The Swedes
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
What was Sweden to do? Fight the German army? They were very much on the Allied side. When the Germans invaded Norway they asked for the ability to pass through Sweden, and to use Swedish telephone lines. Of course the Swedes agreed, and I believe an enormous amount of signals traffic found its way to Bletchley Park.
Thread Starter
They certainly were very much on the Allied side.
Blockade running flights in the bomb bay of a Mossie.
A prominent passengers being one Niels Bohr.
From another forum:
Bomb bay lined with felt, fitted with reading lamp, air controls, oxygen supply, intercom, flask of coffee (doubtless a wartime luxury), reading material. No mention of sandwiches !
Outward trip took air mail, UK newspapers and magazines (to counter German ones).
Leuchars-Stockholm 800 miles, took typically 3 hours.
Originally daylight flights, switched to night after attacks.
Conductor Sir Malcolm Sargent was once a passenger, so were other VIPs.
Last operation 30 November 1944.
Blockade running flights in the bomb bay of a Mossie.
A prominent passengers being one Niels Bohr.
From another forum:
Bomb bay lined with felt, fitted with reading lamp, air controls, oxygen supply, intercom, flask of coffee (doubtless a wartime luxury), reading material. No mention of sandwiches !
Outward trip took air mail, UK newspapers and magazines (to counter German ones).
Leuchars-Stockholm 800 miles, took typically 3 hours.
Originally daylight flights, switched to night after attacks.
Conductor Sir Malcolm Sargent was once a passenger, so were other VIPs.
Last operation 30 November 1944.
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Herod, I am in agreement. I understand after their huge losses at Verdun, the Vichy French had a similar mindset... negotiate a favourable armistice rather than have another massacre. If the Gaullists in exile were the sword the Vichy at home were the shield ?
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The SwAF Historic Flight are regulars at the Jersey International Air Display.
This year we appear to have:
Swedish Air Force Historic Flight:
Saab J29 Tunnan
Saab J32 Lansen [British Debut]
Saab SK35 Draken
Saab J35 Draken
Saab J37 Viggen
Jersey International Air Display - Rumours and News
This year we appear to have:
Swedish Air Force Historic Flight:
Saab J29 Tunnan
Saab J32 Lansen [British Debut]
Saab SK35 Draken
Saab J35 Draken
Saab J37 Viggen
Jersey International Air Display - Rumours and News
Not sure the Norwegians agree on the Swedish role in WW2 - still not a subject to bring up in either country but for small countries there wasnt much choice. Denmark being a good example and the Czechs another. Watch the Brits give a third of your country away to Adolph including most of the fortifications and you dont have a lot of choice.
I think Swedish iron ore ended up on both sides too
I think Swedish iron ore ended up on both sides too
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
My late father-in-law was in the Swedish Army during the war, and was posted near the Norwegian border. A lot of people that the Germans would have liked to have "talked to" were helped across that border, and there was a certain amount of "unofficial" shooting taking place. BTW, the Norwegians weren't beaten; they were betrayed.
