Gunnar Sønsteby
Encyclopedia
Gunnar Fridtjof Thurmann Sønsteby DSO
(born 1918) was a member of the Norwegian resistance movement
during the German occupation
of Norway
in World War II. He is also known for being the most highly decorated person in Norway, including being the only one to have been awarded the War Cross
with three swords.
resistance fighter during World War II. Known also as Kjakan (The Chin) and No. 24, he participated in the resistance effort
from 1940. At the time of the German invasion of Norway Sønsteby was living in Oslo and fought in Philip Hansteens Skiløperkompani. After Norway had been occupied he involved himself in the underground resistance, both through Milorg
and the illegal press. In 1942 he became agent 24 in the Special Operations Executive
. After saboteur training in England in 1943, he became the contact for all SOE agents in eastern Norway and head of the Norwegian Independent Company 1
group in Oslo. This group performed several spectacular acts of sabotage; among them smuggling out plates for the printing of Norwegian kroner from the Norwegian Central Bank and blowing up the office for Norwegian forced labour, thereby stopping the Nazis' plan of sending young Norwegian men to the Eastern Front. In 1945 he was awarded the British Distinguished Service Order
. In addition to the attack on the labour office the recommendation for this award mentions the theft of 75,000 ration books, which allowed pressure to be placed on authorities, stopping a threatened cut in rations; the destruction of sulfuric acid
manufacturing facilities in Lysaker
; destroying or seriously damaging over 40 aircraft, and related equipment which were being repaired at a tram company depot in Korsvoll
; destroying a railway locomotive which was under repair at Skabo
; destroying a number of Bofors guns, a field gun
and vital machine tools at the Kongsberg
arms factory; and starting a large fire in an oil storage depot at Oslo harbour which destroyed large quantities of lubricating oil and other specialist oils.
Operating in occupied territory, and being high on the Gestapo
list of wanted men, Sønsteby became a master of disguise. He operated under 30 to 40 different names and identities, and the Germans did not acquire his real name until near the end of the war. They were never able to catch him.
. He also worked in the oil business before returning to Norway where he continued a career in private business. Throughout the post-war years and particularly after reaching retirement age Sønsteby has engaged in an extensive information and lecturing activity to pass on the lessons of the Second World War to future generations.
Captain (Kaptein
) is the only person awarded the War Cross with Three Swords
. All three awards were made in 1946.
In 1945, Sønsteby was awarded the British Distinguished Service Order
and the U.S. Medal of Freedom with Silver Palm.
In 2001 he was awarded the American-Scandinavian Foundation
's culture award.
On 13 May 2007, a statue of him was erected on Solli Plass in Oslo. The statue was sculpted by Per Ung
and portrays a 25-year-old Sønsteby standing next to his bicycle. The statue was unveiled by King Harald
of Norway.
As Sønsteby celebrated his 90th birthday on 2008 he was honoured with a reception at Akershus Fortress
attended by King Harald V of Norway and the other members of the Royal Family.
In 2008 he was the first non-American awarded the United States Special Operations Command Medal.
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...
(born 1918) was a member of the Norwegian resistance movement
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:...
during the German occupation
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...
of Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
in World War II. He is also known for being the most highly decorated person in Norway, including being the only one to have been awarded the War Cross
War 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...
with three swords.
Second World War
He was decorated for his work as a NorwegianNorway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
resistance fighter during World War II. Known also as Kjakan (The Chin) and No. 24, he participated in the resistance effort
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:...
from 1940. At the time of the German invasion of Norway Sønsteby was living in Oslo and fought in Philip Hansteens Skiløperkompani. After Norway had been occupied he involved himself in the underground resistance, both through Milorg
Milorg
Milorg was the main Norwegian resistance movement in World War II....
and the illegal press. In 1942 he became agent 24 in the Special Operations Executive
Special Operations Executive
The Special Operations Executive was a World War II organisation of the United Kingdom. It was officially formed by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Minister of Economic Warfare Hugh Dalton on 22 July 1940, to conduct guerrilla warfare against the Axis powers and to instruct and aid local...
. After saboteur training in England in 1943, he became the contact for all SOE agents in eastern Norway and head of the Norwegian Independent Company 1
Norwegian Independent Company 1
Norwegian Independent Company 1 was a British SOE group formed in March 1941 originally for the purpose of performing commando raids during the Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany. It was organized under the leadership of Captain Martin Linge...
group in Oslo. This group performed several spectacular acts of sabotage; among them smuggling out plates for the printing of Norwegian kroner from the Norwegian Central Bank and blowing up the office for Norwegian forced labour, thereby stopping the Nazis' plan of sending young Norwegian men to the Eastern Front. In 1945 he was awarded 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...
. In addition to the attack on the labour office the recommendation for this award mentions the theft of 75,000 ration books, which allowed pressure to be placed on authorities, stopping a threatened cut in rations; the destruction of sulfuric acid
Sulfuric acid
Sulfuric acid is a strong mineral acid with the molecular formula . Its historical name is oil of vitriol. Pure sulfuric acid is a highly corrosive, colorless, viscous liquid. The salts of sulfuric acid are called sulfates...
manufacturing facilities in Lysaker
Lysaker
Lysaker is a section of and a postal code area of the Norwegian municipality of Bærum, just west of Oslo.Geographically, it is bordered by Lysakerelven on the east, which also forms the border to Oslo; Fornebu to the south; Stabekk to the west; and Jar to the north...
; destroying or seriously damaging over 40 aircraft, and related equipment which were being repaired at a tram company depot in Korsvoll
Korsvoll
Korsvoll is an area in the borough Nordre Aker in Oslo, Norway.The area is located between the areas Brekke and Nordberg, northwest of the old industrial area Nydalen. The area borders on the forest area Nordmarka, and is a popular residential area for families.The local sports club is Korsvoll IL....
; destroying a railway locomotive which was under repair at Skabo
Skabo Jernbanevognfabrikk
Skabo Jernbanevognfabrikk was a mechanical workshop focusing on design and construction of railcars. It was established by Hans Skabo in Drammen, Norway in 1864; it became the first rail car factory in the country when it took delivery of the cars for Kongsvingerbanen...
; destroying a number of Bofors guns, a field gun
Field gun
A field gun is an artillery piece. Originally the term referred to smaller guns that could accompany a field army on the march and when in combat could be moved about the battlefield in response to changing circumstances, as to opposed guns installed in a fort, or to siege cannon or mortars which...
and vital machine tools at the Kongsberg
Kongsberg
is a town and municipality in Buskerud county, Norway. It is located at the southern end of the traditional region of Numedal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Kongsberg....
arms factory; and starting a large fire in an oil storage depot at Oslo harbour which destroyed large quantities of lubricating oil and other specialist oils.
Operating in occupied territory, and being high on the 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...
list of wanted men, Sønsteby became a master of disguise. He operated under 30 to 40 different names and identities, and the Germans did not acquire his real name until near the end of the war. They were never able to catch him.
Post-war activities
After the war Sønsteby moved to the United States where he enrolled in Harvard Business SchoolHarvard Business School
Harvard Business School is the graduate business school of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States and is widely recognized as one of the top business schools in the world. The school offers the world's largest full-time MBA program, doctoral programs, and many executive...
. He also worked in the oil business before returning to Norway where he continued a career in private business. Throughout the post-war years and particularly after reaching retirement age Sønsteby has engaged in an extensive information and lecturing activity to pass on the lessons of the Second World War to future generations.
Captain (Kaptein
Norwegian military ranks
The green part represents soldiers and the equivalent of non-commissioned officers. The blue part represents officers. Norway does not have a NCO-system and thus Sergeant and Quartermaster are grouped with the officers under the common designation befal...
) is the only person awarded the War Cross with Three Swords
War 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...
. All three awards were made in 1946.
In 1945, Sønsteby was awarded 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 the U.S. Medal of Freedom with Silver Palm.
In 2001 he was awarded the American-Scandinavian Foundation
The American-Scandinavian Foundation
The American-Scandinavian Foundation, is an American non-profit foundation dedicated to promoting international understanding through educational and cultural exchange between the United States and Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden...
's culture award.
On 13 May 2007, a statue of him was erected on Solli Plass in Oslo. The statue was sculpted by Per Ung
Per Ung
Per Ung is a Norwegian sculptor. His first large public commission was the bronze statue of actress Johanne Dybwad, located on Johanne Dybwads plass outside the National Theatre in Oslo. His monument of figure skater Sonja Henie is located at Frogner stadion. His statue of Fridtjof Nansen is...
and portrays a 25-year-old Sønsteby standing next to his bicycle. The statue was unveiled by King Harald
Harald V of Norway
Harald V is the king of Norway. He succeeded to the throne of Norway upon the death of his father Olav V on 17 January 1991...
of Norway.
As Sønsteby celebrated his 90th birthday on 2008 he was honoured with a reception at Akershus Fortress
Akershus Fortress
Akershus Fortress or Akershus Castle is a medieval castle that was built to protect Oslo, the capital of Norway. It has also been used as a prison.- Construction :...
attended by King Harald V of Norway and the other members of the Royal Family.
In 2008 he was the first non-American awarded the United States Special Operations Command Medal.
In popular culture
- Gunnar Sønsteby is portrayed by Knut Joner in the 2008 Norwegian World War II-biopic Max ManusMax Manus (film)Max Manus is a Norwegian 2008 biographic war film based on the real events of the life of resistance fighter Max Manus . The story follows Manus from the Winter War against the Soviet Union, through the outbreak of World War II and the German occupation of Norway until peacetime in 1945...
. - In 2010 an anonymous donor commissioned a portrait of Sønsteby from the well-known Norwegian artist, Knut André Vikshåland. The portrait was unveiled at Grev Wedels Plass Kunsthandel on 2010 by Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and will hang in the prominent Frognerseteren restaurant in Oslo alongside others such as Wenche FossWenche FossEva Wenche Steenfeldt Stang , better known as Wenche Foss, was a leading Norwegian actress of stage, screen and television.-Biography:...
and Helge IngstadHelge IngstadHelge Marcus Ingstad was a Norwegian explorer. After mapping some Norse settlements, Ingstad and his wife Anne Stine, an archaeologist, in 1960 found remnants of a Viking settlement in L'Anse aux Meadows in the Province of Newfoundland in Canada...
.