Skule Storheill
Encyclopedia
Skule Valentin Storheill (17 August 1907 – 25 November 1992) was a Norwegian naval officer who reached prominence in World War II
while serving in Norwegian warships with the Royal Navy
, and received Norway's leading military decoration, the War Cross with Sword.
In June 1940 as a Lieutenant he was the Norwegian liaison officer on board the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire
, flying the Flag of Vice Admiral John Cunningham, which evacuated Norway's King Haakon VII and Government ministers from Tromsø
to Great Britain to continue the struggle against the German occupation of their country.
Then, as a Lieutenant-Commander, Storheill was in command of the Norwegian destroyer HNoMS St Albans
from July 1941 to June 1943. With British warships, St Albans sank a German U-boat in the Atlantic on August 3 1941 . For this he received the War Cross.
Again as a Lieutenant-Commander he was in command of the destroyer HNoMS Stord from August 1943 until the end of June 1944. In the Home Fleet Stord escorted convoys to the USSR through the Norwegian Sea
and Barents Sea
, and took part in the Battle of North Cape
in which the German battleship Scharnhorst
was sunk on December 26, 1943. He took his ship within 400 yards (360 m) of Scharnhorst before firing torpedoes . In Stord he was also present at the Normandy landings in June 1944, and there is a small model of the ship in the D-Day Museum at Arromanches, Normandy
, France
.
Also as a result of his war service he was created a Commander with Star of the Order of St. Olav followed by awards of the St. Olav's Medal with Oak Branch, the War Medal, the Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau
(Netherlands
), and Commander of the Order of the Dannebrog
(Denmark
). He was honoured by France with the Croix de Guerre
and the Legion of Honour. He was awarded the British Distinguished Service Cross
on three occasions.
After 1945 he remained in the Royal Norwegian Navy and was stationed at Harstad
and then from 1963 in Bodø
, and eventually reached the rank of Vice Admiral.
He was born in Brønnøysund
. He has a street named after him: Admiral Storheills Gate in his home town.
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...
while serving in Norwegian warships with the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, and received Norway's leading military decoration, the War Cross with Sword.
In June 1940 as a Lieutenant he was the Norwegian liaison officer on board the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire
HMS Devonshire (39)
HMS Devonshire was a County-class heavy cruiser of the Royal Navy. She was part of the London subgroup of the County class, and saw service in the Second World War.-Early career:...
, flying the Flag of Vice Admiral John Cunningham, which evacuated Norway's King Haakon VII and Government ministers from Tromsø
Tromsø
Tromsø is a city and municipality in Troms county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Tromsø.Tromsø city is the ninth largest urban area in Norway by population, and the seventh largest city in Norway by population...
to Great Britain to continue the struggle against the German occupation of their country.
Then, as a Lieutenant-Commander, Storheill was in command of the Norwegian destroyer HNoMS St Albans
USS Thomas (DD-182)
The first USS Thomas was a Wickes class destroyer in the United States Navy following World War I. She was later transferred to the Royal Navy as HMS St Albans , as a Town class destroyer, but spent most of the war in the exiled Royal Norwegian Navy, before transferred to the Soviet Navy as...
from July 1941 to June 1943. With British warships, St Albans sank a German U-boat in the Atlantic on August 3 1941 . For this he received the War Cross.
Again as a Lieutenant-Commander he was in command of the destroyer HNoMS Stord from August 1943 until the end of June 1944. In the Home Fleet Stord escorted convoys to the USSR through the Norwegian Sea
Norwegian Sea
The Norwegian Sea is a marginal sea in the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of Norway. It is located between the North Sea and the Greenland Sea and adjoins the North Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Barents Sea to the northeast. In the southwest, it is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a...
and Barents Sea
Barents Sea
The Barents Sea is a marginal sea of the Arctic Ocean, located north of Norway and Russia. Known in the Middle Ages as the Murman Sea, the sea takes its current name from the Dutch navigator Willem Barents...
, and took part in the Battle of North Cape
Battle of North Cape
The Battle of the North Cape was a Second World War naval battle which occurred on 26 December 1943, as part of the Arctic Campaign. The German battlecruiser , on an operation to attack Arctic Convoys of war materiel from the Western Allies to the USSR, was brought to battle and sunk by superior...
in which the German battleship Scharnhorst
German battleship Scharnhorst
Scharnhorst was a German capital ship, alternatively described as a battleship and battlecruiser, of the German Kriegsmarine. She was the lead ship of her class, which included one other ship, Gneisenau. The ship was built at the Kriegsmarinewerft dockyard in Wilhelmshaven; she was laid down on 15...
was sunk on December 26, 1943. He took his ship within 400 yards (360 m) of Scharnhorst before firing torpedoes . In Stord he was also present at the Normandy landings in June 1944, and there is a small model of the ship in the D-Day Museum at Arromanches, Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Also as a result of his war service he was created a Commander with Star of the Order of St. Olav followed by awards of the St. Olav's Medal with Oak Branch, the War Medal, the Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau
Order of Orange-Nassau
The Order of Orange-Nassau is a military and civil order of the Netherlands which was created on 4 April 1892 by the Queen regent Emma of the Netherlands, acting on behalf of her under-age daughter Queen Wilhelmina. The Order is a chivalry order open to "everyone who have earned special merits for...
(Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
), and Commander of the Order of the Dannebrog
Order of the Dannebrog
The Order of the Dannebrog is an Order of Denmark, instituted in 1671 by Christian V. It resulted from a move in 1660 to break the absolutism of the nobility. The Order was only to comprise 50 noble Knights in one class plus the Master of the Order, i.e. the Danish monarch, and his sons...
(Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
). He was honoured by France with the Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
and the Legion of Honour. He was awarded the British Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is...
on three occasions.
After 1945 he remained in the Royal Norwegian Navy and was stationed at Harstad
Harstad
is the second largest city and municipality by population, in Troms county, Norway – the city is also the third largest in North Norway. Thus Harstad is the natural centre for its district. Situated approximately north of the Arctic Circle, the city celebrated its 100th anniversary in...
and then from 1963 in Bodø
Bodø
is a city and a municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is part of the Salten region.The city of Bodø was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 . Bodin was merged with Bodø on 1 January 1968. Skjerstad was merged with Bodø on 1 January 2005...
, and eventually reached the rank of Vice Admiral.
He was born in Brønnøysund
Brønnøysund
is a town and the administrative centre of the municipality of Brønnøy, Norway. It is also a former municipality in Nordland county. The village of Brønnøysund received town status in 2000. The city lies along the coast and is often called "the coastal town in the middle of Norway." Brønnøysund...
. He has a street named after him: Admiral Storheills Gate in his home town.
Honours and awards
- War Cross with SwordWar Cross with swordThe War Cross with Sword is the highest ranking Norwegian gallantry decoration. It is awarded for extraordinary brave actions or extraordinary leadership during combat. A recipient deemed worthy of additional citations will receive up to an additional two swords on the medal ribbon in addition to...
- Commander with Star of the Order of St. Olav
- St. Olav's Medal With Oak BranchSt. Olav's Medal With Oak BranchSt. Olav's Medal with Oak Branch is a Norwegian military award, which was instituted by King Haakon VII of Norway on 6 February 1942. In Norway, the medal is considered as a separate award from the civilian St...
- War Medal
- Defence Medal 1940–1945
- Haakon VII's 70-Medal
- Distinguished Service CrossDistinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is...
and 2 barsMedal barA medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
(United Kingdom) - Commander of the Order of the DannebrogOrder of the DannebrogThe Order of the Dannebrog is an Order of Denmark, instituted in 1671 by Christian V. It resulted from a move in 1660 to break the absolutism of the nobility. The Order was only to comprise 50 noble Knights in one class plus the Master of the Order, i.e. the Danish monarch, and his sons...
(Denmark) - Officer of the Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
(United States) - Commander of the Legion of Honour (France)
- Croix de guerre 1939–1945 (France)
- Grand Cross of the Order of the House of Orange