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Skis Against the Atom: The Exciting, First Hand Account of Heroism and Daring Sabotage During the Nazi Occupation of Norway
The exciting, 1st-hand account of heroism & daring sabotage during the Nazi occupation of Norway. The outcome of WWII could very possibly have been much different if Knut Haukelid & his small, but courageous band of Norwegian soldiers had not been successful in sabotaging the Nazis supply of heavy water. The heavy water produced at a facility in occupied Norway was vital to Hitler's race with the USA to develop the atomic bomb. Skis Against the Atom gives the reader an intimate account of the valiant & self-sacrificing service that the not-to-be-subdued Norwegians performed for the whole free world.
253 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1953
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 16, 2016
This book was among Father's effects given me upon his death a year ago. Given its hokey cover, I almost didn't read it but then the Norwegian tv series "The Heavy Water Wars" and Kurzman's books on Norsk Hydro and on the atomic bombings of Japan got me interested in checking out this first person account.
Haukelid was one of the English-trained, Norwegian saboteurs who was involved in fighting the German occupiers of his country and in destroying both the Norsk Hydro installation and its stocks of heavy water. Since no translator is noted, Haukelid presumably wrote this book in English himself. His style, written and personal, is laconic but his story needs no embelishment to be exciting.
Haukelid was one of the English-trained, Norwegian saboteurs who was involved in fighting the German occupiers of his country and in destroying both the Norsk Hydro installation and its stocks of heavy water. Since no translator is noted, Haukelid presumably wrote this book in English himself. His style, written and personal, is laconic but his story needs no embelishment to be exciting.
March 15, 2022
My late grandpa was a member of the 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate), an American battalion of Norwegian and Norwegian-American soldiers ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99th_In... ) who fought (in part) on skis, toted huge packs, slept in foxholes, etc. I remember my grandparents having a copy of this book around the house at some point (did they hear about it from other 99ers? the Sons of Norway?) and them finding it very compelling. I'm sure my grandpa had a particular appreciation for the training and skill needed to carry out those attacks (both the break-in at the plant and the sinking of the ferry). The 99th was also charged with acts of sabotage, but blowing up bridges or train tracks seems pretty ordinary next to the high stakes of destroying heavy water!
That said, though, other reviewers here are correct that this isn't the most polished account. (For that, try Neal Bascomb's "The Winter Fortress"--which was published after Grandpa Chuck died, alas.) It reads more like a chronicle or memoir than an in-depth description of WWII in the Norwegian wilds. In fact, the aforementioned attacks on the heavy water only get a few pages each. But if you want to be impressed by the ability of Norwegian men of a certain age and generation to survive in the woods/mountains for months and months while awaiting missions and supplies, this is the book for you. I confess to skimming chunks of it.
That said, though, other reviewers here are correct that this isn't the most polished account. (For that, try Neal Bascomb's "The Winter Fortress"--which was published after Grandpa Chuck died, alas.) It reads more like a chronicle or memoir than an in-depth description of WWII in the Norwegian wilds. In fact, the aforementioned attacks on the heavy water only get a few pages each. But if you want to be impressed by the ability of Norwegian men of a certain age and generation to survive in the woods/mountains for months and months while awaiting missions and supplies, this is the book for you. I confess to skimming chunks of it.
June 10, 2020
This is a wild read! One can’t convey the stories told in this first person account without sounding like you are describing a James Bond flick.
April 3, 2018
Book 19 of Nuclear Studies:
This short read is a first-person retelling of a seldom-discussed portion of the nuclear arms race that began during World War II and how a group of Norwegians were willing to risk their lives at any cost to stop Germany from developing an atomic weapon. The book, however, suffers from the style in which it is written. Since no translator was listed, I assume that Mr. Haukelid penned it in English himself. As such, it reads at times in a halting manner with odd syntax. At other times, it seems as though the ideas and story presented are not ordered in a logical way. This means that the book’s style will, unfortunately, cause many readers to put it down before they have finished. This is a shame because the story is so interesting and written by one of the best people who could have recounted the events. Without the author and his fellow countrymen, Germany very well may have developed their atomic bomb and, well, The Man in the High Castle gives its own perspective on what that might have looked like.
This short read is a first-person retelling of a seldom-discussed portion of the nuclear arms race that began during World War II and how a group of Norwegians were willing to risk their lives at any cost to stop Germany from developing an atomic weapon. The book, however, suffers from the style in which it is written. Since no translator was listed, I assume that Mr. Haukelid penned it in English himself. As such, it reads at times in a halting manner with odd syntax. At other times, it seems as though the ideas and story presented are not ordered in a logical way. This means that the book’s style will, unfortunately, cause many readers to put it down before they have finished. This is a shame because the story is so interesting and written by one of the best people who could have recounted the events. Without the author and his fellow countrymen, Germany very well may have developed their atomic bomb and, well, The Man in the High Castle gives its own perspective on what that might have looked like.
October 15, 2024
This is a first hand account of extraordinary actions taken by a small number of Norwegian men, supported by British SOE, against the Nazi occupying powers in Norway. The most striking part of the book for me is how they survive the harshest winters in the mountains, remaining hidden, not always well supplied and displaying sustained and extraordinary determination to take action. There is a sense that they often enjoyed their adventures, friendships are made and satisfaction is taken from jobs well done - whether building a mountain hut, hunting a reindeer, or blowing up heavy water production (hence the title). In amongst wonderful descriptions of how good an RAF resupply drop feels, the threat of exposure, capture and reprisals against local civilian populations is never far away. this isn't written by a writer, I got lost a few times with the who/when/where but its still a great story.
July 30, 2020
Picked this book up after a visit to Norway and the Vemork hydroelectric power plant.
I was completely oblivious to Norway's role in WWII and its production of heavy water for the German's research towards an atomic weapon. Reading Haukelid's retelling was very insightful into the occupation of the country and the strategy of both the Allies and the Nazis. I'm particularly interested in finding out more about Sweden's role in the war, as I hadn't realised that it was a neutral state with the Allies using it so strategically.
I do think, however, that Knut Haukelid made a better soldier than he did an author. This book wasn't written in the clearest of ways and I found it at times confusing to keep track of who, where or what he was talking about. Overall, though, a good read to get a grasp on how one small Norwegian valley played a critical part in the war.
I was completely oblivious to Norway's role in WWII and its production of heavy water for the German's research towards an atomic weapon. Reading Haukelid's retelling was very insightful into the occupation of the country and the strategy of both the Allies and the Nazis. I'm particularly interested in finding out more about Sweden's role in the war, as I hadn't realised that it was a neutral state with the Allies using it so strategically.
I do think, however, that Knut Haukelid made a better soldier than he did an author. This book wasn't written in the clearest of ways and I found it at times confusing to keep track of who, where or what he was talking about. Overall, though, a good read to get a grasp on how one small Norwegian valley played a critical part in the war.
August 27, 2018
The book is a first-hand account of the Norwegians who sabotaged the heavy water facility in Vermork and their underground activities to keep the Germans from developing the atomic bomb first. It tells of the Norwegian resistance, the training in Scotland in remote areas that Churchill had
set up and how they got back to Norway to help the Allies in the fight against Germany. After they blew up the plant in Vermork, Knut was a radio operator in the mountains. It was amazing how they survived on so little and in such brutal conditions. The men were valient, self-sacrificing and true heroes for their country.
set up and how they got back to Norway to help the Allies in the fight against Germany. After they blew up the plant in Vermork, Knut was a radio operator in the mountains. It was amazing how they survived on so little and in such brutal conditions. The men were valient, self-sacrificing and true heroes for their country.
August 5, 2021
I gave it a 5 not because it is a great literary work, but because it honestly captures a phenomenal event inhuman history which for most is a side note. The courage and determination of such a small group of people enabled them to achieve a success that might have completely changed the outcome of WWII, or at least shortened it by years. One can learn much about the hardships endured. One line in particular caught my attention, ..."but civilization is mostly an accumulation of non-necessities...
October 20, 2019
Okay, I'm not a history buff and especially of WW2. But I found this at an estate sale of an obviously Norwegian descent lady and was intrigued. It is a true account of Norwegian-occupied resistance fighters against the Nazis. It was a good read and I'd highly recommend to any WW2 history buffs and anyone who has an interest. His stories of wilderness survival in Norwegian winters is enough to make you get a blanket and seek a fireplace.
November 20, 2021
The main value of this account of the heavy water sabotage is that it comes directly from one of the soldiers who led that operation. But it’s not particularly well written, with quite confusing chronology. Worth reading, but I’d go into it already knowing the details of the events. If you already know the history, then you can fully focus on this book’s first-person experiences that are, of course, very interesting and add dimension to the more purely academic and historical texts.
October 29, 2025
The author was my cousin-uncle from the Norwegian branch of our family. The book has come out in several editions with Knut's revisions, the 1958 edition being the best. Knut spent a lot of time in the high country in Telemark, between Oslo and Bergen, hunting, fishing and living outdoors. When the Germans invaded in 1940 he joined the armed resistance to fight them. Hunting, fishing, and fighting nazis: my brother and I are carrying on the tradition. Plus ca change.....
September 24, 2017
After visiting Norway and being in Rjukan, I became interested in the history of this region during the war. This book is an interesting look at that history from the perspective of a member of the Norwegian resistance. A very interesting read.
June 8, 2020
A spellbinding account of Norwegian commandos and their battle against the elements, as well as relentless pursuit by occupying German forces in an effort to prevent Germany from creating the first atomic bomb.
March 20, 2021
lets remember that despite the idealization of nazis and scandinavian heritage, norway actually fought AGAINST fascism. so when someone calls you nazi with scandinavian heritage you can tell them no i did not take part in the holocaust !
October 11, 2023
Good small scale war story. Possibly no less important then some of the major battles in WWII.
Gives good context about how the Norwegian military was operating in Norway with the help of Great Britain.
Worth checking out if you have interest in WWII history. This is a lesser known theatre of the war, possibly a story most are unfamiliar with.
Gives good context about how the Norwegian military was operating in Norway with the help of Great Britain.
Worth checking out if you have interest in WWII history. This is a lesser known theatre of the war, possibly a story most are unfamiliar with.
October 11, 2018
I liked it a lot, but wished Haukelid would spend more time talking about the beginning of the war and what made him decide to fight.
May 20, 2022
The race to stop the atomic bomb was done by reindeer
If you know you know
If you know you know
July 14, 2013
After reading, "Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon"by Steve Sheinkin, I wanted to revisit this book I read when I was in my 20's. It details Knut Haukelid's role in foiling the German's plans to build an atomic bomb. Knut lead nine commandos who broke into a heavy water plant and blew up the containers storing the special water the Germans needed to create a nuclear bomb. This gripping story is full of tension as the group broke into the plant. Two commandos crawled into the plant through the floorboards while the other two broke a window to gain entry. They shooed a German worker out who refused to go without his spectacles. "They are on your nose" one of Commandos told him before he ran away into the night. After setting up the bombs the nine waited outside for the explosion, which Knut said was not very spectacular. This was the first setback to the Germans in their atomic bomb program. Unfortunately, the plant was repaired in two months and the Germans continued to collect the heavy water needed to build a bomb. Knut struck again when the Germans tried transporting the water from Norway back to their homeland. He led a group that masqueraded as workers and planted explosives on the ferry transporting the water. The group successfully sunk the ferry and permanently derailed Germany's atomic bomb program.
This isn't a beautifully written book. It isn't grammatically correct. But it is a story that needs to be told and for that reason it is worth reading. Knut's first language is Norwegian and this book has many awkward sentences, grammatical errors, and incorrect words. It also captures the flavor of a man who was a hero and willing to defend his country and its freedom at all cost. The ugliness of war comes through in his non-emotional account. Knut and the Norwegians didn't kill people willy-nilly, but it didn't always make sense to me when they decided it was right or wrong. At the plant when Jens asks about shooting a lone German who came out of a hut Knut says the task was to blow up the plant not shoot a German. Earlier in the book, he talks about how he and some buddies were on a ferry and saw a German and just picked him up and threw him into the icy fjord waters to drown. Perhaps the point is that nothing is clear-cut in war.
The tales of how Knut survived in the mountains during harsh winters as a wireless operator for the Resistance is truly amazing. He talks about twisting his ankle while out skiing and living for three weeks under a boulder off of raw meat that he had in his rucksack. The understated writing as he portrays these situations had me going, "Huh!" "He did what!" Then I would go back and reread the passage to make sure I got it right. Another time he explained how he and another guy ate reindeer and in order to get the proper nutrition during the winter; it was important to eat the stomach that contained the reindeer's digested vegetables and grass. When I saw a photo of the hut he lived in for the winter, I couldn't see a door. It looked like a weeny igloo I would build with my best friend in the snowbanks. I know the hut was buried in snow but it didn't look like a person could stand up in it. I could not imagine living like that for months on end. Not to mention the 15 degree below zero weather days. I wonder how many toes and fingers he frostbit over the years.
This isn't a beautifully written book. It isn't grammatically correct. But it is a story that needs to be told and for that reason it is worth reading. Knut's first language is Norwegian and this book has many awkward sentences, grammatical errors, and incorrect words. It also captures the flavor of a man who was a hero and willing to defend his country and its freedom at all cost. The ugliness of war comes through in his non-emotional account. Knut and the Norwegians didn't kill people willy-nilly, but it didn't always make sense to me when they decided it was right or wrong. At the plant when Jens asks about shooting a lone German who came out of a hut Knut says the task was to blow up the plant not shoot a German. Earlier in the book, he talks about how he and some buddies were on a ferry and saw a German and just picked him up and threw him into the icy fjord waters to drown. Perhaps the point is that nothing is clear-cut in war.
The tales of how Knut survived in the mountains during harsh winters as a wireless operator for the Resistance is truly amazing. He talks about twisting his ankle while out skiing and living for three weeks under a boulder off of raw meat that he had in his rucksack. The understated writing as he portrays these situations had me going, "Huh!" "He did what!" Then I would go back and reread the passage to make sure I got it right. Another time he explained how he and another guy ate reindeer and in order to get the proper nutrition during the winter; it was important to eat the stomach that contained the reindeer's digested vegetables and grass. When I saw a photo of the hut he lived in for the winter, I couldn't see a door. It looked like a weeny igloo I would build with my best friend in the snowbanks. I know the hut was buried in snow but it didn't look like a person could stand up in it. I could not imagine living like that for months on end. Not to mention the 15 degree below zero weather days. I wonder how many toes and fingers he frostbit over the years.
February 14, 2014
Skis Against the Atom by Knut Haukelid is not a great literary piece of writing, but it is a fascinating account of the author's involvement with the Norwegian Resistance in World War II. Given the specter of Nazis dominating the world if Hitler's regime made the first atomic bomb, a few select Norwegian soldiers put their lives on the line to sabotage the heavy water facility at Vemork in Norway.
In spite of an almost impregnable location and tight German security, the small group managed to place enough explosives to do some damage to the heavy water operation. After months of meticulous planning for perfect timing, and working against even tighter security, Haukelid led a mission that was more successful. They sank the ferry that was moving the heavy water out of Norway.
The victory of the Resistance and ultimately the Allies is well known. Less understood may be the painstaking planning, persistence, and endurance of the Norwegians who accomplished what seemed impossible in a country occupied by the German military. What seems equally impossible is the way these people faced hunger and cold in the winters as they hid out in the mountains. For food they relied on reindeer meat from roaming herds. They had to keep moving on skis to elude the Germans who were hunting them. When their shelters were compromised by quislings, they built new huts if they could find rocks buried in the snow. Sometimes they had to bury themselves in the snow to stay warm and survive. After reading about the winter survival of these Norwegians, it seems a little silly to complain about the cold Minnesota winter of 2013-14.
In spite of an almost impregnable location and tight German security, the small group managed to place enough explosives to do some damage to the heavy water operation. After months of meticulous planning for perfect timing, and working against even tighter security, Haukelid led a mission that was more successful. They sank the ferry that was moving the heavy water out of Norway.
The victory of the Resistance and ultimately the Allies is well known. Less understood may be the painstaking planning, persistence, and endurance of the Norwegians who accomplished what seemed impossible in a country occupied by the German military. What seems equally impossible is the way these people faced hunger and cold in the winters as they hid out in the mountains. For food they relied on reindeer meat from roaming herds. They had to keep moving on skis to elude the Germans who were hunting them. When their shelters were compromised by quislings, they built new huts if they could find rocks buried in the snow. Sometimes they had to bury themselves in the snow to stay warm and survive. After reading about the winter survival of these Norwegians, it seems a little silly to complain about the cold Minnesota winter of 2013-14.
January 9, 2022
After watching the classic Heroes of Telemark, I found this book, which is the true account of the the exploits of several brave Norwegians liberating their homeland from Nazi Germany, and stopping the heavy water production. I thought the book was quite good, as it really went into detail into not only the raid of the Heavy Water plant, but also several other operations, such as the destruction of the SF Hydro transport boat, and their life hiding and living in occupied Norway.
January 1, 2010
What a story! This book is strictly history, told with no journalistic frills. Nevertheless, the story is gripping. It tells of the Norwegian resistance fighters during WWII, who lived in the wilds of Norway to attempt to foil the German production of heavy water, needed for the construction of the atom bomb. What strength and endurance those men had, skiing miles and miles in the wilds, often without enough food or sleep. It is an amazing story, and I recommend it to those who are interested in the facts of this part of WWII history.
October 25, 2014
Simply amazing story of the battle for heavy water from Vemork. This is an unbelievable aspect of WW2 and the Nazi's pursuit of the atomic bomb (and the crazy bravery of the Norweigian resistance)! WOW. It isn't the absolute best writing, but the power of the narrative totally carries it. Inspirational history.
January 27, 2009
Sons of Norway Book Cub choice. The strength of the WWII heroes is showcased in this book. They lived rough in the cold and snow of Norway!!!!!and lived through it. Without their work WWII may have had a different ending. Blatantly sexist attitues evident in the book.
January 26, 2009
This was a very interesting book about Norwegian resistance fighters and the hardships they endured to contribute to the very important fight to keep Germany from getting enough heavy water to create the atomic bomb. Amazing!
July 4, 2013
There is always something remarkable about a first hand account of a truly legendary adventure. This is one of the best. Haukelid's story is fascinating, exciting and genuinely humbling. One of my 'top ten' adventure stories of all time. Ooh, I really must write that list!
April 9, 2011
Good read, some real courageous folks.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews