Gunnar Sonsteby

Gunnar Sønsteby was born in Rjukan, a town in the mountains of Telemark, Norway. He was interested in skiing, hiking, and cycling from a young age. He moved to Oslo in 1937 to study at the University of Oslo and to serve in the King's Guard. He was working as an accountant when Germany invaded Norway in 1940. He joined the Norwegian resistance movement and fought in several battles in the eastern part of the country. He escaped to Sweden in 1941 and was recruited by the British Special Operations Executive (SOE), a secret organization that supported resistance groups in occupied Europe. He became Agent No. 24 and was sent back to Norway to establish contact with the resistance groups in Oslo. He used several aliases and forged documents to evade the Gestapo, who put a high price on his head. He was the leader of the Oslogjengen (the Oslo Gang), a group of saboteurs who carried out numerous attacks on German targets, such as railways, factories, ships, and offices. He also helped to smuggle weapons, radios, and agents into Norway. He was involved in the underground press and the intelligence network. He survived the war and was awarded several medals for his bravery and service, including the War Cross with three swords, the highest military decoration in Norway. He was also honored by the British, the Americans, and the Polish governments. After the war, he worked as a businessman, an author, and a speaker. He wrote several books about his wartime experiences and the history of the resistance. He also gave lectures and interviews to educate the public about the war and the importance of democracy and freedom. He was active in various veteran and humanitarian organizations. He died in Oslo in 2012 at the age of 94. He was widely regarded as a national hero and a role model for the younger generations.