Editors: Erik Brun, Olaf Minge and Dr Kyle Ward

Available: https://www.amazon.com/99th-Infantry-Battalion-Separate-Norwegian/

Synopsis: The stories of the 99th "Viking" Battalion (Separate), which fought in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe.

Hidden in the crevasses of World War II history is the story of the 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate). A small unit that rarely gets any attention, it is part of a fascinating story. Alongside battalions of Austrian, Greek, Filipino and Japanese Americans, the Army decided to create an all Norwegian American battalion, originally trained at Camp Hale, Colorado, along with the 10th Mountain Division, with the original mission of liberating Norway. Their exploits during training brought them enough notoriety that members of the 99th were recruited to start the First Special Service Force and a branch of the OSS. Although they were not initially sent to Norway, they would fight in Normandy, across France and Belgium, helped entrap the Germans at Aachen, protected the city of Malmedy during the Battle of the Bulge (where they stopped an attack by Skorzeny and a SS Panzer Division), helped liberate Buchenwald, guarded the Nazi treasures found in Merkers mine and finally served as the Honor Guard for King Haakon VII on his triumphant return to Norway.

This book tells the story of the 99th Infantry Battalion through an anthology of rarely, if ever, previously seen memoirs, journals, letters and newspaper articles written by or about the Viking soldiers.

Please see the 99th Acknowledgement page for a list of people that contributed to this work.

Author: Frode Lindgjerdet

Available:  https://www.amazon.com/Operation-Rype-Railway-Sabotage-Mission/dp/1636241344

Synopsis:  To prevent German occupying forces in Norway from reinforcing their defenses during the final months of World War II, the Office of Strategic Services launched Operation Rype, with the mission of sabotaging the Nordland Railway in Mid-Norway. Rype was led by Major William E. Colby, later director of the CIA.

After several delays, the Norwegian Special Operations Group (NORSO) dropped over the Snåsa mountains on the night of March 24. Out of eight B-24s, only three dropped on target. One dropped in Sweden, the remaining four returned to Britain. Two of the B-24s crashed, killing all but one of their crews. Reinforcement and resupply of the unit failed due to extreme Arctic conditions.

Relying heavily on help from the Norwegian resistance, NORSO managed to sever the railway at two points. On both occasions, they withdrew with Germans hot on their tail. On May 2, a German patrol blundered into their camp, resulting in the killing of all of the Germans and one wounded Norwegian resistance fighter. 

This new history of the operation is based on German, Norwegian, American and Swedish sources. It examines how the outcome of the operation was affected by the limitations of equipment in sub-Arctic conditions, and British-American rivalry and cooperation throughout the operation.

Author: Gerd Nyquist

Available: https://www.amazon.com/99th-Battalion-Gerd-Nyquist/

Synopsis:

Gerd Nyquist: Bataljon 99 (1981) (Norwegian) / 99th Battalion (2014) (English)

Nyquist, Gerd. (2014). The 99th Battalion. Aperture Press, LLC. ISBN 9780991096220.

Author: Karsten Conaert

Available:  https://www.standaardboekhandel.be/p/helmen-in-de-achtertuin-9789464071894

Synopsis:  A powerful and compelling set of stories and photos from Belgium during the Canal Drive of September, 1944. Focus on the role of the 99th Infantry Battalion (Sep).  Written in Dutch and not yet translated into English.