Birger Strømsheim

Birger Edvin Martin Strømsheim (11 October 1911 – 10 November 2012) was a Norwegian resistance member during World War II, especially noted for his role in the heavy water sabotage 1942–1943. Background Strømsheim was born at Ålesund, Norway, He worked as a building contractor. After the German occupation of Norway, together with his wife Aase Liv Strømsheim (1912-97), he fled in 1941 by boat to Shetland, determined to join the war effort. After the war, he returned to civilian life. Strømsheim lived at Nordberghjemmet in Oslo where he worked for a factory of Fjeldhammer Brugbut. He also had a role in preparations for the stay-behind effort in Norway.

Strømsheim died 10 November 2012, in Oslo, Norway, at the age of 101. He was buried at the cemetery of Nordstrand Church (Nordstrand kirkegård) in Oslo. World War II

Heavy water sabotage

Strømsheim served in the Norwegian Independent Company 1 during World War II. As a member of the Gunnerside team he parachuted in Telemark on 16 February 1943. After five days of struggling through snowstorms on skis, the team managed to join forces with the Grouse team, previously deployed in the area.

Operation Gunnerside was later claimed by Special Operations Executive leadership to be the most successful act of sabotage of the Second World War.

Operation Fieldfare

As a member of a four-man team from Norwegian Independent Company 1, Strømsheim participated in establishing a cabin that was used as base for sabotage actions against German supply lines in the valley of Romsdal.

Awards For his war contributions Strømsheim was decorated with the Defence Medal with rosette and Haakon VIIs 70th Anniversary Medals, as well as the St. Olav's Medal With Oak Branch and foreign awards.