On Easter evening, March 30, another plane crashed at Waliwall near Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands. It was on its way back from an unsuccessful cruise for "Operation Grouse" in Snåsa and 13 of the 14 on board died. The aircraft was a B-24 Liberator and part of the USAAF 'Carpetbagger' top secret squadron of operations. The plane lost altitude due to icing in carburetors that caused engine failure, and it crashed near Wivenoe and burst into flames. Only two men came out, but one died when his parachute did not open at low altitude, the other survived the co-pilot with minor injuries.
Pilot: 2/Lt Henry L.Polansky
Co-Pilot: 1/Lt Peter C.Pulrang.
Bomb: 2/Lt Fred W.Smickle.
Nav: 2/Lt Charles J.Allessio.
Radio: S/Sgt William E.Lewis.
Eng: Sgt Kenneth W.Stevens.
W/Gun: Sgt Edward W.Kussman.
Tail Gun: Sgt Eugene J.Graf
Passenger N.O.R.S.O agents
T/5 Gjerulf Ottersland.
T/5 Edward Kjelness.
T/5 Eddie O.Sondeno.
T/5 Johannes Rorvick.
T/5 Leif E.Meland.
T/Sgt Trgve Berge.
The story is also described in the book "Almost home" by David W Earl.
See also crashsiteorkney.com and uswarmemorials for more information
Norwegian journalist Sven Arthur Ljosland has written an article about the two soldiers from southern Norway, who was killed in the accident. You can read the article in the paper Fædrelandsvennen 14. april 2019 (after login)
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.
