War North Of 80: The Last German Arctic Weather Station Of World War II (Northern Lights) [Hardcover]

Wilhelm Dege (Author), William Barr (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Northern Lights | Publication Date: August 1, 2004

War North of 80 is the personal story of Wilhelm Dege, the leader of the last active German weather station of World War II, code named "Operation Haudegen." In an effort to secure weather data vital for military operations in northwestern Europe during World War II, the German Navy and Air Force secretly established manned weather stations in East Greenland, Svalbard, and Franz Josef Land.

Translated from the German by William Barr, War North of 80 describes the mission and its participants from its beginning until they were picked up by Allied troops on May 9, 1945, the last German troops to surrender. DegeÂ’s lively writing describes not just the official weather observation program but also the recreational activities, the ambitious series of hikes around Nordaustlandet, and the hopes and fears of the group as they followed the increasingly dire war situation in Europe. With a detailed introduction, BarrÂ’s translation offers English-speaking readers a rare glimpse into the GermansÂ’ activities in the Arctic during the Second World War. An epilogue by Ekart Dege, WilhelmÂ’s son, offers insight into the various fates of the expedition members who worked alongside his father.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 361 pages
• Publisher: University Press of Colorado (August 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087081768X
• ISBN-13: 978-0870817687
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,112,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insight into a little-known aspect of World War II, December 13, 2004

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: War North Of 80: The Last German Arctic Weather Station Of World War II (Northern Lights) (Hardcover)

War North Of 80: The Last German Arctic Weather Station Of World War II is the firsthand account of Wilhelm Dege, leader of the last of the weather stations set up in the farthest reaches of the Arctic during World War II. It was not until well after the death of Hitler and the end of his regime that the Allies sent a ship northward to retrieve Dege and his crew, making their team the last German troops to surrender. War North Of 80 presents a skillfully rendered English translation of Dege's journal, enhanced with appendices on the post-war careers of the men who faced the harsh rigors of the Arctic alongside Dege. A profoundly fascinating insight into a little-known aspect of World War II military history.