SWEDISH FEARS

Grey River Argus, 25 January 1943, Page 2

SWEDISH FEARS

ALLIED INVASION OF NORWAY. MIGHT BRING GERMANS' INTO SWEDEN. (Rec. 6.30) LONDON, Jan. 23. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Stockholm correspondent says that the Swedish authorities were seriously concerned about the possibility of a German invasion of their country. The open discussion by the Germans in Denmark and Sweden of reports of the Allies massing shipping, invasion barges, and troops in ’ Scotland and Iceland has again brought into prominence the question of an Allied landing in Scandinavia. Eye-Witnesses report that the Germans are feverisnly fortifying the coast and land frontier at Ostfold.

An Allied landing in Norway, would undoubtedly pave serious consequences for Sweden. Germany, lacking the naval and air strength to send reinforcements to Oslo, would require the unrestricted use of' Sweden’s west coast railways, which Sweden's avowal of neutrality would compel her to refuse.

The size of the force which the Germans could spare for Scandinavia in the event of an invasion is unknown. It is known that the German divisions in Denmark, Norway, and Finland have been denuded of many of their younger men who have been sent to the eastern front and replaced by forty-year olds. One thing may be emphasised: There is not the slightest doubt, despite propaganda about Sweden’s pro-German sympathies, that the Swedish armed forces would instantly and loyally re-< sist a German attack. Months ago the Commander-in-Chlef, General Toernell, told troops that in the event of their losing cohesion in an invasion to disregard orders to surrender', no matter how genuine they seem.