 During the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany he eventually fled to neutral Sweden, and worked in the industry office of the Norwegian legation in Stockholm from 1944 to 1945.He was decorated with the Defence Medal 1940–1945.He chaired Studieselskapet for Norsk Industri (1948–1951), the Royal Norwegian Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (1968–1973, formerly board member 1950–1960) and Norsk Hydro (1970–1974, board member since 1968).