In the aftermath of a very successful Liberation Convoy, this is what happened...

Monument commemorating the heroic work done by people in the Norwegian merchant navy in the World War II - Photo courtesy of Oleksandr Berezko/Shutterstock.com

The departure
Friday, May 2, 2025, we marked the start of the Liberation Convoy. Bergen and boats were decorated for the party. At the Festningskaien we lay side by side: D/S Hestmanden – Norwegian War Sailors Museum, the last ship left after Nortraship’s extensive fleet, M/K Andholmen, M/K Heland and M/K Erkna – all three fishing boats used in the Shetland trade during the war, as well as the small, nimble “agent boat” M/B Arnefjord were all participants in this special project.

The liberation convoy on its way to Shetland - Photo: Samferdelsfoto/Tor Arne Aasen

After a great weekend of open ships, events, speeches and wreath-laying, we let go of the ropes on Monday morning, May 5. The horseman was given the role of 'commodore', convoy leader, even though the ship cannot exactly boast an impressive top speed. Downstream it can go 7–8 knots, and that’s on a good day. On board the various vessels were a total of around 70 crew: committed volunteers, descendants and champions of the wartime sailors’ cause, and some of them had worked as volunteers for months to get the vessels ready for departure.

The liberation convoy on its way to Shetland - Photo: Samferdelsfoto/Tor Arne Aasen

Over The North Sea
The course was set to the west. The Horseman had not been abroad since the 1960s, but kept a steady speed towards the territorial border. Neither vessel is known for being a speed freak, but that was not the intention. This was a trip to remember. The fastest of the convoy this time was Arnefjord, which had a small problem in its engine and therefore had to go at maximum speed. Arnefjord was therefore jokingly renamed M/B Roundabout, as they had to drive in circles around the convoy so as not to get too far away from us.

The swells gradually rolled heavier. Whales were observed. Some had an involuntary reunion with their breakfast. Over eighty years ago, the same vessels crossed this stretch of sea, back then with fear of mines, bombs and German planes. Now all we had to worry about was seasickness. Halfway out at sea we stopped the engines. The sea lay dark and heavy around us while we lowered roses into the water, in a quiet moment in memory of the war sailors who never came home. When we picked up speed again, it was as if both seriousness and expectation descended upon the ship and crew. After 32 hours we glimpsed land.

The swells became noticeable over the North Sea; View of Arnefjord from the poop at Hestmanden - Photo: Vest-Agder Museum

Lerwick
The closer we got to Shetland, the more life became around us. Helicopters circled above us, countless pleasure boats and rescue boats came close, and water cannons were sprayed from ships in welcome. It was like seeing old friends again after decades. The Shetlanders had been preparing for months, and it showed. Norwegian flags were flying in the streets, even from the tower of the Town Hall, welcome signs were hung in the shop windows, and the quay was full of people wanting to see the convoy's arrival. Lerwick was the only port, apart from Bergen, where the entire Liberation Convoy was gathered. The reception we received was absolutely enormous.

From the left: Defence Attaché Pål Hope, Project Manager Ragnhild Bie, Ambassador Tore Hattrem, Convenor Andrea Mason, Department Manager at D/S Hestmanden Hallvard Klungtveit and General Manager of the Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce Kyrre Haugen during the presentation of gifts between the nations - Photo: Bob Kerr

The program in Shetland was extensive. On Hestmanden we had several classes of schoolchildren every day, around 200 students in total, who were given a tour and education about the war sailors and the relationship between Shetland and Norway in the unique and authentic surroundings we have on board. It was obvious that the stories of the Shetland Gang are alive and well in Shetland, also among schoolchildren. Their efforts were of great importance not only for Norway, but also for the Shetlanders. In Shetland, as in all other ports, we kept the ship open. On Hestmanden alone we had between 1000-2000 visitors every day. Many said that they felt more Norwegian than British, and jokingly suggested that it was not time for Norway to buy Shetland back after 550 years under British rule.

Several hundred British schoolchildren learned about war sailors and Norway during the convoy - Photo: Vest-Agder Museum

VE Day
May 8th was marked with a procession through the streets of Lerwick, led by a bagpipe band, ending at the stately Town Hall with speeches and canapés. We walked with other Norwegian guests, including Ambassador Tore Hattrem. People lined the sidewalks, waving Norwegian and British flags and shouting “Thank you!” as we passed.

In Shetland and in the other ports we visited, we laid wreaths on Norwegian graves. In Shetland we also visited museums and had the honour of visiting Lunna House, the former headquarters of the Shetland Gang. Here we were greeted by the current owners, Tony and Helen, who served traditional dishes and live music.

Lunna Kirk (Lunna Ness), boat shelter and Lunna House, Norwegian headquarters during World War II in the background - Photo: Shutterstock.com

May 17th in the Orkney Islands
After wonderful days in Lerwick, the convoy split up. Erkna returned to Norway, while Andholmen, Arnefjord and Heland went to other ports in Shetland, including Scalloway and Baltasound, and were just as well received there as in Lerwick. The Hestmanden turned its bow towards the Orkney Islands, where Andholmen eventually joined us. Here the trip first went to idyllic Stromness, a small town with around 2,500 inhabitants. Here we were visited by more than half of the population in two short days with an open ship.

We also had an unexpected visit that filled a knowledge gap in the Hestmanden's war history. The son of the pilot John Ritch Fiddler came on board with a copy of his father's notebook. It said that he had piloted the Hestmanden into the first British port, Kirkwall, after the escape from Norway, on 1 July 1940. Before Kirkwall, the Hestmanden had a stop in Thorshavn in the Faroe Islands in 1940. May 17th in Kirkwall was celebrated with a train, among other things. Not to the music of a marching band, but to the sound of bagpipes. The train was the biggest they had ever had on the national day. Afterwards we invited people to an open ship with free hot dogs, lefse and ice cream. So many people showed up that we had to let people into pools. The atmosphere was electric all day.

The queue would never end. The history of war sailors is engaging, even in the Orkney Islands! - Photo: Vest-Agder Museum

Holidays on the mainland
After the Orkney Islands we said goodbye to Andholmen and the Horseman headed south alone towards the mainland. Initially we had planned to go to the west coast, where the main attraction would be Liverpool, which was the most important port city for the Norwegian war sailors during the war. Unfortunately, due to technical problems in the quay where we were to be berthed, we had to change our plans a few weeks before departure. Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Newcastle were therefore to be visited by us. In all ports, including on the mainland, as well as on the islands, we had great memorial ceremonies where we laid wreaths on Norwegian graves. This was in collaboration with The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, a collaboration initiated by the War Graves Service in the Ministry of Culture and Equality. In addition, we also held an open ship here with free admission to the public.

For practical reasons, Aberdeen was largely used for crew changes for us, due to the good flight connections to various cities in Norway. The volunteer crew on Hestmanden comes from all over the country. On May 20th we arrived in Aberdeen and were welcomed by a pod of dolphins. The Hestmanden behaved exemplary through the sometimes cramped, but large port facility, and moored perfectly at the very end of the harbor. It was clear that the ship knew where it was going and had been there before. The crew had now been on board for over three weeks. Most of them were now relieved, although some extra hardy crew remained and made it through the entire trip. Even though it took some time for crew changes, we still managed to be visited by great audiences and famous guests. During the days we were docked, we were visited by Lord and Lady Provost (the mayor and his wife), descendants, journalists, the port authority, and many, many members of the public.

It's not every day you get to wander around Edinburgh Castle after closing time - Photo: Vest-Agder Museum

In Edinburgh, the program was both very busy and very exciting. Not only did we have the pleasure of showing off our ship to several thousand spectators, but we were also given an after-hours tour of Edinburgh Castle itself. Seeing the castle like this in the evening, without the crowds, guided around by an incredibly skilled tour guide was very exciting. We also got a tour of The Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official royal residence in Scotland. In addition, we held an event at the Scottish Parliament, and had a reception on board with canapés made by the ship's own chefs.

A happy group on shore leave in Edinburgh - Photo: Vest-Agder Museum

The last stop on the journey for us on the Hestmanden was Newcastle. Our closest ally in Newcastle was Master Captain Stephen Healy at Trinity House itself. Here too there was a packed programme, with ceremonies, a service with a seaman's chaplain at the old and venerable Trinity House Chapel, a beautiful chapel that dates back to 1505. In Newcastle we had a similar reception on board as in Edinburgh, but with an extra twist. King Haakon VII's Freedom Medal was awarded post mortem to the descendants of war sailor Karluf Thoresen, who never received it during his lifetime.

One of the most important things we do at Hestmanden is outreach, especially aimed at children and young people. In Newcastle, we were lucky enough to be visited by around 200 children and young people from the naval cadets on an educational program. One challenge we faced was the tidal differences, which were up to five meters. The ship's opening hours therefore had to be adjusted continuously for safety reasons. The first couple of days were a test for the skilled crew on board to try to solve the tidal challenges and the accompanying walkway problems, but when the deck and engine crew put their heads together, they manage the most incredible things. They also found a solution to this.

On June 5, the Hestmanden, as the last ship in the Liberation Convoy, let go of the ropes and turned her bow towards her homeland. Around 25,000 visitors found their way to the Liberation Convoy during the cruise. Even more read and heard about us in dozens of media reports. After 5.5 weeks at sea, with countless meetings, ceremonies and encounters with people, the Hestmanden docked again in Kristiansand on June 7. We returned home many experiences richer, with new friendships and a stronger sense of community with our friends in the West. The reception we received everywhere we went showed one thing: the story of the war sailors is still alive, and it is important. Not only for us, but also for those we visited. We hope and believe that we have succeeded in spreading knowledge and strengthening the idea of ​​democracy, peace and cooperation not only to us in Norway, but also to those who were our most important allies during the Second World War.

We must never forget, and we must never take peace for granted.

The article was originally published in the Norwegian Journal of Maritime Affairs 04/2025




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