WI: The high seas fleet goes into internment

I think some people need to be clear that internment is not handing over the fleet - its holding it whilst its fate is being decided. The problem therefore for a neutral nation is that whilst it could ensure physically that the ships were immobilised, it can't ensure that the crews don't up and leave and return to Germany, whereas the British could do this.

Best Regards
Grey Wolf
 
Internment is the same as surrendering, although in this case to a non fighting neutral state. Keeping controll over it would mean some sort of agreement, as weas done in the OTL by the UK taking custody over the HSF, while it remained under German controll more or less for day to day things and it would remain German property. The Germans onl;y had to act before the final decission was made what to do wih the fleet by the Allies, as that would end their ownership of the prestegious fleet.
 
By "handing over" I meant giving it to them, which is what some posters seemed to be indicatting they thought was happening if a neutral country interned the HSF. If it was interned in Sweden, for example, it would sit there but it would not be the same as becoming Swedish. The treaty would work out the allocations and IIRC it was going to be split between the allied powers, like what happened to the AH fleet

Best Regards
Grey Wolf
 
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