SOLVED. scifi: WWII soldier in Greenland goes back in time [s]

[Justanotherbiblophile]

SOLVED: "The Man Who Came Early" (info) by Poul Anderson (RIO: PDF)


I heard about this story, this is all that I know:



It was in a science fiction anthology from the 50's or early 60's.

A WWII soldier on guard duty in Greenland somehow gets transported back to the early viking days.

He lives with the vikings until he gets into a dispute with one and is forced to kill him. He winds up hunted by the others, and after his 1911 finally runs out of ammo, he uses a captured ax or sword until he's killed.

Having killed a good number of them and being so effective with the ax, the vikings bury his body with honor along with his 1911 and gear. The narrator of the story wonders what people will think when archaeologists dig up his grave; finding a 1500 year old grave with a WWII steel helmet and 1911 pistol.

[Andy]

Definitely Poul Anderson's "The Man Who Came Early" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man...

[Justanotherbiblophile]

Man, I really think I should just submit any of my questions directly to Andy, and not bother posting them.

Thanks!

[Andy]

Justanotherbiblophile wrote: "Man, I really think I should just submit any of my questions directly to Andy, and not bother posting them.

Thanks!"

Glad to help. Keep the questions coming.

[Kris]

The Man Who Came Early by Poul Anderson for the link.