Ole Lippmann, 86; Led Danish Resistance Fighters in World War II
Ole Lippmann, 86, one of Denmark’s leading World War II resistance fighters, died Tuesday in Copenhagen. The cause of death was not reported.
Lippmann helped in the deadliest wartime operation in Denmark, a British bombing raid on Gestapo headquarters.
After learning that the Germans planned to arrest the leadership of the banned Freedom Council, which was founded to lead the resistance groups, Lippmann called in the Royal Air Force strike on March 21, 1945.
The raid thwarted Gestapo plans, but a second wave of bombers hit a school by mistake, killing 86 students and 13 adults.
In an interview, Lippmann later said it was “terrible” to have to call in the bombing raid because he knew civilian casualties were likely. The school bombing “was extremely tragic,” but ordering the raid was the right decision, he said.
Born in Copenhagen, Lippmann was educated at the Niels Brocks Commercial College. After graduating, he joined Simonsen and Weels, a medical equipment firm.
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