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The Photographer Who Taught King Harald to Sail
🇳🇴 Norway /Culture & Society

The Photographer Who Taught King Harald to Sail

From Aftenposten · () Norwegian

Translated from Norwegian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Campbell Norsgaard, a fur trader from Jevnaker, became King Harald's sailing instructor and a significant Norwegian war photographer.
  • During the 1940 German invasion of Norway, Norsgaard began documenting crucial aspects of the country's war history with his camera.
  • His granddaughter, Heather Turner, shared that Norsgaard was captured and mistreated by Nazis during the war, indicating his photographic work was not well-received by them.

Campbell Norsgaard, originally a fur trader from Jevnaker, carved out a remarkable dual legacy in Norway as both King Harald's sailing instructor and one of the nation's most important war photographers. His life took a dramatic turn when Norway was invaded in 1940.

As the country fell under German occupation, Norsgaard picked up a camera, embarking on a mission to document pivotal moments of Norway's wartime experience. His photographic work captured significant pieces of Norwegian war history during a tumultuous period.

His granddaughter, Heather Turner, recounted the hardships Norsgaard endured. "Grandfather was caught by the Nazis during the war," she said. "They threw him into a cabin and starved him for several days. When they let him out, they beat him. The pictures did not go down well."

Grandfather was caught by the Nazis during the war. They threw him into a cabin and starved him for several days. When they let him out, they beat him. The pictures did not go down well.

— Heather TurnerNorsgaard's granddaughter described the severe mistreatment he faced from the Nazis during the war.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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