Orkney Norway Friendship Association will present a talk by two Norwegian researchers on the dramatic story of two World War Two shipwrecks in Orkney waters.
During the first weeks of WWII, two separate but similar incidents occurred in the North Isles. S/S Wanja went aground in Sanday, and two weeks later M/V Mim in North Ronaldsay. In their contemporary time these incidents were written off as regular and unfortunate accidents at sea.
Further research has revealed that these two neutral ships, carrying Royal Navy Northern Patrol prize crews at the time of loss, led to a change in Northern Patrol contraband control, new instructions to Norwegian ships in the Atlantic, a German propaganda campaign, a British Propaganda campaign, a post-war trial, and set a precedence for post war claims.
The story includes the execution of a Norwegian lawyer by Norwegian Nazis, a suicide that impacted on the trial, and interests far beyond these two merchant ships.
Come and listen to an exciting presentation by Synnøve and Runar Strømsvåg, the Norwegian researchers who have unravelled this fascinating WWII story, and how events on Orkney impacted on the course of the war.
St. Magnus Centre, Kirkwall, Saturday 12 October 2024, 7.30 pm
For more information, you can contact Synnøve directly on synnove@x-marksthespot.no
