The Shetland Bus was not a bus, but the nickname of a special operations
group that set up a route across the North Sea between Norway and the
Shetland Islands, north-east of mainland Scotland. The first voyage was
made by Norwegian sailors to help their compatriots in occupied Norway,
but soon the Secret Intelligence Service and the Special Operations
Executive asked if they would be prepared to carry cargoes of British
agents and equipment, as well. Fourteen boats of different sizes were
originally used, and Flemington House in Shetland was commandeered as
the operation's HQ. The first official journey was carried out by the
Norwegian fishing vessel the Aksel, which left Luna Ness on 30 August
1941 on route to Bremen in Norway.
This book examines that first journey, as well later ones, and discusses
the agents and operations which members of the Shetland Bus were
involved in throughout the war. It also looks at the donation of 3
submarine chasers to the operation, made in October 1943, by the United
States Navy. These torpedo-type boats were 110 ft long and very fast,
allowing journey times between Shetland and Norway to be greatly reduced
and carried out in greater safety.
The story of the Shetland Bus would be nothing without the individuals
involved, both the sailors of the boats and the agents who were carried
between the two countries. These were very brave individuals who helped
maintain an important lifeline to the beleaguered Norwegians. It also
allowed British and Norwegian agents a way in to Norway so that they
could liaise with the Norwegian Underground movement and carry out
important missions against the German occupiers.
