Fjords, fjords, fjords, Norway

Traveler Scandinavia Trip 2018
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- Jul 19, 2018
- ☀️ 16 °C
- Altitude: 76 m
- Norway Hordaland Fylke Bergen Paradis Eikelundstjørna 60.340455, 5.3488160°20’26” N 5°20’56” E
Day 21
Fjords, fjords, fjords
July 19, 2018 in Norway ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Today we left our boathouse on the Sognefjord to travel to Bergen. As one of the big ticket items for the trip I had reserved a spot on the 10:30 am ferry from Kaupanger to Gudvangen. It was a 2.5 hour ferry ride through a main part of the Sognefjord and then down one of the even more scenic arms known as the Naeroyfjord. We were a 1 minute drive from the ferry terminal. The reservation said to arrive at 10:15. I was anxious to leave by 10 but some people doddled. When we showed up despite it being only 10:14, the ferry was almost loaded. I was the last car in the reservation line and I didn't think we would make it on to the ferry but they just squeezed us on. The trip was characterized by steep mountains rising up from the fjords to staggering heights, occasionally dotted with farm houses now probably vacation properties by the water. It was just spectacular and well worth the cost. After completing the ferry ride we drove on to Bergen and we were thoroughly exhausted if not a little car/sea sick when we reached our BnB. Our BnB is in a house with the world's steepest driveway requiring a 10 way turn at the top which is impossible to do if you don't precisely follow the owners directions. I know this as initially I attempted to improvise my own 10 way turn which pretty well got the car stuck at the top of the driveway.Read more
Traveler While you are in Norway you have to see where the Mosquito fighters tried to take out a German fuel factory that made fuel for V2 rockets. At least this is what happened in the film 633 Squadron with Cliff Robertson. I assume it is based on a true story. https://youtu.be/y09ssRENr9I
7/21/18Reply
Traveler You have to go to Knaben in southern Norway. The original plot, however, is similar to a real RAF mission. The novel plot did not mention the nature of the target, only that it was a highly rated objective in Norway that could not be reached by the RAF until the Mosquito became operational. There was such a target, the molybdenum mine in Knaben, southern Norway. Typical of the mineral wealth that Hitler stated was worth the sacrifice of a significant portion of the Kriegsmarine, Knaben could produce four-fifths of Germany's requirements for molybdenum, an important element in the production of armour plate. The mine at Knaben was too small to hit in a night raid, and sending heavy, long-range bombers in daylight would have met with disaster. Light bombers such as the Blenheim were ideal for the job, but did not have the necessary range. However, Knaben was within the range of the Mosquito, and 139 Squadron was given the task on 3 March 1943. Nine Mosquitoes were dispatched. All placed their bombs on target, though one failed to return. The target was out of action for some time and was later visited by the United States Army Air Forces's Eighth Air Force.
7/21/18Reply
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