Why did Germany invade Norway but not Sweden?

Denmark was invaded as a stepping stone towards Norway, as the Germans needed the airfield at Aalborg in northern Denmark to support their forces in southern Norway. With Norway in German hands, the Allies could not invade Sweden, so no plans were made for invading Sweden at the same time as Norway and Denmark.

Why was Sweden not invaded by Germany?

At the beginning of the war, Sweden's neutrality swayed in Germany's favor. After the Germans invaded Norway and Denmark in April 1940, Sweden was surrounded by Germans. Furthermore, the British sea blockade cut Sweden off from the rest of the world.

Did Sweden let Germany invade Norway?

Not only had Sweden chosen not to assist its neighbouring country, but it was soon uncovered that Sweden had even let armed German troops use the railway network to fight the Norwegians.

Why did Germans occupy Norway?

Hitler garrisoned Norway with about 300,000 troops for the rest of the war. By occupying Norway, Hitler had ensured the protection of Germany's supply of iron ore from Sweden and had obtained naval and air bases with which to strike at Britain if necessary.

Why did Germany invade Norway and Denmark?

Background. The attack on Denmark was part of Operation Weserübung Süd, Germany's plan for the invasion of Norway. Its main purpose was to secure the iron ore that shipped from Narvik. To capture Norway, the Germans had to control the port outside Aalborg in northern Jutland.

Why did Germany invade Norway and not Sweden?

Why did Sweden stay neutral in ww2?

But by a combination of its geopolitical location in the Scandinavian Peninsula, realpolitik maneuvering during an unpredictable course of events, and a dedicated military build-up after 1942, Sweden kept its official neutrality status throughout the war.

What side was Sweden on in ww2?

Ruth Naomi Vivian Marling Margolis Balle Hansen, speaking about her arrival in Sweden. Sweden remained a neutral country during World War II but preserved its close cultural and economic ties to Berlin. In the early 1930s, about 3000 Jews fled Europe to Sweden because of its neutrality.

Why did Germany not invade Denmark?

Because its army and navy were so small, Denmark did not fight the invasion; German leaders were pleased, and they decided to let the government of Denmark continue to function normally. Germany allowed Denmark to keep its king, its government, and its military.

Has Sweden ever been invaded?

Foreign policy. Since a short war against Norway in 1814 in conjunction with the creation of the union, Sweden has not been involved in any war.

Why is Sweden always neutral?

Sweden had long been a strong military power, but it adapted the policy of neutrality to its own political interests. In 1941 it allowed German forces transit through Swedish territory to the Finnish front, and at the same time protected refugees from Nazism. After 1945 Sweden opted to preserve its neutral status.

Did Norway remain neutral in ww2?

With the outbreak of hostilities in 1939, Norway again declared itself neutral. On April 9, 1940, German troops invaded the country and quickly occupied Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Narvik. The Norwegian government rejected the German ultimatum regarding immediate capitulation.

Why was Switzerland not invaded in ww2?

During World War I and World War II, Switzerland maintained armed neutrality, and was not invaded by its neighbors, in part because of its topography, much of which is mountainous.

Why didn't Germany invade Ireland?

Both Germany and Great Britain had plans to invade Ireland. Germany couldn't launch such an attack as they lacked the naval power to do it, as they knew that the Royal Navy would intervene.

Why did Germany not invade Turkey?

Turkey, like Spain and Sweden, was a country that "served the purpose" for Germany during World War II without being attacked. Specifically, Turkey was a major supplier of chrome, a key war material, both in her own right, and through "transshipments" from modern Rhodesia and South Africa.

Why did Finland ally with Germany?

The main reason for Finland's siding with Germany was to regain territory lost to the Soviets in the Winter War of 1939 – 1940. As opposed to Axis Power states and affiliates, Finland granted asylum to Jews and had Jewish soldiers serving in its military. It also refused to participate in the Siege of Leningrad.

Did Germany invade Finland?

German troops arrived in Finland and took up positions, mostly in Lapland, from where they would invade the Soviet Union.

Which countries did Germany not invade?

Why did Denmark surrender to Germany so quickly?

However, the government in Copenhagen decided that the German military superiority was too great to justify further resistance. At the same time heavy bombardment of the Danish cities and towns was feared. Therefore after only a few hours it was decided to surrender.

Did Switzerland help Germany in ww2?

Switzerland actively aided Nazi economic interests during World War II and afterward, according to new studies issued by a group of independent historians that the government commissioned to examine the country's role during that era.

Why was Spain not in ww2?

Much of the reason for Spanish reluctance to join the war was due to Spain's reliance on imports from the United States. Spain also was still recovering from its civil war and Franco knew his armed forces would not be able to defend the Canary Islands and Spanish Morocco from a British attack.

Has Sweden ever fought in a war?

The Russo-Swedish War of 1788–90, known as Gustav III's Russian War in Sweden and as Catherine II's Swedish War in Russia, was fought between Sweden and Russia from June 1788 to August 1790.

What country has been neutral the longest?

Sweden has not been part of a war since 1814. This makes Sweden the nation which has had the longest period of peace.