| Martin Jensen Linge | |
|---|---|
Kaptein Martin Linge |
|
| Born | 11 December 1894 Linge Farm in Norddal, Sunnmøre, Norway |
| Died | 27 December 1941 Måløy on South Vågsøy in Sogn og Fjordane, Norway |
| Allegiance | Norway |
| Service/branch | Norwegian Army |
| Years of service | 1940 - 1941 |
| Rank | Kaptein (Captain) |
| Unit | Royal Norwegian Army SOE |
| Commands held |
Units: |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | War Cross with sword |
| Other work | Pioneer aviator, actor, sailor |
Martin Jensen Linge (11 December 1894 – 27 December 1941) was a former Norwegian actor who, in World War II, became the commander of the Norwegian Independent Company 1 (NOR.I.C.1) (pronounced as Norisen by the Norwegians), formed in March 1941 for operations on behalf of the Special Operations Executive.[1][2]
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Martin Linge was born in Norddal, Møre og Romsdal County, Norway. In 1915 he graduated as a non-commissioned officer from the military school in Trondheim. He subsequently studied at the Trondheim Theatre (1917–1918). He debuted on the stage at the Central Theater in Oslo in 1921 and appeared in both theater and films during the 1920s and 1930s.
Martin Linge was father of Jan Herman Linge, an internationally renowned engineer and boat designer. He was also the grandfather of Norwegian novelist Espen Haavardsholm, who wrote abount his grandfather in Martin Linge – min morfar. Familieroman med fotografier (Gyldendal norsk forlag. 1993).[3]
Linge was killed during (Operation Archery), a British Combined Operations raid at Måløy against German military positions on Vågsøy Island. During the Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany, Måløy was used as a German coastal fortress, which had led to the eradication of all settlement on the island to make room for the fortress.[4]
Subsequently the unit he had led was named Kompani Linge in his honor. Linge Company was more formally as Lingekompaniet (The Linge Company) ('-et' being the definite article suffix), by Norwegians. He was awarded Norway's highest military decoration for gallantry, the War Cross with sword.[5]
He is portrayed in a documentary by XpoMedia Ltd/FRM entitled Martin Linge - skuespiller og legende by directors Mary Ann Myrvang and Runar Skjong which appeared on the NRK1 program "Fakta på lørdag" on May 8, 2004. He was also portrayed by Norwegian actor Petter Næss in the 2008-movie Max Manus.