page_title: Knaben
section_title: Second World War
hierarchical_section_title: Knaben / Second World War
caption_attribution_description: No. 139 Squadron RAF fighter bombers attacking the molybdenum mines at Knaben in German-occupied Norway.
context_page_description: Knaben is an old mining village in the northern part of Kvinesdal municipality in Vest-Agder county, Norway. Currently, the mine is no longer in use, but the area has become a popular ski resort. The village lies at an elevation of 630 metres above sea level, about 50 kilometres north of Liknes and about 20 kilometres east of Tonstad in Sirdal municipality. The molybdenum mines were operated here from 1885 to 1973. Buildings and constructions are still partly intact. The workers' living houses are now used as tourist lodgings.
context_section_description: At the time Norway was invaded in 1940, during World War II, the Knaben mines were one of the only molybdenum mines in Europe still in operation. The occupying German forces stationed about 1,000 men in the area, and established gun sites for anti-aircraft guns. The mine operations were the target for allied bombing twice in 1943. The first attack took place on 3 March, with 10 British de Havilland Mosquito strike fighters of No. 139 Squadron RAF participating. The second attack was on 16 November, when 130 American B-17 bombers from the Eighth Air Force (in its mission number 131) attacked the Knaben molybdenum mines in a raid against Norway.
caption: Mosquito fighter bombers attacking the washing plant at Knaben.
exif: {}