The ship MS "Lidvard," cast in bronze and mounted on a main platform of granite, was unveiled as the centerpiece of the ceremony. This sculpture by Vidar Bratlund-Mæland is a replica of the ship that, in 1940, escaped detention in Dakar, Senegal, along with 25 other Norwegian vessels, and proceeded to Freetown, Sierra Leone. The names of 19 Norwegian war sailors who received the war cross are carved on a plaque on the granite stone. Odfjell has two war crosses and thus two names on the sculpture's plaque: Trovik and Berntsen.
Around 30,000 Norwegian sailors put their safety at risk during the war, of whom 3,000 lost their lives. This memorial will serve as a constant reminder of their bravery and sacrifice. The War Sailor memorial was made possible by donations from maritime groups and associations, private individuals, and the municipalities of Bergen and Vestland, Norway.
Retired Rear Admiral Egil Jørgen Eikanger (89) was the driving force behind the sculpture, gathering a team of navy personnel to organize the project and raise money. As for his motivation for erecting the memorial, Eikanger stated, "As a young naval officer, I became acquainted with war sailors and later Admiral Thore Horve. As he lay dying, Horve told me: Egil Jørgen, do not forget those who fought for a free Norway. Remember the mariners who fought in battle. - Since then, I've always carried it with me."
In his speech, Eikanger also emphasized the importance of raising the sculpture in Bergen, which he said is historically Norway's maritime city. "The sculpture will stand as one of the few visible, lasting symbols of their efforts," he said. "Freedom does not come without sacrifice. The war sailor should stand as a symbol that peace cannot be won with military battles without securing supply lines for the battles and countries in crises and war."
As a company with a long history in shipping, Odfjell SE is proud to support the War Sailor memorial and pay tribute to the brave Norwegian sailors who risked their lives during the war.
Odfjell has been involved in the issue of war sailors and has made a monetary contribution to the well-known film "Krigsseileren," which is now available as a three-part series on Netflix. The film was a major blockbuster in Norwegian cinemas in 2022-23, and tells the story of the Norwegian sailors who fought during the Second World War.
