During the course of the Second World War, the Allies mounted a series of attempts to prevent Germany from manufacturing heavy water utilising hydroelectric plants in occupied Norway. These efforts comprised a mix of bomber and Commando raids. The overall aim was to stop Nazi Germany building a nuclear bomb. In fact, Hitler was never as close as the Allies thought, but the idea that his regime could construct and deploy such a device was the ultimate doomsday scenario, one that would have tilted the balance in favour of the Nazis. The mere threat might have been sufficient to force a negotiated peace with the perception of a Nazi bomb hanging over the world like a nuclear-powered sword of Damocles. Production, and therefore the Allied target, centred on the Vemork Power Station standing by the Rjukan Waterfall at Telemark. A series of daring raids - Operations Grouse, Freshman and Gunnerside - neutralised the plant's capacity. In Operation Freshman, every single glider-borne paratrooper was either captured or killed. In February 1943, a force of SOE-trained Norwegian Commandos succeeded in sabotaging the plant's production capacity. Further manufacturing effort was abandoned, and the Nazis attempted to spirit away the heavy water they had on the ferry SF Hydro. The Norwegians managed to sink the vessel in the deep waters of Lake Tinn. Using primary source material and published on the 80th anniversary of the sinking of the Hydro, The Heavy Water War tells a story of extraordinary courage and endurance. The stakes in any special forces raid in history have never been higher.

About the Author
John Sadler has had a lifelong interest in military history. He now combines writing with lecturing in History at Newcastle University and working as a battlefield tour guide, living history interpreter, and heritage consultant. He has travelled extensively in Scandinavia and is thus familiar with all of the principal sites and saga/literary sources and is an acknowledged expert on the Viking art of war . He is the author of more than 40 books. He lives in mid-Northumberland.

Reviews
'Superbly researched and well-written, this is a rich retelling of a legendary tale.' -- History of War Magazine, February 2024
'Filled with tales of extraordinary courage and endurance, Sadler gives fresh insight into Operations Grouse, Freshman and Gunnerside.' -- Britain at War Magazine, February 2024
'Published to mark the 80th anniversary of the sinking of SF Hydro, which effectively prevented the Nazis from developing a 'heavy water industry', author John Sadler promises 'the only volume to tell the complete story' of the Norwegian raids that brought an end to Hitler's nuclear bomb plans.' -- Family Tree Magazine, April 2024



Book Information
ISBN 9781398117679
Author John Sadler
Format Hardback
Page Count 320
Imprint Amberley Publishing
Publisher Amberley Publishing
Weight(grams) 673g