Norway - The Fauske Struggle

[DMZ]

Sweden's Concern

July - Following the mining of Luleå by the British and the repeated airspace violations by German bombers, Swedish government and high command fear an extension of the conflict.

With the rising of tensions in the late 1930's and the outbreak of the war, an ambitious plan to upgrade the defense had been launched, especially in the air with the decision to expand the number of squadrons from five to seven and to build new airfield, training schools and so on. In autumn 1938, the Royal Swedish Air Force Administration conducted a survey to inventory suitable areas for the construction of airfields. The results of which were presented in March 1939. Out of 180 sites identified, 95 were costed and 40 were proposed for a first phase, 20 of which authorised for construction.

The ongoing work was accelerated in the North to deny intrusions onto the Swedish border in the vicinity of the ongoing fight and in the South to protect Stockholm and malor cities from surprise attack. In the northern counties (Norrbottens, Västerbottens and Jämtlands) special attention was paid to the places closest to the border: airfield construction on Kalixfors (near kiruna) and Hemavan (facing Hattfjelldal) are speeded up and two squadrons are located there and an other one in Östersund at the latitude of Trondheim.

Despite flying obsolete Gladiators and and barely more modern Seversky P-35, fierce fightings, similar to those in Switzerland, toke place between Luftwaffe and Flygvapnet (Swedish Air Force) until Göring forbad such violations but not before formal protests and veiled threats had been sent from Berlin without diminushing Swedish determination. Having ordered Vultee V-48V Vanguard (to be known later as P-66) to be delivered late 1941, Swedes realized that they need as soon as possible a transitional fighter. As neither Britain nor Germany accepted to sold modern fighters and more than 200 Curtiss H-75 (P-36) ordered by France was available or close to be, Swedes decide to chose this model to speed up the renewal of their air fleet.

In parallèle, the Army continued its developpment from 21 infantry regiments in five army divisions to 33 infantry regiments and 2 armored regiments in eight, then ten army divisions, and studies are launched to complement Landsverk L-10 and Landsverk L-60 light tanks in armored units with a more capable medium tank, the Stridsvagn m/42.

But the most intense discussions in the high spheres focused on the position to adopt towards Norway. The refusal to allow King Haakon VII to transit when he fled in the face of the German invasion has left tensions between the two countries, and King Gustaf V had sympathies for the Nazis. But Social Democrat Prime Minister Per Albin Hansson, although advocating strict neutrality, was well aware that the defeat of Norway would totaly isolate Sweden and left it at the mercy of Germany, which would be unable to supply the essential fertilisers and fuels the country needed.

The solution lay in a position similar to that of Switzerland: Sweden would continue to trade with all foreign countries, belligerent or not. This, incidentally, would allow them to officially supply their unfortunate neighbour with the Bofors 40 L/60 anti-aircraft guns they had been desesperately hoping for, as they did for Finland during the Winter War. The British were not happy about this compromise, which meant that Germany could continue to receive iron ore, but they could console themselves with the fact that Sweden and Finland remained out of Berlin's clutches. On top of that, United Kingdom would continue to have acces to Swedish military production, espacially AA guns.

With the fall of Narvik to Allies, Germans no longer used Swedish railways to supply Dietl to the great relief of Stockolm who knew that those "medical" trains was fraudylently transporting troops, artillery and ammunition. On the other side, Swedes still allowed Germans to use their telephone and telegraphe lines, as Swedish mathematician Arne Beurling succeeded in deciphering their messages, giving valuable informations on the Berlin intentions and strategy.

[575]

Aug 4, 2023 21:27:18 GMT DMZ said:

Sweden's Concern

July - Following the mining of Luleå by the British and the repeated airspace violations by German bombers, Swedish government and high command fear an extension of the conflict.

With the rising of tensions in the late 1930's and the outbreak of the war, an ambitious plan to upgrade the defense had been launched, especially in the air with the decision to expand the number of squadrons from five to seven and to build new airfield, training schools and so on. In autumn 1938, the Royal Swedish Air Force Administration conducted a survey to inventory suitable areas for the construction of airfields. The results of which were presented in March 1939. Out of 180 sites identified, 95 were costed and 40 were proposed for a first phase, 20 of which authorised for construction.

The ongoing work was accelerated in the North to deny intrusions onto the Swedish border in the vicinity of the ongoing fight and in the South to protect Stockholm and malor cities from surprise attack. In the northern counties (Norrbottens, Västerbottens and Jämtlands) special attention was paid to the places closest to the border: airfield construction on Kalixfors (near kiruna) and Hemavan (facing Hattfjelldal) are speeded up and two squadrons are located there and an other one in Östersund at the latitude of Trondheim.

Despite flying obsolete Gladiators and and barely more modern Seversky P-35, fierce fightings, similar to those in Switzerland, toke place between Luftwaffe and Flygvapnet (Swedish Air Force) until Göring forbad such violations but not before formal protests and veiled threats had been sent from Berlin without diminushing Swedish determination. Having ordered Vultee V-48V Vanguard (to be known later as P-66) to be delivered late 1941, Swedes realized that they need as soon as possible a transitional fighter. As neither Britain nor Germany accepted to sold modern fighters and more than 200 Curtiss H-75 (P-36) ordered by France was available or close to be, Swedes decide to chose this model to speed up the renewal of their air fleet.

In parallèle, the Army continued its developpment from 21 infantry regiments in five army divisions to 33 infantry regiments and 2 armored regiments in eight, then ten army divisions, and studies are launched to complement Landsverk L-10 and Landsverk L-60 light tanks in armored units with a more capable medium tank, the Stridsvagn m/42.

But the most intense discussions in the high spheres focused on the position to adopt towards Norway. The refusal to allow King Haakon VII to transit when he fled in the face of the German invasion has left tensions between the two countries, and King Gustaf V had sympathies for the Nazis. But Social Democrat Prime Minister Per Albin Hansson, although advocating strict neutrality, was well aware that the defeat of Norway would totaly isolate Sweden and left it at the mercy of Germany, which would be unable to supply the essential fertilisers and fuels the country needed.

The solution lay in a position similar to that of Switzerland: Sweden would continue to trade with all foreign countries, belligerent or not. This, incidentally, would allow them to officially supply their unfortunate neighbour with the Bofors 40 L/60 anti-aircraft guns they had been desesperately hoping for, as they did for Finland during the Winter War. The British were not happy about this compromise, which meant that Germany could continue to receive iron ore, but they could console themselves with the fact that Sweden and Finland remained out of Berlin's clutches. On top of that, United Kingdom would continue to have acces to Swedish military production, espacially AA guns.

With the fall of Narvik to Allies, Germans no longer used Swedish railways to supply Dietl to the great relief of Stockolm who knew that those "medical" trains was fraudylently transporting troops, artillery and ammunition. On the other side, Swedes still allowed Germans to use their telephone and telegraphe lines, as Swedish mathematician Arne Beurling succeeded in deciphering their messages, giving valuable informations on the Berlin intentions and strategy.

A more bellingerent position is to be expected by Sweden as curtailing the "medical" train transports to Diethl which might not have needed the mining of Luleå port to bring the message home. The Swedes had been buying some British aircraft during the inter-war years which only the outbreak of war ended that source and did again post-war.

[DMZ]

Maps of the existing, under construction and projected airfields in Northern Norway and Northern Sweden as of July 1940

[DMZ]

Aug 5, 2023 6:52:45 GMT 575 said:

A more bellingerent position is to be expected by Sweden as curtailing the "medical" train transports to Diethl which might not have needed the mining of Luleå port to bring the message home. The Swedes had been buying some British aircraft during the inter-war years which only the outbreak of war ended that source and did again post-war.

IOTL, four sanitary trains were sent to Dietl before he surrendered without opposition from Swedes although they knew the reality of the load. It was before this uchrony's POD. No reason to have any change here.

Still IOTL, Norway Sweden ordered 120 Seversky P-35s (60 ordered in January 1940 not yet delivered in June) and 144 Vultee V-48C (none delivered) to United States. The easiest way is to continue with this provider as long as the logistical route remains open and the USA doesn't embargo military equipment to neutrals, that they have no reason to do at this stage of the war. I found that Norway Sweden tried to buy Spitfires or Messerschmitt 109 but was denied to do so by both countries, not sure of this information and don't know at what time it occured. It seems a few Spitfires have been given to Swedes in exchange of the debris of the V2 crashing in Southern Sweden in June 1944.

Edit: Ooops! Sweden, not Norway, of course...

[575]

Aug 5, 2023 7:53:43 GMT DMZ said:

Aug 5, 2023 6:52:45 GMT 575 said:

A more bellingerent position is to be expected by Sweden as curtailing the "medical" train transports to Diethl which might not have needed the mining of Luleå port to bring the message home. The Swedes had been buying some British aircraft during the inter-war years which only the outbreak of war ended that source and did again post-war.

IOTL, four sanitary trains were sent to Dietl before he surrendered without opposition from Swedes although they knew the reality of the load. It was before this uchrony's POD. No reason to have any change here.

Still IOTL, Norway ordered 120 Seversky P-35s (60 ordered in January 1940 not yet delivered in June) and 144 Vultee V-48C (none delivered) to United States. The easiest way is to continue with this provider as long as the logistical route remains open and the USA doesn't embargo military equipment to neutrals, that they have no reason to do at this stage of the war. I found that Norway tried to buy Spitfires or Messerschmitt 109 but was denied to do so by both countries, not sure of this information and don't know at what time it occured. It seems a few Spitfires have been given to Swedes in exchange of the debris of the V2 crashing in Southern Sweden in June 1944.

Know about the those trains but there were more following including for building up for Barbarossa in Finland.

It was the Swedes ordering Seversky and Vultee a/c.

[DMZ]

Aug 5, 2023 8:18:07 GMT 575 said:

Know about the those trains but there were more following including for building up for Barbarossa in Finland.

Barbarossa is far away and we'll see how Finland will react. We don't even know at this stage if Germany will invade Sweden or not . But if link with Western power remains open, no need for Finland to ask German help, so it's unlikely Finland will be embarked in Soviet Union attack in this case. Otherwise...

Edit: The German reinforcement trains in Sweden before Barbarossa was for Narvik to avoid the risky Nowegian Sea. With Narvik in Allies' hands, no longer any traffic to Narvik through Kiruna.

Aug 5, 2023 8:18:07 GMT 575 said:

It was the Swedes ordering Seversky and Vultee a/c.

Of course! Thanks a lot.

[DMZ]

The Race for Airfields

July - Like Swedes, both Germans and Norwegians understood the key was airfields near the front line to support operations and harrass ennemy logistics.

With the help of British, Bodø airstrip is rebuild and the British 6th Anti-Aircraft Brigade is reinforced. One RNoAAF Gladiator squadron is based there mid-July. Two other airfields are constructed in Nordbotn, east of Tromsø, to protect the then Nowegian capital, and in Andenes, on Andøya island, north of Harstad, to benefit from different weather conditions than in Bardufoss. Curtiss P-36 are now arriving, conveyed by HMS Glorious, to be based in Kirkeness before being reassigned to other airfields when pilots' training on this new aircraft will be completed.

Germans was rushing in expanding Hattfjelldal and building two more airfields in Bjerka, 50 km north, and in Lønselva, in the bank of the Saltdal River, on the Arctic Circle, 55 kilometers south of Rognan.

None of these works escape the watchfull eye of the opponent and numerous bomber missions are scheduled on each side to stop any advance. Damages are inflicted, at the cost of lots of planes destroyed by AA guns or ennemy fighters, but didn't prevent the adversaries to base some fighters near the battle front, not before end of July for Germans.

But there was a weakness in the northern German airfields: there was no road to connect them to the South, logistics had to pass through the fjords from Elsfjorden to Bjerka or to Mo i Rana and then to Lønselva. Allies launch a big operation to mine the Ranfjord from its mouth to its ends and to destroy as much as possible boats and trucks are targeted from Mo i Rana to the Arctic Circle. The Luftwaffe replies in intensifying its bombing and mining the narrow channels used by Novegian trawlers and coasters but had to resupply advanced fields by air using Junker Ju-52, an easy prey for the Hurricanes. Lønselva soon had to be temporarly abandonned after several Ju-52s was destroyed on the ground. The escalation continues with the recursive bombing of Værnes from Shetland  by Wellingtons and Whitleys and the conter-attack on Shetland by Heinkel He-111 from Bergen and Ålesund... The Chain Home allows British to intercept German raids long before reaching the islands but Bomber Command is also suffering a lot. The situation is a little bit better for the Luftwaffe as it's easier to recomlete units as far as Hattfjelldal than to Allies to send new planes in the Northern Norway. Fortunatly, the range of Bleinhelms was sufficient to fly directly from Faroes islands to Bardufoss but the fighters have to be transported by carriers.

On the other side, daylight is still longer for Allies and allows them to fly longer and reduce the risk of accident on night landing. Moreover, the radar coverage began to be efficient over the sea and the advanced warning given is highly valuable. Hearing the radioed air control as in Dunkirk, Germans understood the role of radio detection and decided to destroy all the stations. At a great cost, they succeded but new equipment was already shipped and soon installed and Bawdsey Manor suggested to install dummy transmitters in various places to lure Germans who quickly gave up.

A special operation, code name Reindeer, was launched with elements of the 1st Independant Company and Norwegian volonteers. Starting from the south of Saltstaumen fjord, they travelled by night or under the cover of arctic forest, crossing the Svartisen mountain, to reach Bjerka after a 20 days trip. After sabotaging the planes and installations on 5 September, they escaped eastward to Sweden but 10 men was killed or captured before reaching the border, the others being interned.

[575]

Aug 5, 2023 17:45:21 GMT DMZ said:

The Race for Airfields

July - Like Swedes, both Germans and Norwegians understood the key was airfields near the front line to support operations and harrass ennemy logistics.

With the help of British, Bodø airstrip is rebuild and the British 6th Anti-Aircraft Brigade is reinforced. One RNoAAF Gladiator squadron is based there mid-July. Two other airfields are constructed in Nordbotn, east of Tromsø, to protect the then Nowegian capital, and in Andenes, on Andøya island, north of Harstad, to benefit from different weather conditions than in Bardufoss. Curtiss P-36 are now arriving, conveyed by HMS Glorious, to be based in Kirkeness before being reassigned to other airfields when pilots' training on this new aircraft will be completed.

Germans was rushing in expanding Hattfjelldal and building two more airfields in Bjerka, 50 km north, and in Lønselva, in the bank of the Saltdal River, on the Arctic Circle, 55 kilometers south of Rognan.

None of these works escape the watchfull eye of the opponent and numerous bomber missions are scheduled on each side to stop any advance. Damages are inflicted, at the cost of lots of planes destroyed by AA guns or ennemy fighters, but didn't prevent the adversaries to base some fighters near the battle front, not before end of July for Germans.

But there was a weakness in the northern German airfields: there was no road to connect them to the South, logistics had to pass through the fjords from Elsfjorden to Bjerka or to Mo i Rana and then to Lønselva. Allies launch a big operation to mine the Ranfjord from its mouth to its ends and to destroy as much as possible boats and trucks are targeted from Mo i Rana to the Arctic Circle. The Luftwaffe replies in intensifying its bombing and mining the narrow channels used by Novegian trawlers and coasters but had to resupply advanced fields by air using Junker Ju-52, an easy prey for the Hurricanes. Lønselva soon had to be temporarly abandonned after several Ju-52s was destroyed on the ground. The escalation continues with the recursive bombing of Værnes from Shetland  by Wellingtons and Whitleys and the conter-attack on Shetland by Heinkel He-111 from Bergen and Ålesund... The Chain Home allows British to intercept German raids long before reaching the islands but Bomber Command is also suffering a lot. The situation is a little bit better for the Luftwaffe as it's easier to recomlete units as far as Hattfjelldal than to Allies to send new planes in the Northern Norway. Fortunatly, the range of Bleinhelms was sufficient to fly directly from Faroes islands to Bardufoss but the fighters have to be transported by carriers.

On the other side, daylight is still longer for Allies and allows them to fly longer and reduce the risk of accident on night landing. Moreover, the radar coverage began to be efficient over the sea and the advanced warning given is highly valuable. Hearing the radioed air control as in Dunkirk, Germans understood the role of radio detection and decided to destroy all the stations. At a great cost, they succeded but new equipment was already shipped and soon installed and Bawdsey Manor suggested to install dummy transmitters in various places to lure Germans who quickly gave up.

A special operation, code name Reindeer, was launched with elements of the 1st Independant Company and Norwegian volonteers. Starting from the south of Saltstaumen fjord, they travelled by night or under the cover of arctic forest, crossing the Svartisen mountain, to reach Bjerka after a 20 days trip. After sabotaging the planes and installations on 5 September, they escaped eastward to Sweden but 10 men was killed or captured before reaching the border, the others being interned.

More Arctic SAS operations?