GWX : Longyearby(en)

[Dietrich]

Regarding Longyearby(en). Could someone please tell me why the name is "Longyearby" and not "Longyearbyen"? (No, not the meaning, but the reason for this choice of spelling.)

According to my research, pretty much the only reference to Longyearby on the web is in conjunction with GWX. Can anyone provide alternative historical references? As far as I can tell, the name has been Longyearbyen since before the war (for example, these postmarks -- http://home.online.no/~polar-ps/lybpostst.jpg -- are dated 1926, 1938, 1956 and 1967). However, according to the GWX documentation, it specifically says the name was corrected back to Longyearby. Why?

-- Dietrich


Og, ja, jeg vet allerede at "-en" er bare den bestemte artikkel!

[Dietrich]

As a follow-up, I'm now also convinced that Longyearbyen, as represented in GWX is in the wrong location as well as having the wrong name. It should be off Adventsfjord (which is one fjord to the east). Ref: http://www.sysselmannen.svalbard.no/eng/Verneomr_Virgoh_smsU.pdf

Also, it shouldn't be much of a base there. It was pretty much destroyed. Ref: http://www.svalbardmuseum.no/nyindex.php?id=53&kategori=1

Well... if anyone is working on GWX 1.04, these fixes would be appreciated! :yep:


Many thanks / Tusen takk!

[bigboywooly]

IIRC we had the port as Longyearbyen in 1.0
After some input from Norwegian members it was changed to the present

Have added the port of Barentsburg and moved all associated shipping

Nothing I can do about the port looking destroyed
There isnt one like that

[Dietrich]

IIRC we had the port as Longyearbyen in 1.0
After some input from Norwegian members it was changed to the present

Have added the port of Barentsburg and moved all associated shipping

Nothing I can do about the port looking destroyed
There isnt one like that

That's fine. I understand that.

I guess my point is that these are outposts, so representing them with the smallest thing possible would be best. My suggestion would be just a name on the map, a pier (as per page 110 of the GWX PDF manual) and maybe a Flak installation. There is no need for full-blown port facilities, as these settlements were not like that.

The main activity in Spitzbergen from a shipping point of view were the coal mines at Longyearbyen and Barentsburg. These were evacuated and destroyed during Operation Gauntlet, with further activity during Operations Zitronella. However, in the scheme of things, these operations were fairly minor compared to other areas of the war.

Map references:
These should help work out exactly where to put things...

http://miljo.npolar.no/temakart/images/maps/Barentsburg-s.jpg -- Barentsberg today, but indicating wharf positions.
http://miljo.npolar.no/temakart/images/maps/adventdalen150dpiS100.gif -- Longyearbyen today (Zoom on the fjord at centre-left). The wharves are just north of Skjeringa and are visible on the map. There is a German Flak installation position there (which is still there today).


Photo references:
These should give you an idea of the scale of the facilities there:

http://www.unis.no/research/geology/Geo_research/Ole/Longyearbyen1935.jpg -- Longyearbyen 1935
http://www.unis.no/research/geology/Geo_research/Ole/LongyearbyenSpring1944.jpg -- Longyearbyen 1944
http://www.wlb-stuttgart.de/seekrieg/4108-bilder/56.jpg -- Attack on Barentsburg during Operation Gauntlet, 1941
http://www.museumsnett.no/midttromsmuseum/mtm/Tirpitz/tirpitz%20historie/spitzbergen_MidtTromsMuseum.jpg -- Attack on Barentsburg during Operation Sizilien, 1943


Refs for Operation Gauntlet:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Gauntlet
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ohx/educate/atc/ww2.htm
http://www.exordio.com/1939-1945/militaris/batallas/artico/gauntlet.html (Spanish)


Refs for Operation Zitronelle:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Zitronella
http://www.exordio.com/1939-1945/militaris/batallas/artico/zitronela.html (Spanish)


General history of Svalbard
http://www.unis.no/research/geology/Geo_research/Ole/SvalbardOutline.htm


I hope that helps.

By the way, thanks to the GWX.Dev.Team for the reply. Your dedication is fantastic and I would like to state that I sincerely appreciate the hard work, attention to detail and responsiveness that you all demostrate time and time again. Thank you!