UNEASE IN SWEDEN

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 102, 25 January 1943, Page 4

UNEASE IN SWEDEN

Danger Of Invasion By Germans ALLIED MASSING OF SHIPS (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received January 24, 7 p.m.) LONDON, January 23. The Swedish authorities are seriously concerned over the possibility of a German invasion of their country, says the “Daily Telegraph’s” Stockholm correspondent. Open discussion by Germans in Denmark and Sweden of reports that the Allies are massing shipping, invasion barges, and. troops in Scotland and Iceland has again brought into prominence the question of an Allied landing in Scandinavia. Mye-witnesses report that the Germans are feverishly fortifying the coast and the.laud frontier of the provinces of Ostfold,’ south-east of Oslo. An Allied landing in Norway would undoubtedly have serious consequences for Sweden. -

Germany, lacking the naval and air strength to send reinforcements to Oslo, would require unrestricted use of Sweden’s west coast railways, which Sweden's avowal qf neutrality would compel her to refuse. The unknown quantity is the size of the force which the Germans could spare for Scandinavia in the event of an invasion. 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 the 40-year-olds. One thing may be emphasized. There is not the slightest doubt, in spite of propaganda about Swedish pro-German sympathies, tliat the Swedish armed forces would instantly and loyally resist any German attack. Months ago their commander-in-chief, General Toeruell, told them that in the erent of their losing cohesion in an invasion they were to disregard orders to surrender, no matter how genuine they might seenu