Introduction

Hitler wanted Norway for three reasons: to secure Germany's supply of iron ore. To command 13,000 miles of coastline. And the third reason they wanted to go into Norway was of course heavy water. German scientists had discovered nuclear fission at the end of 1938. The Nazi regime considered two potential applications for this technology. Heavy water, also known as deuterium oxide, was a key ingredient to both. Allied intelligence soon noticed the increase in heavy water production. They feared that the Germans might build a bomb of unprecedented power. Just four young Norwegian men were selected by the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) to take part on Operation Grouse. But you needed a special kind