Two Dornier Do J Wal seaplanes served as the primary tools for a 1925 expedition that left Hjalmar Riiser-Larsen stranded on an Arctic ice shelf for twenty-six days. This arduous mission, undertaken with Roald Amundsen, marked the beginning of a career that bridged the gap between early aviation pioneers and the establishment of structured military and commercial flight operations in Norway.
Polar Aviation Achievements
Riiser-Larsen transitioned from his initial training at the Norwegian Naval Academy in 1909 to becoming a central figure in Arctic flight. Following the 1925 attempt to reach the North Pole, he served as a pilot for the airship Norge during its 1926 crossing from Spitsbergen to Teller, Alaska. Later, he led search missions in the Arctic following the disappearance of Umberto Nobile and Roald Amundsen, demonstrating his capacity for high-stakes navigation in extreme environments.
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Appointed by merchant Lars Christensen in 1929, Riiser-Larsen supervised a series of Antarctic expeditions that prioritized aerial mapping and the identification of whaling grounds. Using aircraft, he conducted extensive surveys over the continent, resulting in the annexation of Bouvet Island, Peter I Island, and the vast territory named Queen Maud Land. These missions integrated scientific data collection with the strategic geopolitical expansion of Norway in the Southern Ocean.
Military Leadership and Exile
Upon the outbreak of World War II, Riiser-Larsen held various commands, including a role at the Little Norway training camp in Ontario. By 1944, he oversaw the amalgamated Royal Norwegian Air Force as Commander in Chief. Despite his administrative contributions to the war effort, his tenure ended in 1946 following internal criticism from subordinates, leading to his resignation from military service.
Commercial Aviation and Later Life
Between military appointments, Riiser-Larsen applied his logistical experience to the private sector. As manager of DNL, he developed routes that would eventually be absorbed into the Scandinavian Airlines System in 1946. After directing the Norwegian region of SAS between 1950 and 1955, he served as an advisor for transcontinental operations. He also held the presidency of the World Movement for Federal World Government starting in 1951 until his death in 1965.
Fast facts
- Born: 1890, Christiania
- Died: 1965, Copenhagen
- Military Rank: Major General
- Key Award: King's Medal of Merit in Gold (1926)
- Organization: Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS)
- Burial Site: Vår Frelsers gravlund, Oslo
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the 1926 Norge flight?
It is recognized as the first verified journey to reach the North Pole, successfully navigating from Spitsbergen to Alaska.
What was Riiser-Larsen's role in the formation of SAS?
He managed the airline DNL, which merged with three other Scandinavian carriers in 1946 to form the Scandinavian Airlines System.
Achievements
- King's Medal of Merit in Gold
- Knight Grand Officer of the Order of Saint Olav
- Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Commander of the Order of Vasa
- Recorded as explorer, businessperson and aircraft pilot
