Secret Passages

By Tommy E. Cauthen

This is a fictional story based on historical events occurring during WWII. Two of the primary characters are Norwegian Army captains Hans Lunsford and his friend Carl Romer. The story begins in the summer of 1939 as the clouds of war were drifting across Europe. Events occurring prior to the German invasion of Norway in April 1940 connect them with Adriana Strand, who is an attractive blond Norwegian working as a British spy in the German Embassy in Oslo. After the short war ends with the Norwegian defeat, King Haakon VII and the Norwegian government sail to England and begin to operate in exile. Hans and Carl subsequently hook up with Norwegian resistance groups and escape to the Shetland islands. There they meet up with Adriana, who is involved with the British Special Operations Executive directing operations of Norwegian and British commandos and saboteurs traveling by sea and air into Norway. Their missions were to operate clandestine radios, report German ship movements through the secret water passageway along the West coast of Norway, conduct sabotage operations, and rescue secret agents and British air crew from German or hostile Norwegian operatives. The story depicts all three individuals diverse missions into Norway from 1940 to 1942 when they frequently hide out in various secret hidden passages. The story ends in 1942 with Adrianas midnight mission to Norway. She parachutes into the darkness of the night with two other agents, but trouble ensues leaving Operation Black Shepherd in jeopardy. The success of the Allies in Northern Europe hangs in the balance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543447729

Tommy E. Cauthen

Tommy Cauthen was serving as a U.S. Army officer in West Berlin when the Wall was built in 1961. He recently published his first novel, A Tangled Web followed by its sequel, Shadows on the Wall based on some of his experiences while serving there. After serving eight years in the Army, he joined the FBI and served as a Special Agent for twenty-one years. Subsequent to his retirement, he became the Managing Director of the London office for an international private investigative firm. In that capacity, he was required to travel to Oslo, Norway due to an extortion matter and got his first taste of the Norwegian culture which eventually led to this book. Cauthen lives with his wife, Sally in Largo, Florida.

Book preview

A CLANDESTINE MEETING

August 1939

It was a bright sunny day in late August 1939 when Crown Prince Olav and his aide de camp, Captain Hans Lunsford, arrived in London for a secret meeting with Winston Churchill, who at the time was the First Lord of the Admiralty. The dark clouds of war were on the horizon and King Haakon VII of Norway had arranged for his son to discuss a delicate situation with his friend Winston concerning Norway, should war break-out with Germany. Prince Olav had been born in England on the Royal Sandringham Estate, in Norfolk, England and his mother, Princess Maud was the youngest daughter of King Edward VII. The Prince had grown up in Norway and had graduated from the Norwegian Military Academy. He later studied for two years at Balliol College, Oxford. By the summer of 1938, he was serving as an army colonel in the Norwegian armed forces. By 1939 he had been appointed an admiral of the Royal Norwegian Navy, as well as a general of the Norwegian Army. On this trip for his father, he had left his wife and children at home with the King and his wife in the 173 room Neo-classical Royal Palace in Oslo.

Captain Lunsford was a single, twenty-eight years-old, blond haired, blue-eyed, handsome Norwegian. He was a bold and courageous character who had recently been detached from the Norwegian 6th Division where he had been serving as an intelligence officer. He was currently assigned as the aide de camp, to the Crown Prince. Hans had come to know the Prince when his own father had competed with the Prince in the 1928 Summer Olympics sailing contests in Amsterdam. His home had been in Trondheim but due to economic reasons, Hans had joined the army and became independent of any family support. It was while attending the Norwegian Defense Staff College in 1934 that he became acquainted with and greatly influenced by his teacher, Colonel Carl Gustav Fleischer. Under his tutelage, Captain Lunsford became aware of details regarding the possibility of a surprise attack on the central areas of Norway and the best ways of defending against such an attack.

Upon their arrival at RAF Northolt in London on Sunday afternoon, August 27, 1939, the Crown Prince and Captain Lunsford entered a modified Austin four-door, black London taxi waiting at the airfield. The illuminated taxi sign, identifying it as #5121900, had been previously arranged by the British government as transportation for their secret meeting with Churchill. They arrived at Claridge’s Hotel in Mayfair, each fashionably dressed in medium blue business suits, which gave a wide fitted look, emphasizing a strong masculine presence. Their white dress shirts with French cuffs, black and grey winged tipped shoes, and gray classic Fedora hats completed their impressive, but unassuming appearance of royalty. Upon exiting their taxi, Captain Lunsford noted the large seven story hotel with the façade Roman stone entrance. They entered the building through the impressive glass doors leading into the art deco designed lobby with the black and white stone tiled floors. Only Lunsford carried any luggage and that consisted of only a single, dark leather briefcase. The crystal chandelier and carved marble fireplace in the lobby revealed the opulence of the hotel to everyone who entered. But even more eye catching was the beautiful, petite, chestnut brunet who Hans observed coming down the grand mahogany curved carpeted stairwell. She was accompanied by a young Czechoslovakian military officer. Captain Lunsford immediately recognized her as the beauty he had met at a Christmas party in Prague in 1938 when he was visiting some government military officials there. He had danced the evening away with her but she had only identified herself as Marie. Unfortunately, Hans was unable to make any contact with her at that moment as Prince Olav had turned away from the stairs and was walking briskly down the hallway to a red design colored reception room and was already proceeding through the double doors down to the Royal Suite…

Lunsford, was not aware that the Czechoslovakian Royal family in exile were currently residing in the Prince Alexandra Suite located on the second floor, and the young woman he had observed on the stairway was a family member.

Captain Lunsford’s mind was light years away back in Prague by the time the Crown Prince lightly tapped on the door of the Royal Suite. The door was answered by a tall muscular male, meticulously dressed in a dark blue business suit. Apparently, the Prince and the captain were immediately recognized and they were quickly invited inside the suite. It was inside the room where Lunsford had his first contact with representatives of the future British Special Operations Executive (SOE) and Secret Intelligence Service (SIS). Churchill introduced two men in dark blue pin-striped suits as Hugh Dalton and Major Lawrence Grand. Dalton was the Minister of Economic Warfare at the time. Grand was involved with the sabotage section in what became SIS or MI-6. There were two other men in the suite with Churchill who were not identified. Lunsford assumed they were bodyguards for Churchill as one of them had cautiously opened the door for them and immediately stepped back and stood at attention. Captain Lunsford quickly observed their surroundings and noted that the suite consisted of two adjoining rooms which were decorated with Edwardian style furniture. There were large French windows which overlooked Brook Street and one could immediately recognize the opulence of the suite by the design of the marble carved fireplace over which a large mirror reflected the elegance of the room.

After the introductions, Churchill invited the Prince, Lunsford, and the two government officials to join him around an oblong dark mahogany table in the adjoining open-door suite. Churchill invited the Crown Prince to join him on one side of the table facing a large map displayed on the cream-colored wall. After Churchill and the Prince were seated, Lunsford then seated himself in a comfortable dark blue leather chair to the right of the Crown Prince. He removed a writing tablet from his briefcase and placed it on the table along with a pen to take any pertinent notes. The other two British government men sat at the opposite ends of the table. For various reasons, it appeared obvious to Lunsford that they were not the best of friends. On the wall behind the table was a large map displaying the area of the western coast of Norway known as the Leads. This was a continuous chain of small uninhabited islands, and rocks running parallel to the shore. Churchill began to point out this area on the map which he referred to as the Secret Norwegian Passageway. This was a partially hidden sea lane between the rocky fringe and the costal landmass. Churchill noted that this protected channel made it possible to navigate the entire 1,600-kilometer length of the Norwegian coast from North Cape to Stavanger and then into the strait or waterway known as the Skagerrak. This waterway was off the Jutland peninsula of Denmark. Churchill remarked that this route reminded him of a secret passageway such as those in many English castles and forts. Churchill immediately got to the point of the meeting and stated that he wanted to discuss the current German situation with the Crown Prince. Churchill then launched into his concerns turning directly to the Crown Prince saying, "If the Germans violate Norwegian plans to remain neutral during any hostile actions in the near future, the corridor created by the Leads could allow the Germans to ship iron ore from the mines in Kiruna, Sweden via Narvik, Norway; then proceed down the coast to the Skagerrak straits, and then on past Denmark to Hamburg and Bremen. German freighters could then travel along the inland waterways to the industrial heartlands of the Ruhr and Rhineland where the iron ore could then be processed. At this point he took a brief pause but before the Crown Prince could respond, Churchill continued his comments saying, German industry is heavily dependent on the iron ore from the Swedish mining district and could be transported by train to the docks at Narvik year-round. This would be an unacceptable situation which Britain could not allow to happen." But before he could continue what appeared to be a lecture to the Crown Prince, he paused for another dissertation he was prepared to make…

At this point, Prince Olav quickly responded before Churchill could continue, My father and the Norwegian government officials are adamant about maintaining our neutrality, and we are very concerned about our security from any foreign government! As Czechoslovakia surrendered in March after Hitler annexed their county into the Third Reich, we began to hear rumors and intelligence we have developed indicates that Poland is next.

The Crown Prince followed his statement by relating, "Our government received information on Tuesday, August 23 from a high-ranking German naval official that Admiral Erich Raeder, Chief of the German Kriegsmarine, had recently discussed with Adolph Hitler the danger posed by the risk of the British establishing bases in Norway, even if the Norwegians remained neutral. Raeder had also pointed out that Norway was important to Germany for two primary reasons— (1) It would allow control of the sea nearby and serve as a staging base for naval units, including U-boats, and airbases to harass British shipping in the North Atlantic.

(2) It would allow Germany to secure the shipment of iron-ore from Sweden through the port at Narvik without interference from British forces."

Prince Olav continued and related that, according to our source, Admiral Raeder pointed out to Hitler that 90% of their iron-ore originated through the port at Narvik and the ore was essential to German industry. The source claimed that Admiral Raeder was in the process of developing plans to occupy Norway as well as Sweden where the iron ore was being mined. Raeder had also explained to Hitler that the port at Narvik, although above the Arctic Circle, if under their control would allow Germany to conduct iron ore shipments all year round. According to our source, Hitler was not interested as he had already issued a directive that the German main effort would be a land offensive through the Low Countries should war breakout with Britain and France. Hitler then departed the meeting, but shortly after leaving, he returned. He whispered into the admiral’s ear and then quickly exited the room. The source claimed that Hitler had whispered instructions to the admiral to prepare draft plans for the Kriegsmarine operations in Norway and have them ready for his consideration by the end of November 1939.

Captain Lunsford observed that Lawrence Grand had been writing something in a small notepad which he had removed from his coat pocket and placed on the table directly in front of him. Lunsford assumed that Grand was not aware of the source information and had made some notes concerning the matter for further inquiry by British sources.

When Prince Olav had finished speaking, Churchill asked Hugh Dalton to address the group. Dalton then stood and removed a map from a briefcase he had placed beside his chair when they initially sat down at the table. He spread out this map of the Shetland Islands on the table before the Crown Prince and began to explain to him what actions the British government had taken to establish its military presence there. He stated that the British government was in the process of moving 20,000 troops into the islands with the majority being assigned on the Mainland. He pointed out a radar station located at the tip of the northernmost island of Unst, as well as the Noss Hill radar station near the bottom of the Mainland. Captain Lunsford observed that several RAF airfields were also marked on the map but no mention was made concerning them. Dalton then mentioned that several army camps were located near Lerwick, the capital of the Mainland which was the largest of the Shetland Islands. He then advised that their fledgling SOE (Special Operations Executive) had contemplated establishing a base of operations there and was working on organizing a clandestine special operations group to make a permanent link between the Shetland Islands and Scotland. He suggested that the unit could be operated initially by a large number of small fishing boats. They would then be able to make crossings also onto the continent during the winter under cover of darkness but he did not go further into details as to the purposes or locations where these boats would go. He did mention that they (the boats) would be referred to by the code word, "Buses." Lunsford thought to himself that although Dalton had not mentioned it, the crossings onto the continent probably meant Norway…

At this point, a telephone call for Churchill halted further discussions for the moment. Churchill excused himself and went back into the other room chewing on his cigar and closing the door behind him. Several minutes later, he returned leaving the door behind him open. At this moment, he was chewing heavily on his cigar and had several deep lined furrows across his forehead which reminded Hans of a chubby, friendly old Victorian bulldog. Churchill explained, I’ve just received word concerning a German false flag project which was detected two months ago. British intelligence has learned of a Secret German operation known by the code name Operation Canned Goods." This is an operation planned by Reichsfuhrer Heinrich Himmler, head of the German SS (Secret police), but the plan itself is being supervised by Sicherheitsdienst Reinhardt Heydrich, head of the German SD (Security Service). The secret operation was initially planned to begin on August 26 but had been delayed. The Nazi plan is to create the appearance of Polish aggression against Germany to give Hitler an excuse for the invasion of Poland, which as you know became allied with the United Kingdom and France after the fall of Czechoslovakia in March. Churchill further explained, I just received word that one of the Nazi undercover units had not received word of the postponement and has carried out its attack on a German custom post where several Germans had been killed before the incident ended early this morning. He further stated that, it is anticipated the follow-up part of this plan will occur shortly. That will involve the German SS and SD agents dressed in Polish uniforms storming some German border buildings; carrying out various acts of vandalism, and then retreating leaving behind dead bodies dressed in Polish uniforms. Intelligence sources believed the bodies would be prisoners which had been held in Dachau prison camp just outside Munich." Churchill then advised the Prince that the actual implementation of the delayed Operation Canned Goods would occur shortly. He suggested that this action would in all probability trigger German troops invading Poland which would lead to a state of war between Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. In view of the current situation, Churchill claimed he would have to immediately return to the Admiralty. He further suggested that the Crown Prince and his aide hastily return to Oslo in view of the current gravity of the situation on the German border with Poland. As everyone began to gather their materials together to depart, Churchill turned to Lawrence Grand and instructed him to make arrangements to visit with the Crown Prince; his father, King Haakon VII, and the Norwegian government as soon as possible to further outline the British Buses plan in more detail and hopefully work out some future mutually agreeable arrangements. With that word, all the parties departed the hotel and went their separate ways.

THE OSLO REPORT

August - November 1939

While flying back to Oslo in their twin engine Caproni Ca. 310 aircraft, Prince Olav informed Captain Lunsford that he was upset over their meeting with the British. Of course, Captain Lunsford knew the prince well enough to determine his mood without anything being said. Prince Olav then muttered, Norway has no intention of becoming involved with any intervention with Germany as Norway intends to remain neutral regardless of any outbreak of war, just as we did in the Great War. Nevertheless, he instructed Lunsford to arrange for an inspection tour of their military units immediately after landing. He wanted to begin the inspection with a meeting with Colonel Carl Fleischer, who at the time was the Commanding Officer of the 4th Infantry Regiment. He then added, But first Hans, I want you to arrange for a reconnaissance flight from Oslo to Narvik. From there, I want to have a personal look-see of the train route to the Swedish iron-ore mining fields myself. He then asked Lunsford, What is your personal opinion of Fleischer? I know you were a student officer under his teaching and surely you must have formed an impression as to his leadership ability. Lunsford answered, Sir, in my opinion, Colonel Fleischer is a brilliant tactician and one of the most qualified military leaders in our army. I believe from my limited knowledge of him that he is more than capable of being a senior leader of our army. I must point out, however, that he possesses a hard-headed and uncompromising style when it comes to mixing politics with military operations and this may become a detriment to his career. Nevertheless, I would love to serve under him in any capacity.

Prince Olav merely sighed outwardly but made a mental note of Lunsford’s comments.

First thing Monday morning on August 28, Captain Lunsford contacted Colonel Thomas Gulliksen, Chief of the Norwegian Army Air Defense, and arranged for him to make available to the Crown Prince a reconnaissance flight in one of their 16 Fokker C. V-E biplanes. The most experienced and qualified pilot was to be assigned and must be available with his aircraft to meet the Crown Prince at the Oslo airport no later than 8:00 a. m. on Tuesday morning. The pilot was to be prepared to fly the Crown Prince to Narvik and from there then fly along the Ofoten rail line to Riksgransen in order for the Prince to observe the northern Swedish iron ore loading areas and the freight trains hauling the iron ore from the Swedish mines in Kiruna to Narvik.

He then contacted Major General Jacob Hvinden Haug, the commander of the 2nd Division in Oslo and arranged for the Prince to meet with Colonel Fleischer, Commander of the 4th Infantry Regiment stationed at Trondheim for an inspection of his unit on Thursday, September 7. Captain Lunsford advised General Haug that he would be accompanying the Crown Prince on the visit and the Prince expected the general to also be present for the inspection and meeting with Colonel Fleischer.

Captain Lunsford had just returned from lunch to his office on Thursday afternoon, August 31st when the Crown Prince arrived from his recon flight examining the Ofoten rail line. The Prince instructed Hans to immediately contact Captain Hector Boyes, the Naval Attaché at the British Embassy and ascertain if the British had received any more details about the German False Flag operation on the Polish-German border. Hans immediately arranged for his vehicle driver to pick him up at the Palace and drive him to the British Embassy.

It was almost 6:30 p. m. before Hans was able to get in to see Captain Boyes as he had been in a meeting with the Ambassador and staff for several hours. Finally, Captain Boyes, a 58-year-old retired British Admiral, who had come back on active duty with the rank of a Navy Captain at the request of the British Admiralty, returned from his meeting upstairs and invited Hans into his office. The office was on the first floor of the two-story embassy building known as the Villa Frognaes. Hans was very familiar with the Embassy and Captain Boyes. He had frequently accompanied the Crown Prince to the Embassy which was located at Drammensveien #79 in an upscale section of Oslo not very far from the Royal Palace. Shortly after entering the Captain’s office, Boyes’ secretary entered with a brief teletype message…

Boyes read it quickly and instructed her to deliver the message to the ambassador at once. Even before Hans could state the reason for his meeting, Boyes said, Lunsford that communication was a message indicating the False Flag operation is continuing and has escalated. Furthermore, the German military and border police are allegedly currently returning fire on Polish troops. Captain Boyes then speculated that Hitler would shortly be taking actions to invade Poland and claim it was a defensive action justified by the Polish government atrocities during the past few weeks.

It was shortly after 7:25 p. m. before Hans arrived back at the Royal Palace. He attempted to report the results of his contact at the British Embassy, but by that time intelligence reports were already arriving giving more details on the German/Polish situation and the Crown Prince was currently meeting with other government officials.