A life on Mors
A chronology through the running track, the dramatic days of the occupation, and the long service to Morsø municipality. Filter by chapter, or follow the trail from end to end.
1917
1936-1939
The earliest newspaper clippings and meet programmes. The scrapbooks begin.
1941
The authentic black-and-white portrait from the article.
1942
The five diplomas in the archive are from this year.
Aalborg 1942
At the Aalborg Sports Week. Kaj Hansen - whom Aksel would run the 2000 m with at Odense the next year - had to settle for second.
22 Aug 1943
Fellow runners: Harry Siefert (the great Funen runner) and Kaj Hansen (Aalborg).
28 Aug 1943
The last team of Danish athletes allowed to travel out under the occupation regime. Aksel was singled out as a dangerous rival to world-record holder Arne Andersson.
29 Aug 1943
On the second day of the match, the bomb went off back home. "Though my form was perfect, I ran as if in a trance."
3 Sep 1943
Two armed soldiers took Aksel into custody during the crossing. On the station square his father and his sporting comrades stood in silence. Registered at the Technical School.
Sep 1943
About 14 days with district medical officer Jacob Nordentoft and draper Axel Mathiassen. "Exercise" on the building’s flat roof, where half the town could wave up.
Sep 1943
One night in Thisted, then 2-3 weeks at the temperance hotel in Gravene - "like the richest nobility in the land". Daily training at Viborg Stadium under guard.
Sep 1943
A collection point for detainees in transit. Faces black with road dust from the open prairie wagons.
Sep 1943
A select company of cultural figures, politicians and chief rabbi Friediger. Greeted by the communists with the cry "Welcome, comrades".
26 Sep 1943
The address was given by chief rabbi Friediger. An address to the King was sent and now rests at the Frederiksborg Museum.
Oct 1943
Days after the address, the chief rabbi and other Danish Jews were dragged away. Wholesaler Willie Levysohn died of the treatment.
Mid-Oct 1943
Axel Mathiassen took the matter in hand. They left the camp in the Ministry of Social Affairs’ car after signing a declaration - "as absurd as talking at cross-purposes".
Autumn 1943
Quietly. With it ended this era of the occupation for the three hostages.
1943
Songs written during the weeks of internment, preserved in the archive.
1968
Aksel sets down the account himself: Nykøbing Mors - Horserød camp - and back.
1970
Formerly treasurer in Herlufsholm, then treasurer in Nykøbing Mors.
1977
2008
Jul på Mors, Volume 46.