The Day Will Dawn

A former horse racing correspondent turned foreign journalist who finds himself in neutral Norway after Poland's invasion. He is quick-witted, daring, and driven by a nose for news, which leads him to accompany Captain Alstad on a perilous voyage. His reporting instincts and willingness to take risks shape the narrative and its calls for public action.

A Norwegian fisherman who becomes a captain and steadfast ally to Metcalfe. He is protective of his daughter Kari, skeptical of German intentions, and capable of decisive, risky moves to safeguard his people. His practical leadership under pressure drives the key sea voyage and the subsequent escape efforts.

Alstad's daughter, who accompanies her father and proves resourceful in dangerous circumstances. She maneuvers to protect Metcalfe and orchestrates a ruse to aid their allies, risking her own safety and facing moral dilemmas about loyalty and love. Her actions demonstrate personal courage within a larger national struggle.

A journalist who helped Metcalfe secure his foreign assignment and had just returned from the Winter War in Finland. He delivers the hard truth that he has been fired for leaving contact, serving as a wary, seasoned voice among the younger reporters. He later appears again, gravely wounded, underscoring the cost of war.

A German-sympathizing local authority in Oslo who alternates between obstruction and collaboration. He interacts closely with Kari and Metcalfe, showing moments of reluctant humanity before the chaotic conclusion of the tale. His fate intersects with the broader resistance, as he tries to navigate shifting loyalties under occupation.

The German commander overseeing occupation operations and security measures in the region. He embodies the coercive, ruthless side of the occupation, enforcing German control and ordering drastic actions. His presence drives the conflict's upper echelons and ends with a decisive escape during the climactic raid.