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Short about Finn
Born in 1916 by parents Conrad and Aagot Thorsager.
One older brother, Carl Fredrik Thorsager.
Grew up in Bestum, Oslo.
First meeting with an aeroplane, 5. july 1925 at age 9. It was Roald Amundsens N-25 landing at the Oslofjord.
Hitchiked with pilots to airshows around Southern Norway in his young years.
Accepted as last reserve at Hærens Flygeskole (Army Flyingschool) after a doctor check, summer of 1936
Took part in the famous trip to Sola airfield. One student died due to bad weather while flying.
Took hire as a telegraphist onboard "Arne Kjøde" in order to get experience in telegraphy.
Re-called to the miltary in 1939.
First Norwegian in air to air combat over Norway ever.
Escaped Norway, fall of 1940.
Arrived in Canada in the spring of 1941 after a long trek through Sweden, Sovietunion, Japan and USA.
Served at Little Norway as an instructor for several good fighter pilots later in the war years. Amongst them Marius Eriksen.
Part of 331 squadron, fall of 1941. Operated from Sumburh, Shetland Isles during the christmas of 1941 togheter with Dane Kaj Birksted.
Ordered to the newly formed 332 squadron, winter of 1942, at Catterick in Yorkshire.
Part of "North Weald Wing" from the summer of 1942.
Took part in the Dieppe raid, august 1942, flying as acting squadron leader for 332 during 3 out of 4 missions that day.
Takes over 332 permanently from Major Wilhelm Mohr, february 1943.
Enaged in one-to-one combat with a German Focke Wulf 190 over Vlissingen, spring of 1943.
Went on his rest period, summer of 1943. 332 is taken over by Reidar From.
Transported B-25 Mitchell's across the Atlantic, serving with Transport Command.
Met Norwegain explorer Thor Heyerdahl by coincidence during the fall of 1943. Heyerdahl though Thorsager was a rookie pilot.
Ordered to "Stockholmsroute", flying for BOAC.
Attacked by German jet nightfighter over Norway, 1944.
Came out over Oslo in full moonlight, coincidentally, on a flight back to Scotland from Bromma. He could see his parents house from the plane.
First time back in Norway 15th of May 1945 after five years out.
Took a job as a captain with DNL (later SAS)
One of the pioneers within Norwegian civil aviation, flying out of Fornebu.
SAS chief-pilot during a five year spell in the 50's.
Flew to destinations such as Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York, Anchorage, Northern Norway and European routes.
Last trip as a captain for SAS to Hamburgh in 1976.
Finn Thosager sadly passed away in the fall of 2000.
Written by Tor Idar Larsen