Interesting News in the Swedish Press (Hitler, state, Ireland, origin)

[bluepacific]

Sweden approved secret Nazi Loan

I've mostly moved on from the Nazi connection discussion here with regard Sweden. But this interesting article came out in the press today here. I knew they did'nt like the Soviet threat and that's why they allowed volunteers into the Finnish Army, but this documents show a little more deeper of not all, but some of the sinister side of some government members. But these documents also show they helped in the original occupation of Norway.

Swedes approved secret Nazi loan: report - The Local

I had a thread here before about no neutral country, and I believe Switzerland was another who sided with Germany as documents later showed they actually helped finance the Nazi Death machine. Politics and Greed just stinks!!!

[Future Trooper]

I am completely shocked about this.

[cpg35223]

Well, I think Sweden and Switzerland both had a serious tightrope to walk at the time being vulnerable islands in a Nazi sea. It certainly doesn't excuse the loan, of course, but we also don't know under how much duress the Swedes were under. After all Sweden did supply the Allies with intelligence. What's more, the Swiss shot down any number of German warplanes. So I don't believe that either non-combatant really fully abetted one side or the other. They were probably doing their level best to keep their countries out of war.

[WIHS2006]

Originally Posted by cpg35223

Well, I think Sweden and Switzerland both had a serious tightrope to walk at the time being vulnerable islands in a Nazi sea. It certainly doesn't excuse the loan, of course, but we also don't know under how much duress the Swedes were under. After all Sweden did supply the Allies with intelligence. What's more, the Swiss shot down any number of German warplanes. So I don't believe that either non-combatant really fully abetted one side or the other. They were probably doing their level best to keep their countries out of war.

Agreed, it was the same with Ireland which allowed Irish to join the British military by the hundreds of thousands and accepted military equipment and hardware from the British to bolster their own military ... however they did detain aircrew from both sides and the Irish PM (de Valera) later sent a message of condolence to both Germany and the US when Hitler and FDR died.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by WIHS2006

Agreed, it was the same with Ireland which allowed Irish to join the British military by the hundreds of thousands and accepted military equipment and hardware from the British to bolster their own military ... .

Indeed, more men from the Irish Free State fought in the British Army than did men from loyalist Northern Ireland.

Which led to the famous quip from a Royal Irish Fusilier under shellfire in Italy "there's one thing you can say for Dev, he kept us out of this freakin' war!".

[WIHS2006]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

Indeed, more men from the Irish Free State fought in the British Army than did men from loyalist Northern Ireland.

Which led to the famous quip from a Royal Irish Fusilier under shellfire in Italy "there's one thing you can say for Dev, he kept us out of this freakin' war!".

Even to this day I believe their are significant numbers of Irish citizens in the British military as they will have much more career choices and a better chance at promotions then in the Irish Army/Air Force/Naval Service. I actually believe they are the largest group of foreigners in the British military besides Gurkhas ... apparently anyone who is from a Commonwealth nation can serve in the British military.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by WIHS2006

Even to this day I believe their are significant numbers of Irish citizens in the British military as they will have much more career choices and a better chance at promotions then in the Irish Army/Air Force/Naval Service. I actually believe they are the largest group of foreigners in the British military besides Gurkhas ... apparently anyone who is from a Commonwealth nation can serve in the British military.

You are correct.

[TravisW]

Originally Posted by bluepacific

Sweden approved secret Nazi Loan

I've mostly moved on from the Nazi connection discussion here with regard Sweden. But this interesting article came out in the press today here. I knew they did'nt like the Soviet threat and that's why they allowed volunteers into the Finnish Army, but this documents show a little more deeper of not all, but some of the sinister side of some government members. But these documents also show they helped in the original occupation of Norway.

Swedes approved secret Nazi loan: report - The Local

I had a thread here before about no neutral country, and I believe Switzerland was another who sided with Germany as documents later showed they actually helped finance the Nazi Death machine. Politics and Greed just stinks!!!

Fa'nslektningene!!

The Swedes could have killed a heck of a lot of Nazis. For that matter, they could have also not let them cross Swedish territory to invade Norway.

[linicx]

I think if you look at the history of Germany for the last 1000 years you;ll find a bit of agression.

I've learned more history, and more interesing history than I ever did in a classroom. Ya'll are a great bunch of teachers.

[Fred314X]

Originally Posted by TravisW

Fa'nslektningene!!

The Swedes could have killed a heck of a lot of Nazis. For that matter, they could have also not let them cross Swedish territory to invade Norway.

I don't know why, but I have the strange feeling that had the Swedish government told Germany not to set foot on their soil, something like a full-scale invasion of Sweden might easily have followed. How shall I put it...Adolf Hitler had just a slight difficulty in respecting the sovereignty of other nations.