ARCHIVAL HUNTING

ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE HUNTING

Viewing published documentaries aiming at searching for misused archival footage ,is a private sport of mine. My goal for the sport is to highlight active use of audiovisual archives. The content of the documentaries is important. Facts, photos and films presented must show events in a correct way. Last evening I viewed a documentry dealing with famous American generals from the Second World War. The movies are all made for information of the war. The content of the films portrayed the generals in positive way. My main concern was the film about General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964). He was the most brilliant military strategist America has ever known. I have viewed some movies about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor,Hawaii in 1941. The attack on Pearl Harbor was done by Japanese aircrafts. But when you view the archival footage about the event you will see that Amercan aircrafts are used – not only once -but again and again: American aircrafts are bombing Pearl Harbour. I was surprised to discover that even the film about Douglas MacArthur had used the wrong footage.The aircrafts used are: Douglas SBD Dauntless, dive-bomber. A small detail you may say but the content of any documentary must present correct content, I think.

Photo of Japanese torpedo plane/dive-bomber attacking Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 1941.

THE BATTLE OF NARVIK

The Battle of Narvik took place from April 9 to June 10, 1940. Even in year 2020 people are interested in reading about the battle. The main reason for the public interest of the battle is that the German military forces were defeated for the first time during the Second World War. Some years ago I paid a visit to the headquaters of the French Foreign Legion situated in Aubagne in France. The Battle of Narvik was not forgotten by the French Foreign Legion. The military contribution of the French Foreign Legion was described in details by the museum where an exhibiton of the battle was made.

In 2018 a new book about the famous battle was published written by Asbjørn Jaklin. The title of the book is: « Kampen om Narvik. 62 desperate dager «. In 2013 Frode Lindgjerdet wrote a book about the same subject:» Kampen om Narvik»

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My concern for the time being is the book written by Asbjørn Jaklin. He has managed to give the reader a realistic view of what went on in the Northern part of Norway in 1940.Inviduals who took part in the fighting have given good reports of their private experiences. The author has also presented reports made by civilians who were active during the fight.

SOME HISTORICAL FACTS ABOUT THE BATTLE OF NARVIK

Nazi-Germany and Great Britain were both interested Norway in 1940 but the reasons for the attentions differed. Great Britain wanted the put an end to the transport of ore from Sweden to Narvik where the ore was tranported to Nazi-Germany to be used in the military industry.

Nazi-Germany was intersted in the coast of Noway to wage war against Great Britain and to protect the tranport of ore from Sweden.  The Norwegian government wanted to avoid a military conflict with both of the fighting nations. An attack on Norway could also come from Great Britain to finish the transport of ore from Sweden without occupying the whole country. The British military and politican attitude to a war in Norway were limited to British interests only.

THE ALLIED MILITARY FORCES IN NARVIK IN 1940

The Norwegian military forces consisted of about 10.000 soldiers. About 14.000 British soldiers took part in the fighting. The Polish and the French military contribution were about 11.700 soldiers.

About 25.800 Allied soldiers were stationed in the Northern part of Norway to fight the German forces.

How was the military situation in Norway in 1940?

The official information given to all after the end of the war was that we were not prepared for the war at all. The author, Asbjørn Jaklin, does not agree with the standard information about the military situation given. On page 289 he is publishing facts revealing the wrong information about the standard of the military forces of Norway:

-The number of soldiers armed is a figure between 17000 and 21 000.

-The army had mobilized four infantry divisions in the Southern part of Norway and five infantry divisions in the Northern part of the country.

-Eight batteries in field artillery

-The marine had mobized two old warships (panserskip), four modern corvettes, twenty fast attack crafts, nine submarines, two minelayers, and one support ship.

-Coast artillery had mobilized about 500 men who were stationed in the Fjord of Oslo, Kristiansand, Bergen and Agdenes.

- The Norwegian air force consisted of about ninety aicrafts.

THE GERMAN FORCES IN NARVIK

About 6000 soldiers  were under the command of the German General Edvard Dietl.

THE MILITARY DEFEAT

While  reading the book , I asked myself some critical questions challenging my own decisions about the strategy and the chairing of the battle. First of all I must make it clear that I admire the Norwegian untrained soldiers who did a good work. I think the strategy of the Norwegian General Carl Gustav Fleischer (1883-1942) was correct. Attack, attack and once more, attack the enemy all the way. Splendid strategy in contrast to the battle of the Southern part of Norway where the Germans got time to build up forces for attack.

The military campaign in the Northern part of Noway was administrated by General Carl Gustav Feischer. The campaign in the Southern part of the country was led by General Otto Ruge.

CONCULSION

My main question is: Why could not the Norwegian forces go on with the fighting by finishing the battle once and for all? Why did not the Polish and the French forces remain in the battle field making a joint attack with the Norwegian army towards the Germans? Did the Norwegian authorites any approach making an agreement witht the Polish and the French forces to continue the fight? Why not bring all the Polish soldiers in England to Norway paid by the Norwegian government who had brought « the gold» out the country? We had money to pay the bills.

None of the dominating Norwegian generals showed great leadership. General Fleischer was too much a military leader. He did a great work making the Northern part of Norway ready for war. But he was not a « Julius Cæsar». General Otto Ruge was defeated  due to the facts that he did not attack the enemy as quick as possible. He gave the Germans time to organize the campaign, above all:He believed in the support from the British forces. Too many mistakes at the time.

For those of you who are interested in administation of conflicts,the readings of reports and books about the battle of Narvik is recommended as a warning about how to avoid a defeat in the future. I will also recommend a study of the battle of Poltava where the Swedish King Karl 12 lost the battle.

Asbjørn Jaklin: Kampen om Narvik. 62 desperate dager.Gyldendal.2018. 448 pages.

KISS ME MR. KLING

I woke up one morning discovering that my nice neighbour for some years had became one of the most famous  pop art artists in Oslo. Mr. Werner Kling- Congratulation! Some make it all the time even if all odds are against them. The title of the book which was released in 2019 is : « KISS ME MR.KING». What mission has the book, so far? The content of the book is poems connected to paintings contenting issues that might have a provocative impression on some of you – but not all. The paintings and the poems are provocative, colorful and above all: Funny. Werner Kling has done painting for years. He has got inspiration for his poems and paintings during his many travels to cities like London, Barcelona, Paris and Los Angeles. The artist is self taught, so to speak. No formal education in the field of painting and writing. He is pop artist who is combining words and sayings with strong colors. He is aware that some might find his works beautilful but some might dislike his approach to emotions and people.Anyway -the works are entertaining works contenting issues presented as a mixture of metal confusion,chaos, personal aggression, non political,- and a wish to be noticed. It is called Pop art, I think.

Let me quote one poem only:

WE ARE EQUAL

No one was born to be evil.

We were born to be equal.

Some say we are born as unique originals,

But we die as bad copies. True.

We are equal

Thank you, pop art artist Werner Kling.

LATVIA HISTORY: THE FORGOTTEN, THE LOST AND THE UNKNOWN NORWEGIAN SOLDIERS MISSED IN ACTIONS IN LATVIA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR

An essay has been published titled « THE FORGOTTEN SOLDIERS». The authors are: Esben Mønster-Kjær, Niels-Peter Granzow Bush and Torsten Weper. «HISTORIE.ILLUSTRET VITENSKAP» is the name of the periodical which is published by Bonniers Publications International AS. The main issue dealt with by the authors is the story of those Scandinavian soldiers who fought, died and were buried in Latvia during the Second World War. According Norwegian historians, we do not know where many Norwegians soldiers got buried in Latvia. Geir Brenden began researching the Norwegian volunteers in the Waffen-SS in 1987. He has also taken part in setting up guided tours to the Eastern Front where the Norwegian fought including research in Latvia. The main reason for the new interest in the events of the Eastern Front is the new access to national archives. The official history of Norway and the Second World War are objects for reseach among Norwegian professional historians and of people like Geir Brenden who has no formal degree in military history or education in history.

Geir Brenden to the left of the photo and Tedd Urnes to the right.Oslo 2019.

Members of the  Latvian association» Legenda» began searching for the lost and forgotten soldiers in 1999. The result of the work so far is the finding of 74 soldiers who belonged to the Scandinavian SS-Division Norland. According to the paper mentioned, two Norwegian soldiers have been found. I contacted Geir Brenden to-day about the names of the soldiers but no final information has been published yet.

The Latvian association « Legenda»is collecting all belongings to the soldiers found in order to be forward the items to the Latvian authorities. Public access to the reports of the work done by « Legenda» is given by the association.

We are waiting for further information of two Norwegian soldiers found,- and above all: Information about all of the lost Norwegian soldiers who fought and died for Nazi-Germany and for Latvia, but not for the Norwegian people who were suppressed by the German occupation of Norway. The study of history is not always a pleasant work- facts are facts only.

Source: Historie.Illustrert vitenskap. Nr.1/2020. Page 28- 39. Historie is published by Bonnier Publications A/S for Bonnier Publications International AS.

THE SOURCE OR SOURCES: FAMOUS CELEBRITIES- ACTOR ERROL FLYNN AND POET, LORD GEORGE BYRON - FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE AND FREEDOM FOR PEOPLE

The venue was Spain. The Spanish Civil War engaged many celebrities worldwide. The famous actor Errol Flynn( 1909-1959) was one of many who sided with the fight of the Spanish people against the Fascist regime of Franco. The main question asked by many was how dedicaded was Errol Flynn fighting the fascists in Spain? Errol Flynn was a rebel all his life. He hated being dominated by authorities, bosses and above all: His mother. Did he left USA bound for Spain because of his private conflics with his wife actress Lili Damita? The visit to Spain was just one of his many public arrangments to get public attentions- some of his enemies are of the opinion that he did not care much for the fight at all. Let me make a person statement: I disagree with the opinions of his enemies. Errol Flynn loved danger, conflicts, challenges and he was political radical all his life. In 1959 he published his  biography about his life, work and career as an actor. The title of the book is: « My Wicked,Wicked Ways». As a source for his political actions and opinions, like any other biographies the facts presented have to be evaluated in a critical way. Anyway, Spain is mentioned in his book. From page 193 to page 201 he gives the reader a  vivid describtion about this experience and stay in Spain. Errol Flynn went to Spain together with his friend Dr.Herman F. Erben (1897-1985). The Government’s Propaganda Office wanted to make use of his visit for propaganda purposes to get support from the United States. Errol Flynn wrote in his dairy about his experiences in Spain. The result of his travellings resulted in an article for the magazine « Photoplay» published in 1937. He also paid a visit to the International Brigades. Dr. Herman  F. Erben was a close friend of Errol flynn but his friend exploited the friendship to get in contact with Spanish officers fighting the Fasiscts. Without any knowedge of the matter, his friend had promised  the Spanish elected government economic support from Americans. Fake news. He had no money for the Spanish fight. The Spanish government was disappoined and annoyed.Later on when Americans were asked for mony to support the Spainsh Loyalist government, Errol Flynn was not on the list of those who donated money  fighting the Fascists. Even if he was exploited making the world know about the Spanish Civil War, his contribution was not invain. Errol Flynn was one of the most famous actors of the time.

The dairy of Errol Flynn written during his stay in Spain has been found. The content of the diary reveals that he supported the fight against the Fascists.To the left: Errol Flynn on Cuba.

LORD GEORGE GORDEN BYRON , 6th BARON BYRON (1788 – 1824)

Lord Byron was an English poet, peer, and politician who became a revolutionary in the Greek War of Independence.

Why do I mention the late British poet at all? The main reason is that Errol Flynn and Lord Byron had a lot in common. They were both public known. Both were rebels. Both were political radicals and both got engaged in political matters of the time. The main difference is easy to observe. Errol Flynn did not sell his house and private estates in support for the Spanish government. Not all. But Lord Byron did it. Lord Byron joined the Greek War of Independence fighing the Ottoman Empire in 1824. To raise money for the revolution, he sold his estate Roch Manor in England.Lord Byron took active part in the fighting himself even if he had no military experience – only personal courage. He fell ill and died in Missolonghi on April 19, 1824. The famous Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen resculpted his earlier bust of Byron in Greek marble.

CONCLUSION

Information about military conflicts and wars is limited during the conflicts. The mission and actions of celebrities  like those of Errol Flynn and Lord Byron in international conflics  must not be underestimated. Private reasons for taking part in the conflicts are not easy to see. But they all put their lives at risk by paying a visit to the sites of conflicts. Thank you, Errol Flynn and Lord Byron. We miss you all. I hope some  can show the same  courage you both showed?

The essay has been published on blog: http://www.theerrolflynnblog.com/2020/01/12/mail-bag-errol flynn-in-spain-fighting-for-justice-and-freedom.
The blog is administrated by David De Witt.Adm/the ErrolFlynn/USA.
zacapublishing@gmail.com.
Up-dated January 13,2020.

TO LIV – ZWEI LEBEN

The former Director of the Norwegian Film Institute, Oslo, Norway,Jan Erik Holst, has edited an interesting book about the close contact between film productions of  Norway and Germany. The foreword is written by famous actress Liv Ullmann who is quoting Czeslaw Milosz: « Those who harm simple people and who laugh at their injuries will not be safe. For poet remembers.» The aim of the book is to focus on film making in Norway and Germany before the Second World War and after the war. The writers of the essays of the book are: Jan Erik Holst, Per Haddal, Gunnar Iversen, Bent Kvalvik, Nils Klevjer Aas, Trond Olav Svendsen, Øivind Hanche, Christian Boe Astrup, Lise Gustavsen, Bjørn Sørensen , Dr. Michael Køtz, Thomas Karlsen and Thomas K. Klinkertz. A biography of the authors is published too. The essays are written in Norwegian but translated into German by Susanne Hiller Giertsen.

For those of you who find the study of film history interesting,you must buy the book. Each writer  is making  references to movies forgotten ,or lost or destroyed. Germany was an important country for the work of many Norwegian actors and film makers before the Second World War and also during the war. Some of those who worked too close to Nazi- Germany got problems later on – but not all of them. The actress Kirsten Heiberg (1907-1976) was working in Nazi-Germany during the war. She returned to Norway in 1951 to go on with her work as an actress in Norwegian theatres and movies. No problems for Kirsten Heiberg getting work in Norway even if she had made many movies in Germany.

The editor, Jan Erik Holst, has worked within the Norwegian film society for years. He was Director of the Norwegian Film Institute from 1988 to 2014.Even if he has retired, he is still engaged in projects connected to film education and film production. Each of the writers is presenting information about old and new movies made in cooperation with German production companies and associations.

For my private interest only, I searched in my own film collection after movies mentioned by many of the writers of the essays. Take a look at the result.

Jan Erik Host (Editor): TO LIV- ZWEI LEBEN. Bokbyen Forlag AS. 2019. 230 pages.
ISBN nr. ISBN 978-82-8316-079-6, ISBN 978-3-93377-36-4

TO LIV- ZWEI LEBEN

The former Director of the Norwegian Film Institute, Jan Erik Host, has edited an interesting book about the contact between Norway and Germany. The book should be read by any who is interesting in filmmaking and above all: Film production in Germany before the Second World War and after. After having read the book, I searched for movies reported in the book among my private collection.
Here is a photo of some of the films mentioned in the book.

Jan Erik Holst (editor): To Liv - Zwei Leben. Bokbyen Forlag AS. 2019.
ISBN nr. ISBN 978-82-8316-079-6, ISBN 978-3-93377-36-4