Gruppebilde fra Arendal politistasjon tatt i august 1945. Rolv Bjellands far, Einar Bjelland, sitter nederst i midten med hvit lue og mørke hansker. Foto: Privat
Som sønn av en av de 271 politifolkene som ble sendt til konsentrasjonsleiren Stutthof i 1943, vet jeg mye om hvilke grusomheter de ble utsatt for.
Publisert: 01.04.2024
- In August 1945, a group photo was taken at the Arendal police station, where Einar Bjelland, father of Rolv Bjelland, was present.
- Einar was among the 271 policemen sent to the Stutthof concentration camp in 1943.
- After the war, the returning policemen received no recognition or honor for their ordeal.
- Rolv Bjelland emphasizes the lack of recognition for the policemen’s sacrifices during the war.
- Historian Nils Johan Ringdals’ 1987 book “Mellom barken og veden” minimized the policemen’s efforts, painting an inaccurate picture of their experiences.
- Bjelland argues for honoring the real contributions and post-war fate of the policemen.
- The “Aktion Polarkreis” in August 1943 led to the arrest of 470 policemen, around 10% of the force.
- 271 were sent to Stutthof, enduring unimaginable suffering.
- Upon their return, they faced challenges reintegrating into society, with many not receiving the recognition they deserved.
- Bjelland’s book sheds light on their experiences and the need to acknowledge their sacrifices.
Kilde: Debattinnlegg fra Rolv Bjelland
