We wanted to share this quick story with our customers, as it is close to home for us. Recently, a Norwegian customer of ours helped us verify a family story…
My late father in law, Jan, was born in Bergen, Norway, in January, 1938. His father was named Einer. He had one brother and two sisters and was the youngest child of the four.
Here is what Jan told me before he passed:
Jan’s father, Einer, was ordered to work for the Germans in Bergen. Apparently he could operate watercraft. He refused to work for the Germans and was put in a camp or jail.
His wife went every day to the Gestapo and demanded his release. She said he was needed to support all the children.
Her daily visits went on for weeks or months. Eventually, the Germans grew tired of this. When she walked in the next time, they told her they would “put her in the camp in his place if she came to complain again.”
The next day he was released!!
This auspicious day was actually my late father in laws fourth birthday.
After he was released, his assigned job was to ferry supplies to the German ships anchored in the harbor. He would receive the supplies from the Germans, but hid whatever he could on the boat and steal it back from the Germans. Jan said food was very, very scarce, because the Germans took everything for themselves.
From another family member, whose mother was 11 at the time, I learned that the Germans actually came to the house just before Christmas of 1942. They broke in the door and took Einer away.
While he was in custody of the Nazis, he received a big cut on his face.
Jan, who not quite four at the time, did not tell me of these two facts. He was either shielded from these facts or time had erased these awful childhood memories.
Today, through the gracious assistance of a Norwegian customer here on EM, our friend was able to immediately verify what would have otherwise been mere family folklore.
Norwegian records indicate that Einer, whose occupation was listed as Warehouse Worker, was incarcerated beginning on Monday, December 28, 1942. His crime was “refusing to work.” He was assigned prisoner number 1957 by the Bergen District. He was released on Friday, January 15, 1943.
I have requested additional information from the Gestapo Museum and also the Espeland Prison Camp Foundation, both located in Bergen, Norway.
We will update this blog when we hear back.
This particular story is meaningful to our family, and we hope that it touched upon something that is meaningful to yours. There is a brotherhood of collectors around the world sharing militaria and the stories behind them. The items that we collect are more than pieces of fiber, metal, and wood. They are priceless artifacts of history honoring individuals and families, and their amazing experiences. These stories are important for people to know today and remember for future generations.
That story I can recount from my mother who was the daughter of Einer and witnessed some of the related information, It is something that should be shared, And I’m glad to know what my grandfather endured will be known