On October 27, 1942, Rakel and Jacob Feldmann, an elderly Jewish couple, attempt to flee the perilous grip of Nazi-occupied Norway. They seek refuge with two border guides who promise safe passage to Sweden. However, in a shocking betrayal, the guides murder the Feldmanns, taking their money and leaving their bodies in a remote lake.
The bodies eventually resurface, sparking a trial in 1947. The accused, Peder Pedersen and Håkon Løvestad, admit to the crime but argue their actions were necessary to protect the escape route for other refugees. Despite their confession, the jury acquits them of murder, convicting them only of theft.
The verdict fuels heated debate in Norway. The case highlights the harsh moral dilemmas faced during wartime, leaving a lasting impact on the national conscience. The story is later dramatized in film, cementing its place in history as a haunting reminder of the era’s brutal realities.
Story Source: Non-fiction book titled “Ekko fra Skriktjenn” (Sigurd Senje).
