WW2 Shetland Bus boats

This is a very special occasion, it will never happen again.

The VE Norwegian convoy included 4 Shetland Bus boats and these stayed in Lerwick for a few days.

On Friday three headed north to Lunna and Whaslay while the Erkna headed back to Norway

This visit again strengthened the bond between Shetland and Norway as the Shetland Bus operated out of Shetland during WW2 bringing in refugees and taking over saboteurs and weapons

These boats didn't travel back and forth during summer but during the dark winter nights and stormy seas, under the threat of being attacked by German aircraft

These Lewis guns offered some protection and were hidden in oil drums and could be quickly brought out.

I can highly recommend the film  the 12th man which follows the last mission of a Shetland bus boat the Brattholme.

 

New Shetland WW2 book

I have just published my fourth Shetland book. WW2 The Defence of Shetland (Lerwick, Bressay and Bressay)This one is all about how Shetland played a vital part in WW2 in the battle against occupied Norway and the defence of the Home Fleet in Orkney. Lerwick was an important port not just for the allies but also the Germans, could they have invaded Shetland?

This is a large A4 size book, 180 pages and 250 photos and drawings, using a drone to highlight hard to see defences. Lerwick is considered the best example of a WW2 Fortified town with many interesting remains to be explored.

If interested i can post anywhere. The cost is £30 +(£4.95 UK postage) email me at shetww2book@gmail.com with your details

Find out about the secret German plot to poison Shetlanders