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spidge · 09-10-2007, 08:14 AM

There are those that say Sweden should have shown more resistance to Germany however what would that have achieved?
When Britain pulled out of Narvik (Norway), effective control of these waterways and this "theatre" was literally lost.

Sweden was encircled on three sides by the Germans, and Russia (Sweden's arch enemy) further to the East, hence no trade, so draw your own conclusions.

In the short term, they supplied 90% of Germany's Iron Ore that sustained their present production capabilities. Sweden's and Finland's trade was totally controlled by the Kriegsmarine. As a result, Germany "forced" them to agree to allow permission to transit. A total of 2,140,000 German soldiers and over 100,000 German military railway carriages, crossed Sweden until this traffic was officially suspended on August 20, 1943.

Churchill "the visionary" (only a new member of the "War Cabinet" Nov 1939) wanted to mine Norwegian waters early in the war (Mid Nov 39) however Chamberlain & Halifax (surprise - surprise) refused. Mining of these waters did not then commence until early April 1940.

Narvik's port, to those who are not aware, does not freeze over in Winter whereas Sweden's own port's on the Gulf of Bothnia do, which is why the railway line was built (1880's) to there from the Iron Ore mining area of Kiruna (Sweden) 120 kms north to the border and the further 40 kms west to Narvik.

Did they succumb to the Germans under the guise of neutrality?

Technically ........Most definitely.

Logically.......Independent survival.

Denmark capitulated in less than a day......survival.

France well!!!!!!.......Did we bomb Paris.

Spain supplied Germany ...Intelligence, Safe Harbour for U-Boats etc

Portugal was rowing the same boat of neutrality.

Thailand capitulated to the Japanese and declared War on the US however Cordell Hull did not accept the declaration from the Ambassador.....Why?

Russia signed a non aggression pact with Germany so they could invade other countries. Five minutes down the road the US supplies them with "All we have is yours".

The Swedes resisted politically as best they could as Germany would have invaded and did what they wanted anyway.

Think of it this way. We didn't have to get the Germans out of Sweden.

09-10-2007, 08:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
spidge Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 3,245 You're Top Poster: #3 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 6	Should Sweden have resisted Germany? There are those that say Sweden should have shown more resistance to Germany however what would that have achieved? When Britain pulled out of Narvik (Norway), effective control of these waterways and this "theatre" was literally lost. Sweden was encircled on three sides by the Germans, and Russia (Sweden's arch enemy) further to the East, hence no trade, so draw your own conclusions. In the short term, they supplied 90% of Germany's Iron Ore that sustained their present production capabilities. Sweden's and Finland's trade was totally controlled by the Kriegsmarine. As a result, Germany "forced" them to agree to allow permission to transit. A total of 2,140,000 German soldiers and over 100,000 German military railway carriages, crossed Sweden until this traffic was officially suspended on August 20, 1943. Churchill "the visionary" (only a new member of the "War Cabinet" Nov 1939) wanted to mine Norwegian waters early in the war (Mid Nov 39) however Chamberlain & Halifax (surprise - surprise) refused. Mining of these waters did not then commence until early April 1940. Narvik's port, to those who are not aware, does not freeze over in Winter whereas Sweden's own port's on the Gulf of Bothnia do, which is why the railway line was built (1880's) to there from the Iron Ore mining area of Kiruna (Sweden) 120 kms north to the border and the further 40 kms west to Narvik. Did they succumb to the Germans under the guise of neutrality? Technically ........Most definitely. Logically.......Independent survival. Denmark capitulated in less than a day......survival. France well!!!!!!.......Did we bomb Paris. Spain supplied Germany ...Intelligence, Safe Harbour for U-Boats etc Portugal was rowing the same boat of neutrality. Thailand capitulated to the Japanese and declared War on the US however Cordell Hull did not accept the declaration from the Ambassador.....Why? Russia signed a non aggression pact with Germany so they could invade other countries. Five minutes down the road the US supplies them with "All we have is yours". The Swedes resisted politically as best they could as Germany would have invaded and did what they wanted anyway. Think of it this way. We didn't have to get the Germans out of Sweden. __________________ Spidge, ------------------------------------------------------- My Avatar is the memorial to the 22 Commonwealth Coastwatchers at the Temakin Cemetery on Betio (Tarawa Atoll) who were beheaded by the Japanese on 15th October 1942. http://www.dva.gov.au/media/publicat...mem_beito.html "You were given the choice between war and dishonor. You chose dishonor and you will have war." (Winston Churchill made this prophetic pronouncement in a House of Commons speech in 1938, just after Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain signed the Munich agreement with Hitler. Chamberlain returned from Germany with the signed agreement in hand, proclaiming that "peace in our time" had been achieved. Churchill attacked Chamberlain's "politics of appeasement" in this and many other speeches.) What did the Australians do in ww2 and other conflicts? Check out this site: http://www.diggerhistory.info/00-pag...ster-index.htm