Did hero's ski escape from Nazis inspire classic 007 scene?

The dramatic Second World War race to safety sounds straight from a spy Bond film - and may very well have inspired one.
Decades before Roger Moore's 007 evaded enemy fire in a high-speed ski chase that thrilled film fans in The Spy Who Loved Me, Gail Halvorsen's father was living it for real.
His downhill race for his life eventually led him to seek a route out of Norway to fight the Nazis alongside the Allies.
Toralf Halversen escaped Norway on board the M/B Traust,a fishing boat which became part of the Shetland Bus mission (Image: Contributed)
That meant hitching a ride on the Shetland Bus, a covert operation of small boats disguised as fishing vessels that operated under cover of darkness and in turbulent winter seas between Norway's west coast fjords and Shetland, 200 miles away.
The boats, at first operated by Norwegian resistance fighters and later taken over by British command working with their Norwegian counterparts, played a crucial role in transporting special agents and arms across the North Sea.
In the other direction, the small boats carried refugees and Allied soldiers to the shelter of the Shetland Islands.
By the end of the war, around 200 covert crossings had been made, despite the threat of Nazi attack from above and below, challenging seas and brutal weather.
To mark the Shetland Bus operation's remarkable efforts, a small convoy of historic Norwegian vessels which took part in wartime missions, will soon arrive in Lerwick as part of events to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Read more by Sandra Dick:
Gail, who lives in Midlothian, plans to be there to pay personal tribute to the small boats that defied the Nazi threat to carry her father and other Norwegians to safety.
Toralf was just 19 years old when he became one of the first Norwegian resistance fighters to escape Nazi-occupied Norway on an early version of the Shetland Bus.
Before then, though, he had quit school to spend months camped in mountains with the Norwegian fighters as they carried out a series of operations against the occupying Nazi forces.
Toralf Halverson went on to fly sea planes from Oban and Sullom Voe (Image: Contributed)
He recalled the moment he realised Nazi troops had occupied Norway in his diaries.
'Like so many others I was awakened on the morning of April 9 by the noise of aeroplane engines,' he wrote.
'I did not know the planes were German JU-52. Neither did I know that the black cross on the fuselage was an iron cross, the symbol of the German Air Force.'
With the war on the doorstep, he resolved to lend support to the country's emerging underground resistance movement.
Had he been caught, he would likely have faced torture, prison or a Nazi concentration camp.
Gail says her father's diaries tell how he set off with fellow students to hike miles in search of a Norwegian resistance group to join.
'From what we know, he led the others and was their spokesman,' she says. 'He probably lied about his age to join.'
Read more by Sandra Dick:
He was accepted into the newly formed 9th Infantry Regiment, putting his life on the line in operations intended disrupt the Nazi occupation.
Some resistance tactics focused on sabotage of equipment and infrastructure.
Others were more audacious operations including planting bombs and engaging Nazi forces.
Their lightweight Madsen machines guns and Krag–Jørgensen bolt action rifles could barely match German howitzers and fast action machine guns - a key role of the Shetland Bus was to deliver better equipment to help their fight.
Young as he was, Toralf was at the forefront of the resistance effort, including one dramatic episode when he had to flee on his skies with Nazis brandishing guns in pursuit – inspiration, perhaps, for James Bond creator Ian Fleming, who spent part of the war working on the Shetland Bus missions.
Toralf's diary recorded the warning words from his Commanding Officer as he set off on a ski patrol intended to put German ski troops 'out of commission'.
Toralf Halvorsen went on to fly sea planes from Scottish bases (Image: Richard Halvorsen)
'Remember the good old rule for soldiers,' he said. 'If you don't shoot, he will. If you don't stab, he will. Shoot first and stab first.'
On the patrol's return, however, Toralf found the resistance camp deserted and the route blocked by a broken bridge.
Toralf and his comrades faced days of trudging through snow covered mountains in search of shelter with the German threat all around.
'My father and another man from the resistance were chased and had to split up to try to improve their chances of getting away,' says Gail. 'He had three days of skiing with Germans following him.
'But he knew the terrain better than they did.
'Eventually he found a farmer's hut where he recovered from snow blindness because he'd had to leave his ski googles behind.'
Toralf later made his way to Bergen where he'd heard small boats were quietly whisking people like him out of the country.
'He got on one very small fishing boat,' says Gayle. 'His 'job' on board was to lie at the front and look out for mines and rocks.'
A memorial to the Shetland Bus operation sits outside Scalloway Museum (Image: Liberation Convoy)
The treacherous journey on board MK Traust 2 took several days to reach Lerwick. Once there, he started a new phase in the war as an Allied fighter.
In Elgin, meanwhile, another young man was also involved in the covert Shetland Bus operations.
Jack Cowie was at the heart of Elgin's close community, an upstanding bank manager who, from the comfort of his office, saw young men of the town march to war.
Elgin bank manager Jack Cowie became a Captain in the Gordon Highlanders and played a key role in the Shetland Bus convoys (Image: Graeme Jack)
A troublesome heart murmur meant he could not join them on active service on the frontline. But he was not to be defeated in his quest to play his part.
His organisational skills, knack for communicating and managing people took him to the heart of the Shetland Bus operation.
British and displaced Norwegian military leaders knew resistance groups needed supplies of arms, equipment and people to support their efforts to sabotage German troops, prevent their access to food and whale oil for glycerine, and to gather intelligence.
A sea route between Shetland and Norway would enable the delivery of secret agents but the risks were high: ten of the Shetland Bus boats were lost and 44 men died before US Navy submarine chasers arrived to support the effort.
The toll may have been greater if not for the backroom efforts of men like Jack.
From an undercover base in Aberdeen and in his role as Captain Cowie of the Gordon Highlanders he became the liaison officer for the Shetland Bus operation.
It was so hush-hush that even his nearest and dearest knew little of what he was up to.
Now, though, with the 80th anniversary of VE Day on the horizon, precious details of his secret role have emerged through his daughter Isabell Jack's faded memories.
Pages from fake ration books handed to Allied agents and resistance fighters as part of the Shetland Bus mission (Image: Graeme Jack) Her recollections – although tantalisingly sparse – have offered his grandson, Graeme Jack, the chance to learn a little more of what made him the right man for a vital job.
'He was a reluctant hero,' says Graeme. 'He didn't want the attention on him.
'But those travelling in and out of Norway on these boats needed to be supported. That was his role.
'He used his organisational and people skills as part of this secret unit which had been set up to support the Shetland Bus.'
Isabell, now in a nursing home and with dementia, has offered tiny snippets of detail, recalling her father mentioning the Shetland Bus operation but keeping its secrets close to his heart.
'It was a secret operation so not much was said to us as children,' she says.
Propaganda fliers and posters aimed at Hitler and Quisling, the famous Norwegian political leader who collaborated with the Germans. (Image: Graeme Jack) 'Dad was well liked and had a nice manner about him, with a warm sense of humour, and integrity and I think this helped him in this role.
'He was proud of what he did, but he wasn't a man to make a fuss.'
He returned to his bank job after the war, with a few items to show for his role: some Norwegian propaganda fliers and posters, and fake ration books thought to have been used by agents and Norwegian resistance.
While for some of the young men brought from Norway to Shetland, such as Toralf, the war would take them to new frontiers.
Norwegian resistance fighter Toralf Halvorsen retrained as a sea plane pilot (Image: Richard Halvorsen)
From Shetland, he was recruited to a Norwegian training camp in Canada where he learned to fly seaplanes and later Short Sunderlands - flying boats.
They took him back to Scotland; he flew from Oban and later Sullom Voe for surveillance and bombing raids on German U-Boats in the North Sea. It would be five years before he returned to Norway.
The war also changed his career path – having yearned to become an architect, he instead went on to work in aviation, travelling the world with Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS).
Toralf Halvorsen pictured bottom row, fourth right (Image: Gail Halverson)
He died, aged 59, when Gail was just 18.
Years later she stood at the same spot at Sullom Voe where a grainy photograph captured her father looking towards the sea planes as they prepared for their dangerous missions.
'I thought 'here was a man of 22 years old, piloting a large plane with a crew of 11, doing 13 hour stints in freezing cold.
'He was responsible for all those lives and still just 22,' says Gail, who will be in Lerwick to mark the Norwegian connection during VE Day commemorative events.
'It must have been terrifying every time he went out to fly.
'You realise what they went through,' she adds.
'They were all heroes in those days'.
The Liberation Convoy to mark Norway's role in the Shetland Bus and wartime naval operations will arrive in Lerwick on May 6. Find out more about the Liberation Convoy here

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Metro

a day ago

• Metro

The most beautiful European islands that aren't in Greece

When you think of islands in Europe, the first country that springs to mind is Greece. And for good reason. From azure waters and pretty coastlines to the laid-back feel that only comes with island life, it's no surprise that 4.5 million Brits flock here each year. But, as Greek hostpots like Santorini grapple with the effects of overtourism and the threat of earthquakes, many are looking to go off-the-beaten-path and give these areas a chance to recover. Europe is bursting with islands (the Mediterranean is said to have over 10,000 alone), so we're spoilt for choice. Whether you're looking for a classic island experience with sea, sun and sand, or something a little wilder, the continent delivers in spades. Before you start booking flights to traditional hotspots like Mallorca or Tenerife, we asked Metro readers to share their favourite island recommendations. Here's what they said. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. First up, Harry Dinn flies the flag for both Madeira and the Azores. The former – an autonomous region of Portugal – sits off the northwest coast of Africa, and is known for its namesake wine and a subtropical climate. The latter, also belonging to Portugal, is an archipelago of nine volcanic islands in the North Atlantic. Its dramatic landscapes of crater lakes, lush greenery, lava caves and hot springs make it the perfect destination for adventure seekers. For James Smith, any of Norway's 239,057 islands are worth a trip. While you're there, you can also see the fjords, long, narrow inlets with steep sides or cliffs that sit along the Norwegian coast (mostly in the west). Two of the fjords, Geirangerfjord and the Nærøyfjord, are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Many visit by boat; the cruise season runs from May to September. Jacqui Morgan, Peter B Holloway, and David Gray are just three of our readers who rave about Cyprus, while Frank Vinci says you can't look past Sardinia in Italy and Corsica in France. Shwamle Browne Gertrude agrees that Sardinia has 'gorgeous beaches, ancient ruins, and rugged inland beauty.' Matthew Allen and Peter B Holloway opt for Malta and Gozo, the latter of which sits just above the main island. If you're struggling to decide which to pick as your base, Matthew says both are 'gorgeous countries.' They're also so close to one another that many people head to Gozo on day trips from Cirkewwa or Valetta, Malta's capital. The Gozo Channel ferry from Ċirkewwa to Gozo costs €4.65 (3.97) for foot passengers and takes approximately 25 minutes. From Valetta on a high-speed ferry, prices start from €22.87 (£19.54). The journey takes around 45 minutes. Further north, Robert Edwin Wareham recommends Langeland in Denmark. In fact, he loves the island so much that he even has a holiday home there. Also belonging to the Kingdom of Denmark are the Faroe Islands, which David, Erjona Mehilli and Rose Magalona all rave about. Metro's Travel Editor Alice Murphy just returned from a trip to the Faroe Islands, she'll be writing about that very soon, so keep an eye out. Over in the Baltics, Mikko Haapanen suggests travellers make a trip to Ruhnu in Estonia. The tiny island is home to around 100 permanent residents. In the summer, it slightly increases to about 150. The landscape is mostly flat, with sandy beaches and forests. This makes it the perfect location for outdoor lovers, who can hike, birdwatch, and go wild swimming. Historical sites like St. Madeline's Church and Ruhnu Lighthouse are top attractions, as is the Ruhnu Museum, where you can learn about the island's history. Finally, if you're in the mood for la dolce vita, Adeline Poppito-Tangredi recommends Ischia, a volcanic island in the Gulf of Naples, and Isola Bella, one of the Borromean islands of Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. Its name translates to 'beautiful island.' Nature lovers and thrill seekers, pack your bags. And then unpack them. And pack them again. The Azores – otherwise referred to as the 'Hawaii of Europe' – have nine islands, so it's the perfect place to island hop. Each one is unique, so you get multiple holidays in one. Whale and dolphin watching tours are available on multiple islands. The Azores are a prime location for spotting various species, because they sit in migratory routes for Blue and Fin Whales. From Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island (and also the capital of the Azores), spend two to three hours on an open boat for £56.65 per person. If you don't spot any whales or dolphins, you get a full refund. Back on land, hike across the diverse landscape of volcanic craters, lava caves (like Gruta do Natal on Terceira island), crater lakes (like Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo on São Miguel), and the black sand beach of Capelinhos. Mount Pico on Pico Island is the highest peak in Portugal and is a popular challenge among experienced hikers. After getting your steps in, relax in the many thermal baths and pools. Furnas and Parque Terra Nostra are popular spots. Most springs charge an entrance fee, but some, like Poça da Tia Silvina, also on São Miguel, are free. In terms of beaches, Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara is widely regarded as the most beautiful. The 1.5km stretch of coastline is perfect for sunbathing and surfing, as the shallow water but great waves make for ideal conditions. Out on the ocean, you can explore the Azores by kayak or paddleboard. The calm waters of the twin lakes, Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde, in São Miguel are favoured, while for canyoning and coasteering, Caloura is the place to be. For £60, you can spend three hours climbing, swimming, rock scrambling and exploring the Azores' many inlets and caves. If history is more your thing, Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The town dates back to the 15th century and was an obligatory port of call until the advent of the steamship in the 19th century. The San Sebastião and San João Baptista fortifications are over 400 years old and provide examples of unique military architecture. Finally, no trip to the Azores is complete without trying the cuisine. There's a strong focus on local ingredients, including fruit, veg, meat and fish. Thanks to the abundant Atlantic waters, fresh fish and shellfish like limpets, barnacles, and tuna are rife. In terms of the dishes, many are influenced by Portuguese traditions, with specialities such as Cozido das Furnas, a stew cooked in geothermal heat. (Did we mention the Azores are volcanic islands?) TripAdvisor rates Restaurante Tradicional e Típico Quinta do Martelo as the number one restaurant in the Azores. It previously won first place in the Gastronomy – National Heritage competition. The reviews agree, with many complimenting the service, plentiful portions, and amazing food. At a glance, prices aren't extortionate. Fried horse mackerel with cake in a pan costs €15 (12.81), while a rump of beef from the farm will set you back €38 (32.45) for two people. Affectionately referred to as 'L'Île de Beauté', or 'The Isle of Beauty,' the Mediterranean island of Corsica is a jewel in France's crown. A mix of coastal towns, lush forest and craggy peaks, Corsica lies southeast of France, west of Italy, and north of Sardinia. Its best beaches include Santa Giulia, a shimmering bay with shallow, clear water, Saleccia, a secluded cove with soft white sand and turquoise water, and Palombaggia, complete with azure ocean and pillow-soft sand. Hike-wise, Corsica ticks all the boxes. The most famous is the GR20, a challenging, long-distance trail that is considered one of the toughest in Europe. The Bavella Needles are also impressive: rocky spikes of red granite dominate the mountain and can be found in Corsica's Regional National Park. As for the Calanques de Piana and Scandola Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you have the luxury of choosing between hiking around both, or taking the more relaxed route by boat. From Porto (not the Portuguese city), join a three-hour Scandola and Girolata boat tour for £39. You'll sail around the reserve in a hybrid boat, stopping in the remote village of Girolata, which is only accessible from the sea. More Trending Another boat trip worth looking into is the route around the Lavezzi Islands, a collection of islets and reefs that separate Corsica from Sardinia. A half-day tour from Bonifacio starts at £74pp. After exploring the archipelago, head to the vineyards of Patrimonio to sample local wines. Le Clos Teddi, a wine estate located in the heart of the Agriate desert, offers experiences starting from €15.00 (£12.81). Over half an hour, you'll taste the winery's red, rosé and white, plus two vintages. Due to Corsica's location, the cuisine is a blend of French and Italian. Local ingredients such as chestnuts, cured meats, and seafood are prominent, with dishes ranging from hearty stews, fresh fish, Corsican charcuterie, and veau aux olives (veal with olives). Restaurant Santa Margherita takes the top spot on TripAdvisor, serving French and Mediterranean meals. One diner went so far as to call their experience a 'rare and precious moment'. MORE: I fell head over heels for Europe's last hidden gem — it just got easier to explore MORE: Historic 'hidden gem' Turkish destinations get new UK flight routes MORE: The 'enchanting' UK town with five beaches that's only 58 minutes from London

Daily Record

2 days ago

• Daily Record

Travelers leader admits PGA Tour shock and taking inspiration from Euro hero

Austin Eckroat motivated by the magic of ex-landlord and Euro Ryder Cup ace Austin Eckroat admits the inspiration of Euro pal Viktor Hovland remains key in overcoming the shock and enormity of the PGA Tour. The 26-year-old displayed his obvious prowess by matching Scottie Scheffler's opening 62 at the Travelers Championship. ‌ Eckroat is a two-time winner on the main circuit having turned pro five years ago, but says he still has pinch-me moments amongst the elite. ‌ Progressed through Oklahoma State College, he and Ryder Cup Hovland are big pals and he used to rent a room from the Norwegian in his house. Eckroat explained: 'It's funny, a lot of Wednesdays I've felt really good going into the tournament and then Thursday comes around and it hasn't been there. I don't know if it's just the stress of playing in a PGA Tour. 'I wouldn't say they were role models, but my team-mates came out here immediately and had success, Viktor and Matt Wolff, and they kind of gave me the confidence going in at the time that I knew compete with them so I knew I could compete out here. 'But it's a different ball game out here. Week in, week out, you're having to grind. The mental aspect of it with playing in front of people with cameras and all that stuff, I'd say I was aware of it just because I had two buddies that had just done it, but it's still a shock when you get out here. 'This is one of my favorite events of the year outside of that, but then add in on top of that they gave me a sponsor exemption, gave me an opportunity to play with the best players in the world back in 2021 and just really thankful for Travelers and everybody involved in this event to give me that opportunity. I played well that week. I just have great memories coming back here, and it's definitely one of my favorite stops of the year. 'It's funny, the weeks that we play, they all run together now, but I remember doing a little media thing for Travelers and every now and then it'll pop up on my social media, like come back around. I don't have any logos on my shirt, I'm wearing just standard clothing. It's funny just looking back on what's happened since then. It's pretty cool. 'My college coach when I was at Oklahoma State used to always say, when you're off, you're never that far from playing good golf. And whenever you're on, you're not that far from playing bad golf. You're playing on a fine line and confidence plays a huge part in it. 'I've felt close all year and that's why I kept playing. I felt like a week was coming and it was just all going to click. I just needed one good round and I was going to be good. It just hadn't happened yet.'

Daily Record

2 days ago

• Daily Record

Scottish castle that once held infamous Nazi now reclaimed by nature

The historic Stirlingshire castle has fallen into ruin. New photographs show a Scottish castle that once housed an infamous, high-ranking Nazi. As seen in the images, the castle has been reclaimed by the surrounding nature. Situated near Drymen in Stirlingshire, Buchanan Castle was constructed in the 1850s. It acted as the home of the Montrose family until 1925. The castle was then sold, before opening as a hotel in 1930—with plans to implement a golf course. However, once World War Two broke out, these plans were abandoned and Buchanan Castle was repurposed as a hospital. On May 10, 1941, Rudolf Hess flew to the UK in a self-described mission to negotiate peace. However, the plane carrying the Deputy Führer to Adolf Hitler ran out of fuel and he parachuted to the ground. Hess was taken to Buchanan Castle and treated. He was then transported to the Tower of London, before being relocated to Mytchett Place in Surrey. Following a suicide attempt, Hess was moved to Maindiff Court Hospital. He then surrendered, and was moved to Nuremberg to face trial for war crimes in May 1945. After the war, Buchanan Castle briefly acted as the Army School of Education. However, after the roof was removed and parts of the castle were demolished in 1954, it began to fall into ruin. Proposals were put forth in 2002 and 2004 to convert the castle into apartment accommodation, but these were both denied. Today, while Buchanan Castle remains a B-listed building, signs around the site warn visitors not to enter for their own safety. The abandoned building has now been reclaimed by nature. The ruins have become overgrown by trees and vines in the years since its heyday. Read on for a collection of photos of Buchanan Castle as it appears today. More On World War 2 History Heritage Photography Stirling Albion FC