Stuff You Should Know WWII Sabotage Spotlight: Operation Gunnerside
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Jan 14, 2025 Dive into the daring exploits of Operation Gunnerside, a pivotal WWII mission that aimed to sabotage Nazi Germany's nuclear ambitions. Explore the courage of Norwegian resistance fighters as they navigate treacherous terrains to infiltrate a heavy water plant. Learn about the moral complexities they faced and the lasting impact of their actions on the war's outcome. Amidst the tension, there's humor and camaraderie, highlighting the spirit of defiance against oppression during an extraordinary period in history.
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Gunnerside's Target
- Operation Gunnerside, a WWII operation, targeted a Nazi heavy water plant in Norway.
- Heavy water was crucial for the German atomic bomb program.
Heavy Water's Role
- Heavy water (D2O) is used as a moderator in nuclear reactions.
- It slows down the reaction to produce plutonium, a key component in atomic bombs.
Tronstad's Expertise
- Norwegian chemist Leif Tronstad helped develop heavy water production.
- He worked at the Vemork Norsk Hydro plant in Telemark, Norway.