Manx Radio programme about Norwegian Second World War internees in the Isle of Man
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Date(s): 2006
Creator(s): Manx Radio
Scope & Content: The first of three documentaries broadcast on Manx Radio by Randi Lunde, Norwegian student. This programme focusses on Reidar Drengsrud and the Norwegian patriots interned at Onchan Camp; his wartime memoir is now in the Manx National Heritage Library and Archives (MS 11398). Reidar (born 1921), aged 85, recalls his experiences, he talks about his role in student civil disobedience to Nazi occupation of Norway in1941; escape from Norway to neutral Sweden; aircraft training to join Norwegian armed forces in the UK; flight across North Sea to Scotland; internment in Onchan Camp in the Isle of Man; interrogation by British officers; marched to sea to bathe; singing Norwegian songs to Manx villagers; [Norwegian song]; camp accommodation behind barbed wire from late August 1944; being sent to London.
Woman interviewer then asks Reidar questions about how many Norwegian students were interned (about 18) and how long for in Onchan Camp (1 week). Reidar talks about 1990s visit to the Manx Museum to find out about Norwegian internees at the Camp; after leaving Onchan Camp his service in the armed forces in the UK and then Norway in August, September 1945 as Single Officer in the Norwegian airforce; 1948 return to civilian life; acceptance of his internment.
Randi reads excerpts from Reidar’s memoirs.
Ian Cannell talks about Rose Villa, Peveril Road, Peel (where he lives) as the last house outside the Second World War internment camp in Peel and internment in Peel, including his childhood memories of the internment of Norwegians in one house in Peel categorised as ‘the quislings’ to denote possible Nazi collaborators.
Language: eng
Extent: 28 min. 27 sec.
Item name: compact disc
Collection: Sound Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: SA 2019-0037/1
Access conditions: All reasonable attempt has been made by Manx National Heritage to trace and request permission (where needed) from the copyright holder(s) in this sound recording. If however you think you are a rights holder then please contact Manx National Heritage.
Subject tags : #UOSH