Scandinavia 15 neutrality



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)