Norman Lind
Encyclopedia
Norman Lind was a British-Norwegian military officer and consul.
He was born in Bergen
as a son of the British naval attaché
to Norway. He took his higher education in the United Kingdom. During World War II
he served in the Royal Engineers
in 1940 before attending officer's school for two years. After serving one year in the Tunisia Campaign
, he joined the Special Forces and eventually the Norwegian Independent Company 1
. He is known for participating in Operation Sunshine
, having been paradropped over Hardangervidda
on 4 November 1944. Reportedly, he was the first British officer who landed in Norway after the conclusion of the British involvement in the Norwegian Campaign
. Lind was a member of the central staff of Operation Sunshine, along with leader Leif Tronstad
and Gunnar Syverstad
. Sunshine came to be identical with the Milorg
District 16 (D-16). The headquarter was established at a small mountain cabin in Skriubotn on the Hardangervidda
, west for Møsvatn
. This cabin had been built by Einar Skinnarland
, who also joined the staff as wireline operator for radio communication with England. Lind also served as a weapons instructor for Milorg
's District 16.
He was decorated with the St. Olav's Medal With Oak Branch
in 1948. Lind had moved to Guatemala in 1946, and in 1948 he married Norwegian citizen Berit Elise Sverdrup. In Guatemala he owned a plantation, and worked with trade. He served as vice consul
from 1953, consul from 1962 and consul-general from 1975. He was killed in October 1985 when his aircraft hit a landmine when landing.
He was born in Bergen
Bergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with a population of as of , . Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of as of , ....
as a son of the British naval attaché
Military attaché
A military attaché is a military expert who is attached to a diplomatic mission . This post is normally filled by a high-ranking military officer who retains the commission while serving in an embassy...
to Norway. He took his higher education in the United Kingdom. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he served in the Royal Engineers
Royal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
in 1940 before attending officer's school for two years. After serving one year in the Tunisia Campaign
Tunisia Campaign
The Tunisia Campaign was a series of battles that took place in Tunisia during the North African Campaign of the Second World War, between Axis and Allied forces. The Allies consisted of British Imperial Forces, including Polish and Greek contingents, with American and French corps...
, he joined the Special Forces and eventually the Norwegian Independent Company 1
Norwegian Independent Company 1
Norwegian Independent Company 1 was a British SOE group formed in March 1941 originally for the purpose of performing commando raids during the Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany. It was organized under the leadership of Captain Martin Linge...
. He is known for participating in Operation Sunshine
Operation Sunshine
The Operation Sunshine was an anti-demolition operation in occupied Norway from October 1944 to May 1945. Planned by Norwegian military personnel in the United Kingdom in cooperation with British forces, and part of an effort to protect essential installations and industry, in particular large...
, having been paradropped over Hardangervidda
Hardangervidda
The Hardangervidda is a mountain plateau in the Hardanger region of western Norway. It is the largest such plateau in Europe, with a cold year-round alpine climate and is the site of one of Norway's largest glaciers. Much of the plateau is protected as part of Hardangervidda National Park; it is a...
on 4 November 1944. Reportedly, he was the first British officer who landed in Norway after the conclusion of the British involvement in the Norwegian Campaign
Norwegian Campaign
The Norwegian Campaign was a military campaign that was fought in Norway during the Second World War between the Allies and Germany, after the latter's invasion of the country. In April 1940, the United Kingdom and France came to Norway's aid with an expeditionary force...
. Lind was a member of the central staff of Operation Sunshine, along with leader Leif Tronstad
Leif Tronstad
Leif Hans Larsen Tronstad DSO, OBE was a Norwegian scientist, intelligence officer and military organizer. He graduated from the Norwegian Institute of Technology in 1927 and was a prolific researcher and writer of academic publications...
and Gunnar Syverstad
Gunnar Syverstad
Gunnar Bryde Syverstad was a Norwegian resistance member. He is known for his assistance at the Norwegian heavy water sabotage....
. Sunshine came to be identical with the Milorg
Milorg
Milorg was the main Norwegian resistance movement in World War II....
District 16 (D-16). The headquarter was established at a small mountain cabin in Skriubotn on the Hardangervidda
Hardangervidda
The Hardangervidda is a mountain plateau in the Hardanger region of western Norway. It is the largest such plateau in Europe, with a cold year-round alpine climate and is the site of one of Norway's largest glaciers. Much of the plateau is protected as part of Hardangervidda National Park; it is a...
, west for Møsvatn
Møsvatn
Møsvatn is twelfth largest lake in Norway with a surface area of 78.31 km². It lies primarily in Vinje municipality in Telemark county. The lake lies in the watershed of the Skien river and discharges into the Måna river. Along the shores of the lake, many traces of stone age settlers can be...
. This cabin had been built by Einar Skinnarland
Einar Skinnarland
Einar Skinnarland DCM was a Norwegian resistance fighter during the Second World War.Einar Skinnarland was born in Vinje, in Telemark county, Norway...
, who also joined the staff as wireline operator for radio communication with England. Lind also served as a weapons instructor for Milorg
Milorg
Milorg was the main Norwegian resistance movement in World War II....
's District 16.
He was decorated with the St. Olav's Medal With Oak Branch
St. Olav's Medal With Oak Branch
St. Olav's Medal with Oak Branch is a Norwegian military award, which was instituted by King Haakon VII of Norway on 6 February 1942. In Norway, the medal is considered as a separate award from the civilian St...
in 1948. Lind had moved to Guatemala in 1946, and in 1948 he married Norwegian citizen Berit Elise Sverdrup. In Guatemala he owned a plantation, and worked with trade. He served as vice consul
Consul (representative)
The political title Consul is used for the official representatives of the government of one state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, and to facilitate trade and friendship between the peoples of the two countries...
from 1953, consul from 1962 and consul-general from 1975. He was killed in October 1985 when his aircraft hit a landmine when landing.