Both during and after the war fatal accidents happened when people inadvertently stepped on mines. At Osmundvåg, the 18-year-old Ole Dagfinn Eide died on 18 July, 1946. He stepped on a mine at a place that had been cleared of mines and where the area had been declared safe.
Biography in the book "Våre falne"
"EIDE, OLE DAGFINN, fisherman, Selje. Born 13 April, 1928 at Selje, son of Hans Eide, born 1891 at N. Vågsøy, and Thea née Hjertnæs, born 1891 at Selje. Lost his life on 18 July, 1946 while haymaking, when he stepped on a landmine left behind by the Germans. Buried at Selje"
Image
Ole Dagfinn Eide, fødd 13. april 1928, død 18. juli 1946. Han miste livet under slåttearbeid då han utløyste ei tysk landmine som ikkje var rydda bort.
Ole Dagfinn Eide, born 13 April, 1928, died 18 July, 1946. He lost his life while cutting hay when he stepped on a German landmine that had not been removed.
Datering
Ukjend
Fotograf
Ukjend.
Eigar
I Vår falne.
Mine clearing
Germans had fortifications at Osmundsvåg, and after the war German POWs were set to clear the mine fields. Even if they failed to find all the mines, the area was declared safe. Any missing mines in mine fields down by the seaside were thought to have been taken by the sea and led out to deep water.
The accident
The tragic accident happened in the morning of Thursday 18 July, 1946. Hans Eide and his son Ole were busy haymaking. While his father went into the barn for a moment, a terrible bang could be heard and the houses nearest the accident shook. People feared the worst. What had happened? Was anybody hurt?
Ole was killed instantly. He had stepped on a mine when he was cutting the hay beside a small tuft of grass.
The grave
Ole Eide was buried on 20 July on the graveyeard at Selje church. The gravestone has the following inscription:
OLE DAGFIN * EIDE * 13-4-1928 * 18-7-1946 * Loved and missed
Image
Ole Dagfin Eide vart gravlagd på kyrkjegarden ved Selje kyrkje.
Ole Dagfin Eide was buried on the churchyard at Selje church.
Datering
2003.
Fotograf
Helge Borgund.
Eigar
Kyrkjeverja i Selje
Firda Folkeblad. 23.07.1946. Florø.
Fjordenes Tidende. 22.07. og 01.08., Måløy.
Hopland, Oskar H.: Flukten med «Flink» - og andre krigsminne frå Osmundsvåg/Tvendeseter. 1993
Informasjon frå:
Kyrkjeverja i Selje: Helge Borgund.
