, 2017 by Astrid Karlsen Scott & Dr. Tore Haug

  Foreword Copyright © 2014 by Harald Zwart

  Foreword to the 2017 Edition Copyright © Gregory A. Freeman

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  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

  Cover design by Rain Saukas

  Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-1863-0

  Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-1872-2

  Printed in the United States of America

  WITH LOVE

  TO OUR FAMILIES:

  Melvin McCabe Scott, Jr.

  Wenche Haug

  Susan, Eric, John

  Carolin

  and their families

  CONTENTS

  Foreword

  Foreword to the 2017 Edition

  Acknowledgments

  Introduction

  At Anchor In Scalloway

  M/K Brattholm

  The Convoys

  The Linge Company

  Fearless Men

  Crossing The Atlantic

  I Won’t Tell A Soul

  A Tragic Decision

  Battle In Toftefjord

  Explosion

  Courage That Defied Death

  Vårøya Island

  The Gestapo Brings Terror

  A Sickening Fear

  A Warm Welcome On Hersøy Island

  Tromsø Happenings

  Fate Of The Brattholm Men

  A Triumphant Find

  The Helpful Midwife

  Karanes

  Dåfjord

  Down From The Mountains

  Bjørnskar

  Einar And Bernhard

  Løvli

  A Narrow Escape

  Alone In The Mountains

  Storm In Lyngsdalen Valley

  Loving Hands

  In The Hayloft

  Busy Days On Grønvoll Farm

  A Tender Farewell

  Hotel Savoy

  Happenings In Lofoten Islands

  Gearing Up For Revdal

  On The Other Side Of The Fjord

  Pushed To The Brink

  The Manndalen Men

  Grave Concerns For Jan

  Peder And Nigo Find The Snow Cave

  Jan’s Solitude

  Rescued From The Snowcave

  Beneath The Sky In Avzevaggi

  The Spirit Of The Sami

  At Cross Purposes

  Concealed In A Cave In Skaidijonni

  The Sheriff’s Assistants

  Do Not Ask Me This

  The Germans In Pursuit

  En Route To Freedom

  Epilogue

  Sources

  FOREWORD

  TROMS, WAY above the Arctic Circle in northern Norway. Snow-capped mountains pierce the horizon and valleys open up to glaciers. It is March, 1943, and the dramatic landscape is slowly waking up from the third long, dark winter under Nazi rule. In this spectacular landscape, one of the most amazing stories of World War II is about take place.

  Twelve Norwegians have boarded a small fishing boat in Scotland. They have crossed the treacherous North Sea to get to their beloved country in order to fight the German invaders. It is not to be. Norwegian collaborators give them away. The boat is attacked and sunk with an explosion of eight tons of dynamite. Eleven of the twelve men are captured and eventually killed by the Germans, most of them after enduring horrific torture. But one man escapes.

  The one who gets away is the twenty-five-year-old Jan Baalsrud. All Jan has to rely on is his moral fiber, his incredible strength—and eventually dozens of Norwegians willing to risk their lives to help him.

  With a head start of only a hundred meters, shot in the foot and leaving a trail of blood in the snow, Jan embarks on one of the most legendary escapes of World War II. With the Gestapo on his heels, in storms and freezing cold, he swims across sounds, walks across mountains on foot, and skis to try to get to neutral Sweden. Along his route, he is housed, fed, and hidden from the Nazis by locals who know that the punishment for helping a fugitive is death.

  As a Norwegian, I grew up with the story of Jan Baalsrud. When we were out cross-country skiing and fatigue got the better of us, we were always reminded of a man who never stopped and never gave up.

  I remember seeing Arne Skauen’s movie, We Die Alone, when I was very young and it left an unforgettable impression. How far can a man go to stay alive? How much can he take before he gives in? My generation has never come near the fear and terror our parents and grandparents experienced during World War II; we have not experienced war and have never been tested like they were.

  My father was a prisoner in the Japanese concentration camps in Indonesia. The Dutch had colonized the country and when the Japanese moved in, those they did not kill, they threw into camps. My father has had a hard time telling me about it, but I understand that this was a defining period for him.

  My grandfather was a Norwegian captain on a ship that sailed in allied convoys in German submarine-infested waters. He too was traumatized, although I’ve only realized this in recent years.

  The stories of the men and women who made great sacrifices during all wars need to be told. We need to tell them to our children, and they need to tell them to theirs. But some stories resonate deeper than others--they speak to us on a profound level. Jan Baalsrud’s story is in a class of its own.

  This brings me to this book: A terrific piece of research and storytelling that brings us closer to the truth. Jan’s story has been told many times, but never with the painstaking accuracy of this book. The authors manage not only to tell one hero’s story, but also that of the many who helped Jan and became heroes themselves. Unsung heroes—until this book.

  Tore and Astrid’s years of research, and their meticulous focus on details and facts have resulted in a book that is free from sentiment and interpretation. It invites you to go trace Jan’s footsteps and fill in your own emotions and terror. It is a riveting read.

  I never met Jan Baalsrud personally, but I did meet many of those who helped him. When they me told about those days when they risked their lives to keep Jan Baalsrud alive, something happened in their eyes. Just like for my father and grandfather, these are not stories they visit without pain.

  Harald Zwart

  FOREWORD TO THE 2017 EDITION

  THE GREAT events of history are always underpinned by the many individuals who received little notice or glory but who sacrificed greatly for the causes, countries, and people they held dear. We can only wonder about the unknown people who were instrumental in making possible the grand and glorious actions of others, or whose personal risk and loss were directly responsible for some of the most pivotal events in world history.

  The story of Jan Baalsrud is a fortunate exception and serves as a reminder of how many men and women must have put themselves in similar positions, not because they thought themselves exceptionally brave but because they hoped they
might make a difference if only they tried. Baalsrud and his fellow saboteurs followed the path of countless others who stepped forward when their countries needed them, often with little training or resources and with more than a bit of self-doubt. But like Baalsrud, trained in instrument making and not destined for a military career, many found a deep well of courage and conviction that propelled them through the worst of what war yields.

  Baalsrud’s determination to survive, and to fight the enemy again, was augmented by the similarly selfless residents of the Troms District who risked the horrific punishment of the Gestapo to help a man they did not know. But in a sense they did know Baalsrud. They knew Baalsrud as the counterpart of men and women in their own neighborhoods who, though they led quiet and unremarkable lives, would defy evil when called upon. In this way, Baalsrud’s story is the story of every good man and woman, yet his unfaltering bravery in the most dangerous circumstances also singles out Baalsrud as an exceptional soldier. Every exceptional soldier began as simply an individual willing to take the risk.

  Though he began his war experience as so many others, Baalsrud did prove himself extraordinary in the face of adversity and became a true hero in Norway. Once he found himself the only survivor of his sabotage mission, Baalsrud set out on a journey that few could endure. Relentless in the face of every challenge, Baalsrud climbed snow-covered mountains and swam icy fjords, enduring snow blindness and gangrene, never giving up on himself or his determination to help liberate his beloved Norway from the clutches of Germany.

  With any heroic figure there is the temptation to embellish even the most amazing story or to fill in the unknowable with information that best suits the author’s purpose, but this story of courage is the most accurate, thoroughly researched, and reliable account. Stripping away the fiction from earlier accounts of Baalsrud’s story reveals a more genuinely inspiring and moving account of one man’s odyssey.

  The heroes—those who fought in obscurity, and those who were one among many on the front lines—all tend to be modest about their experiences, unwilling to revel in their accomplishments, insisting they were only doing their jobs just like everyone else. The men and women who fought World War II are particularly averse to self-aggrandizement, reluctant even to describe their war experiences for fear of disrespecting the contributions of so many others. That admirable quality unfortunately means many important stories from that war are being lost every day as veterans pass on without anyone knowing their stories. With The 12th Man, Jan Baalsrud’s contribution and his amazing survival story are not lost to history but stand as testament to his character and that of countless others whose stories may never be told.

  Gregory A. Freeman

  Author of The Forgotten 500: The Untold Story of the Men Who Risked All for the Greatest Rescue Mission of World War II and The Last Mission of the Wham Bam Boys: Courage, Tragedy and Justice in World War II

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  THE MATERIAL in this book has been gathered from the following sources:

  Jan Baalsrud’s benefactors and the many others who were directly drawn into the happenings in 1943 reconstructed the dramatic events in minute detail.

  Historians, authors and journalists shared with us their well-researched knowledge.

  Jan Baalsrud’s own report, written accounts from benefactors now deceased, and documents from the German war archives aided our search for the truth.

  Nils Ivar Baalsrud, Jan Baalsrud’s brother, lifelong friend and confidant, helped us understand Jan better. As a leader of the Jan Baalsrud Foundation for many years, Nils generously shared the information gathered by the foundation.

  We also express our sincere gratitude to the following sources:

  Karlsøy kommune and the International Sons of Norway for their grants in support of this work.

  Christine Hansen, our editor. Your eye for accuracy and detail brought clarity to our words and your love for the people in this story helped to create a book which is a pleasure to read. Your dedication of long hours to meet the deadline is gratefully acknowledged.

  Jan-Barman Jensen, District Manager for Braathen Airlines in Troms, we appreciate your generosity in obtaining complimentary flights to help us with our research.

  Erland Rian, Destination Tromsø, we gratefully acknowledge your help with accommodations and transportation. Your interest in our work in its beginning stages was an inspiration.

  Thank you, Holger Raste, reporter and authority on the Baalsrud story, for taking us in hand and guiding us in many of Jan’s footsteps. You generously shared your innumerable articles about Jan Baalsrud and his benefactors with us; your information is liberally sprinkled throughout this book.

  Author and research-historian Kjell Fjørtoft, we are grateful that you met with us repeatedly and answered our many questions. Your research and early articles on the Baalsrud story are responsible for much of the information included in the chapter, “The Fate of the Brattholm Men,” as well as other information in the book.

  Ragnar Ulstein, historian and author, many thanks for your time spent with us and wisdom shared.

  Torleif Lyngstad, historian, you were a major contributor in helping us to understand the happenings regarding the Baalsrud affair in and around Kåfjord. Thank you for the hours spent with us.

  Tore Hauge, author of “De brente våre hjem,” thank you for your interest and help.

  Edvin Wikan, Tromsø policeman, thank you for sharing your personal knowledge and pictures.

  Our appreciation goes to the Idrupsen family, our steady guides who recounted in detail the evidence of the dreadful day, March 30, 1943. Our thanks to Dagmar, Olaug (Idrupsen) Hågensen, Halvor and Idrup Idrupsen.

  Peder Nilsen, your modest and tender spirit made the events at Løvli and Tyttebærvika and your involvement come alive for us.

  Alvin Larsen, in 1943, you helped carry a wounded soldier up the Revdal mountains on a sled. Since 1995, you helped “carry” the story, as our enthusiastic confidant and guide from Furuflaten. We thank you for the countless hours of your time spent guiding us through Furuflaten.

  Asbjørn Dalhaug, your unending enthusiasm for Jan Baalsrud and his benefactors helped us clear up details we had struggled with, and guided us into Lyngsdalen where Jan suffered the avalanche.

  Peder Isaksen, your methodical description has helped to reveal the efforts the Manndalen people made to rescue Jan. You introduced us to the courage of the Manndalen people, and for that we are grateful. We have enjoyed many an hour in your home, sitting around a groaning table of delicacies prepared by your loving wife, Eliva.

  We thank you, cousins Arvid and Viggo Heika from Kopparelv, who played in the snow as Jan peeked around your century-old farm building. You described for us Jan’s visit to Kopparelv, an event discussed many times in your families.

  At 92, Signe Hansen, you still remember the day Jan came over the mountains to your home in Karanes, as clearly as if it was yesterday, and his handsome smile. We appreciate your help.

  Pete Taylor, many thanks for the innumerable hours you freely gave to this project.

  Leif Erik Iversen, we are deeply indebted to you for your many pictures and for your help, chauffeuring, and guiding, for opening your home to us on several occasions, and for going the many extra miles.

  Arvid Grønnslett, we thank you for unnumbered hours spent on our behalf and we are grateful for your guidance during the Baalsrud mountain-touring.

  Annika Gustafson, your delicious meals and comfortable accommodations eased the physical strain of intense research.

  Thorleif Henriksen, your deep interest and help with this project is greatly appreciated.

  Else Aas, dear friend, thank you for your continual support of every project promoting Norway.

  Jack Fjeldstad, we appreciate your generosity. Your friendship with Jan and your portrayal of him in the movie, “Ni Liv,” gave you insight into Jan’s character, which you shared with us.

  Jaye Compton, we thank you for the many long ho
urs spent on a tight deadline to complete the final typesetting and prepare this manuscript for printing.

  Thank you to all of you, too many to mention, who have for years sustained us with your faith and interest in this project, and for your willingness to help where needed.

  We are profoundly thankful for our mates, Wenche Haug and Melvin Scott, Jr.; as you both know, this book would not exist had it not been for your support, encouragement and patience during the years we spent researching and writing.

  We sincerely thank all of you as we share this piece of Norwegian history. Our lives have been enriched as we have been inspired by the courage and selflessness of Jan and his benefactors.

  Tusen takk,

  Astrid Karlsen Scott & Tore Haug

  INTRODUCTION

  WE TRAVELED to the Troms District in northern Norway to walk in Jan Baalsrud’s footsteps and to meet with his benefactors who helped him escape from the Gestapo in the spring of 1943. We were educated! And we discovered that what we knew from earlier times about Jan’s escape and those who helped him was much deficient, often inaccurate, and frequently fictitious.

  Peder Isaksen, one of Jan’s benefactors from Manndalen, expressed his feelings to the newspaper Tromsø in 1987. He said he had a deep wish that one day a book would come out that would tell the truth about what had happened in Manndalen in 1943 with regard to the Baalsrud affair. Peder continues, “Little or nothing has been told of what happened here, (in Manndalen) and what has been told is wrong. I am especially indignant over how badly the Samis have been portrayed.”

  We, the authors, have been received with the greatest kindness, and were given preferential treatment by all we associated with in the Troms District. Jan’s benefactors from 1943, together with others who were indirectly involved and were drawn into the Baalsrud happenings, have reconstructed, explained, drawn maps and shared the dramatic details of those dangerous days in minute detail to us. Historians and reporters have generously shared their records and their knowledge.

  Our research includes Jan Baalsrud’s own report, documents from German war archives, reports, letters, interviews, and, from Jan’s benefactors who have passed on, accounts which were previously unknown. All these things have helped us to put the facts in their proper places and given us a profound understanding of what took place.