Finn Varde Jespersen
Encyclopedia
Finn Varde Jespersen was among Norway's leading orienteers
in the late 1930s. During World War II
he was a pilot with the rank of Lieutenant; he perished during the invasion of Normandy
.
. His parents were Per Mathias Jespersen and Anna Jespersen née Johnsen, both from Skien
. In the 1930s he was an active sportsman competing in orienteering
for the club IL Heming
. He represented the Norwegian national team in the third Scandinavian cup in September 1939, where only Sweden and Norway participated because of travel restrictions for the Finnish athletes due to the recent outbreak of war
, and Jespersen placed third in the individual contest. In the 1940 season he won a contest in Finland ahead of the Finnish orienteers Börje Malmström, Jan Gripenberg and Birger Lönnberg. This result has been described as the first noted Norwegian orienteering victory in Finland.
in 1940. He then travelled the long journey via Finland, Russia, Japan, crossing the Pacific Ocean and finally reaching the American continent. He received his pilot training at the Little Norway
training camp in Toronto
, Canada. Fellow orienteer Per Bergsland
from IL Heming was also trained as a pilot in Toronto.
Jespersen served as an instructor at the training school, and later as a pilot flying transport planes. After having been trained on combat aircraft he joined RAF Bomber Command
. Jespersen's Lancaster
of 97 Squadron
was shot down over Cherbourg
the night between 5 and 6 June
1944.
Jespersen's military rank was Lieutenant. He was awarded Haakon VIIs 70th Anniversary Medal post mortem.
Orienteering
Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they...
in the late 1930s. 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 was a pilot with the rank of Lieutenant; he perished during the invasion of Normandy
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
.
Orienteering career
He was born in KristianiaOslo
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...
. His parents were Per Mathias Jespersen and Anna Jespersen née Johnsen, both from Skien
Skien
' is a city and municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Grenland. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Skien. Skien is also the administrative centre of Telemark county....
. In the 1930s he was an active sportsman competing in orienteering
Orienteering
Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they...
for the club IL Heming
IL Heming
Idrettslaget Heming is a Norwegian sports club from Slemdal, Oslo. It has sections for association football, Nordic skiing, alpine skiing, orienteering and tennis.-General history:...
. He represented the Norwegian national team in the third Scandinavian cup in September 1939, where only Sweden and Norway participated because of travel restrictions for the Finnish athletes due to the recent outbreak of war
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...
, and Jespersen placed third in the individual contest. In the 1940 season he won a contest in Finland ahead of the Finnish orienteers Börje Malmström, Jan Gripenberg and Birger Lönnberg. This result has been described as the first noted Norwegian orienteering victory in Finland.
World War II
Jespersen participated in the fighting during the German invasion of NorwayOperation 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...
in 1940. He then travelled the long journey via Finland, Russia, Japan, crossing the Pacific Ocean and finally reaching the American continent. He received his pilot training at the Little Norway
Little Norway
The Flyvåpnenes Treningsleir , the official name) or "Little Norway" was a Norwegian Army Air Service/Royal Norwegian Air Force training camp in Canada during the Second World War.-Origins:...
training camp in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada. Fellow orienteer Per Bergsland
Per Bergsland
Sgt Per Bergsland was a Norwegian POW in the German POW camp Stalag Luft III and one of only three men to escape to freedom in the "Great Escape".-Sports career:...
from IL Heming was also trained as a pilot in Toronto.
Jespersen served as an instructor at the training school, and later as a pilot flying transport planes. After having been trained on combat aircraft he joined RAF Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command controlled the RAF's bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. During World War II the command destroyed a significant proportion of Nazi Germany's industries and many German cities, and in the 1960s stood at the peak of its postwar military power with the V bombers and a supplemental...
. Jespersen's Lancaster
Avro Lancaster
The Avro Lancaster is a British four-engined Second World War heavy bomber made initially by Avro for the Royal Air Force . It first saw active service in 1942, and together with the Handley Page Halifax it was one of the main heavy bombers of the RAF, the RCAF, and squadrons from other...
of 97 Squadron
No. 97 Squadron RAF
No. 97 Squadron, was a Royal Air Force squadron formed on December 1, 1917 at Waddington, Lincolnshire, first as a training unit, until moving to Netheravon in March 1918, and re-equipping with the Handley Page O/400 heavy bomber. The squadron served in France for the remainder of the war...
was shot down over Cherbourg
Battle of Cherbourg
The Battle of Cherbourg was part of the Battle of Normandy during World War II. It was fought immediately after the successful Allied landings on June 6, 1944...
the night between 5 and 6 June
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
1944.
Jespersen's military rank was Lieutenant. He was awarded Haakon VIIs 70th Anniversary Medal post mortem.