(This text was translated using AI technology)
In October 1943, fishermen in Gilleleje helped sail Danish Jews fleeing from the Germans across the Øresund to Sweden. Fearing arrest by the Gestapo, many of the fishermen also had to flee themselves.
In Sweden, the fishermen and their boats were registered under the Øresund Service and were thus noted as Swedish. This also meant that the boats changed names. For example, the boat BRITTA was renamed SVEA.
The boat BRITTA after it arrived in Sweden, where it was renamed SVEA. On the left sits fisherman Wilhelm Frederiksen and on the right Waldemar Lindeløff. 1945.
Initially, the sailing for the Øresund Service consisted of contact sailing, where the boats transported mail and people. But in early February 1945, this changed. The liberation was approaching, and the cargo instead consisted of weapons.
When the message of Denmark's liberation was announced, there was great activity at the harbor in Helsingborg. People from the Øresund Service and the Danish Brigade loaded the fishing boats with ammunition, submachine guns, revolvers, and uniforms. The boats were the first to sail to Helsingør. Here they were met by the sight of many people filling the streets.
However, there were also boats that could not wait any longer and set course directly from Helsingborg to Gilleleje and home to their families.
The boat H379 BRITTA of Gilleleje, which was named HG2107 SVEA in Höganäs, circa 1943-1953.
The Danish Brigade in Sweden, circa 1945