Almost Home: The Story of the B-24 Crash at Walliwall Orkney – 31 March 1945 Paperback – 25 Jun. 2011 by David W. Earl (Author, Contributor)

ALMOST HOME By David W.Earl. This book is the result of over 14 years research and tells the story behind the worst aviation accident in Orkney history, that of a B-24 Liberator bomber returning from a perilous mission over Norway, to drop a Special Operations Group over hostile territory, along with a store of arms and equipment during Operation RYPE.  However, fate intervened and the crew had no choice but to abort the mission and return to their secondary base in Scotland, but sadly were destined to crash in a field on Orkney with the loss of thirteen men and only one survivor. What went wrong that fateful night? Who were the crew? And why did the identities of the passengers remain a mystery for so long?  The author can now provide the answers to these questions. Originally published in 2011 and now reprinted due to demand Fully illustrated with Colour & B/W photos throughout, the majority having never been published before.  

WW2 sabotage

Operasjon rype

In the last months of the war during spring 1945. Gjefsjøen Mountain Farm was a central location as part of the sabotage operation "Operasjon Rype". The saboteurs had their headquarter at the farm. Operasjon Rype's mission was to sabotage the railroad through Trøndelag and Snåsa. Today Home Guard's task force "Rype" is named after the operation.

Restoring of Operasjon Rype's headquarter

OSS Gjefsjøen

The building which was headquarter for Operation Rype was in bad shape after standing empty for years. OSS Gjefsjøen are now restoring the building. The association OSS Gjefsjøen will convey the story of Operasjon Rype which in the final phase of World War II operated from its base on Gjefsjøen mountain farm. The building will be restored in the original appearance from when Operasjon Rype was carried out.

Licour based on local herbs and plants from Gjefsjøen

Gjefsjø­akevitt (Aquavit)

Distilled at Inderøy Brenneri (distillery) based on pure water, plants, herbs and botanicals from Gjefsjøen Mountain Farm. Made as a tribute to the heros from Operasjon Rype who had their base at Gjefsjøen in the end og World War II.