WI: Sweden/Norway declares war on Nazi Germany

Let's say Churchill got what he wanted and the Royal Navy decided to more actively defend Scandinavia, resulting in both Norway and Sweden declaring war on Germany around 1940. The main reason for this war, of course, would be because Germany is quite dependent on Swedish iron ores.
How will the war go? Will the Scandinavian forces prove worthy against the German invasion, if one succeeds in crossing the Baltic? How long will such a war last? What will be its diplomatic ramifications around Europe for the neutral countries?
Map of Scandinavia for reference:
777px-Invasion_of_Norway.PNG
 
Wasn't the Germany navy pretty bad? So wouldn't this run into the same problems as Sealion?
 
I think a lot depends on how quick they mobilise. A quicker mobilisation and the Germans are screwed on that front.
 

Rubicon

Banned
Sorry but both Norway and Sweden was comitted to neutrality, just an offer of protection by the Royal Navy isn't going to change that. The only thing that even remotly could change that would be unrefutable evidence that Germany is planning to attack tomorrow, not in a week or a month but tomorrow.
 
Sorry but both Norway and Sweden was comitted to neutrality, just an offer of protection by the Royal Navy isn't going to change that. The only thing that even remotly could change that would be unrefutable evidence that Germany is planning to attack tomorrow, not in a week or a month but tomorrow.

I agree. Even if they didn't have a policy of strict neutrality there was no reason for them to declare war on Germany as there was nothing in it for them.

I think the Norwegian Government did have unrefutable evidence that Germany is planning to attack tomorrow IOTL and even then they only ordered a partial mobilisation.
 

Driftless

Donor
I agree. Even if they didn't have a policy of strict neutrality there was no reason for them to declare war on Germany as there was nothing in it for them.

I think the Norwegian Government did have unrefutable evidence that Germany is planning to attack tomorrow IOTL and even then they only ordered a partial mobilisation.

The Norwegian cabinet members (and much of the populace) were committed to neutrality and several of the top leaders were ardent pacifists (Nygaardsvold, Monsen, Koht) - Good men, but out of touch with the nature of the Nazi's. OTL, they delayed responding as they believed their neutrality to be a bullet-proof shield, and they were personally overwhelmed when the attack came anyway. The King (Haakon VII) had a far better grasp on the realities of the situation in general.

You'd need to change that fundamental view of Norway's place in the world back then. Maybe the Munich crisis and it's effect on neutral Czechoslovakia, radically shakes things up? Still, that's late in the game to really get prepared
 
Once the Germans got ashore and had the Oslo area with docks and airfield, it was going to be difficult for the British and French to stop them, by itself Norway certainly could not do it. Had Norway mobilized sooner and had been at a state of heightened preparedness AND the Oslo defense (sea and airfield) on alert and with orders to shoot right away then you might have been able to keep the Nazis out of Norway. Between the pacifism of the government/belief in neutrality and Quisling and his crowd, this did not happen.

As far as Sweden goes, no way I see them declaring war on Germany unless and until you see German troops on Swedish soil. Even if they were inclined to go against Germany, their geographic position makes it difficult if not impossible for the British and French to do much to help them. The iron ore (and other products) is a two way street. Sweden needs the money, but Germany won't invade unless the Swedes stop selling because by the time the Germans arrive at the mines there has been a good deal of sabotage and it will take some time to get them going again. Likewise for other Swedish products like ball bearings that they purchased.
 
Germany declares war on Norway. Somehow, Svensk tiger decides to defend their brother. Long shot, I know, but with some changes and right POD...
 

Driftless

Donor
What happens if the allies land first at Narvik and the Germans are hot on their tail? The Germans are going to fight hard to retain the port, or at least some kind of access to the iron ore mines, so if the ensuing fight spills over into Sweden - what then? Does that lead to a full Declaration of War by anyone? Or just a series of confused melee's between several opposing sides - Germans, British, French, Poles, Swedes, and Norwegians?

The Norwegian 6th Division was on a war footing on April 9, but most of the unit was closer to the Finnish border(in case the Soviets came too far west...)
 
Top