Author: David Howarth Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield ISBN: 076276631X Category : History Languages : en Pages : 267
Book Description
From the author of We Die Alone, The Shetland Bus recounts the hundreds of crossings of small boats from the Shetland Islands to German-occupied Norway to supply arms to the Resistors and to rescue refugees—all under constant threat by German U-boats and winter storms.
Author: Stephen Wynn Publisher: Pen and Sword Military ISBN: 1526735369 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 244
Book Description
A history of the World War II clandestine special operations group that linked German-occupied Norway with Scotland’s Shetland Islands. The Shetland Bus was not a bus, but the nickname of a special operations group that set up a route across the North Sea between Norway and the Shetland Islands, north-east of mainland Scotland. The first voyage was made by Norwegian sailors to help their compatriots in occupied Norway, but soon the Secret Intelligence Service and the Special Operations Executive asked if they would be prepared to carry cargoes of British agents and equipment, as well. Fourteen boats of different sizes were originally used, and Flemington House in Shetland was commandeered as the operation’s HQ. The first official journey was carried out by the Norwegian fishing vessel the Aksel, which left Luna Ness on 30 August 1941 on route to Bremen in Norway. This book examines that first journey, as well later ones, and discusses the agents and operations which members of the Shetland Bus were involved in throughout the war. It also looks at the donation of three submarine chasers to the operation, made in October 1943, by the United States Navy. These torpedo-type boats were 110 ft long and very fast, allowing journey times between Shetland and Norway to be greatly reduced and carried out in greater safety. The story of the Shetland Bus would be nothing without the individuals involved, both the sailors of the boats and the agents who were carried between the two countries. These were very brave individuals who helped maintain an important lifeline to the beleaguered Norwegians. It also allowed British and Norwegian agents a way into Norway so that they could liaise with the Norwegian Underground movement and carry out important missions against the German occupiers. Praise for The Shetland ‘Bus’ “Wynn—who has written or co-written several books on the Second World War—is to be commended for his detailed account of a captivating and understudied moment in the history of special operations. . . . Wynn’s readable and engaging account of his subject explores the intersections of transnational, Second World War, and special operations history. As a result, it should be of interest to a wide readership.” —The Northern Mariner “Very highly recommended.” —Firetrench “A great book about individual spies and sailors from both sides of the water putting their lives at great risk. I really enjoyed this book and it was written in a bit of diary style, plenty of information and photographs. I certainly recommend this book to all.” —UK Historian
Author: Marsali Taylor Publisher: Headline Accent ISBN: 1783755113 Category : Fiction Languages : en Pages : 322
Book Description
The third book in Marsali Taylor's thrilling Shetland Sailing Mysteries series. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Val McDermid, Faith Martin, J.R. Ellis, LJ Ross and Ann Cleeves! 'This series is a must-read for anyone who loves the sea, or islands, or joyous, intricate story-telling.' ANN CLEEVES Liveaboard skipper and amateur sleuth Cass Lynch is busy at marine college in Scalloway, until one night she finds an acquaintance dead in a doorway with her hand smeared with peat ash. Rumours spread of a strange ritual linked to the witches once burned in Shetland's ancient capital, and of a horned figure abroad in the night. At first Cass believes these to be mere superstition, until there's a second murder, and she begins to wonder if the devil really does walk in Scalloway ... _____________________________ PRAISE FOR THE CHILLINGLY ADDICTIVE, NAIL-BITING SERIES: 'Absolutely brilliant storyline... a great mystery novel, looking forward to reading more' 5* Reader review 'Excellent book... gripping tale just like her others. Looking forward to more of her wonderful tales of Shetland' 5* Reader review 'This has an excellent storyline and is very entertaining' 5* Reader review 'A very cleverly constructed and entertaining read' 5* Reader review
Author: Ann Cleeves Publisher: Minotaur Books ISBN: 1429964375 Category : Fiction Languages : en Pages : 388
Book Description
The basis for the hit series "Shetland" now airing on PBS. Winner of Britain's coveted Duncan Lawrie Dagger Award, Ann Cleeves's Raven Black introduces a dazzling suspense series to U.S. mystery readers. It is a cold January morning and Shetland lies beneath a deep layer of snow. Trudging home, Fran Hunter's eye is drawn to a splash of color on the frozen ground, ravens circling above. It is the strangled body of her teenage neighbor, Catherine Ross. The locals on the quiet island stubbornly focus their gaze on one man--loner and simpleton Magnus Tait. But when detective Jimmy Perez and his colleagues from the mainland insist on opening out the investigation, a veil of suspicion and fear is thrown over the entire community. For the first time in years, Catherine's neighbors nervously lock their doors, while a killer lives on in their midst.
Author: Chris Mann Publisher: Pen and Sword ISBN: 1473884586 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 319
Book Description
In the past the German General Staff had taken no interest in the military history of wars in the north and east of Europe. Nobody had ever taken into account the possibility that some day German divisions would have to fight and to winter in northern Karelia and on the Murmansk coast. (Lieutenant-General Waldemar Erfurth, German Army). Despite this statement, the German Armys first campaign in the far north was a great success: between April and June 1940 German forces totaling less than 20,000 men seized Norway, a state of three million people, for minimal losses. Hitlers Arctic War is a study of the campaign waged by the Germans on the northern periphery of Europe between 1940 and 1945.As Hitlers Arctic War makes clear, the emphasis was on small-unit actions, with soldiers carrying everything they needed food, ammunition and medical supplies on their backs. The terrain placed limitations on the use of tanks and heavy artillery, while lack of airfields restricted the employment of aircraft.Hitlers Arctic War also includes a chapter on the campaign fought by Luftwaffe aircraft and Kriegsmarine ships and submarines against the Allied convoys supplying the Soviet Union with aid. However, Wehrmacht resources committed to Norway and Finland were ultimately an unnecessary drain on the German war effort. Hitlers Arctic War is a groundbreaking study of how war was waged in the far north and its effects on German strategy.
Author: David Howarth Publisher: ISBN: 9781493032945 Category : HISTORY Languages : en Pages : 264
Book Description
The occupation of Western Europe and Scandinavia in the spring of 1940 crippled Britain's ability to gather intelligence information. After the Germans invaded Norway, many Norwegians knew that small boats were constantly sailing from the Shetland Islands to land weapons, supplies, and agents and to rescue refugees. In The Shetland Bus, David Howarth, who was second in command of the Shetland base, recounts the hundreds of trips made by fishing boats in the dark of Arctic winter to resist the Nazi onslaught. For the Norwegians who remained in Norway, the Shetland Bus--as this dangerous operation became known--fortified them both physically and spiritually. Nothing but war would have made seamen attempt such dangerous journeys. Some stretched two thousand miles in length and lasted as long as three weeks in boats only fifty to seventy-five feet long. Fishing boats crossing the North Sea were sometimes attacked and sunk in minutes, hundreds of miles from a friendly ship or shore. Their crews had no hope of being saved. But to "take the Shetland Bus" meant escape when capture became the only other option. The Shetland Bus is the amazing true-life account of storms, attacks, danger, and the heroic efforts of brave men.
Author: David Howarth
Author: Stephen Wynn
Author: David Armine Howarth
Author: David Howarth
Author: Marsali Taylor
Author: Ann Cleeves
Author: Chris Mann
Author: David Howarth
Author: Paul Harvey (Writer on Shetland birds)
Author: James John Haldane Burgess