Operation Opendoor on Soroya, Norway

[Andy H]

Between Feb 14th & 15th 1945 the RN evacuated over 500 civilians from this Norwegian island, on 4 destroyers.

Were there any German frotifications/guns on the island that could have engaged the RN ships, and if there were did they?, and if not why not?

Regards

Andy H

[Erik E]

Hello Andy

In october 1944, All German forces in Finnmark were evacuated to the "Lyngen line" north-east of Tromsø. That decition left the island Sørøya practically in a "no mans land" between German & Russian lines.
Not before januar 1945, the Norwegian govenment (in exile) was made aware that close to 1000 civilians were left on the Island, and that these had been vitctims of several German "raids". 20 January three boats with Norwegian soldiers (Now based in Kirkenes) were sent on a reconnaissance mission to the island, their goal was to see if it was possible to form a defence of the island. These boats returned to Kirkenes with 220 civilians & message that the whole island needed to be evacuated.
6. February 80 Norwegian soldiers were sent back to organize the evacuation & prepare for the arrival of a Norwegian coastal battery which had been trained & equipped in Scotland. on the 15th, the four destroyers you mention evacuated just over 500 civilians to UK, while some 100 choosed to stay behind with the Norwegian forces.
14 days later the Germans attacked the island again, and parts of the small norwegian force got captured, while some were scattered in small platoons all over the island. The plans for a Norwegian coastal battery never got realized due to the German capitulation.

Rgds
Erik E

[Andy H]

Hi Erik

Thank you for your response, it certainly answers my intial queries.

Prior to the Germans leaving, did they man any sort of fortification on the island or was it just field emplacements?

Also do you think the decision to either evacuate or defend the islands was made in the light of possible Russian action against the island, rather than just to counter German raids?

Regards

Andy H

[Erik E]

There was indeed a German battery with 6 x 15,5cm guns on the island before the evacuation, located in the village Hasvik on the southern tip of the island. In addition, Luftwaffe had an observationpost, Kriegsmarine had a signalsstation (Coastwatch). For close defence purposes, the army had an infantryplatoon on the island so all in all some 150 soldiers from all three branches were stationed here permanent.

The evacuation & defence was surely to prevent German raids, as the Norwegian force mentioned above were shipped from Kirkenes which was more or less under Russian control at the time.

Rgds
Erik E

[Simon Orchard]

In october 1944, All German forces in Finnmark were evacuated to the "Lyngen line" north-east of Tromsø

German forces started to evacuate Finnmark and North Troms i october 1944 but they were in no hurry. There were still a few German troops North of the Lyngen Stellung at the end of the war, the various bases, strongpoints and jagkommandos coming under the command of the 270 Inf.Div.

For example, the 270 ID reported the final evacuation of Hammerfest Just East of Sørøya) on the 12th Feb. 45. The stützpunkt maintained by the 270 ID at Kistrand (also East of Sørøya) in Finnmark was left on the 25th April '45. The troops from this base had several clashes with Norwegian troops, capturing amongst others one officer and 10 soldiers, killing 2 on the 21st Feb.

On the 15th March the Germans reported having captured 2 Norwegian officers, 9 men and 4 civillians from Sørøya

[Bjørn from Norway]

Hello Simon,
concerning the 2 officers etc that were captured, were those captured by a Jagdzug from 3rd Police Company?

B.

[Simon Orchard]

Hi Bjørn

This was the jagdkommando based at Kistrand, part of the 'Reichstrasse sicherungs abteilung' formed from mostly Gren.Rgt.341 though i understand some other troops were involved, i know i've seen reference to Norwegian SS men being sent to these jagdkommandos to act as guides and interpreters. By the way, one of the captured officers was Lt. Alfred Henningsen.

[Bjørn from Norway]

Thanks, Simon!
Yes, I do believe it was the same incident. If so, there were men from 3rd SS & Police Company involved.

Bjørn