Odd Bull
Odd Bull | |
---|---|
Second World War Six-Day War | |
Awards | Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav |
Early life
Odd Bull was born on June 28, 1907. He traces his family origins back to 1700 when the family patriarch, a ship's captain named Jacob Bull, first settled in Norway. Odd is a common Norwegian given name, and Bull is an
Bull grew up in Oslo and received the first twelve years of his education at Vestheim School. At his leaving examination in 1925, he did worse than expected and decided to spend twelve months at a military academy. He enjoyed the experience so much that he eventually decided to take the two-year officer training course, graduating in 1928 as a first lieutenant in the 4th Infantry Division. During his training however, he had become interested in flying, and in 1929 he applied and was accepted into the Army Flying School. After two years of flying experience he became a flying instructor in 1931.[2]
World War II
In April 1940,
Once in Britain, Bull attempted to organize some Norwegian air
In 1941, Bull returned to Britain to fly with No. 242 Squadron RAF, but he along with a number of other Norwegian pilots were keen to form a Norwegian squadron, which they achieved in July of the same year. The Norwegian unit was assigned to provide fighter cover for Scapa Flow, but Bull was then recalled to the Toronto training camp in Canada to become Camp Commandant.[5]
Bull was eventually reassigned to combat duty, flying
Post-war
Norwegian service
After the war, Bull was made head of one of Norway's four regional commands.[
Bull was decorated with the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav in 1970.[8]
Service with UNTSO
In 1958 Bull was offered a temporary position with the
Bull gave an explanation for his writing of the book:
Many people have from time to time urged me to write my memoirs, but I only decided to do so when I came back to Norway at Christmas, 1967, and found that Norwegian public opinion there regarded the Palestine problem almost entirely from the Israeli point of view. As this was a problem with which I had been living for many years, and one which, as I had become very much aware, had at least two sides to it, I felt in conscience bound to make my own experience the basis for as calm and objective a presentation of the whole Middle East situation as I could. For those from outside who, like myself, have become involved in this situation, the aim must always be to try to reduce the burden of suffering and injustice for all people in that area, Arabs and Israelis alike.[11]
Bull's retirement from the position as Chief of Staff of UNTSO was noted by the
General Bull has earned our respect for his integrity, honesty and objectivity. A calm personality, the former Commander of the Norwegian Air Force ... was able to quickly re-establish confidence and develop effective working relations with the
Foreign Ministry. ... He consistently stayed out of the limelight, refusing press and television interviews. ... The Arab States could never muster the same enthusiasm for General Bull as for his predecessors, but despite Israel's appreciation of his work they were never heard to object to any of his efforts or to complain of his attitude. Israel regrets having to bid goodbye to this untypical representative of the United Nations. ... Israelis wish General Bull a much earned rest and to know that he will be remembered with appreciation and gratitude.[12]
References
- Footnotes
- Bibliography
- Bull, Odd (1973, 1976): War and Peace in the Middle East: The Experiences and Views of a UN Observer, Leo Cooper Ltd., ISBN 0-85052-226-9.