8 April 1940 Norway

[Brian]

Hi guys

On this date, a Walrus (from whence?) and an Ar196 (ex Hipper) both alighted in Norwegian waters and both crews were interned. Has anyone names/aircraft details/fates?

Cheers
Brian

[alex crawford]

Hi Brian,

You probably know this already but on page 224 of Fledgling Eagles by Shores/Foreman/Ehrengardt/Weis and Olsen.

The Ar196 floatplane was flown off Hipper on a recce. Short of fuel the pilot landed at Lyngstad inside Kristiansund at about 1950hrs. The aircraft was seized by the Norwegians and the crew interned. Lt Kaare Kjos flew the Arado to Aunoy. On 12th April he flew the aircraft to Aandalsnes where it was painted in Norwegian markings.

The Walrus was from a British cruiser and is also landed at Kristiansund, where ot was also interned. With the inavasion of Norway on 9th the aircraft was handed back to its crew. It joined the Arado and a Norwegian MF11 at Aansdalsnes. On 13th all three aircraft flew up to Eidsora where they were joined by a second Walrus. These four aircraft formed the Romsdalsfjord Flying Group for a few days. On 19th April they all flew to the UK.

There is a photo of the Arado at Sullom Voe on page 225.

Alex

[Brian]

Yes Alex, you are correct!

But thanks all the same.

Cheers
Brian

[paulmcmillan]

Naval Operations of the Campaign in Norway, April-June 1940 By David Brown
On Google Books
Operations April 8th 1940

"He also sent off his second flying boat to search at that time and the Rodney's aircraft at 1843, (5)
but neither gave him further news of the enemy. ..."

5) "The Commander-in-Chief was by this time so certain that the Germans were about to invade Norway that he personally told the pilot of
this Walrus that he was to allow himself enough fuel to land in Norwegian waters and then give himself up ; that he would be free next day
since Germany was going to war with Norway, when he was to get hold of enough fuel to take him back to the Shetlands. All of this he did"

So it looks like it was Rodneys Walrus

[Brian]

Super stuff Paul - many thanks for that. Now, I wonder who the crew of Rodney's Walrus was on this occasion?

Cheers
Brian

[Frank Olynyk]

Brian,

You might try checking Rodney's log at the PRO on your next visit. Sometimes useful things can be found there.

Frank.

[Brian]

Thanks Frank - I'll do that.

I trust you are well

Cheers
Brian

[Leendert]

Brian,

Wikipedia has a story too about the use of the RN Walrus by M.F. 11, the Romsdalfjord Air Group and return flight to the Shetlands.

Try www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Høver_M.F._11 for an interesting read.

(I had to figure out the Scandinavian "ø". You get it when you press Alt and type 155.)

Regards,

Leendert
Brugge/Belgium

[paulmcmillan]

Walrus Serial was P5649 of 700 Sqn and was from HMS Rodney
Air Britain FAA serials 1939 to 1945 has: Fuel Shortage, Forced Landed Christiansund North 8.4.40 (8.3.40?)

[Brian]

Thanks Leendert - you keep coming to my assistance - very much appreciated.

Thanks Paul - I will have to order the Dvid Brown series from my library since they are quite expensive. When you mentioned Google, I was hoping they might have been digitialised. Thanks anyway for the info, I was not previously aware of the series.

Cheers
Brian