September 21, 2024 | by Unboxify
In 1939, as war swept across Europe, Sweden aimed to maintain its neutral position. Despite its history of being a great power in Europe, Sweden had adopted a policy of neutrality following the traumatic loss of Finland to Russia and the secession of its mainland possessions post-Napoleonic Wars. Sweden’s geographical advantages and non-involvement in European military alliances allowed it to stay neutral during World War I. This neutrality, favored by Sweden’s government which sided with the Central Powers, was continued into the interwar period and was strongly supported by the Swedish public.
Although Sweden managed to remain neutral during the First World War, it faced economic hardships and political unrest. However, it was spared the devastation that fell upon many other European countries. As the 1930s ended and the threat of war re-emerged in Europe, Sweden’s policy of neutrality was once again put to the test.
On September 1, 1939, Germany began its invasion of Poland. Although Sweden declared its neutrality, it had already indirectly contributed to the war effort. Approximately 6% of the iron used to build German war machines originated from Swedish mines. Recognizing Sweden’s crucial iron supply, both Britain and Germany entered negotiations with the Swedes. While Sweden assured Britain it wouldn’t increase iron exports to Germany above pre-war levels, it cleverly included the now-occupied territories of Czechoslovakia and Poland within the definition of German pre-war imports to satisfy Germany’s demands for more iron.
Following the fall of Poland, Sweden faced a more immediate threat as the Soviet Union invaded Finland. Sweden and Finland shared close cultural and historical ties, which led to widespread outrage in Sweden against the Soviet aggression. Understanding the imminent threat posed by Soviet advances, Sweden declared itself non-belligerent, allowing it to transfer significant quantities of weapons to Finland. Despite limited resources, Sweden provided Finland with 84,000 rifles, 112 artillery pieces, and 25 aircraft. Moreover, over 8,000 Swedish volunteers joined the Finnish Army. Though this aid prevented Finland’s complete collapse, the country had to concede to Soviet territorial demands.
In the chaos of the Winter War, Britain saw an opportunity to disrupt Sweden’s iron supply to Germany. Under the guise of aiding Finland, Britain proposed deploying troops to Norway and then transporting them via Swedish railways to the Finnish front lines. However, both Sweden and Norway saw through Britain’s ruse and denied permission for this operation, forestalling a potential British occupation of Sweden’s critical infrastructure.
On April 9, 1940, Germany launched simultaneous invasions of Denmark and Norway. Denmark fell quickly, but Norway held out long enough for an Allied expedition to arrive, though it ultimately succumbed to German forces. Sweden itself was spared from an invasion as Germany deemed the stable Swedish iron supply too valuable to jeopardize. Nevertheless, Sweden’s diplomats and politicians grew wary of Germany’s show of strength. Despite the provocations, Sweden refrained from intervention, upholding its stance of neutrality largely for fear of German retribution.
Sweden’s military was initially underprepared for immediate conflict. The assumption had been that the Soviet Union was the greatest threat, resulting in limited attention to potential German aggression. Although fortifications existed along the southern coastline, Sweden did not mobilize its military until after Germany’s invasion of Denmark and Norway. Within a month, Sweden had called up an additional 230,000 men to guard the southern coast and the Norwegian frontier.
Upon realizing the inadequacies of its military forces, Sweden embarked on a rearmament campaign. Its conscript-based army, well-suited for local defense, lacked significant heavy equipment. The Swedish Air Force, with only 80 outdated aircraft, was in stark contrast to Germany’s 4,000-strong Luftwaffe. Efforts to purchase foreign equipment were complicated by Sweden’s neutral status, prompting Sweden to rely on its industrial prowess to produce its own military equipment. This self-reliance in arms production laid the foundation for Sweden’s modern defense capabilities.
With Finland joining the Axis powers to reclaim lost territories from the Soviet Union, Sweden found itself surrounded by Axis-aligned nations. A German blockade further isolated Sweden, limiting its Western trade routes and confining its economic activity to the Baltic region. While Sweden had stockpiled resources, it was forced to depend on trade with Axis countries for essential goods. Sweden negotiated safe passage for a few ships per month through the Atlantic, albeit under constant threat from Britain and Germany.
Early in the war, Sweden acceded to several German demands. Following Norway’s fall, Sweden allowed off-duty German soldiers to transit through its territory en route to occupation duties in Norway. A year later, in June 1941, Germany demanded passage for 14,000 heavily armed troops through Sweden for the invasion of the Soviet Union. Despite a political crisis this demand caused, Sweden granted a one-time passage, but subsequently refused further requests.
Sweden’s relationship with Nazi Germany was multifaceted. Although openly fascist sentiments were rare, cultural and political ties between the two nations remained strong. About 200 Swedes served in the Waffen SS, but the majority did not equate their affinity for German culture with Nazi ideology. Nevertheless, Sweden found itself balancing between its neutrality and Germany’s expectations, a delicate act that occasionally veered towards accommodation of German demands.
Initially, Sweden’s reaction to Germany’s persecution of Jews was relatively indifferent. Immigration laws were tightened to prevent Jewish refugees from entering Sweden, and some public sentiment was against accepting Jews. However, when Germany’s final solution extended to Norway, Swedish policy dramatically changed. Sweden granted asylum to hundreds of Norwegian Jews and later provided sanctuary to nearly 7,000 Danish Jews. Swedish diplomatic efforts also protected thousands of Jews across Europe, showcasing a dramatic shift towards humanitarian intervention.
Beginning in 1943, Sweden began training and arming thousands of Danish and Norwegian soldiers, who were euphemistically called “police forces.” These troops were intended to secure Denmark and Norway at the war’s end until their governments could return from exile. This move showcased Sweden’s gradual shift towards broader involvement in the war effort, albeit within its capacity and maintaining the appearance of neutrality.
Even as the tides of war turned, Sweden insisted on its right to trade with Germany. This was primarily due to its reliance on German coal to heat homes and power industries. In return, Sweden exported crucial materials like iron and mechanical components, including ball bearings. These exports were pivotal for German military production. The Allies understood Sweden’s precarious position but were incensed by its continued trade in military essentials with Germany. Under mounting pressure from the Allies, Sweden gradually reduced its exports to Germany, nearly ceasing them entirely by the end of 1944.
As 1945 approached and the Third Reich’s collapse appeared imminent, Sweden increasingly aligned with the Allied Powers. The country accepted roughly 200,000 refugees from its war-torn neighbors, and Allied aircraft were seldom challenged if they strayed into Swedish airspace. Sweden even considered participating in the liberation of Denmark, though this became unnecessary. By the end of the war, it seemed evident that Sweden had chosen a side, albeit cautiously and pragmatically.
With hindsight, questions persist about Sweden’s stance during World War II. Was Sweden too quick to accommodate Germany? Could it have done more to aid the Allies? The most significant question involves the ethical justification of neutrality in a conflict that targeted not just nations but humanity itself. Sweden’s nuanced role during the war, oscillating between pragmatic neutrality and moral intervention, continues to be a subject of reflection and debate.
Sweden’s journey through World War II paints a picture of a nation striving to balance its deeply rooted policy of neutrality with the moral imperatives imposed by a war against humanity. Sweden’s actions during this tumultuous period reveal the complexities of neutral stances in global conflict, showcasing a blend of pragmatic decisions and principled stands that defined its wartime legacy.
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