Øistein Strømnæs
Encyclopedia
Øistein Stømnæs was the head of XU
, the main Norwegian
intelligence organization from 1943 to 1945.
Strømnæs was born in Sarpsborg
in Østfold
county, Norway
. He studied biology
at the University of Oslo
and was working of his Master's degree student in botany
when Norway was attacked
in 1940. To support his studies he also had a part-time job as a police
constable, this proved very valuable when he got involved in intelligence.
Recruited by one of the founders of XU, Captain Eivind Hjelle, Strømnæs joined XU in August 1940. Strømnæs was said to be a "natural agent", and he had a very relaxed tone with his agents. Strømnæs assumed the leadship of XU when Arvid Storsveen
was killed in April 1943. He worked undercover in Oslo
until the end of the war
. Strømnæs focused on security to the point Defense Command in London
, did not know the real identity of the chairman of the intelligence service.
After the liberation of Norway Strømnæs received a scholarship and earned his doctor's degree at the University of California, Berkeley
. Anne-Sofie Østvedt (1920–2009), former vice chairman of the XU also attended college at Berkleley. The couple was married in 1946. Anne-Sofie Strømnæs received her master's degree in food chemistry at Berkeley. They moved home to Norway after completing studies in 1951. For many years, Strømnæs was assistant professor and later associate professor of genetics at the University of Oslo.
XU
XU was a clandestine intelligence organisation working on behalf of Allied powers in occupied Norway during World War II...
, the main Norwegian
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...
intelligence organization from 1943 to 1945.
Strømnæs was born in Sarpsborg
Sarpsborg
is a city and municipality in Østfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Sarpsborg.Sarpsborg is part of the fifth largest urban area in Norway when paired with neighbouring Fredrikstad...
in Østfold
Østfold
is a county in southeastern Norway, bordering Akershus and southwestern Sweden , while Buskerud and Vestfold is on the other side of the bay. The seat of the county administration is Sarpsborg, and Fredrikstad is the largest city.Many manufacturing facilities are situated here. Moss and...
county, 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...
. He studied biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
at the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
and was working of his Master's degree student in botany
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
when Norway was attacked
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...
in 1940. To support his studies he also had a part-time job as a police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
constable, this proved very valuable when he got involved in intelligence.
Recruited by one of the founders of XU, Captain Eivind Hjelle, Strømnæs joined XU in August 1940. Strømnæs was said to be a "natural agent", and he had a very relaxed tone with his agents. Strømnæs assumed the leadship of XU when Arvid Storsveen
Arvid Storsveen
Arvid Kristian Storsveen , was the Norwegian organizer of XU, the main intelligence gathering organisation within occupied Norway during World War II.-Biography:...
was killed in April 1943. He worked undercover 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...
until the end of the 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...
. Strømnæs focused on security to the point Defense Command 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...
, did not know the real identity of the chairman of the intelligence service.
After the liberation of Norway Strømnæs received a scholarship and earned his doctor's degree at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. Anne-Sofie Østvedt (1920–2009), former vice chairman of the XU also attended college at Berkleley. The couple was married in 1946. Anne-Sofie Strømnæs received her master's degree in food chemistry at Berkeley. They moved home to Norway after completing studies in 1951. For many years, Strømnæs was assistant professor and later associate professor of genetics at the University of Oslo.
Other sources
- Sæter, Einar; Sæter, Svein (2007) XU - I Hemmeleg Teneste 1940-45 (Oslo: Det Norske Samlaget) ISBN 978-82-521-7208-9