Injured soldiers in sub-zero trek to honour heroes who thwarted Nazis

Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, of Doncaster, will join an expedition to Norway in homage to the commandos who helped thwart the Nazis’ dream of a nuclear weapon.

Charity Pilgrim Bandits, based in Hampshire, will take servicemen including L/Bdr Parkinson, who was injured in an IED blast, on the hazardous 70th anniversary expedition in March.

The sabotage operations took place in Nazi-occupied Norway between spring 1942 and winter 1944 and prevented Hitler developing deuterium oxide, known as “heavy water”, for a nuclear energy programme.

The charity said conditions on the Norwegian Hardanger Plateau are among the toughest on the planet, with temperatures dropping to -30C and with prevailing 50mph winds, and will be a big challenge for the injured personnel.

L/Bdr Parkinson, who lost both legs and sustained more than 40 other injuries, will be joined by Rifleman Paul Jacobs, who completely lost his sight, and Sapper Karl Boon who lost his right leg below the knee.