Einar Johansen
Encyclopedia
Einar Johansen was a Norwegian engineer and resistance
member during World War II
. He is known as a member of the illegal radio group Skylark B
, and after this was discontinued he set up new radio posts in Tromsø
and the rest of Northern Norway. He was highly decorated.
when World War II
reached Norway. Nazi Germany
invaded
and occupied
the would-be neutral country in April 1940. Johansen participated briefly in the Norwegian Campaign
as a telegrapher, and returned to Trondheim after the conventional Norwegian armed forces capitulated.
In September 1940 the Secret Intelligence Service
established two stations for radio communication; the so-called Skylark A was led by Sverre Midtskau
in Oslo
while Skylark B
was led by Erik Welle-Strand
in Trondheim
. A four-man team of leaders were shipped from the British Isles to Florø
; they then split up and Erik Welle-Strand and associate Finn Juell went to Trondheim. Einar Johansen joined the group, other members were Bjørn Rørholt
and Haakon Sørbye
. The chemistry professor at the Institute of Technology, Leif Tronstad
, helped out as well. Egil Reksten
later took over as leader. Skylark B established regular contact with the intelligence in London
in 1941, and helped spread messages about German troop and naval movements as well as vital information about German
activity at Vemork
heavy water
plant.
In September 1941, however, Gestapo
managed to track the Skylark B transmitting activity. Egil Reksten and ten were arrested and shipped to Nacht und Nebel
camps. Johansen escaped to England via Sweden
. However he wanted to continue the resistance, and returned to his hometown, Tromsø. He landed in the spring of 1942, following several failed attempts. Here he operated a radio station under the codename "Upsilon" and he was instrumental in dealing a blow to the German battleship Tirpitz
on 22 September 1943 (Operation Source
). Information on Tirpitz had been collected by Johansen's brother, Torbjørn Johansen, and transmitted by Einar Johansen.
At the same time, a new operation was underway. The Norwegian submarine Ula
, commanded by Sigurd Valvatne, delivered ten radio transmittors with associated equipment on 5 September 1943. The ten radios were picked up south of Tromsø, and became a network codenamed "Venus". No more than six radios were operative at any time, but this outbalanced the German efforts to track down the transmittors. The Venus network played a role when the German warship Scharnhorst was sunk in late 1943. Another station reported on the repair of Tirpitz, which re-entered action in 1944, only to face continuous attacks. It was ultimately sunk in November 1944.
and the Defence Medal, and the British Distinguished Service Order
and Distinguished Service Cross
. He was thus the highest decorated Secret Intelligence Service officer in Norway. Also, the area "Johansenbotnen" in Queen Maud Land
was named after him.
and tuberculosis
, he worked as an engineer in Televerket in Arendal
. He lived in Hisøy
. A book about his war efforts, Den skjulte hånd, was written by Dag Christensen and released as late as 1990. He died in October 1996.
Norwegian resistance movement
The Norwegian resistance to the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany began after Operation Weserübung in 1940 and ended in 1945. It took several forms:...
member during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He is known as a member of the illegal radio group Skylark B
Skylark B
Skylark B was a radio communications group that operated in Trondheim during the German occupation of Norway. The group was established and led by Erik Welle-Strand, who was a student in Trondheim. Preparations were done in 1940, when a transmitter was brought in from the United Kingdom, and the...
, and after this was discontinued he set up new radio posts in Tromsø
Tromsø
Tromsø is a city and municipality in Troms county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Tromsø.Tromsø city is the ninth largest urban area in Norway by population, and the seventh largest city in Norway by population...
and the rest of Northern Norway. He was highly decorated.
World War II
Johansen hailed from Tromsø. He studied at the Norwegian Institute of TechnologyNorwegian Institute of Technology
The Norwegian Institute of Technology, known by its Norwegian abbrevation NTH was a science institute in Trondheim, Norway. It was established in 1910, and existed as an independent technical university for 85 years, after which it was merged into the University of Trondheim as an independent...
when World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
reached Norway. Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
invaded
Operation Weserübung
Operation Weserübung was the code name for Germany's assault on Denmark and Norway during the Second World War and the opening operation of the Norwegian Campaign...
and occupied
Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
The occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany started with the German invasion of Norway on April 9, 1940, and ended on May 8, 1945, after the capitulation of German forces in Europe. Throughout this period, Norway was continuously occupied by the Wehrmacht...
the would-be neutral country in April 1940. Johansen participated briefly in the Norwegian Campaign
Norwegian Campaign
The Norwegian Campaign was a military campaign that was fought in Norway during the Second World War between the Allies and Germany, after the latter's invasion of the country. In April 1940, the United Kingdom and France came to Norway's aid with an expeditionary force...
as a telegrapher, and returned to Trondheim after the conventional Norwegian armed forces capitulated.
In September 1940 the Secret Intelligence Service
Secret Intelligence Service
The Secret Intelligence Service is responsible for supplying the British Government with foreign intelligence. Alongside the internal Security Service , the Government Communications Headquarters and the Defence Intelligence , it operates under the formal direction of the Joint Intelligence...
established two stations for radio communication; the so-called Skylark A was led by Sverre Midtskau
Sverre Midtskau
Sverre Midtskau was a Norwegian resistance member during World War II. He is best known as leader of the illegal radio post Skylark A.-World War II:...
in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
while Skylark B
Skylark B
Skylark B was a radio communications group that operated in Trondheim during the German occupation of Norway. The group was established and led by Erik Welle-Strand, who was a student in Trondheim. Preparations were done in 1940, when a transmitter was brought in from the United Kingdom, and the...
was led by Erik Welle-Strand
Erik Welle-Strand
Erik A. L. Welle-Strand was a Norwegian mining engineer and resistance member during World War II. He is best known as leader of the illegal radio post Skylark B.-Early life:...
in Trondheim
Trondheim
Trondheim , historically, Nidaros and Trondhjem, is a city and municipality in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. With a population of 173,486, it is the third most populous municipality and city in the country, although the fourth largest metropolitan area. It is the administrative centre of...
. A four-man team of leaders were shipped from the British Isles to Florø
Florø
is a town and the administrative centre of Flora municipality in the county of Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. It is also a former municipality that existed for just over 100 years. The town was founded on the Florelandet island between the Botnafjorden and Solheimsfjorden by royal decree in 1860. In...
; they then split up and Erik Welle-Strand and associate Finn Juell went to Trondheim. Einar Johansen joined the group, other members were Bjørn Rørholt
Bjørn Rørholt
Bjørn Arnold Rørholt was a Norwegian engineer, military officer, Secret Intelligence Service agent and resistance member during World War II.-Early life:...
and Haakon Sørbye
Haakon Sørbye
Haakon Sørbye was a Norwegian engineer and resistance member during World War II. He is known as a member of the illegal radio group Skylark B...
. The chemistry professor at the Institute of Technology, Leif Tronstad
Leif Tronstad
Leif Hans Larsen Tronstad DSO, OBE was a Norwegian scientist, intelligence officer and military organizer. He graduated from the Norwegian Institute of Technology in 1927 and was a prolific researcher and writer of academic publications...
, helped out as well. Egil Reksten
Egil Reksten
Egil Reksten was a Norwegian engineer and resistance member during World War II. He is best known as leader of the illegal radio post Skylark B.-World War II:...
later took over as leader. Skylark B established regular contact with the intelligence in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1941, and helped spread messages about German troop and naval movements as well as vital information about German
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
activity at Vemork
Vemork
Vemork is the name of a hydroelectric power plant outside Rjukan in Tinn, Norway. The plant was built by Norsk Hydro and opened in 1911, its main purpose being to fix nitrogen for the production of fertilizer. Vemork was later the site of the first plant in the world to mass-produce heavy water...
heavy water
Heavy water
Heavy water is water highly enriched in the hydrogen isotope deuterium; e.g., heavy water used in CANDU reactors is 99.75% enriched by hydrogen atom-fraction...
plant.
In September 1941, however, Gestapo
Gestapo
The Gestapo was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Beginning on 20 April 1934, it was under the administration of the SS leader Heinrich Himmler in his position as Chief of German Police...
managed to track the Skylark B transmitting activity. Egil Reksten and ten were arrested and shipped to Nacht und Nebel
Nacht und Nebel
Nacht und Nebel was a directive of Adolf Hitler on 7 December 1941 signed and implemented by Armed Forces High Command Chief Wilhelm Keitel, resulting in the kidnapping and forced disappearance of many political activists and resistance 'helpers' throughout Nazi Germany's occupied...
camps. Johansen escaped to England via Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. However he wanted to continue the resistance, and returned to his hometown, Tromsø. He landed in the spring of 1942, following several failed attempts. Here he operated a radio station under the codename "Upsilon" and he was instrumental in dealing a blow to the German battleship Tirpitz
German battleship Tirpitz
Tirpitz was the second of two s built for the German Kriegsmarine during World War II. Named after Grand Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz, the architect of the Imperial Navy, the ship was laid down at the Kriegsmarinewerft in Wilhelmshaven in November 1936 and launched two and a half years later in April...
on 22 September 1943 (Operation Source
Operation Source
Operation Source was a series of attacks to neutralise the heavy German warships – Tirpitz, Scharnhorst and Lutzow – based in northern Norway, using X-class midget submarines....
). Information on Tirpitz had been collected by Johansen's brother, Torbjørn Johansen, and transmitted by Einar Johansen.
At the same time, a new operation was underway. The Norwegian submarine Ula
HNoMS Ula (1943)
HNoMS Ula, previously HMS Varne, a British-built U class submarine, and a member of the third group of that class to be built. She never actually served under the name Varne, being transferred before commissioning to the exiled Royal Norwegian Navy as HNoMS Ula . In 1944 she sank a German U-boat...
, commanded by Sigurd Valvatne, delivered ten radio transmittors with associated equipment on 5 September 1943. The ten radios were picked up south of Tromsø, and became a network codenamed "Venus". No more than six radios were operative at any time, but this outbalanced the German efforts to track down the transmittors. The Venus network played a role when the German warship Scharnhorst was sunk in late 1943. Another station reported on the repair of Tirpitz, which re-entered action in 1944, only to face continuous attacks. It was ultimately sunk in November 1944.
Honours and awards
Johansen was decorated with the Norwegian War Cross with SwordWar Cross with sword
The War Cross with Sword is the highest ranking Norwegian gallantry decoration. It is awarded for extraordinary brave actions or extraordinary leadership during combat. A recipient deemed worthy of additional citations will receive up to an additional two swords on the medal ribbon in addition to...
and the Defence Medal, and the British Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
and Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is...
. He was thus the highest decorated Secret Intelligence Service officer in Norway. Also, the area "Johansenbotnen" in Queen Maud Land
Queen Maud Land
Queen Maud Land is a c. 2.7 million-square-kilometre region of Antarctica claimed as a dependent territory by Norway. The territory lies between 20° west and 45° east, between the British Antarctic Territory to the west and the Australian Antarctic Territory to the east. The latitudinal...
was named after him.
Post-war life
After the war Johansen finally graduated from the Norwegian Institute of Technology. Despite health problems sustained during the war, including a carbon monoxide poisoningCarbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs after enough inhalation of carbon monoxide . Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas, but, being colorless, odorless, tasteless, and initially non-irritating, it is very difficult for people to detect...
and tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
, he worked as an engineer in Televerket in Arendal
Arendal
is a town and municipality in the county of Aust-Agder, Norway. Arendal belongs to the traditional region of Sørlandet.The town of Arendal is the administrative center the municipality and also of Aust-Agder county...
. He lived in Hisøy
Hisøy
Hisøy is an island and a former municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. Today, the island is a part of the municipality of Arendal. Hisøy is an island separated from the mainland by the river Nidelv. The village of Kolbjørnsvik is located across the harbor from the town of Arendal...
. A book about his war efforts, Den skjulte hånd, was written by Dag Christensen and released as late as 1990. He died in October 1996.