Arne Kjelstrup

Arne Kjelstrup, MM (30 October 1913 – 5 May 1995) was a Norwegian resistance member during World War II, especially noted for his role in the heavy water sabotage 1942–1943, and for being military leader of Milorg section D-161 (Kongsberg/Numedal) during the anti-demolition operation Sunshine 1944–1945.

Personal life Kjelstrup was born in Rjukan. He later moved with his parents to Bærum, where he worked as a plumber at the outbreak of World War II. After the war Kjesltrup married Tulla Irgens, who had participated in the Operation Starlight, the Kongsberg-Numedal-Nore subsection of Operation Sunshine. Kjelstrup took further education in Stockholm, When the battles were over he travelled to Sweden, and after a long journey, via Moscow, Odessa, Istanbul, Suez, Durban, Cape Town, Trinidad, Halifax and Liverpool he ended up in London, where he became a member of the Norwegian Independent Company 1 . He was recruited a member of the Grouse team which was parachuted onto the Hardangervidda plateau on 18 October 1942, along with Jens-Anton Poulsson (leader of the group), Knut Haugland and Claus Helberg. The team landed at Fjarefit in Songadalen, and relocated to Møsvatn where they prepared to receive British troops, the Operation Freshman. He later returned to the United Kingdom via Sweden. As a sergeant in the Linge company he joined various military courses, receiving training in explosives and sabotage. In 1944 he participated in Operation Sunshine led by major Leif Tronstad.

He lived his later life in Bærum, and died on 5 May 1995, just days before the 50-year anniversary of the liberation of Norway.

Honors

- St. Olav's Medal With Oak Branch (1943) - Defence Medal 1940–1945 - Haakon VIIs 70th Anniversary Medal - 1939–1945 Star - Military Medal - Legion of Honor - Croix de Guerre

Biography The biography covers only 1940-1945