In WW II Sweden
was as neutral as a nation could be located next door to Nazi Germany and
beside Norway — which the Germans occupied in a surprise attack early in the
war. My impression was that Swedes regard their WW II “neutrality” as an
embarrassment, and in reaction are making “neutrality” a positive. More power
to them. Of course, as I realized later, our discussions were taking place on
the deck of a retired destroyer that had aggressively represented Sweden’s
sovereignty during the Cold War.) By the way, the destroyer was pretty heavily
armed--both 53 and 57mm guns, anti-aircraft guns, torpedoes, mines, and cruise
missiles!
We also toured a
light ship (Like a lighthouse). The sub was smaller than other subs I have
toured, and it had a good, simple video about ballast and maintaining trim and
neutral buoyancy. They also had a “monitor” (like the Monitor from our Civil
war), although it was basically an empty hull. The compartments were labeled as
cabins, storage, galley, etc., but there was nothing in them, not even an
engine.
(to be continued)
