The Secret Mission that Thwarted Nazi Atomic Bomb Dreams: Gunnerside Operation

During the years of World War II, the Gunnerside Operation emerged as a historical sabotage that persuaded the Nazis to abandon their plans for developing nuclear weapons. In today's context, it stands as a significant historical event that not only outlines the formation and impact of special forces but also played a crucial role in the inception of these elite units. The operation is particularly noteworthy as it brought about a radical change in the course of the war.
Let's briefly summarize how this was achieved:
In Norway, there existed a hydroelectric power plant named Vemork. Due to its northern location, this region boasted abundant snow and freshwater resources. It was from these freshwater sources that heavy water, known as deuterium oxide, could be produced more easily. Deuterium oxide allowed for the use of natural uranium as fuel in reactors due to its higher neutron slowing power and lower absorption properties than regular water. Furthermore, during World War II, the Germans utilized heavy water in their quest to develop an atomic bomb. The strategic location of the dam facilitated easier and more extensive production of heavy water.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Allies saw the need to take immediate action. Initially, the American military favored bombing the facility, but the British vehemently opposed this approach for two reasons. Firstly, if the bombs hit the liquid ammonia storage tanks in the chemical complex of the facility, the civilian population in Rjukan would be at risk. Secondly, the heavy water production units were concealed beneath layers of concrete and metal in the factory's basement. Bombing might not guarantee success, and the Germans could intensify their defenses.

Faced with these daunting possibilities, a covert sabotage operation became imperative. The first attempt was made by British soldiers but ended in complete failure. Two gliders carrying the troops crashed en route to their objectives, and those who survived were swiftly captured by German forces, tortured, and executed. Consequently, the Germans fortified the area around the facility with mines, searchlights, and additional defenses.

Given the gravity of the situation, the task now fell upon Norwegian forces. Colonel Leif Tronstad of the Norwegian Royal Army addressed his soldiers, handing them suicide capsules and cryptically stating, "I cannot tell you why this mission is so crucial, but if you succeed, it will live on in Norway's memory for a hundred years."

Under the leadership of Joachim Rønneberg, the group parachuted from an aircraft in the midnight snowfall on February 16, 1943. Thanks to the snowfall reducing the impact of defense lights, the group safely landed. Additionally, the team was clad in white snow suits, equipped with light ammunition and ski gear, facilitating movement in harsh winter conditions and evading German detection. However, while fleeing from the Germans, they veered kilometers away from the planned target area. After approximately five days of travel, the Norwegian Gunnerside group established contact with the surviving British Swallow group, who had successfully concealed themselves in the remnants of the initial mission area.

Following this connection, on the evening of February 27, 1943, the Gunnerside Operation finally commenced. There were three ways to access the facility:
Descend from the mountains above the facility, covered with minefields. Cross a well-guarded, single-lane suspension bridge. Traverse the valley bottom, cross a semi-frozen river, and climb a 500-foot cliff on the far side. The commandos decided to descend through the mountain pass, cross the icy river, and climb the steep hill on the distant side. After following the path, they emerged onto an exposed railway track that led directly to the facility. As they approached the facility, they were spotted (don't say the plan went down the drain just yet). The vigilant Norwegian collaborator who noticed them was a willing accomplice named Johansen. Later, with the help of the collaborator and his plans, they placed explosives in the heavy water electrolysis rooms, setting a timed detonator to allow them enough time to escape. Additionally, the Norwegian group left a Thompson light machine gun in the blown-up room to make it look like the British forces were responsible, aiming to protect the locals from German reprisals. The retreating group witnessed the explosion shortly after, and the raid was deemed successful. Critical equipment necessary for the Germans' inventory of more than 500 kg of heavy water and the functioning of the electrolysis rooms was destroyed.