Molde As A Combat Zone

KPLU Viking Jazz: Molde in flames as German bombers attack during World War II - Rica Seilet (Sail) Hotel, Molde

Painted by Rolf Groven

The following is displayed in the Sail Hotel, Molde, adjacent to the above painting:-

On the 9th of April 1940 Norway was attacked by the Nazis. Initially seven towns along the coast were occupied. The Germans did not however occupy any of the towns along the north-west coast. Molde thus became an important military centre. Norwegian and British battleships became a common sight on the fjord. This increasing military activity caused concern that Molde would become a goal for the German bombs. Only one week after the invasion, the first bombs fell. They were aimed at a ship alongside the main quay, but many missed their target and hit nearby houses.

Molde, the capital of Norway for one week

After a dramatic flight from Oslo, King Haakon, Crown Prince Olav and members of the government arrived in Molde on the 23rd of April. They settled on the outskirts of the town. Helped by among others the poet Nordahl Grieg, the Norwegian gold reserve was secreted to Molde and hidden in a clothing factory. German intelligence was aware of what was going on, and on the 25th of April they struck. For an entire week a barrage of German artillery and fire bombs rained on Molde. The howl from the air raid siren on the chimney of the dairy building gave the town an eerie atmostphere.

The 29th of April 1940 was the worst day in the history of Molde. The town was transformed into a sea of flames. The beautiful church was still undamaged, but late that night a fire bomb got stuck high up in its tower. When the church caught fire all hope faded.

Unbelievable, only seven people were killed during these terrible April days.

Help From England

The British cruiser "Glasgow" was directed to Molde to transport the King and his entourage to safety. Escorted by two destroyers, the 180 metre long warship docked in Molde on the evening of the inferno. The roar of machine guns, motors, sirens and bombs filled the night. The road to the quay was difficult and hazardous, but the King and his company finally reached the "Glasgow" and went safely aboard. No one was injured. The ships were not hit by the bombing. Nor were any planes shot down, despite the intense artillery.

One hour after midnight the three ships were at sea and heading north for Troms0.

In the midst of the drama, the crews on the motor boats "Rovdehorn" and "Legona" were working feverishly to get the gold reserves loaded onto the "Glasgow". They did not succeed in getting all the gold onboard before the ships had to leave the burning town. The rest of the gold was carried northward by fishing boats.