The plane crash
On the night between 6 and 7 April 1945, a final attempt was made to send reinforcements to Gjevsjøen mountain farm. The plane was to carry extra personnel and equipment for the Norwegian and American soldiers who lived on Gjevsjøen. These were soldiers who took part in the acts of sabotage against German transport around Trøndelag, including the sabotage of Jørstadbrua (Operasjon Rype). The weather was bad on the night of April 7, 1945. Those who were to receive the planes heard an explosion early in the morning, which could indicate an accident.
It was Bengt Jåma who found the wreckage when he was on his way to Björkede. He looked over to Plukkutjønnfjellet when he was at Vivassfiskløysa, and noticed something that sparkled like large rocks over there. Jåma found four dead and plane remains, and quickly went down to Gjevsjøen to report the accident.
The next day, Major William E. Colby (later head of the CIA) and several others went up the mountain to collect the dead. Langeland announced from April 25 that:
A total of 12 buried near the plane. Memorial ceremony held. Photos taken. Everyone kills instantly. The plane went west in a circle to drop when it hit Plukkutjønnfjellet. It slid down the slope and was completely blown to pieces ".
The plane that crashed came from the 492nd Bombe Group, codenamed "Carpetbagger", which was based in Harrington, England.
Memorial
Fra minnevarden på Plukkutjønnfjellet. foto Torgrim Sund
It was Herbert Helgesen who took the initiative to make the memorial on the mountain. The memorial shows the names of the deceased, and was unveiled in 1949. Several memorial ceremonies have been held for the support in recent years.
How to get there
By foot along the trail Gjefsjøstien from the lake Ismenningen.
The bracelet
The chest of drawers in the great-granddad’s house hid a story of real courage and top-secret operations. That is until Jørn accidentally pulled out the top drawer of the dresser.
Read the story about the bracelet form Operasjon Rype
Read more
See also the website uswarmemorials.org for more information
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.
