Einar Evenson
Several years later when two of the crew returned to Norway on a visit they met Einar Evensen, a leader of the Milorg who advised them that he was having breakfast at his home a few miles from the crash site when he heard the sound of our aircraft's approach. He ran out into his yard and immediately realized the plane was in trouble. It passed over him at low altitude and turned toward Os and he was certain we were going to attempt an emergency landing.
At the time he thought that due to the very rough terrain the chances of any crew members surviving was slim. He also felt that if anyone did survive they would most likely be picked up by the Germans. Nevertheless, he decided that if there were any survivors he had to do whatever he could to help them. With this in mind he hurried to make inquiries and was surprised to learn the crew had survived and had headed overland towards Bjoren Fjord which is the large Fjord several miles south of Bergen. He tried to find out information as to our fate, but without success so he returned home for lunch.
When he arrived back home he found his father, Kristian, having a serious conversation with Inge Bjoren's father, Hans, and a friend. He then heard Hans ask his father to allow the use of his 30 foot motor boat in order for the aircraft crew to try and cross the North Sea to the Shetland Islands. He was willing to let his boat be used, but was of the opinion that due to the poor condition of the motor the chances of a safe crossing were remote. Although disappointed, they all agreed to do whatever possible to help. They also agreed that it was essential that the crew had to be taken off the peninsula that night because if we weren't, capture was inevitable. They concluded that this could only be carried out by rowboats and additional help would be required. They divided up their various responsibilities, boats, manpower, hiding place, and rendezvous place then separated to carry out their various tasks.
Einar took on the most dangerous job which was to organize the two large rowboats. He contacted four men he knew to be strong rowers, very familiar with the surrounding fjords and all known for their opposition to the German occupation. Although aware of the high personal risks involved they all volunteered readily. A couple of the men selected could also speak English and this was a plus.
Other members of the Norwegian Underground in the Os area had heard that the crew of the downed aircraft had survived, and that the Germans had the peninsula cut off by land and were endeavouring to close any escape route via water. They also knew that they might be contacted in the next few hours as their specialty was the hiding of "wanted" criminals and others from their mutual enemy, the German army.
In Norway back in 1944 there were very few private telephones and therefore members of the Underground had to use code to arrange meetings or pass on information regarding our whereabouts. We learned later that we were referred to that first day as "sacks of potatoes ".
At the time he thought that due to the very rough terrain the chances of any crew members surviving was slim. He also felt that if anyone did survive they would most likely be picked up by the Germans. Nevertheless, he decided that if there were any survivors he had to do whatever he could to help them. With this in mind he hurried to make inquiries and was surprised to learn the crew had survived and had headed overland towards Bjoren Fjord which is the large Fjord several miles south of Bergen. He tried to find out information as to our fate, but without success so he returned home for lunch.
When he arrived back home he found his father, Kristian, having a serious conversation with Inge Bjoren's father, Hans, and a friend. He then heard Hans ask his father to allow the use of his 30 foot motor boat in order for the aircraft crew to try and cross the North Sea to the Shetland Islands. He was willing to let his boat be used, but was of the opinion that due to the poor condition of the motor the chances of a safe crossing were remote. Although disappointed, they all agreed to do whatever possible to help. They also agreed that it was essential that the crew had to be taken off the peninsula that night because if we weren't, capture was inevitable. They concluded that this could only be carried out by rowboats and additional help would be required. They divided up their various responsibilities, boats, manpower, hiding place, and rendezvous place then separated to carry out their various tasks.
Einar took on the most dangerous job which was to organize the two large rowboats. He contacted four men he knew to be strong rowers, very familiar with the surrounding fjords and all known for their opposition to the German occupation. Although aware of the high personal risks involved they all volunteered readily. A couple of the men selected could also speak English and this was a plus.
Other members of the Norwegian Underground in the Os area had heard that the crew of the downed aircraft had survived, and that the Germans had the peninsula cut off by land and were endeavouring to close any escape route via water. They also knew that they might be contacted in the next few hours as their specialty was the hiding of "wanted" criminals and others from their mutual enemy, the German army.
In Norway back in 1944 there were very few private telephones and therefore members of the Underground had to use code to arrange meetings or pass on information regarding our whereabouts. We learned later that we were referred to that first day as "sacks of potatoes ".