This resonates deeply with us here at Woodlore and is a sentiment woven through all that we do. It is a mindset of endurance, of adventure and of the unbelievable.
In light of this, we asked Woodlore Specialist Instructor, Brian Desmond, to write a few words about a story that truly inspires him.
Brian has overseen the Woodlore Heroes of Telemark Course and is a Winter Warfare instructor, formerly of the British army for 25 years. He has resided in Norway since the 1980’s and currently runs the Joint Services Training Centre, Evjemoen, an adventure training establishment in Southern Norway.
Skiing across the Hardanger Vidda Plateau
As most of us already know, Norway was an occupied country during WW2. For 5 long years, the Norwegian people were subjected to a scale of oppression that the majority of us would find hard to believe. During times of hardship and serious daily challenges, human endeavour, and self belief become important factors in self preservation that, eventually, and ultimately, over time, lead to a greater good.
In November 1942, 4 members of Norwegian Number 1 Company, later Linge Company, based in the Cairngorms, Scotland, found themselves back in Norway, and isolated on Northern Europe’s highest Mountain Plateau, mid-winter on the Hardanger Vidda. A desolate and unforgiving place that only the toughest survive, and where the legendary Norwegian Polar explorer Roald Amundsen carried out his winter training prior to his successful South Pole expedition in 1911.
A cabin on the Plateau – in better fettle than the one the saboteurs endured
The four Norwegians were without food, or enough wood to heat their small badly insulated hut, and worse, devoid of any outside support for 3 months. They were in a perilous, life threatening situation.
Their mission, Operation Freshman, due to take place just days before arriving at this isolated cabin, (Svendsbu) ended in complete disaster. Their mission now was to survive the elements and wait for further instructions from London. Despite this serious setback, all four men were determined to carry on and not give up.
Each of them encouraged and supported each other during the dark, cold days and nights on the Vidda. Never doubting their own ability, or will to survive, but to come through this hardship stronger, and more resilient then ever.
For weeks on end they were forced to eat Reindeer Moss. Day after day, their quest to catch fish, or shoot a Reindeer ended in failure. However, on Christmas Eve 1942, one of the four, Jens Anton Paulson, managed to shoot a Reindeer, it was a Christmas to remember!
A human survival food, but a staple for the Reindeer (Cladonia rangiferina)
They were so hungry, they ate the contents of the stomach and even the brain of the animal. Despite being on the verge of starvation and exhaustion, Jens refused to give up his daily long and arduous ski to where he thought the Reindeer were feeding Moss; this successful hunt ultimately saved himself, and his colleagues, from a certain death on the Vidda. This incredible feat of human endeavour by the four men contributed to them being actively involved in the most famous Sabotage Operation during WW2; they were, along with 7 others, known worldwide as the Heroes of Telemark.
Jens Anton Paulson
In the last scene shot during Ray Mears’ very successful “The Real Heroes of Telemark” documentary in 2003, and on location on the Hardanger Vidda, Ray used the Norwegian word “Utholdenhet”, meaning Endurance. This was to underline and illustrate the importance of never giving up.
In all walks of life, we meet personal challenges that seem insurmountable, or just plain impossible. Most of us, very likely, will not know how we will react to these challenges. Self belief and the will to carry on regardless are attributes we have all inherited in our DNA, including our life experiences, and our personal vision of who we want to be; the message is this;
Never give up!
You can join Woodlore, February 2026 and retrace the steps of the Heroes of Telemark for yourself!
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