Baalsrud Jan - Defiant courage: a WWII epic of escape and endurance

Copyright 2010 by Astrid Karlsen Scott and Dr. Tore Haug

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Scott, Astrid Karlsen.

Defiant courage : a WWII epic of escape and endurance / Astrid Karlsen Scott and Tore Haug.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-1-61608-160-7 (pbk. : alk. paper)
eISBN 978-1-62914-028-5

1. Baalsrud, Jan. 2. World War, 1939-1945--Underground movements--Norway. 3. Escapes--Norway. 4. Norway--History--German occupation, 1940-1945. I. Haug, Tore, Dr. II. Title.

D802.N7 S39

940.53481092--dc22

[B]

2010015871

Disclaimer:

This book is intended to be an historical account of Jan Baalsruds escape from the Gestapo, and of the courage of the people who helped him.

The authors and publisher have made every effort to ensure that this book is as complete and factual as possible, and have neither responsibility nor liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly by the information in this book.

Printed in the United States of America

With Love
To Our Families:

Melvin McCabe Scott, Jr.
Susan, Eric, John
and their families

Wenche Haug
Carolin

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The material in this book has been gathered from the following sources:

Jan Baalsruds 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 Baalsruds 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 Baalsruds 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:

Karlsy 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 Troms , 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 Jans 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 Fjrtoft, 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 Kfjord. Thank you for the hours spent with us.

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

Edvin Wikan, Troms 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) Hgensen, Halvor and Idrup Idrupsen.

Peder Nilsen, your modest and tender spirit made the events at Lvli and Tyttebrvika 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.

Asbjrn 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 Jans visit to Kopparelv, an event discussed many times in your families.

At ninety-two, 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 Grnnslett, 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 Jans character, which you shared with us.

Jaye Compton, we thank you for the many long hours 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.