Saboteurs – Norwegian Heavy Water Sabotage – Sabaton History 011 [Official]

Summary

In this episode of *Sabaton History*, Indy Neidell and Pär from Sabaton explore the story behind the song 'Saboteurs,' which tells the tale of the daring sabotage missions to prevent Nazi Germany from developing nuclear weapons during World War II. The focus is on the heavy water sabotage at Norway's Vemork hydro plant, a crucial part of the German nuclear program. Sabaton's song captures the bravery of the Norwegian resistance fighters and the Special Operations Executive (SOE). The episode also touches on the lasting impact of the mission, both in history and in Sabaton's fan community, with fan clubs named after the song's themes.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Sabaton History video discusses Germany's attempts to develop a nuclear bomb during World War II, highlighting the key role of heavy water in the process.
• 😀 Heavy water, essential for the German atomic bomb program, was produced at the Vemork plant in Norway, which became a target for sabotage by the British and Norwegian resistance.
• 😀 The German nuclear program faced setbacks due to the sabotage efforts of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), particularly their focus on the Vemork hydro plant.
• 😀 The SOE's mission was to prevent Nazi Germany from acquiring atomic bomb capabilities by sabotaging vital infrastructure like the heavy water production facility.
• 😀 The video details the technical challenges of creating an atomic bomb, including the need for plutonium, neutron moderators like heavy water, and a controlled chain reaction.
• 😀 Operation Freshman, a failed mission involving British commandos and gliders, was an early attempt to sabotage the Vemork plant but ended in disaster.
• 😀 Operation Gunnerside, which successfully destroyed key components of the Vemork plant, is described as one of the most successful sabotage operations of WWII.
• 😀 The Norwegian commandos used their knowledge of local terrain and winter survival skills to successfully infiltrate the heavily guarded Vemork facility.
• 😀 The sabotage mission at Vemork delayed the German atomic bomb program but did not end it entirely. However, the sabotage efforts helped divert the Germans' plans.
• 😀 The loss of heavy water after the ferry 'Hydro' was sunk by Norwegian saboteurs in 1944 marked a crucial turning point, as it prevented the Germans from developing nuclear weapons before the end of the war.

Q & A

What is the song 'Saboteurs' by Sabaton about?

The song 'Saboteurs' is about the Norwegian resistance during World War II who sabotaged the German effort to develop an atomic bomb by destroying a heavy water plant at Vemork in Norway.

Why was heavy water crucial to the development of a nuclear bomb?

Heavy water was essential because it acted as a moderator to slow down neutrons, making the process of creating plutonium in a nuclear reactor more controllable. This was a key step in the development of an atomic bomb.

What role did the Special Operations Executive (SOE) play in the sabotage of the German nuclear program?

The SOE was responsible for organizing and executing sabotage missions in Nazi-occupied countries, including Norway, to prevent the Germans from developing a nuclear bomb. They recruited and trained operatives to carry out these dangerous missions.

How did the Allies initially attempt to sabotage the Vemork heavy water plant, and what went wrong?

The Allies first attempted sabotage through Operation Freshman, which involved British paratroopers and gliders. However, the mission failed due to poor weather conditions, leading to crashes and the capture or death of the operatives involved.

What was Operation Gunnerside, and why was it successful?

Operation Gunnerside was a sabotage mission by Norwegian Special Forces to destroy the heavy water equipment at Vemork. The mission succeeded because the commandos infiltrated the plant, planted explosives, and escaped undetected, despite heightened German security after the failure of Operation Freshman.

What happened after the Norwegian commandos sabotaged the heavy water plant?

Although the sabotage delayed the German nuclear program, the plant continued to operate. Eventually, the Germans relocated their heavy water production to Germany. Later, a ferry carrying heavy water to Germany was sunk by Norwegian saboteurs, permanently losing most of the material.

What did the Sabaton band members think about the story behind 'Saboteurs'?

The band members, particularly Pär, expressed a deep appreciation for the story behind 'Saboteurs.' Pär also shared how the song evolved, initially being written before they focused on war themes, and how it was eventually finished for the 'Coat of Arms' album.

How did Norsk Hydro, the company behind the Vemork plant, react to Sabaton's song 'Saboteurs'?

Norsk Hydro, the company involved in the Vemork heavy water production, contacted Sabaton after the release of 'Saboteurs.' They sent the band a small bottle of heavy water as a gift and even invited them to perform a concert at the Vemork plant, though this was not possible at the time.

How did the song 'Saboteurs' influence Sabaton's fan clubs?

The song inspired Sabaton's German fan club to adopt the name 'German Saboteurs,' referencing the sabotage efforts described in the song. Other Sabaton fan clubs are also named after the band's songs, like 'Wolfpack' and 'Panzer Battalions.'

What was the significance of the sabotage of the Norwegian heavy water plant in the context of World War II?

The sabotage of the Norwegian heavy water plant significantly delayed the German nuclear weapons program and prevented the Nazis from acquiring the necessary materials to build an atomic bomb. This action, along with other sabotage efforts, played a crucial role in hindering Nazi advancements in nuclear research.