Arne Austeen was born on the 1st of July 1911 in Norway. His parents were Johan Gustaf and Ragnhild Austeen. In their family there were six children, Hans, Ellen, Mari, Kirsten, Ragnhild and Arne. Arne's dad was well known in the town of Vestfold because he was headmaster of a farming university at Fosnes.
As a young man Arne started his university education at NTH in Trondheim. His friends from his time at the university remembered Arne as a solid character with a bright and open mind.
Arne always reacted harshly to injustice. He always spoke what he thought without thinking of what other people would think of him for his opinions.
Arne graduated from NTH as an engineer and was then called out for military service. Already with a big interest in aviation, he got accepted to Hærens Flyskole at Kjeller, for military pilot education. Arne spent his military service there and got his wings, he was now a qualified pilot.
When Germany invaded Norway, Arne reported for duty. He did not hesitate to do his part for Norway. Arne took part in the fighting in Norway until the capitulation in June 1940. His mother had become a widow a few years earlier, so Arne went back home to help his mother and his sisters in a tough situation.
On the 4th of May 1945, only four days before the war would be officially over, Arne flew his P-51 Mustang III on a mission to the northern parts of Germany. The mission was one Arne had volunteered for.
Austeen and his squadron went down to attack the German U-boats in the Flensburgerfjord. As squadron leader, Arne dived down first towards the U-boats. This would make the task easier for the rest of 126 squadron, as most of the flak would be directed on Arne and on them. U-155, under the command of Oberleutnant Friedrich Altmeier fired off at Arne while he dived down, guns blazing. That's when U-155 hit Arnes Mustang.
The Mustang went down towards the sea, with him still inside the airplane. In low altitude, there's barely enough time to get out. If you do get out, the parachute might not open before you hit the water anyway. No chute was reported and Arne crashed into the sea. A tragic fate after surviving a whole four years as a fighter pilot.
Well bloggers that's all on Arne Austeen for now, and if there's anything you need let me know and don't forget to become a follower. See-ya
Elmo=]
