Webmaster

Who am I?

- Hallo, I am Johnny Erik Balsved, (born 1948) and I have appointed myself the Webmaster of this site, primarily covering the Royal Danish Naval history since 1510 and to the present day.

Naval history has been the primary hobby for the most of my life.

My special interests cover the period when the naval world changed from wooden hulls into steel, from sail into steam and from muzzle loaders to breech loading guns.

My own naval background

Brought up by a father that spend most of his life in the merchant Navy as a radio operator.

My own "naval career" started in November 1964, joining the Royal Danish Naval Quartermasters Corps.

Johnny E. Balsved, Webmaster

Johnny Erik Balsved,
Webmaster.

During my first 5 years of service, I was privileged to serve on some fine ships:

- Tender/Training Ship ÆGIR (A560)

- The Submarine Squadron and the tender HENRIK GERNER (A542)

- The Fast Patrol Boat Squadron (MTB's) and the tender HJÆLPEREN (A563)

Realizing that we are all getting older, I have to admit that all the fine ships I have served on, have now been decommissioned for some years.

The corvette OLFERT FISCHER is here spotted far away from home, in the Suez Canal, 1990.
(Photo: Royal Danish Navy)

In 1977, I was appointed Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Danish Naval Home Guard and CO of Naval Home Guard Flotilla 365, Copenhagen.

1988, appointed Department Manager, and Commander of the Supply Section at Naval Base Copenhagen.

During this period I also acted as the logistic coordinator for the Danish corvette OLFERT FISCHER (F355) during its station in the Persian Gulf 1990 - 1991.

Later participating in the project groups dealing with the dismantling of the Naval Base.

Reducing the more than 300 years old historical main base to a naval station and transferring the Naval ships to the provincial Naval Bases.

Finally ending my "naval career" at Naval Station Holmen (Copenhagen) at the end of 1994, after almost 30 years of duty.

My personal background

Born in the center of Copenhagen back in 1948.

However, now living with my wife, Kirsten, in the small city of Havnsø in the north western part of Zealand.

From the windows we have a clear view to the small island of Nekselø, the bay and the local yachting club, just great.

We also have a glance view to the Naval Artillery Course, just to the direct north, and quite the bay is visited by naval vessels.

Our house is today the base area for this website, besides from off course also being the

The view from our House in Havnsø,
Northwest Zealand.

playground for both our children, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, and an increasing number of grand childrens.

You can contribute to this website

Your contribution to the improvement of this website is most welcome. You can contribute by sending a story or signing the Guest Book or just using the Naval History Web Forum on this site.

Anyhow, feel free to email me at any time.

But please be patient; a lot of e-mails hits my mailbox every day.

Til møde hos den gamle kommandør

The Webmaster, Johnny Balsved, paying a visit to the old Captain
in the commanders cabin on board the frigate JYLLAND.

- Do you miss a major event on this Site,
or do you hold a great story?

Are you able to contribute to the unfolding of the Danish Naval History,
please e-mail me, enclosures are welcome.
Please remember to list your sources.

You can also use the Naval Web Forum on this web-site.

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This page was last updated: November 1, 2008

This page was first published: September 26, 2001