Netflix’s Number 24 tells the incredible story of Gunnar Sønsteby, a Norwegian resistance fighter during World War II. His story is very interesting and true. The movie, directed by John Andreas Andersen, shows Sønsteby’s brave journey as he fights against the Nazis’ rule in Norway. The movie is mostly about his five years of resistance work and shows how he gave up a lot and took risks to fight for his country’s freedom. A lot of well-known actors bring this intense and moving story to life, making it both an exciting war drama and a moving tribute to one of Norway’s greatest war heroes. Number 24’s True Story takes viewers on an emotional ride, showing how one man’s determination can change the course of history.
What is the True Story Behind ‘Number 24’ Movie?
The story of Number 24 is based on the life of Gunnar Sønsteby, who was one of the most decorated resistance fighters in WWII. The movie shows how he went from being a simple accountant to one of the Nazis’ most wanted men and how he worked in secret to fight the Nazis in Norway.
Early Life of Gunnar Sønsteby
His birthday is January 11, 1918, and he was born in the Norwegian town of Rjukan. In the 1930s, he moved to Oslo to study economics. When the Nazis invaded Norway in 1940, he was working as an accountant. When Sønsteby saw that Nazi soldiers were taking over his country, he was deeply upset and felt compelled to do something. He quickly joined the Norwegian resistance, which was the start of his career as an assassin. At first, he thought about going to Britain to join the fight, but things got complicated, so he decided to stay in Oslo and start publishing underground newspapers to fight Nazi propaganda.
Joining the British Special Operations Executive
In 1941, Sønsteby got in touch with the British embassy in Stockholm and joined the Special Operations Executive (SOE). This was a British group whose job it was to organize resistance movements in countries that were being occupied by the Nazis. He was given the code name “Agent 24” and trained there for missions of sabotage and spying. In a short time, Sønsteby became one of the most important people in the Norwegian resistance.
His first job was to find out what the Germans were doing in Norway. However, as the war went on, Sønsteby took part in more serious acts of sabotage. His group destroyed important infrastructure, such as the Kongsberg weapons factory and plants that made sulfuric acid. Another thing they did was bomb German offices and destroy records so the Nazis couldn’t force Norwegians to join the German army.
Sabotøren Gunnar “Kjakan” Sønsteby, nr. 24, Erling Falck, ( dekknavn) under 2. verdenskrig.
Foto: NTB
Gunnar Sønsteby’s Role in Major Operations
Sønsteby became known as a master of spying and sabotage. One of his most daring schemes was to steal printing plates for banknotes from the Norwegian state bank and use them to make fake money. The fake money was used to pay for operations by the resistance. He was also known for making fake papers and identities to avoid being caught and keep his fellow resistance fighters safe. He made more than 30 fake identities, which helped him stay one step ahead of the Nazis who were always after him.
One of the most important things he did was lead the Linge Company, which was very important in stopping the German war effort. During the Allied invasion of Normandy, his team sabotaged railways to stop Nazi reinforcements from getting to the front lines. He also helped sink a German transport ship in 1944, which made things even worse for the Nazis in Norway.
The Final Days of World War II
Gunnar Sønsteby’s work was very important in weakening the Nazi regime in Norway as the war came to an end. And in 1945, he and his group bombed the Gestapo headquarters in Oslo. This was a huge blow to the Nazis in the area. Even though the war was ending, Sønsteby’s life was still in danger, but he never gave up fighting for freedom. His actions cut down on the fighting in Norway and helped the Allies win the war overall.
What Happened to Gunnar Sønsteby in Real Life?
It was one of the Nazis’ main goals in Norway, but Gunnar Sønsteby chose a quieter life after the war. During the war, he never got caught, which was amazing considering how many times the Nazis tried to catch him. He was asked to keep working for the British and Norwegian intelligence services after World War II, but Sønsteby had had enough of war. He chose to go in a different direction.
Sønsteby went to the United States in 1945 and went to Harvard Business School. After that, he worked in the oil business for a while before going back to Norway to start his own company. In 1953, he married Anne-Karin, and the two of them had three daughters. Even though he stayed away from spying and war, Sønsteby stayed involved in public life and often gave speeches about how important freedom and democracy are. He really liked telling young people about his experiences and teaching them about the values he fought for.
Report from 24 was Sønsteby’s autobiography, which came out in 1999. It was about his life as a resistance fighter. He kept speaking out about politics, and one time he was against the idea of naming a street in Oslo after Knut Hamsun, a Nazi sympathizer. He made huge contributions to Norwegian society, and he was a role model for bravery and honesty his whole life.
Gunnar Sønsteby passed away on May 10, 2012, at the age of 94. Norway’s Prime Minister and King attended his funeral, which shows how important he was to the country’s history. Several awards were given to him after he died, such as the British Distinguished Service Order and the U.S. Medal of Freedom with Silver Palm. The Gunnar Sønsteby Memorial Fund honors his memory by giving the Sønsteby Prize to people who fight for democratic values. A statue of him was also built in Oslo.
Netflix’s Number 24 tells the story of Gunnar Sønsteby and how one man’s bravery and determination can change the world for good. As a war hero and supporter of democracy, he left a legacy that inspires people today.
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