Comments on: Gustav Wersland: Branch President / Agent of the Norwegian Underground

By: Fred Magnus Brunsvik

Fred Magnus Brunsvik — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 03:08:26 +0000

Gustav is my grandfather. He was a fastenating and wonderful man.

By: cadams

cadams — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 04:57:28 +0000

How can I learn about this man?

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 21:50:22 +0000

There were some other clues in his story that I didn’t pick up on at first. The damage to the rail lines from bombing suggests that his rail journey was later in the war, after the Allies’ bombing offensive had become more effective in disrupting the German railroads. And that would match with the Italians’ presence in the POW camp–after their 1943 surrender.

It is odd that his story is so different from the one recorded by Bro. Babbel.

By: kevinf

kevinf — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 19:41:38 +0000

Another great bit of 20th century Mormon history, and as always, I am impressed by the additions brought by the comments.

By: Anne (U.K.)

Anne (U.K.) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:01:31 +0000

On 17 April 1940 the ship on which my dad was serving, HMS Suffolk, bombarded the German seaplane installation at Stavanger. They destroyed much of the installation and four seaplanes, but the ship was so badly damaged (I have his photos) she scarcely made it home.

By: Vader

Vader — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 16:02:00 +0000

The Italians at least are easily explained. When they ceased to be the Germans’ allies in September 1943, the Germans felt betrayed and infuriated, and murdered or imprisoned every Italian soldier they could get their hands on.

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 13:28:38 +0000

There are a few puzzling things in Bro. Wersland’s account. Stettin, for example, is not on the Elbe River–it’s on the Oder. And there’s no place that the two rivers meet.

And what were the Italians doing in the prisoner of war camp? They were the Germans’ allies, at least until 1943.