Ridiculous History – Operation Gunnerside: How a Crew of Military Skiers Ruined the Nazi Bomb

Podcast: Ridiculous History
Hosts: Ben Bowlin & Noel Brown
Air Date: January 31, 2026
Episode Type: Classic (Originally aired February 26, 2019)
Theme: Unbelievable, covert WWII operation in which Norwegian commandos on skis sabotaged the Nazis’ nuclear ambitions by destroying their “heavy water” production facility.

Overview

This episode dives into the gripping and lesser-known tale of Operation Gunnerside, a daring WWII mission that saw Norwegian commandos—trained by the British—embroiled in a ski-bound act of sabotage against Nazi Germany’s atomic bomb project. Set against snowy Norwegian mountains, the episode mixes Ridiculous History’s trademark banter, funny asides, and fascinates with astonishing feats of bravery.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background: Nazi Nuclear Ambitions

• Setting the Scene (05:01–07:20)
  • Germany had a significant head start over the US in nuclear research, having discovered nuclear fission in 1938.
  • The German nuclear program (“Uranverein” / The Uranium Club) included elite physicists like Werner Heisenberg.
• Moderators & "Heavy Water" (07:20–09:54)
  • Nuclear reactors require “moderators” to control fission; Germany used “heavy water” (deuterium oxide), unlike the US’s graphite.
  • Quote (Ben, 08:12): “Heavy water is water that has an atomic or molecular rather weight of 20 rather than 18… it occurs incredibly rarely in nature.”

2. The Vemork Plant: The Nazi Linchpin

• Strategic Importance (09:54–12:32)
  • Vemork, a plant in Telemark, Norway, was producing heavy water—essential for Nazi atomic efforts.
  • Nazis seized the plant and ramped up production.
• Sabotage Origins (12:32–14:25)
  • British intelligence, aided by Norwegian resistance (notably Leif Tronstad), realized the immense threat and decided to sabotage the plant.
  • The term “sabotage” is discussed, with playful etymology banter (“throwing shoes into machinery”).

3. Ski Commandos: Training & Operations

• Special Operations Executive (SOE) and Recruitment (14:25–15:33)
  • Britain’s “Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” trained Norwegian expatriates in covert operations; rigorous outdoor/survival training ensued.
• The Ski Angle (15:33–16:56)
  • Commandos became elite on skis—enabling stealthy movement across the rugged, snowbound terrain.
  • Quote (Noel, 15:55): “[They] looked like phantoms haunting the woods … The silence broke only by the swoosh of their skis … the wind that would eventually, they hoped, blow their tracks away.”

4. Failed Predecessors: Operations Grouse & Freshman

• Grouse: Scout team parachuted in, survived by living off the land (17:21–18:40).
• Freshman: British glider-borne assault ended in disaster (crashes, deaths, Gestapo executions).
• The remaining “Swallow” group (formerly Grouse) evaded the Nazis, kept hopes alive.

5. Operation Gunnerside: The Sabotage

• The Plan (19:06–20:49)
  • Six additional Norwegian commandos parachuted in to join “Swallow.”
  • Dressed in British uniforms under snowsuits—if caught, they wanted the blame to fall on the British, sparing Norwegians from reprisals.
  • Endured a 5-day cross-country ski journey to reach allies and the target.
• The Raid (20:49–22:12)
  • Approached via a treacherous, less-guarded railway-side route.
  • Divided into cover and explosives teams; cut fuses down to 30 seconds for a harrowing escape.
• The Escape (22:12–23:30)
  • Fled on skis, covering over 200 miles to safety in neutral Sweden. Not a single shot fired in the operation.
  • Quote (Noel, 22:12): “They did not fire a single shot…what bravery these guys exhibited. And to have it go so well is so rare.”

6. Aftermath & Historical Impact

• Results (23:09–23:43)
  • The raid destroyed 500 kg of heavy water, delaying Nazi progress.
  • Plant was rebuilt by May 1943, but the operation remains one of WWII’s most successful commando actions.

7. Notable Moments & Light Banter

• Etymology Check (Sabotage) (24:22–24:58)
  • “Sabotage” indeed comes from the French “sabot” (wooden shoe); confirmed live by producer Casey.
• Commandos’ Last Resort (25:14–25:34)
  • Each carried cyanide pills to avoid capture and torture.

Memorable Quotes

• Noel Brown (07:20):
  “A nuclear bomb…is thriving on the same explosive energy [as a reactor], only it’s just released out into the world as opposed to harnessed into electricity.”
• Ben Bowlin (15:55, reading from The Winter Fortress):
  “Dressed in white camouflage suits…they looked like phantoms haunting the woods. They moved as quietly as ghosts. The silence broke only by the swoosh of their skis…"
• Noel Brown (22:12):
  "They did not fire a single shot … what bravery these guys exhibited…to have it go so well is so rare."
• Ben Bowlin (25:34):
  “They also had cyanide pills on them so they couldn’t be taken alive.”

Noteworthy Timestamps

• Operation Gunnerside Context & Nazi Bomb Program: 05:01–07:20
• Heavy Water Explanation: 08:12–09:54
• Vemork Plant & Sabotage Plans: 09:54–14:25
• Training & Ski Commandos: 14:25–16:56
• Botched Early Missions (Grouse, Freshman): 17:21–18:40
• Gunnerside Mission Launch: 19:06–23:30
• Aftermath: 23:43
• Sabotage Etymology (with producer Casey): 24:22–24:58
• Commandos’ Equipment & Cyanide Pills: 25:14–25:34

Ridiculous (and Wonderful) Asides

• Golden Girls Theme Song Diversion (04:00–04:27):
  “If you had a party and invited everyone you know…thank you for being a friend.”
• Mitchell and Webb “Are We the Baddies?” (10:28–10:40)
• Proclaimers Joke (23:14):
  “How long does it take to ski 200 miles?…I want the Proclaimers to do a version of their song about this.”

Tone & Language

• Conversational, humorous, reverent for the true daring of the commandos.
• Blend of detailed historic storytelling, jokes, and pop culture references (TV themes, comedy sketches).
• Language remains accessible and light, despite the serious subject matter.

Conclusion

Operation Gunnerside stands as a rare mix of the “ridiculous” and the heroic—the literal weaponization of skiing used to frustrate the Nazi atomic bomb project. Against daunting odds, Norwegian commandos epitomized courage, skill, and ingenuity, dealing a major blow to the Nazi nuclear effort—with skis as their secret weapon.

Closing words:
“We hope that you enjoyed the story of Operation Gunnerside. If you don’t know how to ski yet, it’s never too late to pick up a new skill set.” (Ben, 24:22)

For more quirky and astonishing stories from the annals of history, tune in each week to Ridiculous History.