Chapter two hundred and fortieth indifferent bystander
In the eastern part of the Navia Peninsula, a member of the most powerful country in Northern Europe has not expressed the slightest sign from beginning to end.
The most powerful country in this Nordic country is Sweden, which is also a founding member of the League of Nations. It is the traditional northern power that dominates Northern Europe.
Sweden's location is very critical. It borders Finland to the northeast, Norway to the west and northwest, the Baltic Sea and Kattegat to the east, the North Sea to the southwest, and Denmark across the sea. It can be said that as long as the Swedish government is willing,
Intervening in regional unrest anywhere in Northern Europe is easy.
Although Sweden has adhered to neutrality in recent years and has a sparse population density, it seems a bit weak and cowardly. However, this does not mean that the former Navia overlord has disappeared!
Since the 1660s, Sweden has taken the lead in establishing a highly combat-effective army in the Nordic region through military reforms. Relying on its increasingly powerful economy and military strength, Sweden has begun foreign wars that lasted for more than a century and a half, establishing the Baltic Sea region.
hegemony!
Since its intervention in the Thirty Years' War in 1630, which caused turmoil across Europe, this Nordic power has been at its peak.
Sweden first defeated Denmark and became the largest power in the Navia Peninsula. Then it jumped into the European continent and built a power across both sides of the Baltic Sea, becoming a very important country in Europe at that time. At that time, there was only one powerful country in Northern Europe, and that was
Sweden!
It was not until 1699-1721 that Sweden was defeated in the Northern War against the Triple Alliance consisting of Poland, Denmark, and Russia, and Sweden's power gradually declined, and it fell from its position as the hegemon of the Baltic Sea.
However, with Sweden's population base, it dares to challenge the huge Russia, which in itself is a proof of its strength.
Furthermore, although Sweden's population density is not high, its land area is not small. Its territory is vast, covering an area of 45,000 square kilometers, which is almost the same area as that of a large European country like France, and even larger than Mussolini's
The Kingdom of Italy has a larger mainland area and can be called the fifth largest country in Europe!
Coupled with the cooperation with Germany in recent years, Sweden has a large amount of foreign exchange, and has established an air force with considerable strength. And its navy has always been the strongest among the Navian countries. There is also Sweden
The relatively developed military industry has also provided a considerable degree of protection for its own army, giving it the capital to fight any enemy.
Therefore, while the Norwegian government was struggling with the British army's unreasonable request to "borrow the road", the generals in the Swedish conference room were calm and calm.
"The Germans hope that we can fulfill our duties as a neutral country and continue to sell supplies to them fairly. The British hope that we can fulfill our responsibilities as a founding member of the League of Nations and give their troops a passage for peace in Finland. We agreed to the Germans' request
Wouldn’t it appear unneutral to reject the British request for a sale?”
The speaker is the Commander-in-Chief of the Swedish Army, General Granval. After all, he has 15 times the strength of the Norwegian Army. This Swedish Army General has the confidence to be tougher, and he is still in the mood to make such small talk.
joke.
"You can't say that. The Germans' request is just to do business, which is easy to handle. But the British's request is that we let go of national defense and allow foreign troops to set foot on our soil. This is not easy to handle. Again.
Furthermore, compared to a superpower like the United Kingdom, which has always been domineering, I personally prefer to deal with an emerging power like Germany. Even if it is to borrow the passage, I think even agreeing to the German army to borrow the passage is safer than agreeing to the British army to borrow the passage.
"The king's staff analyzed Granval's words.
The staff's analysis does not mean that Germany is more trustworthy than Britain. It is because Germany is a close neighbor and Britain is not a distant relative.
Germany is in a hurry, and only needs a landing to land the German troops. Britain is in a hurry, and in order to deal with Sweden, it must first capture Norway.
As for taking over Norway, there is no problem with the strength of the British Empire. But although Norway is weak, the coastal defense forces are still capable. If the British army really attacks Norway, it will be painful after the battle.
At this time, if a damaged expeditionary force wanted to defeat the 150,000 elite Swedish troops fighting on the mainland, even the British Empire could not guarantee a winning rate.
"That's right." The king nodded and praised this rather smart staff member: "What you just said is in line with my thoughts. The consequence of offending the British is just a few less unnecessary orders.
Germany is not only dealing with business issues, but also with national security issues!"
Obviously, His Majesty the King has already considered the consequences, and after weighing the situation, he chose the option that favors Germany.
"So, how do we explain to the British side? They and France are permanent members of the League of Nations. We in the League of Nations are obliged to obey the arrangements unanimously decided by the permanent members of the League of Nations." The foreign minister jumped out hurriedly, for his own sake.
Please provide an explanation for future work.
He has to deal with the international community. If he so blatantly rejects Britain and favors Germany, how will he be able to carry out his future work!
"This is easy to handle!" Admiral Grandval waved his hand and proudly came up with an idea for the Foreign Minister: "Isn't the reason why the British want to support Finland? They asked Norway and Sweden to 'lend' British troops across the country
Isn’t the purpose of the territory’s traffic route nominally to send the expeditionary force to Finland to fight against the Soviet Union?”
When asked by Granval, the Foreign Minister nodded confusedly: "Yes, I know all this. That's why this matter is difficult to handle."
Sighing, the Foreign Minister quickly took the opportunity to complain to the Swedish senior officials present: "Sweden is a founding member of the League of Nations, and the United Kingdom is a permanent member of the League of Nations. Now they are standing on the moral high ground in the name of aiding Finland.
The Supreme Leader requires us to fulfill our obligations to the capitalist world and allow the British army to pass through our territory and go to fight alongside the Finnish army. Although this is detrimental to our national rights and interests, there is a noble reason, so it is difficult to refuse."
At the bottom, the Foreign Minister told a piece of heavy bad news: "At least, within the League of Nations, the vast majority of member states believe that the British request is excusable and agree with the proposal to open the border between us and Norway."
"Hmph! Of course those selfish foreign politicians don't care about how much we have to pay, they are only interested in what their country can get!" The king snorted and cursed angrily.
"Your Majesty, after listening to this, I think my plan should be able to solve the current problem." Grandval stood up with a smile, turned to the direction of the king, and stood at attention to report: "I suggest that the army set up a shrinking division as a demonstration.
We went to the Finnish battlefield and participated in the war to aid Finland on behalf of the British army. In this way, we also fulfilled our obligations as a member of the League of Nations."
As soon as Grandval's suggestion was finished, it immediately caused an uproar.
Everyone understood that his suggestion was on point. If the League of Nations considered "opening the border to allow the British troops to use the passage" as an obligation, then directly sending troops to assist Finland would of course be a more direct fulfillment of their obligation.
After all, the moral high ground given by Britain is that they sent troops. If Sweden can also send troops, what reason do they have to accuse Sweden of evading its obligations as a member of the League of Nations!
"But..." The king's staff glanced at the king worriedly.
"Stop it, let me say it for you!" Seeing that his staff was hesitant to speak, the Foreign Minister simply interrupted and said: "In this way, we will offend the Soviet Union again. If the Soviet Union wins Finland in the end, of course, they will definitely
There is no doubt that we can win. Then when the Finnish army is defeated, it will be the moment when we border the Soviet Union."
Shaking his head regretfully, the Foreign Minister sighed: "General, do you think that by then, the Soviet Union will let go of Sweden, which is against them? I don't think anyone will believe it."
Comparing Finland's national and military power with the Soviet Union's huge war power, any normal person with a sound mind can guess the outcome. Yes, miracles do often happen in the military world, and sometimes you can win if you take a risk and take a gamble.
A hearty victory. But as far as Finland is concerned, it doesn't even have the capital to create a miracle!
Granval gritted his teeth and insisted: "If it doesn't work, let our people be called volunteers and all withdraw from the Swedish military. Anyway, it's just a show for the League of Nations. There is no need to make it so formal. Otherwise, it won't work this way or that way."
