Description
Book SynopsisUnconventional warfare tactics can have a considerable effect on the outcome of any war. During World War II, the United States government developed and employed two new methods of fighting. The first was the development of 'paratroop' units, as they were first called. The second was the formation of a covert and sabotage operations branch called the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Lt. Colonel Bolland was involved in both of these 'firsts'. During the D-Day invasion he parachuted behind enemy lines, jumping out of the 82nd Airborne lead aircraft with General James Gavin. After fighting with the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment for thirty-three days straight, he returned to England and became involved with the OSS Scandinavian Section. He served as Field Commander for their Operation, code named Rype. This was the only American military undertaking, albeit covert, in Norway during the entire course of the war.
As a young boy growing up in rural western Minnesota, Bolland got his military start with the Minnesota National Guard, before being accepted to West Point, solely on merit. His military career lasted seventeen years. Lt. Colonel Bolland ended up with numerous decorations including the Norwegian Liberation Medal and Citation, the Bronze Star for valour, the French Fouragerre of Croix de Guerre with Palms and posthumously the Congressional Gold medal awarded to the OSS Society on behalf of all former OSS members that served during the war.
His story reveals the struggles, successes, failures and ultimate victories, detailing what went right and what went wrong with these new unconventional methods of fighting.
Table of ContentsForeword Introduction Chapter 1. A Changing Scene Chapter 2. The Making of a Paratrooper Chapter 3. Battle Experience, D-Day Invasion with the 82nd Airborne Chapter 4. The British Temperament Chapter 5. The Norwegian Temperament Chapter 6. Norwegian-American Roots of the Bolland Family Chapter 7. German Methods of Fighting Chapter 8. Norwegian Resistance Chapter 9. OSS Beginnings, Background and History Chapter 10. Prelude to a Mission Chapter 11. The Scandinavian Section, OSS London Chapter 12. The Inception and Importance of Operation RYPE Chapter 13. Meeting the NORSO Group Personnel Chapter 14. NORSO Beginnings Chapter 15. Operation Rype Preparation Chapter 16. Carpetbaggers Chapter 17. Operation Rype Chapter 18. Spies through Sweden Chapter 19. Impending Victory Chapter 20. Capturing the German Airport Trondheim Fjord Chapter 21. NORSO's Final Days Chapter 22. Liberation Chapter 23. Bon Voyage, Back to the United States Chapter 24. Closing Military Endeavors—Korea and Japan Conclusion Supplemental Documents and Photos Epilogue: Congressional Gold Medal
