The bravery of these men is credited with significantly delaying—or even preventing—Germany's ability to produce an atomic weapon. Their exploits have been immortalized in several major works:
Led by nine Norwegian commandos trained in Britain, this mission is the centerpiece of the "Heroes" legend. The team skied across the treacherous Hardangervidda plateau in brutal winter conditions, scaled a 600-foot gorge, and infiltrated the plant to blow up the electrolysis chambers. The Heroes of Telemark
Realizing the catastrophic potential of a Nazi nuclear weapon, Allied forces launched several high-stakes operations to destroy the plant and its supply lines: The bravery of these men is credited with
A tragic initial attempt involving British paratroopers in gliders. Most of the men were killed in crashes or captured and executed by the Gestapo. scaled a 600-foot gorge