The term Extra Crew in the text means, in reality, people who wanted to get across to England. Some were Norwegians who had previously escaped from Norway to Sweden (many of whom were wanted by the Gestapo), others were British seamen who for various reasons were in internment camps in Sweden. (See this page for some details on the "extra" crews). Some were from the British Romanby, which had been sunk in Narvik on Apr. 22/23-1940. After the 2nd battle of Narvik, the crews of Romanby and 3 other steamers, Blythmoor, sunk Narvik Apr. 10, Mersington Court, sunk Narvik Apr. 15, and Riverton, sunk Narvik Apr. 24, as well as survivors from the destroyers Hunter and Hardy had been taken across to Sweden, where they were subsequently interned. George Binney had previously used some of these men for Operation Rubble - see Elisabeth Bakke. Billy McGee, England has sent me a crew list for Romanby, and I've compared the names to those who were embarked in the various Operation Performance ships and made a note in each crew list accordingly.
I've made a note of those who later died imprisonment -see also this external page (those who died in imprisonment are in bold text (Norwegian).
 Operation Performance - Page 1
Details on the breakout.
Crew at the time of breakout from Gothenburg:
The British Captain was James Donald,
Nortraship's representative was Captain Monrad O. Nordby. (My Norwegian Warsailor Stories section has his story).
Radio Operator Ragnar Markussen (died at Sonnenburg on Jan. 1-1944).
Able Seamen Kaspar Eklund, Ronald Ulseth (or Karl Berentsen?) and Bjørn Eggen. (I believe this should be Bjørn Egge).
Additionally there were 21 more from Britain, 2(?) Polish and 2 Dutch, for a total of 31 - as follows:
1st Mate Thomas Williams
(See also this Guestbook message, as well as this Guestbook message)
2nd Mate Albert Edward Bryant (former 3rd mate on Romanby)
Boatswain James Rendall
Able Seaman John Bedigan (here's a Guestbook message from his son, and here's another message, with the sad news that his father has passed away, Jan.-2009 - I've been getting more and more messages like this lately)
Able Seaman Granville Chamberlain (former ordinary seaman on Romanby)
Able Seaman Joseph Duffy
1st Engineer Herbert Lawton
2nd Engineer Jerimish Brown
3rd Engineer Frank Hall
Assistant Eric Horton
Electrician Albert Black
Donkeyman Thomas Dixon
Stokers Adwin Harris, Albert Lyons, Thomas Burns, Brynmor David Jones (former stoker on Romanby), and Bernhard Goulding (former stoker on Romanby).
Steward Andrew Pyle (4th Engineer / Romanby) - here's a Guestbook message from a relative.
Cook Joseph Hunter
Galley Boy Alfred Jensen
Saloon Boy Anthony Bartolo
extra crew for the crossing (this page has some info on the "extra" crews):
P. W. Blom (Dutch), H. van de Poes (Dutch), Reron Boguslaw (Polish) and Felix Camilleri (said to have been Polish, but Romanby had an Ordinary Seaman Felix Camilleri, who is listed as Maltese).
Related external link:
Stavern Memorial commemoration - Radio Operator Ragnar Markussen is commemorated.
Scuttled April 1-1942.
British captain was G. D. Smail (died after having broken his neck, ref. text under Buccaneer on Page 1).
Nortraship's representative was Bernhard Reksten (died at Sonnenburg on Febr. 16-1944*).
(See also this Guestbook message).
Buccaneer had a total of 46 people on board at the time of breakout, including 2 female passengers, Gerd Hareide and Halldis Waage, and the following (in addition to the captains already mentioned above):
1st Mate Ole R. Knudsen (died in Stettin on May 26-1944*),
2nd Mate Einar Storm-Paulsen,
3rd Mate Roar Holm Olsen,
Steward Emil Henriksen,
Radio Operator Michael Scott Broadwick (died Sonnenburg Febr. 18-1944*),
1st Engineer Olav Zachariassen,
2nd Engineer Bjarne Brandt,
3rd Engineer Helle Hvam,
4th Engineer Ambjørn Hansen (died Sonnenburg Aug.-1944),
Electrician Ingvar (Ingvald?) Reinert, (died at Sonnenburg on Sept. 1-1943*),
Boatswain John Nielsen,
Able Seamen Ola Fløsvik, (died at Sonnenburg in Oct.-1944), Magnus Schei and Ingvald Bru Endresen, as well as the British Leslie Clayton and Daniel Murphy
Cook Eilev Pedersen,
Petty Officer Thorleif Gulli (died at Sonnenburg in March-1944*),
Mechanics Johan Abrahamsen, Waldemar Juliussen and Johannes Vevle,
Oilers Thorbjørn Blakkestad, Leif Mortensen and Christopher Juell Moe,
Ordinary Seamen Willy Nielsen Volden, (died at Sachsenhausen in Febr.-1945), Sigurd Syrstad, Knut Henriksen, Håkon Sørensen?* and Odd Angel Hareide (died Sonnenburg on Apr. 20-1944*),
Deckboys Olaf Hegnar and Leif Ottestad,
Galleyboy Willy Aagaard (died Sonnenburg Apr. 10-1944*),
Messboys Bjørge Martinsen and Terje Johansen,
Engineboy Knut Martinsen, and
extra crew for the crossing:
Martin Hvam, Klaus Delaas, Finn Tøgersen, Sverre Hovden, Freddy Solberg, as well as the British James D. L. Conyngham and W. H. Tillbrock.
* I've received some information from the webmaster of the Milag website (external link) on some of these men. He says that Bernhard Reksten, Ole Risdahl Knudsen, Torleif Gulli, Odd Angel Hareide, Ingvar Reinert, Willy Aksel Aagaard and Scott Michael Broadwick were all executed. He has also told me about an escape, saying that Håkon Einar (Einar Håkon?) Sørensen slipped away near Berlin while under transport to a high security camp in East Germany. He reached England and was writing letters from London by Sept. 15. This was not his first attempt to get away. He was among a group being taken from Milag for interrogation in Willhelmshaven when, still dressed in civilian clothes he escaped in the crowded Bremen railway station. However, bad luck and hunger forced him to give himself up in Hamburg. As a recaptured escapee, Sørensen spent some time in the Marlag camp jail. While there he met Robert Graydon, an engineer from the British Simnia, (sunk by Gneisenau on March 15-1941, 54 survivors taken prisoner - see Polykarp) who had apparently also been caught trying to escape from Milag in May. After his successful 2nd attempt, Sørensen honoured promises made in camp to relay messages on behalf of friends. He was, for example, able to tell the parents and girlfriend of Graydon, that he was safe and in good spirits. Since the news relayed to Graydon's parents included the information that he had been transferred to the prison camp at Tost on July 25, it was presumed that Sørensen made his escape after that date. In fact, he escaped in August, - see my text under "At Milag" in the section Life in Imprisonment on Page 3.
I have since received a message from Robert Graydon's son. Here's the Their Past Your Future program that he mentions, but I cannot find Robert Graydon's story.
Related external link:
Stavern Memorial commemorations
Managed to make it back to Sweden when it became clear she couldn't make it out safely (full details on Page 1), and was subsequently laid up in Gothenburg under allied control until May-1945, when she was returned to Norway.
British captain was Fredrik W. Kersaw,
Nortraship's representative was Hans Schnitler.
Lionel had a total of 42 people on board at the time. In addition to the captains above the following were also on board:
1st Mate Otto Tren Jacobsen,
2nd Mate Kai Sjøholm,
3rd Mate Jacob Jaobsen,
Radio Operator Kristen Sandaas,
1st Engineer Harald Andreasen,
2nd Engineer Harald R. Haugen,
3rd Engineer Magne Grønning,
4th Engineer Gunder Knutsen,
Steward Anker Evensen,
Cook Svein Ødemark,
Boatswain Arthur Olsen,
Carpenter Harry Bråthen,
Able Seamen Karl Johan Bugge, Asbjørn Pedersen, Gustav H. Wickstrøm, Karsten Arne Sæther, Christian Heyerdahl-Larsen, Olav Ness, Per Baarstad and Michael A. Salamonsen,
Ordinary Seamen Aage E. Andersen, Arne Heimsjø, Tore Wiig Christoffersen, and Torgeir Aarak,
Seamen Finn Myhre, Hans Valentin Hansen, and Herman Ramm,
Deckboy Marius Jørgensen,
Electrician Johan Nilsen,
Mechanics Thorleif Hansen, Birger S. Edvinsen, Thorstein Gulliksen Eriksen and Asbjørn Langvik,
Oilers Harald Meltzer, Knut Ramm, Georg Kristiansen and Ole Johansen,
Galleyboy Roald M. Stensness,
Saloonboy Svenn Olaf Johansen,
Messboy Oscar Thambs Breien.
POST WAR: Sold in 1955 to Societe Anonyme Maritime et Commerciale SA, Geneva, Switzerland, and renamed Aguante (Panamanian flag). Sold to Thomas W. Ward Ltd. for breaking up at Grays, UK and arrived there on March 17-1964.
Attacked by German aircraft and a German trawler 32 miles south of Kristiansand, Norway and scuttled Apr. 1-1942. A lifeboat with 17 on board later disappeared. Another boat reached Jøssingfjord on Apr. 4, and its inhabitants were assisted by a local farmer. 9? (among them 1st Mate Bie, Deckboy Krohn, and Seaman Andresen) managed to escape to Sweden from there, while the remaining 23 (incl. the British captain) ended up in a concentration camp in Germany, after German authorities had been notified of their landing. At first they were kept in solitary confinement at Akershus, Oslo, before being sent on to Wilhelmshaven via Kiel in the middle of May that year. (There were a total of 7 women on the various Kvarstad ships + a girl born in 1934 - see list for Skytteren further down on this page - all of them, except 1st Mate Finn Bie's wife, Mary Bie, ended up in Germany). The misc. sources disagree on the number of men who escaped to Sweden, 6 is given, as is 8 and 9. It appears Mary Bie gave birth to a child after having landed at Jøssingfjord; and this could be part of the reason for the confusion. Her husband managed to get away to Sweden. The radio operator (and others too) must have managed to get to London, because he appeared at an inquiry there on Aug. 22-1942. (See my text under Storsten on Page 1). This is further confirmed by an E-mail I've received from Ben Johnston, the great great grandson of Captain James Reeve, stating the following:
The wife of James Reeve, Annie Gertrude Reeve (nee Craddock) received a letter from Finn Bie, Tor Jordfald, Johannes Løken, B. Andersen, Gjertsen, Joar Krohn, B. Nymoen and F. Borchgrevink. It states that "8 of the crew of the M/T Storsten on which your husband was captain, have arrived here via Norway and Sweden and we thought you might be interested in some information... Captain Reeve came aboard the Storsten before Christmas last year and from the first moment had the respect and esteem from the crew as only a man of his casting and mental structure deserved... His spirit was a constant encouragement to us and a great help for all of us... Captain Reeve had not the strength left when we came ashore to join us in our escape in the mountains". This then, must mean that the 8 named in this letter were the ones who managed to escape, and later came to England.
Ben adds: You may be aware that the nazis had mistaken him for Binney and threatend to be shot by the Nazis nine times, this is the heading out of the newspaper ' NINE TIMES NAZIS SAID "WE SHOOT YOU TOMORROW!"'
James Reeve was awarded the OBE on 16th October 1945 by King George sixth - by this time he already had a DSC for rescuing a Fighter Pilot out of the sea while under heavy enemy attack. (See also this Guestbook message and scroll down to Storsten).
I've also received some interesting E-mails from Finn Bie's granddaughter who says that Mary Bie gave birth to a daughter named Kari. Shortly after the war she had a son named Finn. Mary Bie later went to the U.S.A., taking both children with her. Finn Bie remarried in 1949 and had 3 more children. He never spoke about his ex wife and children, and the subject of his war experiences remained tabu in the family until the day he died in 1995. On the occasion of his 80'th birthday in 1991 his son Finn came from the U.S. to see him, but Finn Bie refused to speak with him, so it's obvious he wanted to forget everything that could remind him of his war experiences. One of his daughters has since tried to find her half sister Kari, but without luck. His granddaughter also tells me that Finn Bie was awarded The King’s Gold Medal of Honour in the 1990's but refused to travel to the King's palace in Oslo to accept it, nor would he have it delivered to him, saying it was much too late; what good was such a medal to him 50 years after the fact, when he was almost dead anyway? He had no use for it anymore. (He sounds about as stubborn and bitter as my own father!). She says the traumas of the war stayed with him all through the rest of his life, to the point where they had to take care not to approach him too abrubtly; if they did, his reactions could be very harsh. So, the war experiences of the seamen affected not only the seamen themselves, but the next generation(s) as well.
British captain was, as mentioned, James Reeve,
Nortraship's representative was Ragnar Bull-Nilsen (here's a Guestbook message from his grandson).
Storsten had a total of 49 people on board at the time of breakout, including the 2 female passengers, the 1st mate's wife Mary Bie as mentioned, and Bertha Olsen, who's said to have been the wife of Seaman Sten Olsen, but according to this Guestbook message, she was married to Jens Olav Olsen. The following were also on board (in addition to the captains already mentioned above):
1st Mate Finn Bie,
2nd Mate Einar Tønnessen (My Guestbook has a message from the nephew of Storsten's 2nd mate)
3rd Mate John H. Gjertsen,
Radio Operator Tor Jorfald,
1st Engineer Alfred Gjertsen,
2nd Engineer Erling Bakke,
3rd Engineer Asbjørn Edgar Tømmerek,
4th Engineer Aksel E. Johnsen,
Steward Arthur Kristiansen,
Cook Odd Lund Eliassen,
Boatswain Hans Fjelly (died at Sonnenburg on Jan. 29-1944),
Carpenter Alfred Nymoen,
Able Seamen Anton Andersen, Trygve W. Fredriksen (died at Sonnenburg in Sept.-1944), and Jan J. Haarstad,
Seamen Lother Helland, Rolf Høiberget (died at Bergen-Belsen in March-1945), Johannes Løken, Arne R. Jenssen, Andreas Andresen and Sten Olsen,
Trimmer Arne Borge,
Mechanics Karl Arne Eriksson (please see this Guestbook message), Jens Olav Olsen and Erling Westlund,
Oilers Karl Anker Nygaard (died at Sonnenburg in Aug.-1944), Ragnar Scott Helgesen and Finn Haneberg,
Deckboy Joar Fred Krohn,
Galleyboy Arnfinn Frammarvik,
Messboy Trygve Hugo Berg, (my Guestbook has a message from a relative)
Saloonboy Gunnar Marius Haugen and
extra crew:
Erling Andersen, Wilfred Jensenius, Lorentz Larsen, Ingulf Gjerde, Renée Steen-Olsen, Gunnar Egil Gundersen, Finn Borchgrevink, Asbjørn Amundal* (died at Sonnenburg on Febr. 9.-1944), Jens Erling Johnsen, Arne S. Herwander, Ole Herwander, Gustaf Fredrik Nordstrøm, and Harald Konrad Nilsen.
*Asbjørn Amundal is mentioned in a story I've included on my page Krigsseilerhistorier (Warsailor Stories). If you read Norwegian, you'll find it under "Knut Wold's historie", which says that Asbjørn had helped remove an important part of a German warship, then sunk it in the channel afterwards, before escaping to Sweden.
These were in the lifeboat that disappeared:
R. B. Nilsen, E. Tønnessen, J. J. Haarstad, A. R. Jensen, O. Eliassen, A. Frammarvik, T. H. Berg, E. Bakke, A. E. Tømmerek, A. E. Johnsen, A. M. Borge, E. J. Johnsen, O. Herwander, I. Gjerde, R. Steen-Olsen, L. Larsen, E. Andersen.
The webmaster of the Milag website has told me that Karl Anker Nygård and Rolf Høiberget were both executed.
Related external link:
Stavern Commemorations
Returned to Sweden. British captain was D. J. Nicholas, and Sir George Binney himself was on board, representing Ministry of War Transport (see also this Guestbook message and scroll down to Dicto). Laid up under allied control. Here's a Guestbook message from Captain Nicholas' granddaughter.
Also on board were 29 other British men (names not known), as well as the following Norwegians:
1st Engineer Alfred M. K. Birkeland,
2nd Engineer Thorleif Løwe-Nielsen,
3rd Engineer Sigurd Aagaard Bjune,
Assistant Alf Andersen,
Electrician Bjarne Valde,
Mechanics Olav Thormodsen, Knut Nilsen Olstad, and Aage Pedersen,
Oilers Kristen Møller Johansen, Lorang N. Thoresen and Hans Louis Frøne,
as well as Per Smith-Kielland (extra crew) - for a total of 43.
POST WAR: In 1964 Dicto was sold to Greece and renamed Onisolos. Broken up in Shanghai in 1970.
Intercepted by German armed trawlers on Apr. 1-1942 and scuttled (details on Page 1).
Captain Harry Nicholson represented Britain - former captain of Romanby. (See also this Guestbook message and scroll down to Gudvang).
Captain H. Chr. Seeberg was Nortraship's representative.
Gudvang had a total of 25 people on board at the time of breakout, including 11 more British as follows:
1st Engineer Charles Dobson (former 1st engineer on Romanby)
2nd Engineer W. Evans
3rd Engineer C. H. Gaiger
Donkeyman Frederick C. Lewis (former greaser on Romanby. My guestbook has a message from his granddaughter - see also this message as well as this message).
Stoker M. Warburton
Stoker Thomas Hogan (former stoker on Romanby)
Stoker Leslie Charles Spencer (former stoker on Romanby).
Stoker A. Altass
Stoker Joseph Glew (former stoker on Romanby).
Stoker T. Coverdale (possibly Covendale - former stoker on Romanby)
Oiler J. McWhinney
and the Norwegian:
1st Mate Lars Dahl Larssøn,
2nd Mate John Martinussen,
Radio Operator Andreas B. Gjørven,
Able Seamen Yngvar Pettersen (died at Sonnenburg on Febr. 29-1944 - The webmaster of the Milag website has told me he was executed), Sigurd U. Martinussen and Frode Hauge,
Seamen Petter Svendsen, Arne Moi and Odvar Andersen,
Steward Altmar Andersen,
Cook Arne Olsen Åsgårdsbråten,
Messboy Leif Vidar.
Related external link:
Stavrn Memorial commemoration - This website says Yngvar Petersen (spelt with one t) was a mate.
Bombed by German aircraft on Apr. 2-1942, subsequently shelled and sunk by the British destroyer Faulknor, position 57 30N 02 24E - all 40 on board survived, and were taken aboard the British destroyer HMS Eskimo, as the only crew to continue in freedom, apart from those on the 2 ships that made it safely to the U.K. Captain Gilling was injured in both legs during the aircraft attack, but recovered from his wounds.
"The World's Merchant Fleets", Roger W. Jordan gives the position for Rigmor's sinking as 57 27N 03 21E
British captain was William Gilling (see also this Guestbook message and scroll down to Rigmor),
Nortraship's representative was Paul Kornelius Monsen.
Rigmor also had the following British men on board (as well 1 Swede, name unknown, or he may be one of the men listed as Norwegian below):
A. G. Bradley, M.C.A.T. Hill* and Hugh Taylor
*This Guestbook message gives his full name as Marie Charles Antoine Thomas Hill, who was later awared the British Empire Medal - BEM (Civil) "for courage and good service in S.S. RIGMOR, under continuous and heavy air attack".
and the Norwegian:
1st Mate Trygve Støland,
2nd Mate Finn Wessel Berg,
3rd Mate Finn Nord Stenersen,
Radio Operator Ivar Thorleif Riise,
1st Engineer Ernst Gudmundsson - Here's a Gusetbook message from his grandson.
2nd Engineer Per Reidar Løvdal,
3rd Engineer Aksel Egedahl Nielsen,
4th Engineer Kjell Foss Hansen,
Steward Arthur Møller Halvorsen,
Electrician John K. Søtorp,
Cook Arvid Dreier Husmo,
Boatswain Bernhard M Andresen,
Carpenter Konrad Kristoffersen,
Able Seamen Thoralf Storeide, Bjørn Rydland and Ole Edvard Olsen,
Ordinary Seamen Antley Barmann Hansen and Jaques Stabell Weil,
Seamen Johan Leonard Karlsen and Ola Christophersen,
Deckboys Hans Skulstad and Jacob Ekornsæther,
Petty Officer Arnold Mørk Wilhelmsen - joined Mosli, later Minister Wedel and Salta
Mechanics Helge Gjerløv Torgersen, Mons Frøvik and Thor Thorstensen,
Oilers Anker Reiersen, Øistein Walter Søtorp and Paul Kjølseth,
Galleyboy Alexander Buringrud,
Messboy Thorolf Wilh. Berger,
Saloonboy Jens Nicolay Jenssen,
and Harry Boye Karlsen, Kaare Sørensen and Olav Halfdan Aasgaard as "extra" crew - for a total of 40.
Intercepted by German patrol boats, and scuttled in the morning of Apr. 1-1942. A stoker was killed in the process as inadequate notice had been given, while 3 others were badly burnt (details on Page 1).
Nortraship's representative at the time of breakout was Haakon Kristiansen,
the British captain was William Wilson (see also this Guestbook message and scroll down to Skytteren).
Skytteren had a total of 111 people on board, including the 3 female passengers Else Marie Kongslie, Reidun Kongslie (born 1934) and Sigrid Brekke, and 14 British crew as follows:
Able Seamen Frances Caton, Charles Falzon and Fredrick Henry Ward
1st engineer John Magnus Thompson
5th Engineer William Hatchly
Oiler Lawrence Rothnie
Extras Walter L. Restan, Ivor J. Honley, Arthur L. Hole, Victor C. Bishop, James Brabbe, Roy Gifford Tawell, Alfred Clucas Lace, and Douglas Mackie.
as well as the following Norwegians:
1st Mate Fritz Wilh. Johansen (died at Sonnenburg in March-1944),
2nd Mate Anders Hovde - see this Guestbook message
3rd Mate Thor Gunnar Kongslie,
4th Mate Jonas A. Christophersen (died at Sonnenburg on May 6-1944),
1st Radio Operator Otto Brunes (died at Sonnenburg in Febr-1944),
2nd R.O. Frithjof A. Edvardsen,
2nd Engineer Erling Ansgar Ulseth,
3rd Engineer Sigurd Stenersen (died at Sonnenburg in May-1944),
4th Engineer Ingvald Ingebregtsen,
6th Engineer Sigurd Mæhlum,
Ship's Doctor Bård Brekke,
Nurse Agnes Christiansen,
Electrician Hans Norval Hansen (died at Bergen-Belsen in March-1945),
Boatswain Henry Jacob Jensen,
Carpenter Hans Oddsen (died at Kiel in March-1944),
Able Seamen Andreas A. Andreassen (died at Sonnenburg on Febr. 7-1944), Karl Johannessen, Håkon Kr. Gundersen, Abjørn Bjarne Arvesen, Andor Ludvigsen, Georg Antonius Angelsen (See Page 3), Trygve Johan Johansen, and Olav Hans Kopsland,
Ordinary Seamen Helge Stray Johansen and Erling Mørk Johnsen,
Seamen Harry Nordahl, Alf Wahlberg and Alf Fredrik Næsje (died at Sonnenburg on Dec. 31-1943),
Deckboys Gunnar Treu Jacobsen (died at Sonnenburg in June-1944), and Willy Berle Henriksen,
Pumpman Hans Hansen,
Donkeymen Anders Tangen Hansen (died at Sachsenhausen in Febr.-1945), Johannes Reppesgård and Hermund Olsen,
Stokers Roald Angelo (died at Sonnenburg on Dec. 16-1943), Ragnar Johansen (died at Sonnenburg in Febr-1944), Thorfin Johannessen (died when Skytteren was scuttled), Gunnar E. Johannessen, Oluf Lockert Meyer Olsen (died at Sonnenburg in Apr.-1944), Nils Jørgen Sørensen, Charles Lindwall (died at Sonnenburg in June-1944), Johan Nilsson and Kristian Brede Olsen (died at Sachsenhausen in July-1944),
Oilers Bernt Johannesen, Aksel Wikstrøm, Leif Lindtorp, Hans Sending and Arne Sæther,
Steward Olaf Hagen (died at Sachsenhausen in Febr.-1945)
1st Cook Harald Luur,
2nd Cook Harry Røsand,
3rd Cook Finn Hagen,
Night Cook Willy Lamberg,
Messboys Peter Jebsen (escaped from train while on transport to Marlag & Milag Nord), Jonas Fasmer-Dahl (died at Sonnenburg on Jan. 27-1944), Helge Lindboe (died at Sonnenburg in June-1944), and Odd Gundersen,
Saloonboy Erling Aaby (died at Sonnenburg on Jan. 7-1944), and
extra crew:
Torger Hegre Njå, Jørund Kaarstad, Knut Bye, Atle Fredrik Rønning (died at Wolfenbüttel on March 29-1945), Georg Steen Johannessen, Kaare Bryn Askelund (died at Sonnenburg on Febr. 14-1944), Hjalmar Andersen (died at Sachsenhausen in Jan.-1945), Henry Brynhildsen, Arne Helge Westbye, Knud Fladberg (died at Wolfenbüttel on Aug. 27-1944), Arne James Hansen, Knut Engelhart Haug, Alf Pahlow Andresen, Johannes Moe, Gustav Løvig, Knut Haug Gaasland, Harry Leopold Meyer, Per Ytterbøe Knudsen, Haakon Johan Wang, Sverre Arne Mathisen, Egil Johansen (died at Sonnenburg on Sept. 8-1943), Erik Christian Værnes, Karl Ingval Karlsen, Petter Solberg, Kristoffer Framstad, Alf Harry (Henry?) Sollie (died at Sonnenburg in July-1944), Fritz Nyland, Per Torhaug, Kristian Fr. Fjellanger, Sverre Pedersen, Olav Børge-Ask, Per Odner, Sverre Grundt, Carl Weideman (died at Sonnenburg on Aug. 22-1944).
The webmaster of the Milag website says that J. F. Dahl, Olaf Hagen, A. Tangen Hansen, A. Hansen (should probably be H. N. Hansen), Gunnar Treu-Jacobsen, R Johansen, K. B. Olsen, C. Lindwall, S. Stenersen, Hans Oddsen, F. W. Johansen, A. F. Næsje, H. Lindboe, J. A. Christopherson and the radio operator (name not given, but this is probably O. Brunes) were all executed. See also Page 3.
Related external links:
Stavrn Memorial commemorations - 21 are commemorated at this memorial.
SS Suevic - Some history and several pictures (info on Norwegian ships at the end not all correct). From the website Great Ships
Made it safely to the U.K. on Apr. 4-1942.
Nortraship's representative was Hans Anton Trovik,
British captain was John R. Nicol (see also this Guestbook message and scroll down to Lind).
The following were also on board:
1st Mate Kjeld Nyebak,
2nd Mate Kåre Bryn Petersen (here's a Guestbook message from his son),
1st Engineer Ole Håkon Bentsen,
2nd Engineer Halvard Christoffersen (here's a Guestbook message from his daughter),
Oiler Erling Ludvig Hansen,
Able Seaman Harald Andersen
Able Seaman Bjarne Konrad Langnes,
Ordinary Seaman Emil Gunnar Melle,
Seaman Jens Kristian Madsen,
Cook Johan Karl Johansen,
and a British seaman for a total of 13.
George Monk, England has told me that the following British awards were given (his source: Seedies List of awards to the British Merchant Navy which includes awards to Allied merchant seamen):
Captain Hans Trovik - HonOBE(Civ) and Lloyd's Meritorious Service Medal.
1st Mate Kjeld Nyebak - HonMBE(Civ)
2nd Mate Kåre B. Petersen - Commendation
Chief Engineer Ole H. Bentsen - HonMBE(Civ)
2nd Engineer Halvard Christoffersen - Commendation
Oiler Erling L. Hansen - BEM(Civ)
Able Seaman Johan K. Johansen (listed as cook above) - Commendation
Able Seaman Bjarne Langnes - Commendation
Ordinary Seaman Jens Madsen - Commendation
Cook Harald E. Andersen (listed as able seaman above) - BEM(Civ)
Also, Captain John R. Nicol - OBE(Civ).
Had a cargo of steel, aviation supplies, tanks and other valuable items. They were attacked several times on the crossing, the first time by an armed trawler, and twice by Norway based German aircraft, but defended themselves the best they could with their 3 Lewis guns, and though they received some damages, they were not serious enough to hamper them much. HMS Valorous met them in the early morning hours of Apr. 2 and the unloading of the valuable cargo started immediately on arrival Leith (Methil?) the following day.
The Norwegian captain on board representing Nortraship was Elias R. Blindheim,
British Captain J. W. Calvert (see also this Guestbook message and scroll down to B P Newton. Here's another Guestbook message, from the captain's grandson).
At the time of breakout, B. P Newton had a total of 71 people on board, including the female passenger Inger Johansen, 4 British crew members (names unknown) as well as the following Norwegians:
1st Mate Rolf Olav Evensen (here's a Guestbook message from his son, and a second message),
2nd Mate Gunnar Hagbarth Album,
3rd Mate Rasmus Astrup,
Radio Operator Harald Magne Whist,
Steward Rasmus Larsen,
1st Engineer Lorents Lund,
2nd Engineer John Haaland,
3rd Engineer Leif Nylén,
4th Engineer Rolf Wilh. Gustavsen,
Mechanics Alf Thorbjørn Olsen, Harald L. Egeberg, Einar Engebregtsen and John Nordahl,
Oilers Robert K. Erlandsen, Thorbjørn Gulbrandsen, Albert Andresen and Hans Kristian Hansen,
Engineboys Harald Nicolaysen and Kristoffer Korvald,
Electrician Tom Brynhildsen,
Petty Officer Gerhard M. Abrahamsen,
Cook Ivar Møller,
Boatswain Arne Sørbye - See also this external page (Norwegian text); he later joined the Norwegian Brigade and the 10 Interallied Commando (also external links).
Carpenter Sven H. Svensen,
Able Seamen Odd Harald Jacobsen and Johan Haugberg,
Ordinary Seamen Aage Tor Nielsen, Ragnar Schau, Arnfinn Tveten and Gunnar Solaas,
Seaman Sverre Solbakk,
Deckboys Sverre Lundin and Johan Neerland,
Galleyboy Bjørn Arnkværn,
Messboys Asbjørn Ottesen and Odd Birkenes,
and extra crew:
Aage Sten Ekendahl, Harald Hansen, Bjørn Wassum, Johannes Bjørnland, Thor Guldbrandsen, Kjell E. Torkehagen, Rolf Herman Evensen, Rolf Karsten Arnesen, Leif Egil Gustavsen, Einar Dahl, Einar Jacobsen, Rolf Ohrø Bjørnevik, Harald Sigvart Korshavn, Bro G. S. Berthelsen, Albert Arntsen, Henry J. Ruud, Øivind Andersen, Per Egil Arfeldt, Kaare Bogen*, Rasmus Breidablikk, Bjarne Eikeland, Gerhard Helge Halvorsen, Aron Martin Klein, Martinius Kristoffersen, Alfonse Mjølner, Kaare Nilsen, Asbjørn Strand, Eivind Veiersted.
*In my Guestbook, there's a message from someone who knows Kaare Bogen. If anyone would like to get in touch with him, I can supply the address. My contact address can be found at the bottom of this page.
One of the crew members payed off on arrival Scotland and later became a Secret Service agent on the Norwegian coast. There's a book written about him, called "Falsk fisker kaller London" (False fisherman calling London), by Gustav Valand. Gunnar Album later joined Fernwood as 1st mate until the end of the war (when B. P. Newton came to Sweden at the start of war in Norway he was in fact 1st mate/radio operator on Charente). After the war he commanded Fearnley and Eger's Fernvalley. He died in 1968.
A visitor to my website, George Monk has told me that the following men received ungazetted awards for services during Operation Performance (his source: Seedies List of awards to the British Merchant Navy which includes awards to Allied merchant seamen):
Captain Elias Ragnvald Blindheim - Hon OBE(Civ)
1st Mate Rolf Olav Evensen - Hon MBE(Civ)
Chief Engineer Lorents Lund - Hon MBE(Civ)
British Captain J. W. Calvert - OBE(Civ) - (again, see also this Guestbook message)
Brian Reynolds, also British - MBE(Civ)
The following Gunners each received the BEM(Civ):
Albert Arntsen, Gotlieb Bertelsen, Joh. Johannessen Bjørnland, Rasmus Breidablikk, Thor Gulbrandsen, Bjørn Wassum.
The following each received a Commendation:
2nd Mate Gunnar Album, 3rd Mate Rasmus Parelius Astrup, Radio Operator Harald Eckeren Whist, Gunner Einar Dahl, Gunner Alfonse Mjølner, 2nd Engineer John Haaland.
Ungazetted awards by Lloyds:
Captain Elias Ragnvald Blindheim - Lloyds Meritorious Service Medal.
B. P. Newton was later sunk, see B. P. Newton for further information (includes a picture of the ship).
Sources for the text on this page: "Kvarstadbåtene" by Alf Pahlow and Helge Stray Johansen (1948); both took part in the breakout on board Skytteren., information received by E-mail from the webmaster of the Milag website, and "Sjøforklaringer fra 2. verdenskrig", Norwegian Maritime Museum, Volume II.
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