Sverre Ellingsen

Sverre Ellingsen

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Sverre Johan Ellingsen (born February 24, 1907, in Fredrikstad, died December 6, 1994, in Oslo) was a Norwegian master mason and a key resistance figure during World War II. He was known by the codenames "Tyttebærbråten," "Sørby," and "Nr. 38," and belonged to the inner circle of resistance members in the Pioneer Organization 2A. Ellingsen is best known for his significant role in the Norwegian resistance movement and for his leadership in the SOE office in Stockholm. In the last year of the war, he led a division of the Norwegian military attaché's 4th office (MI.IV) and played a crucial role in organizing and executing weapons shipments to the Norwegian resistance during the occupation.

Early Life

Sverre Ellingsen became a master mason at a young age, and by the age of 22, he was Oslo's youngest master mason. In 1937/38, he joined the construction firm Astrup & Aubert, where he contributed to the construction of several well-known buildings in the capital.

Resistance Efforts

In 1940, when the Germans occupied Norway, Sverre Ellingsen quickly joined the resistance. Alongside colleagues from his firm, he became a pioneer in resistance group 2A. Ellingsen later became an SOE agent and, for a period, one of Gunnar Sønsteby's closest collaborators. When he arrived in Sweden in 1943, Ellingsen became affiliated with SOE's Stockholm office and was a key liaison for Kompani Linge in Norway. In the last year of the war, he led a division of the Norwegian military attaché's 4th office (MI.IV).

In his safe house, he confronted an armed Gestapo officer, whom he managed to overpower. Ellingsen escaped to safety in Sweden through a route that involved hiding in a tanker truck.

Nickname "Kjakan": During collaboration with Gunnar Sønsteby, the well-known nickname "Kjakan" emerged, derived from the humorous code name "Umulius Kjakabråten," given to Sønsteby by Sverre Ellingsen in the organization 2A. In return, Sønsteby called Ellingsen "Tyttebærbråten."

Leadership of SOE Office in Stockholm

Sverre Ellingsen became a central figure in the leadership of the SOE (Special Operations Executive) office in Stockholm. When he arrived in Sweden in 1943, he took over Daniel Ring's responsibilities at the unofficial SOE office in the Norwegian legation. SOE's Norwegian branch office in Stockholm maintained close contact with the Norwegian legation's military office Mi4 in the Swedish capital, initially under Daniel Ring and later, in 1943, under Sverre Ellingsen. Mi4 primarily handled equipment and funds for Milorg, the Norwegian resistance organization. Ellingsen played a crucial role as a key contact for Kompani Linge in Norway. He led the Linge guys, a group of Norwegian volunteers engaged in special operations against the German occupation forces. In the last year of the war, he led a division of the Norwegian military attaché's 4th office (MI.IV). Gunnar Sønsteby stated that the collaboration between British and Norwegian forces in Stockholm was excellent, largely thanks to Ellingsen's leadership.

SOE's Assassination Attempt on Rinnan

The operation to liquidate Rinnan was a bold attempt to eliminate Henry Oliver Rinnan, the leader of the infamous Rinnan Gang, during the Second World War. At this juncture, Sven B. Svendsen had been tasked with taking Rinnan's life, but a lack of weapons hindered the execution of the plan. Instead, it was recommended to capture, interrogate, and subsequently remove one or several key members of Rinnan's group. After successful approval from London, a two-part strategy was devised, led by Sverre Ellingsen, SOE's representative at the Norwegian legation in Sweden.

SOE desired Asbjørn Sunde to carry out the operation, but he declined. Subsequently, Ole Halvorsen, a member of the Osvald Group, was chosen. Additionally, Linge operatives Johnny Pevik and Knut Brodtkorp Danielsen were to participate, along with Fredrik Nannestad Brekke, selected by the legation. An additional four-man action group was assembled in Trondheim.

Attempts to liquidate Henry Oliver Rinnan were made on several occasions. On October 7, 1943, an attempt was made to liquidate Rinnan outside Landstadsvei 1. The operation did not succeed as planned, as Rinnan escaped unharmed, but Dolmen, a member of the Rinnan Gang, was shot and wounded. In London, SOE Chief Wilson downplayed the situation and expressed hope for better luck next time. However, reports indicated that some members of the action group did not follow instructions, and it was claimed that informants may have influenced the outcome of the operation. Rinnan was not warned in advance and was caught off guard during the attack but managed to escape. It is said that Fredrik Nakkestad Brekke disappeared from the group and instead sought out Henry Rinnan's brother, Odd, in Levanger. Moland's source "considers this as unconscious informing and that he is to blame for the operation against Rinnan not proceeding as it should have." The complex operation illustrates the challenges and risks associated with resistance work during the Second World War.

Weapons Shipment via Bromma

In the winter of 1944/45, a significant weapons shipment, disguised as courier mail, was carried out from London to the Norwegian resistance. This involved 12 large Liberator planes landing at Bromma Airport, each loaded with one ton of weapons. The sender was the American OSS leadership in London, and the recipient was the Norwegian resistance, represented by Sverre Ellingsen, the leader of the SOE office in Stockholm.

Explosives and weapons were distributed to warehouses in Stockholm and the surrounding areas, and remarkably, over 140 tons of equipment were smuggled into Norway from the turn of the year 1944/45 until March. This substantial operation was conducted under risky conditions.

Sverre Ellingsen, known for his wry humor, led the Linge men in Stockholm, responsible for numerous operations in Norway. This perilous undertaking was carried out without Swedish protection, and few were aware of the nature of the operation

Sverre's Wife, Laura Ellingsen

Sverre Ellingsen's wife, Laura Ellingsen, stood as a strong woman in the shadow of the dangerous reality of the resistance during World War II. After Sverre, a leading resistance figure, escaped the ruthless grip of the Gestapo and found safety in Sweden, Laura was arrested by Gestapo leader Fehmer and imprisoned at Grini.

Laura displayed remarkable resilience. Even after being released from captivity at Grini, she continued her unwavering support for the resistance movement. Sverre expressed that her contribution, along with other women in the shadows of male resistance heroes, is seldom highlighted.

Source

• Sønsteby, Gunnar. Rapport fra "Nr 24" [Report from "No. 24"]. Orion. ISBN 8245801534. Search this book on

• Færøy, Frode (1997). Norges hjemmefrontmuseum [Norway's Home Front Museum]. Museet. ISBN 8291107076. Search this book on
• Aftenposten. innslag ved Sverres 80årsdag
• Moland, Arnfinn (1999) Over grensen? [Across the border?]. Orion. ISBN 8245803375. Search this book on

References

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