The Flight of the Vikings: Daring Escapes in Small Boats from Nazi-Occupied Norway, 1940-45

When the full might of Nazi Germany descended without warning upon neutral Norway in April 1940, many brave Norwegians wanted to escape to Britain to join the fight against the occupation of their country. The most natural route to freedom was to take to the cruel North Sea in small boats, following in the ancient traditions of their Viking ancestors. Facing perils of betrayal by collaborators and pursuit by the Gestapo, these brave Norwegians were in flight, but they were absolutely determined to return as avengers of Nazi oppression. For the first time, the stories of these remarkable escapes have been woven together into a single comprehensive Viking saga, set in the social and military context of the Nazi occupation. Extensive research has revealed many new boats and dramatic escapes, with at least 360 boats carrying over 4,000 fugitives now known to have crossed to the Allies. The onward progress of the avenging escapers is followed into the renowned Kompani Linge commandos, the famous Shetland Bus and the other free forces. Attempts by German intelligence to infiltrate spies are revealed - and how most of them were caught and turned into double agents. Hitler had dreams of turning Norway into a semi- autonomous Aryan utopia, but he was to be confounded by the obstinate defiance of the Norwegian people, and by the free Vikings who returned to wage war against him. AUTHOR: Andrew Orr swapped history for medicine at university, working as a doctor in the army with the Scots Guards and then in general practice in Scotland. In retirement he returned to history, becoming deeply involved with a Norwegian project with a consequent bestselling book, Sea Dog Bamse: World War II Canine Hero. He became curious and then inspired by the small boat escapes he had discovered. A ten-year quest has ended in the writing of this, his second book. 20 b/w illustrations

About the Author :
Andrew Orr swapped history for medicine at university, working as a doctor in the army with the Scots Guards and then in general practice in Scotland. In retirement he returned to history, becoming deeply involved with a Norwegian project with a consequent bestselling book, Sea Dog Bamse: World War II Canine Hero. He became curious and then inspired by the small boat escapes he had discovered. A ten-year quest has ended in the writing of this, his second book.

Review :
"... [The author] emphasizes the nation's use of the sea to escape from oppression, launch resistance attacks, and their fearlessness in defying the odds against the overwhelming dangers of the ocean, German land and sea patrols, surveillance by German spies, and betrayal by collaborators."-- "National Maritime Historical Society" "Andrew Orr has collected a vast amount of information on civilians who escaped the Nazi occupation of Norway in often dangerous voyages across the North Sea.These inspiring events deserve to be known more widely, and many of the stories are told together for the first time in English here. The bravery shown by these refugees will now be remembered even more vividly on the western shores of the North Sea in a book that is both gripping and full of poignancy."--Dr Guy Puzey, Senior Lecturer in Scandinavian Studies, University of Edinburgh "Andrew Orr's superbly researched account evokes the spirit of the Vikings as Nazi Germany tightened its grip on war-torn Norway during WW2."--Paul Murton, historian, author, TV writer and presenter "In this meticulous and fascinating book Andrew Orr has captured such an important slice of both Scottish and Norwegian history. These aren't just stories of Nordic bravery and incredible survival; they are stories of the importance of a Scottish welcome on a pebbly beach or in a chilly harbour."--Fi Glover, award-winning radio presenter, writer & journalist "Norway and Scotland are separated by 400 miles of the grey North Sea and it is across its desolate wastes that Andrew Orr has set this fascinating story of an enduring friendship between seafaring folk who refused to be dominated by the hateful oppression of Nazism during World War Two. The result is at once a triumph and a tribute to the unconquerable strength of the human spirit."--Trevor Royle FRSE, historian, author, columnist and broadcaster "These remarkable stories of bravery and resilience in the face of Nazi oppression are brought to life on the pages of Andrew Orr's book. The Norwegians who crossed the North Sea in small boats to join the Allied cause remind us of the Viking spirit, invoked in the cause of freedom, and we would do well to celebrate that today."--Magnus Linklater CBE, FRSE, columnist and former Scotland Editor of The Times "This is an important work in several ways. Gathering all the information about individual civilians who crossed the North Sea in small boats is a great achievement in itself and there is much to learn in how this story is seen from a British perspective. It shows the importance of having a friendly and welcoming nation across the sea and how civilians risked their lives to secure the freedom which most of us take for granted today."--Dr Bjørn Tore Rosendahl and Simen Zernichow, The Centre for the History of Seafarers at War, ARKIVET Peace and Human Rights Centre, Norway "The Flight of the Vikings gives exciting new life to the history of this important episode of Norwegian history and the extraordinary bravery of its young people."--Siri Holm Lawson, Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, founder and editor of Warsailors.com "The Flight of the Vikings is beautifully written. It is also a detective story. Andrew Orr has tracked down hundreds of forgotten stories of escape from occupied Norway, and tells them with brio and an empathy born of his own experience of the North Sea."--Professor Sir Hew Strachan CVO, FRSE, FRHistS, FBA, military historian, author, University of St Andrews