The
war in Europe was over but Norway had not been liberated and it might
require armed force to effect the liberation.There were nearly 400,000
troops in Norway and the port cities, population centres and landing
beaches were heavily defended by a network of coastal artillery
batteries, anti-aircraft guns, coastal mine fields, and mobile
artillery and infantry units. The Allies had been developing plans for
the occupation of Norway, code named Operation Apostle, since 1943 with
General Andrew Thorne of Scottish Command in charge. General Thorne had
insufficient troops and the 1st Airborne Division commanded by Major
General Roy Urquhart would execute Operation Doomsday, the initial
occupation, and work with Milorg, the Norwegian Resistance, until the
arrival of General Thorne and his forces.
The German naval commander would not surrender to the Norwegians and
Royal Navy warships were sent to Oslo, the capital, and four “ports of
entry” to accept the surrender of German naval forces. The designated
ports on the west coast of Norway were, from south to north:
Kristiansand South, Stavanger, Bergen and Trondheim. Operation
Conan was directed by Capt J. H. Ruck-Keene RN, Captain (D) of the
Rosyth Escort Force. Operation Conan was the Royal Navy's contribution to Operation Apostle,
the liberation of Norway after the formal surrender of German forces at
Oslo on the 9 May. On the 13 May eight V & W destroyers in the
Rosyth Escort Force were sent to Kristiansand South (HMS Valorous and HMS Venomous with three Norwegian minesweepers), Stavanger (HMS Wolsey and HMS Wolfhound), Bergen (HMS Woolston, HMS Vivacious and the corvette, HMS Acanthus) and Trondheim (HMS Mackay and HMS Viceroy).
Local surrender ceremonies were held aboard these destroyers of the
Rosyth Escort Force in the four harbours on Norway's west coast on 15
May.
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The
veterans, their families and the Norwegian people record their memories
of the liberation on these pages - and celebrate it annualy on the 17th
May, Norway's National Day:
Kristiansand
HMS Valorous and HMS Venomous: http://vandwdestroyerassociation.org.uk/.../Kristiansand...
HMS Valorous, pennant number L00 ("Lucky Loo"), moored in the harbour with White Ensign and Norwegian flag at the mast-head
A Norwegian trawler crowded with visitors is coming alongside
Courtesy of Alan Dennis
Stavanger
HMS Wolsey and HMS Wolfhound: http://vandwdestroyerassociation.org.uk/.../Stavanger.html
Documents brought back from Stavanger by AB Fred Gilleard, HMS Wolfhound, and treasured all his life
On left and right the front and back cover of the programme for the celebrations on the 17 May 1945, Norway's National Day.
Centre a momento of the arrival of Wolsey and Wolfhound at Stavanger on the 15 May 1945
Bergen
HMS Woolston, HMS Vivacious: http://vandwdestroyerassociation.org.uk/HMS.../Bergen.html
Frank Witton and his fellow stokers
pose with Russian POWs on the bow of HMS Woolston with the steep hillside
of Bergen in the background
Frank Witton is standing second from right and crouched with the flag
are Jack Boore, Bill MacKenzie (Chief PO Stoker), Jo Peacock and Charlie
Woodcock (with cigarette)
Also in the photograph are Austin (fifth from left) and Norman Dunlop
(with vertical white stripe)
The four Russian POWs are first, second, fourth left and
far right in this celebratory photograph
Courtesy of Frank Witton
Trondheim
HMS Mackay and HMS Viceroy: http://vandwdestroyerassociation.org.uk/.../Trondheim.html
Lt Cdr John E Manners RN being presented with the Norwegian Medal of Honour by Colonel Dr Prof John Andreas Olsen, the Defence Attaché at the Norwegian Embassy
And being interviewed by ITV for the 10 pm national news on Friday 22 November 2019 - click on the link to see the broadcast news interview
John Errol Manners died on Saturday 7 March 2020
Courtesy of Errol Manners
Norway celebrates its liberation on its National Day, 17 May 1945, with parades and parties
And "children" who saw the
Royal Navy destroyers entering the harbours on the west coast of Norway
recall their memories of that wonderful day and tell their grand
children
