Revisiting Operation RYPE
By Mr . Tony Housey Camp Ripley Public Affairs
March 2 , 2021 ( CAMP RIPLEY , Minnesota ) – In the Spring of 1945 , a U . S . - led operation by the Office of Strategic Services operational group under the command of Major William Colby , helped local resistance fighters in Norway delay the German withdrawal by attacking the railways to the south of Grong in the county of Trøndelag . German-occupied Norway was considered a serious threat to the allied offensive of Northern Europe as well as a priority for the liberation of the Norwegian people .
Colby ’ s first mission into Norway , which involved 36 specially trained Norwegian-American personnel , began March of 1945 . Codenamed Operation RYPE ( Norwegian for Grouse ) the main mission was to destroy railroad lines in Norway making it impossible for the Germans to move troops in Norway to the European Continent where they would be needed to reinforce the withdrawing German forces . In 2015 , Airmen and Soldiers of the
Noon & Nightly Specials
Happy Hour Monday thru Friday 3:30-6 p . m .
Friday Fish Fry 5-9 pm $ 9.00
Minnesota National Guard participating in the 42nd American – Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange ( NOREX ) retraced the steps of U . S . and Norwegian special operators 70 years ago who , during the final months of World War II , waged a successful sabotage campaign against German forces occupying Norway . This article written by ( then ) Maj . Scott Ingalsbe during NOREX42 tells their story .
The U . S . service members , along with their Norwegian counterparts , completed a 12-mile trek on skis through mountainous terrain , as well as a reconnaissance of the Jorstad Bridge and simulated demolition using signal flares . The field training exercise concluded , Feb . 19 , 2015 , with a ceremony in honor of those who destroyed the bridge to stop the movement of German troops through Norway and a wreath-laying in memory of the 80 people who perished , Jan . 13 , 1945 , when a train derailed into the icy water several hours after the demolition .
“ We mourn the loss of life due to war and we honor the families who survived
tueSdAy
Bar Bingo at 6:00 pm Sponsored by Platte Lake Property Owners # B-31337-08
Friday
Meat Bingo at 6:00 pm
Across From Camp Ripley Gates ( 320 ) 632-6996
We cater to camp ripley . call to schedule your event !
The Ripley Reporter • Morrison County Record • www . mcrecord . com • April 25 , 2021 • 7
that great and terrible loss ,” said U . S . Army Chaplain ( Maj .) Buddy Winn . “ We also remember that sacred text tells us that peacemakers are blessed . We are blessed to recommit ourselves to strong defense as a deterrent from repeating this calamity , and to strengthen our resolve to that end .”
In January of 1945 , after nearly five years of occupation , several hundred thousand German troops were still positioned in Norway , and Allied commanders wanted to contain them there rather than allow them to be used as reinforcements in central Europe . With the waters off the coast of Norway controlled by the Allies and with mines still lingering in many areas , rail lines connecting northern and southern parts of the country were vital to any German plans at that time , according to Norwegian Col . Ebbe Deraas , commander of the Norwegian Home Guard in District 12 .
Soldiers from the 99th Infantry Battalion , a unit comprised of Norwegian speaking Americans , many from Minnesota and the Dakotas , volunteered to train with the Office of Strategic Services
DAN ’ S CATERING COMPANY , LLC
Mobile catering service provided at any location .
Minnesota National Guard Soldiers and Airmen follow part of the route used for Operation RYPE while on exercise with the Norwegian Home Guard during NOREX 2016 .
( OSS ), the precursor to the CIA , to infiltrate into Norway and conduct unconventional warfare operations alongside Norwegian special operations forces . It was these small , OSS teams that were ( Continued on Page 11 )
Provide your guests with freshly prepared food
Make your event truly memorable with award winning , homemade food . Leave your guests well-fed and ready to enjoy the rest of the night .
Make any event a delicious one
• Weddings • Family Reunions
• Anniversaries • Business Outings
• Holiday Celebrations • Graduations
• Any & All special occasions
Little Falls , MN • ( 320 ) 632-9992 • fallsballroom . com
Open til 2:00am
Welcome all Military Personnel
nightly Drink Specials
Nightly 5-8pm
Food Specials Monday Night Saturdays at 2pm
Mon- Burgers at 6pm & Meat raffle
Tues- Pizza ( 1 topping )
Wed- Fish Dinner 2 Progressive Games
Thurs- all you can eat 2 Jackpots , always start at $ 400 each , game # 8 progress $ 25 & game # 16 progress $ 50 each week
Taco & Wings
Sponsored by the LFYouth Hockey Lic # 2347
Whiskey Steak 10 oz , Choice of Potato , Salad & Toast PULL TaBS : Lic # 2347-015 10 Boxes $ 1 & $ 2 Games
Fri- all you can eat
Fish & Shrimp Sunday Open Pool
Sat- Rib Eye Choice of Potato , Salad & Toast
Table all day !
Steak & Shrimp
Sun 11am-2pm & 5-8pm
Live Music & Bands
Chicken or Shrimp Alfredo
Thursday , Friday & Saturday Nights 9pm-2am
Little Falls • Located across from Camp Ripley Main Gate • 320-639-4020
Daily Happy Hour 3-6pm $ 1 Off a Drink
FREE delivery of food to Camp !
Daily Lunch Specials 11am-2pm
BinGO
Daniel & Angel Oehrlein
700 Main St , Onamia , MN 56359 www . danscateringco . com
Cell : 218-851-7643 Home Office : 320-692-4482 Daniel & Angel Oehrlein • 700 Main St , Onamia , MN 56359
~ Happy Hour ~ Pull Tabs Lic # 00838 ~ E-Tabs
American Legion Post 46
108 1st Street NE ~ Little Falls , MN 56345 320.632.5944 • americanlegion046 @ gmail . com
“ Wheree Everyone ’ s Always Welcome !”
Room Rental for all occasions
Meetings ~ Reunions Birthday Party
~ Pizza Specials ~ Friday Meals
Bring in this ad & we ’ ll buy the 2nd drink Valid until December 2021