Why didnt Hitler invade Sweden?

I've never read anything about Hitler's designs on Sweden, if any. Why Norway, and not Sweden? The Swedish military wasn't that strong, was it? What was Sweden's stance during the war? Neutral? I just don't recall ever reading much about Sweden's role in

There was actually a plan prepared for the invasion, using troops in Norway (which would have included elements of two armoured divisions ... one of which was actually in country, tho it was equipped only with **** French and Czech stuff. Better than the few tankettes the Swedes had, tho).

There was actually a plan prepared for the invasion, using troops in Norway (which would have included elements of two armoured divisions ... one of which was actually in country, tho it was equipped only with **** French and Czech stuff. Better than the few tankettes the Swedes had, tho).

Sweden successfully pulled off a disinformation campaign about the condition of their fortification status, especially the ones around Boden and on the Norwegian border. After suffering heavily attacking the Norwegian coast defenses, Hitler was in no mood to try the better and heavier Swedish coastal forts, and the troops he had in Norway were needed to defend that country from possible British landings.

Besides, Sweden negotiated a deal with Hitler for them to gain the iron ore from their mines. Once this was accomplished, there was little need to spend the time and manpower to attack a well defended Sweden.

John Lansford

The unofficial I-26 Construction Webpage:

Sweden's role wasn't one to be particularly proud of. The main reason they weren't invaded was that they were worth more to the Germans as a 'neutral' state. Sweden kept up a thriving trade with occupied Europe throughout the war and undoubtedly acted as a conduit for obtaining embargoed materials.

I've also heard a story that Sweden warned Germany that at the first sign of invasion all the steel and manufacturing facilities would be destroyed, making the country worthless to the invaders.

Scott Peterson

Never eat at a place called Moms Never play cards with a man named Dad And never sleep with anyone who has more troubles than you

I remember when I toured Europe in 1965 the amount of resentment that existed about the way the Swedes (and Swiss) prospered during the war while everyone else suffered. Both were neutral and sold valuable war material to Germany. The Swedes also allowed transhipment of Finnish goods and passage of German military personnel. Unlike the Swiss, however, they did risk antagonizing Germany by taking in foreign Jews, particularly from Denmark. Norway had a much more strategic location, facing the North Sea. Without it, the German Navy could be much more easily bottled up in the Baltic. Once Germany had Norway, Sweden was surrounded anyway, so conquest was less essential. Had Hitler won the war, Sweden and Switzerland would have probably been swallowed.

Sweden was neutral during World War II, but she definitely sympathized (at least at first) with Germany. Sweden sympathized even more with the Finns in their fight against the Soviets. Sweden had long carried on important trade with Germany, vital to herself but also to Germany's iron ore supply during the war. After the German invasion of Norway, Sweden allowed German troops and supplies to cross her territory on their way from Norway to Finland (at least until 1943).

Hitler didn't seriously consider invading Sweden, mostly because there was no need. Sweden was already trading her most important exports almost exclusively to Germany. Sweden didn't have any particularly useful ports for naval bases (the way Norway did). Surrounded by German troops in Norway and Finland, Sweden wasn't likely to switch sides and become pro-Ally (although she did become more and more pro-Ally as the Germans began showing signs of losing their grip). Along with Switzerland, moreover, Sweden could and did function as a useful base for diplomatic overtures between Germany and her opponents (as, for example, in 1943 during successful negotiations for an exchange of prisoners between Germany and Britain).

Why bother?

Steve THomas

Norway, 1940: about to be invaded by the Brits and French, and possessing a long coastline that will make it a valuable base for Uboats in the Atlantic (this is prior to the surprising quick victory in France). Sweden, 1940: supplying high- quality ores and finished goods to their traditional major trading partner, Germany. Isolated from help either East or

Of course, to be fair, in the early part of this century ... even for many years postwar ... many of the *allied* nations treated 'undesirables' in very much the same way. I believe that in some US states the 'feeble-minded' were subject to sterilization (at least if indigent). In Oz they were subject to medical experimentation without consent (mainly testing new vaccines). There are the examples of radiation testing on **** in the US after the war as well. I don't know, offhand, of any British or Canadian examples, but I doubt they would be any more lily white.

Of course, Hitler took it all to a *much* greater extreme.

Quite contrary. Swedish government acted very proudly for fulfilling the only justification for their existence: to protect the interests of Swedish people. For decades after the war the standard of living in Sweden was much higher than it was here. This was largely because they kept themselves out of the war.

Of course they had foreign trade with those countries they could have it. This included us. The Suomi SMGs were made of Swedish steel.