It wasn’t simply that there was a large naval, army and air force presence in the islands, intended both to patrol the seaways around the islands and to deter invasion, which was regarded as a real possibility. Nor was it the pioneering use of radar, though a primitive installation at Sumburgh Head averted a German airborne attack on the British navy in Scapa Flow in Orkney which, had it succeeded, would have been comparable in scale to the Japanese assault on Pearl Harbor.
During many conflicts, Shetland occupied a strategic position between the North Atlantic and the North Sea. Over the centuries, the islands saw action in a series of European wars variously involving Britain, France, Germany, Holland and Spain, and troops were stationed in Lerwick during the American War of Independence. But in the Second World War, Shetland played a new and unique role.
In the reconstructed radar hut at Sumburgh Head, visitors can see the pioneering radar equipment used during the Second World War Alastair Hamilton
So, what distinguished Shetland’s participation in the war? It was the “Shetland Bus”.
Germany had invaded Norway, less than 200 miles from Shetland, in April 1940. The Norwegian royal family fled to London, and thousands of Norwegians escaped too, most of them making the crossing to Shetland, usually in fishing boats.
However, a determined resistance movement remained in Norway. The British government wanted to find a way to support those fighters, not least because active resistance would help to tie down nearly 300,000 German troops and reduce their potential for aggression elsewhere.
The chosen solution was the Special Operations Executive, set up on the order of Prime Minister Winston Churchill. It supplied arms, explosives, radio equipment and anything else that the resistance required.
During the second half of 1941, Norwegian fishing boats, crewed by Norwegian volunteers, shipped these essentials to Norway, sailing during the darker – and stormier – winter months to reduce the chances of detection by German patrols.
They landed their cargoes at small ports up and down the coast, seeking to deceive the invaders into believing that they had simply been fishing. The boats also carried agents to and from Norway, bringing out those at most risk, along with refugees. Guns were installed on the boats but, to avoid suspicion, they were ingeniously concealed in oil drums and under nets.
The boats also carried agents to and from Norway, bringing out those at most risk, along with refugees.
The tiny harbour at Lunna was used as a base in the early days of the Shetland Bus operation. Alastair Hamilton
The initial plan had been to base these activities in Lerwick, but maintaining the necessary secrecy would be a challenge, so operations were established in the secluded Lunna peninsula, in the north-east of the Shetland Mainland. Lunna House, overlooking the harbour, was used to accommodate all those involved in the operation.
Lunna House accommodated around 50 of the sailors and military personnel involved in the Shetland Bus Alastair Hamilton
In 1942, with a view to making maintenance of the boats easier, the operation was moved to Scalloway, where a shipyard with a slipway was available. The yard is still in business, and the slipway has recently been restored. A plaque records the visit of the Norwegian Crown Prince Olav in 1942.
Two of the sites in Scalloway connected with the Shetland Bus campaign. Alastair Hamilton
Other sites in Scalloway connected with the Shetland Bus include Norway House, used to accommodate crews, and the castle, which was used to store explosives.
Norway House and Scalloway Castle played different roles supporting the Shetland Bus Alastair Hamilton
Another building which played a part in the operation was Flemington, as it was then known. Situated in woodland in Weisdale, it served as a headquarters. Lying about 12 miles north of Scalloway and a little farther from Lunna, it’s now usually known as Kergord House.
Kergord, or Flemington, served as an operational headquarters. Alastair Hamilton
Clearly, these were extremely dangerous journeys. As well as the risk of detection and capture, the North Sea in winter can be unforgiving. Boats were lost and by early 1943, 44 crewmen had died. The decision was taken to end the use of the fishing boats and instead deploy three fast ships, known as ‘sub-chasers’, loaned by the United States navy. These were very effective, and no more lives were lost in 116 further missions, which continued right up to the end of the war.
That end, in Europe, came on Monday 7 May 1945, when a German general, Alfred Jodl, signed papers confirming that Germany had surrendered; at 3pm the next day, Prime Minister Winston Churchill confirmed the news on the BBC. There were celebrations in every allied country. The Shetland Times reported that:
Monday evening’s announcement cheered people and there was a certain amount of celebration in the late evening, but early on Tuesday, flags in goodly numbers began to appear all over the town…After Mr Churchill had spoken, ships in the harbour sounded their sirens and many rockets were fired, church bells pealed and the general relief was evident when the full state of affairs was known. A small crowd assembled at the Market Cross and there was some dancing there and later at the Fish Market.
Eighty years later, the end of the war has been marked all over Europe, but in Shetland the commemoration took a unique form, including a visit by the ‘Liberation Convoy’, a flotilla of five historic vessels crossing the North Sea from Norway. The ships taking part included the 60-metre cargo ship S/S Hestmanden, known as the “Norwegian War Sailor Museum”.
Others making the trip were the Royal Norwegian Navy submarine chaser HNoMS Hitra, launched in 1943, alongside fishing vessels M/K Andholmen, M/K Arnefjord, M/K Erkna and M/K Heland. All five vessels operated from Shetland across the North Sea as part of the ‘Shetland Bus’.
As part of the Liberation Convoy and VE Day commemorations, visitors were invited onboard, over three days.
Other events as part of the commemoration include a procession to the Lerwick Town Hall, followed by a civic reception. On Thursday, 8 May, VE Day, wreaths will be laid during memorial services at the war memorial in Lerwick and at the Shetland Bus memorial in Scalloway, with music provided by the Lerwick Pipe Band, the Lerwick Brass Band and members of the Norwegian Naval Band, who also performed at a concert.
Some of the ships returned directly to Norway, whilst others visited Scalloway and Baltasound, in the northernmost island of Unst.
Speaking ahead of the commemoration, Lindsay Tulloch QPM, Lord Lieutenant of Shetland, said: “Plans are now coming together for the visit of the Liberation Convoy. This will be the first time that some of these vessels have crossed the North Sea since the end of World War Two and the convoy will be an impressive sight in the harbour. I hope that the public will enjoy visiting the vessels, welcoming their crews, and be able to attend some of the commemorative events to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe in 1945.”
Ragnhild Bie, Project Manager and Historian with S/S Hestmanden, the Norwegian War Sailors Museum, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming people on board during our visit to Lerwick as part of the Liberation Convoy. We’re eager to share stories of the heroism of everyone involved in the Shetland Bus operations, that shipped resistance fighters to Norway and refugees back to Britain, and of Norwegian war sailors, who helped maintain supplies of food, fuel and weapons to the UK throughout the Second World War. Norway remains truly grateful to the people of Shetland and the rest of the UK, and we’re pleased to have this opportunity to celebrate our strong relationship.”
Anyone from Shetland who visits Norway not only receives the warmest and most generous of welcomes, but also finds that those sentiments are expressed all the way up the west coast, where the exploits of the Shetland Bus crews are recalled in every port. And, of course, the connections have even deeper roots, because Shetland was under Scandinavian rule for more than 600 years, and Nordic influences remain strong in the islands, heard and seen in dialect, placenames and building design. Norway’s National Day is celebrated in Shetland every year.
The ‘Liberation Convoy 2025’ is supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, the Royal Norwegian Navy, the Royal Norwegian Embassy in London, the British Embassy in Oslo, the Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce and others. It was organised by an informal group of museums, organizations, volunteers, professionals and enthusiasts interested in Norway's wartime history.
More details on the convoy, including information on the historic vessels, can be found at www.liberationconvoy.com and you can watch a 9-minute video chronicling the heroic efforts of the Shetland Bus crews here and an earlier 20-minute documentary is also available. The Scalloway Museum offers both an online account of the Shetland Bus operation and an extensive and very moving display for those able to visit in person.
If you're interested in the Shetland Bus, and Shetland's role in World War Two, read our blog post exploring that fascinating heritage.
Alastair Hamilton
Alastair Hamilton moved to Shetland in 1976. Until he retired, he worked for Shetland Islands Council, latterly as Head of Planning, and was also involved in economic development.