Operation Claymore

Battle context

Operation Claymore targeted the Lofoten Islands of northern Norway because the islands were a significant production center for fish oil and glycerine that fed the German war economy. The March 1941 raid by British and Norwegian commandos achieved its primary industrial objective, destroying fish oil factories and approximately 3,600 tonnes of oil and glycerine. Beyond the material damage, the force returned with 228 German prisoners, 314 Norwegian volunteers who joined Allied ranks, and a number of collaborators with the Quisling regime. Landing almost unopposed against German-controlled territory, the operation demonstrated that British and Norwegian forces could project commando power into occupied Norway and strike economically significant targets, while simultaneously recruiting Norwegian nationals willing to continue resistance from abroad.