War Sailors in a Global War’ focuses on the significance of the war sailors during World War II, their captivity, and their attempts to contact their families back home. The exhibition opened in June 2019 and conveys how Norway and Norwegians, through the efforts of the war sailors, were part of a larger global conflict.
The Important Contribution of the War Sailors
In the exhibition, the history of the war sailors meets the history of ARKIVET within the context of global imprisonment history. This story is conveyed through film, newly developed maps, and excerpts from letters written by sailors to their loved ones. The war sailors represented Norway’s most significant contribution to the Allies’ victory during World War II. Norway had the world’s fourth-largest merchant fleet, collectively managed by the state-owned company Nortraship during the war years from 1940 to 1945. Alongside other allied ships and sailors, they transported weapons, soldiers, fuel, and food around the globe.
On board the ships were crew members from all continents. The war sailors were seafarers expected to perform their jobs as usual, but under new and dangerous circumstances within a global war.
The efforts of the war sailors have been well recognized in Norwegian society today, and the exhibition provides important insights into their lives and contributions during the war.
In our library, there is a mini-exhibition related to ‘War Sailors in a Global War.’ Here, you can read the stories of two war sailors and see objects from ARKIVET’s collection.
