Linge, Martin Jensen.

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Linge, Martin Jensen, born 11-12-1894, in Linge Farm in Norddal Municipality, Sunnmøre, Norway.

Martin Linge was father of Jan Herman Linge, an engineer and boat designer. He was also the grandfather of Norwegian novelist Espen Haavardsholm, who wrote about his grandfather in Martin Linge. In 1915 Martin graduated as a non-commissioned officer from the military school in Trondheim. Martin subsequently studied at the Trondheim Theatre (1917–1918). He debuted on the stage at the Central Theatre in Oslo in 1921 and appeared in both theatre and films during the 1920s and 1930s.

Shortly after the German attack on Norway on 09-04-1940 he traveled to Åndalsnes to join his regiment. Linge had previously attained the rank of Lieutenant (in the reserve forces), and was also one of the first Norwegians to obtain a pilot’s licence. When British troops landed at Åndalsnes from 17 April, Linge became liaison officer between the local regiment and the British. Åndalsnes (and other towns in Møre og Romsdal county) was at this time still unoccupied territory and the only port with railway connections to East Norway and the campaign there. The King Haakon VII , the crown prince, the cabinet, Norway’s gold and cash holdings, and finally Commander-in-chief of the Norwegian armed forces General Otto Ruge  with staff, escaped through Åndalsnes. Trygve Halvdan Lie an Norwegian politician and diplomat, in his memoirs recalls meeting Linge at Åndalsnes. During German air bombing of a makeshift airfield at Setnesmoen, he was wounded and evacuated by boat to Britain. He was the first wounded Norwegian soldier to arrive in Britain.

Among exiled Norwegians, Linge along with Nordahl Grieg  a Norwegian poet, novelist, dramatist, journalist and political activist and Olav Rytter a Norwegian newspaper editor, radio personality, foreign correspondent, philologist and translator, were the first to propose ideas for resistance against the German occupation. “Our land is perfect for secret resistance and guerrilla warfare” he declared in June 1940. In August 1940 Martin was appointed as liaison officer to the War Office and soon began recruiting men and organizing what became Norwegian Independent Company 1.

NOR.I.C.1.  There were about 530 Norwegians associated with this group, of whom 57 lost their lives.

Death and burial ground of Linge, Martin Jensen.

Linge was killed 27-12-1941 (aged 47) during Operation Archery, a British Combined Operations raid at Måløy against German military positions on Vågsøy Island. During the Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany, Måløy was used as a German coastal fortress, which had led to the eradication of all settlement on the island to make room for the fortress. Linge is buried at the Vestre gravlund (Western Cemetery) in Oslo. . Memorial at the Linge farm in Norddal.

Subsequently, the unit he had led was named Kompani Linge in his honor. Linge Company was more formally known as Lingekompaniet (The Linge Company), by Norwegians. Martin was awarded Norway’s highest military decoration for gallantry, the War Cross with sword.

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