Vemork & the heavy water sabotage
At this power station outside Rjukan, one of World War II's most dramatic sabotage actions unfolded. The Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum takes you through the entire story — at the location where it happened.
Operation Gunnerside
On the night between February 27 and 28, 1943, nine Norwegian SOE soldiers carried out one of the war's most important sabotage missions. After months on Hardangervidda, they climbed down the almost vertical mountain wall towards Vemork, sneaked into the power station, and blew up the heavy water plant.
The action succeeded without the loss of human life on the Allied side. It critically delayed German nuclear research and contributed to Hitler never obtaining the atomic bomb.
The museum today
The Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum opened in 1988 within the power station building itself. You can see the reconstructed heavy water plant, original documents, weapons, and uniforms from the sabotage action, and an extensive exhibition about both industrial history and the resistance struggle.
The museum is ranked as one of Norway's best and is rich in interactive material — perfect for school classes. Estimate a minimum of 2–3 hours for a thorough visit.
- The sabotage action
- February 27–28, 1943
- Operation name
- Operation Gunnerside
- Soldiers
- 9 Norwegian SOE
- Museum opened
- 1988
Gallery
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Vemork in the school trip
We have extensive experience with school trips to Vemork — complete arrangements with transport, tickets, and guide.