BOOK LAUNCH: Spies and Informants; About Norwegian radio agents in British service during World War II

Welcome to the launch of Knut J Støvne’s new book “Spies and Informers A war between spies on the Norwegian coast 1940-1945”. About Norwegian intelligence agents in British service on our coast during World War II, a publication by Gyldendal Norske forlag.

With access to hitherto unknown sources, the book reveals how informers and provocateurs put the agents’ lives at risk, and how the agents, especially in Northern Norway, collaborated in a network to keep the German battleships under surveillance.

The book follows a handful of agents through intense operations, nerve-wracking escape attempts and fateful confrontations with the Germans. It was a life-and-death struggle, where one misstep could be fatal. Some were betrayed by informers, others had to flee. Several ended up in the Gestapo’s torture chambers, some miraculously escaped. Støvne exhibits an impressive ability to weave together personal destinies and historical events into a dramatic and engaging narrative, and builds on a rich source material.

Photo: Ingar Sørensen

About the Author:

Støvne has a background from the Norwegian Armed Forces, is educated at the Norwegian Military Academy and has a master’s degree in operational studies from the US Marine Corps University. He has also been associated with the weekly magazine Vi Menn as a freelance journalist, where he wrote about war history and military conditions. He made his debut as a non-fiction writer in 2022 with the biography of Torstein Raaby. Støvne has lived in Northern Norway for many years, including on Andøya and in Harstad.

Entrance 120,- to be paid at the door

The event is held on the flag deck.

The onboard museum café is open both before, during and after the event.