Axel Aubert

He was the son of Otto Benjamin Andreas Aubert (1841–98) and Hilda Thaulow (1846–1923).

In 1940, while Norway was still neutral in World War II, Aubert was contacted by agents from French military intelligence regarding Norsk Hydro's production of heavy water (deuterium oxide) at its Vemork hydroelectric plant.

Heavy water was an important material for Germany's nuclear weapon project and was only produced in any significant quantities at Vemork.

The French agents transported 185 kg (408 lb) of heavy water secretly to Oslo, to Perth in Scotland, and then to France.

[3] Aubert retired as Hydro president in late 1941, but took over as the company's chairman and held this position until his death in 1943.