Olav Ringdal
Encyclopedia
Olav Ringdal was a Norwegian resistance
member during World War II
.
He was born in Sandefjord
to parents from Larvik
. He had gone through commerce school as well as an average adjuster's exam, and studied law at the University of Oslo
during World War II. During the war he also became a member of Milorg
. He co-edited an illegal newspaper, worked as a courier and with propaganda, and led the information service. He was trained by Special Operations Executive
operator Gregers Gram
.
Ringdal fell out with the Nazi authorities
for the first time as a part of the mass arrest of students on 30 November 1943. 1,166 students were arrested, and 644 were sent to Germany for "readjustment" following the 28 November university fire
in Oslo. Ringdal was not among those sent to Germany because he managed to escape.
On 4 April 1945 a German crackdown against Operation Derby took place. The home of Kolbein and Kari Lauring
was surrounded by German forces, whereupon Kari telephoned Max Manus
who in turn notified other resistance members. All resistance members would need to go in hiding at various cover-up apartments scattered around the city. Ringdal went to the address Bygdøy allé 117, to what he assumed to be a safe house, but was surprised by German forces there and fatally shot. Later that day, another resistance associate Roy Nielsen
showed up. He soon became aware of the peril, but was shot escaping. He was buried in Vestre Aker
. Kolbein Lauring and Manus managed to escape from their respective locations, whereas Kari Lauring was arrested.
In 1952, a vessel belonging to the Norwegian Society for Rescue at Sea
was named after Olav Ringdal.
Norwegian resistance movement
The Norwegian resistance to the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany began after Operation Weserübung in 1940 and ended in 1945. It took several forms:...
member during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
He was born in Sandefjord
Sandefjord
is a city and municipality in Vestfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Sandefjord. The municipality of Sandefjord was established on 1 January 1838...
to parents from Larvik
Larvik
is a city and municipality in Vestfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Larvik. Larvik kommune - has about 41 364 inhabitants and covers 530 km2....
. He had gone through commerce school as well as an average adjuster's exam, and studied law at the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
during World War II. During the war he also became a member of Milorg
Milorg
Milorg was the main Norwegian resistance movement in World War II....
. He co-edited an illegal newspaper, worked as a courier and with propaganda, and led the information service. He was trained by Special Operations Executive
Special Operations Executive
The Special Operations Executive was a World War II organisation of the United Kingdom. It was officially formed by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Minister of Economic Warfare Hugh Dalton on 22 July 1940, to conduct guerrilla warfare against the Axis powers and to instruct and aid local...
operator Gregers Gram
Gregers Gram
Gregers Winther Wulfsberg Gram MC MM was a Norwegian resistance fighter and saboteur. A corporal and later second lieutenant in the Norwegian Independent Company 1 during the Second World War, he was killed in 1944....
.
Ringdal fell out with the Nazi authorities
Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
The occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany started with the German invasion of Norway on April 9, 1940, and ended on May 8, 1945, after the capitulation of German forces in Europe. Throughout this period, Norway was continuously occupied by the Wehrmacht...
for the first time as a part of the mass arrest of students on 30 November 1943. 1,166 students were arrested, and 644 were sent to Germany for "readjustment" following the 28 November university fire
1943 University of Oslo fire
The 1943 University of Oslo fire was a fire in the ceremony hall of the University of Oslo in 1943. Its direct consequenses were the closing of the university, and the arrest of 1,166 people; mainly male students. Of these, 644 were sent to German "readjustment" camps, where 17 people died...
in Oslo. Ringdal was not among those sent to Germany because he managed to escape.
On 4 April 1945 a German crackdown against Operation Derby took place. The home of Kolbein and Kari Lauring
Kolbein Lauring
Kolbein Didrik Lauring was a Norwegian resistance member during World War II.He grew up in Ljan together with later resistance ace Max Manus. The two participated as volunteers in the Winter War, on the Finnish side. When Germany invaded and occupied Norway in 1940, Lauring and Manus returned to...
was surrounded by German forces, whereupon Kari telephoned Max Manus
Max Manus
Maximo Guillermo "Max" Manus DSO, MC & Bar was a Norwegian resistance fighter during World War II.Manus was born in Bergen to a Norwegian father and a Danish mother...
who in turn notified other resistance members. All resistance members would need to go in hiding at various cover-up apartments scattered around the city. Ringdal went to the address Bygdøy allé 117, to what he assumed to be a safe house, but was surprised by German forces there and fatally shot. Later that day, another resistance associate Roy Nielsen
Roy Nielsen
Roy Nielsen was a Norwegian resistance member during World War II, a member of Milorg and involved in propaganda and sabotage. Among his sabotage operations was the destruction of 25 Messerschmitt fighter aircraft and 150 engines stored in a bus garage in Oslo, on 14 August 1944, together with Max...
showed up. He soon became aware of the peril, but was shot escaping. He was buried in Vestre Aker
Vestre Aker
Vestre Aker is a borough of the city of Oslo, Norway.The previous municipality Aker was merged into the city of Oslo in 1948.The borough of Vestre Aker was organized as part of the 1 January 2004 reform. Previous boroughs...
. Kolbein Lauring and Manus managed to escape from their respective locations, whereas Kari Lauring was arrested.
In 1952, a vessel belonging to the Norwegian Society for Rescue at Sea
Norsk Selskab til Skibbrudnes Redning
The Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue was founded on 9 July 1891...
was named after Olav Ringdal.