Nazi Nuclear programme bombed

16th November 1943: A long-distance USAAF raid finally finishes off the critical 'heavy water' plant in Norway

‘ Flying high above a blanket of fleecy clouds, a formation of 8th Air Force Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortresses" drones steadily on towards the target somewhere in Norway on 16 November 1943. B-17F (BN-T, serial number 41-24561) nicknamed "The Duchess", of the 359th Bomb Squadron, is visible in the foreground.’

The power station at Rjukan, Norway had been adopted by the Nazis for the production of 'heavy water' for use in its nuclear programme. The Allies had no clear knowledge of how far the German nuclear programme was progressing and the power station remained a top priority target. Previous efforts to destroy the plant had used special forces from SOE. Operation Gunnerside, guided by local members of the Norwegian resistance, had had some success.

The hydropower plant at Vemork above the village of Rjukan, Norway produced ‘heavy water’ essential for the Nazi nuclear programme.

However, it was now decided that a bombing raid was needed to deal with the plant once and for all. It was hoped that a daylight bombing raid by the 8th Air Force could be accurate enough to minimise civilian casualties. The raid was timed to take place during the lunch hour, in the expectation that many of the civilian workers would be absent.