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The Spy Who
The Spy Who

ENCORE - The Spy Who (UK) | The Spy Who Gave London its Christmas Tree | 1

December 23, 2025 • 34m

Summary

⏱️ 8 min read

Overview

This special Christmas episode reveals how Norwegian sailors on a covert WWII mission to Nazi-occupied Norway started the tradition of London's Trafalgar Square Christmas tree. In November 1942, a joint British-Norwegian reconnaissance team infiltrated Norway to gather intelligence on a German pyrite mine while Norway's exiled King Håkon VII waited anxiously in England. During their dangerous mission, the crew decided to cut down Christmas trees—one for their mess hall and another for their homesick king—inadvertently planting the seeds of an 80-year tradition of Norway gifting Britain an annual Christmas tree.

Operation Behind Enemy Lines: The Mission Begins

In November 1942, a crew of 22 Norwegian and British sailors embarked on a covert reconnaissance mission to Nazi-occupied Norway aboard a new British motor torpedo boat. Led by Lieutenant Knut Bergerberg and including torpedo man Måns Klubben, the team's objective was to gather intelligence on a German pyrite mine near Sagvog that was producing ammunition materials. The mission came at a dark time for the Allies, with most of Europe under fascist control, but the crew was determined to bring back something to lift spirits—both tactical intelligence and something more personal for their exiled king.

  • Norwegian King Håkon VII had been in exile for two and a half years after fleeing the Nazi invasion in June 1940
  • 23-year-old torpedo operator Måns Klubben, a former fisherman, was part of a 22-person crew on a secret reconnaissance mission to Nazi-occupied Norway
  • The mission used new British Royal Navy motor torpedo boats called 'Spitfires of the Sea' designed for covert operations
  • The crew's objective was to gather intelligence on sabotaging a pyrite mine producing ammunition materials near Sagvog
" Your words can keep hope alive. "
" Norway, here we come! "

Navigating Danger: Establishing the Base

The crew successfully navigated Norway's treacherous maze of islands and inlets under cover of darkness, establishing a hidden base on the remote island of Bømle. Using local knowledge from crew members like Klubben who had fished these waters before the war, they planned their approach to the target mine. The team's luck improved when a local Norwegian mail boat skipper offered to help transport two commandos disguised as civilians to scout the target, demonstrating the courage of occupied Norwegians still living under Nazi rule.

  • The crew moored their boat in a remote cove on Bømle island and camouflaged it with tarpaulin to hide from German patrols
  • Klubben identified a potential obstacle: an engine factory at Robersternesse that attracted German attention along their route
  • A Norwegian mail boat skipper volunteered to transport two British commandos hidden in his ice box to scout the targets
  • The mail boat skipper agreed despite knowing the Germans might kill him if caught helping the Allies
" Your Majesty, Hitler wants you captured dead or alive. You cannot remain in Norway. "
" I am the one still living here. I'm not afraid. "

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