SWEDES PREPARE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 49, 27 February 1942, Page 6

SWEDES PREPARE

GERMAN INVASION

RESERVES CALLED UP

(By Telegraph—Press Association-—Copyright.) (Rec. 2 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 26. According to Scandinavian circles in London, Sweden is preparing for what she believes will be

Germany's next offensive

Reserved classes of the army are being called up for special manoeuvres in frontier areas, especially in the gap east, of Trondheim, where the railway from Norway enters Sweden. Plans for the destruction ■of iron ore mines are ready in the coastal area south of Stockholm, which has always been considered to be Sweden's weak point, and the frontier opposite Kongsvinger (Norway) is now fortified. Sweden is hot hiding her defence preparations. Knowing that she has no chance against a large German attack, she wishes to demonstrate that an invasion would require large forces and' involve a heavy German sacrifice.

If. the Russians knock out the Finns at the end of the winttr, a German invasion attempt is expected to develop, with landings in the Gothenburg area and south of Stockholm. Scandinavians are convinced that the withdrawal of the Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, and Prinz Eugen from the Atlantic is for that purpose. A simultaneous land invasion would be chiefly from Trondheim towards Ostersund and from Kongsvinger towards Carlstad.

The German Press and radio are waging a war of nerves against the Swedes.