Valley City – On March 15th is “Denying Hitler the Atomic Bomb: Norway and the Heavy Water War” starting at 7PM Friday At the Valley City Eagles Aerie (345 12th Ave NE) President’s Room (Basement) Elevator available.

Knut P. Gjovik and his grandson Reed McConaughey recently toured Rjukan and Vermork, Norway in the Telemark region. This steep valley was the location and focus of efforts by the Allies to stop the production and transport of deuterium oxide (heavy water) to Nazi Germany. Deuterium oxide was a critical component of efforts to develop a reactor capable of atomic fission. If the Nazis had been successful in the development of this technology, the war could have had a much different outcome. Stopping production was deemed so important by the Allies that six distinct operations were undertaken to stop manufacture or transport.

K. Peder Gjovik, Ph.D, retired in 2020 as an Emeritus Professor from VCSU. His parents and siblings experienced the occupation of the Nazis, and this part of WWII history is a passion. Reed McConnaughey is a sophomore at Valley City High School and is considering history education as a career.

The public is cordially invited

Sponsored by the Valley City Sons of Norway Hjemdahl Lodge #4-481