Operation Weser.C3.BCbung Operation Weserübung's effects on Sweden

9 april 1940

the goal of german operation simultaneous occupation of denmark , norway through strategic coup d état. denmark considered vital because location facilitated greater air , naval control of area.

in norway, plan called capture of 6 primary targets amphibious landings in oslo, kristiansand, egersund, bergen, trondheim , narvik. supporting paratroops (fallschirmjäger), capture other key locations such airfields @ fornebu (outside oslo) , sola (outside stavanger). plan designed overwhelm norwegian defenders , occupy these vital areas before form of organized resistance mounted.

surprise complete in denmark, while in norway invasion resulted in 62-day norwegian campaign , massive naval losses.

after operation hitler wrote in letter sweden s king gustaf v, dated 24 april 1940:

have no doubt our action, (the invasion of norway , denmark), @ last moment forestalled execution of allied plan , under circumstances stop france , england getting foothold in scandinavia, have consequences blessing scandinavian peoples.

german demands on sweden

in note swedish government germany demanded strict neutrality, no mobilisation, right use swedish telephone network, continued shipments of ore , no marine activity beyond swedish territorial waters.

in following note, sweden declared maintain neutrality, reserved right actions necessary maintain it. sweden organized mobilization system personal order letter possible alternative official proclamations, led 320,000 men being raised in few weeks.