World War II Resistance Fighter. Known as "Citronen". During the German occupation of Denmark he met Bent Faurschou-Hviid (nicknamed "Flammen") in the resistance group "Holger Danske", and they became inseparable partners. They undertook sabotages of factories working for the Germans as well as liquidating informers and collaborators. His first major sabotage was the destruction of the Citroën factory in Copenhagen and that is when he got his nickname. He was also busy smuggling people hunted by the Nazis out of Denmark and over to neutral Sweden, among them Jews and allied airmen shot down over Denmark. In 1944 he ferried more than 40 persons each month across the Sound. In September 19, 1944, after one of these trips he was wearing a Danish policeman's uniform unaware that on that very day the Germans were rounding up the Danish police force for transportation to concentration camps in Germany. He was arrested although not recognized, but when trying to escape he was severely wounded by gunfire. In the ambulance on the way to the hospital he managed to kill the Nazi guard and he took refuge in a house which good friends has put at his disposal. On October 18 the house was surrounded by German troups. After a shoot-out that lasted 4 hours he left the burning house and was shot dead. He was posthumously awarded the US Government's Medal of Freedom which was presented to his mother on his behalf. His exploits were depicted in the film "Flammen og Citronen" ("Flame & Citron") from 2008.
World War II Resistance Fighter. Known as "Citronen". During the German occupation of Denmark he met Bent Faurschou-Hviid (nicknamed "Flammen") in the resistance group "Holger Danske", and they became inseparable partners. They undertook sabotages of factories working for the Germans as well as liquidating informers and collaborators. His first major sabotage was the destruction of the Citroën factory in Copenhagen and that is when he got his nickname. He was also busy smuggling people hunted by the Nazis out of Denmark and over to neutral Sweden, among them Jews and allied airmen shot down over Denmark. In 1944 he ferried more than 40 persons each month across the Sound. In September 19, 1944, after one of these trips he was wearing a Danish policeman's uniform unaware that on that very day the Germans were rounding up the Danish police force for transportation to concentration camps in Germany. He was arrested although not recognized, but when trying to escape he was severely wounded by gunfire. In the ambulance on the way to the hospital he managed to kill the Nazi guard and he took refuge in a house which good friends has put at his disposal. On October 18 the house was surrounded by German troups. After a shoot-out that lasted 4 hours he left the burning house and was shot dead. He was posthumously awarded the US Government's Medal of Freedom which was presented to his mother on his behalf. His exploits were depicted in the film "Flammen og Citronen" ("Flame & Citron") from 2008.
Bio by: Erik Skytte
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