How come germany didnt invade sweden in ww2?

Answer 1

Sweden remained neutral, it did not participate in the war and was not attacked. Sometimes allied bombers which could not make it back to England would land in Sweden which, as a neutral power, was required under international law to imprison their crews until the end of the war. Michael Montagne

Answer 2

Strangely Germany, adhered to neutrality pacts with several states, Sweden being one. I think it was more a case of Sweden's Iron imports being a valuable resource for Nazi Germany that could possibly be threatened by insurgent activity in the event of an invasion. So it was easier to have the Swedes supply Germany with Iron ore voluntarily rather than invade and face disruption to that supply. (that's not to say an invasion wasn't considered)

Answer 3

It wasn't a country of strategic importance when Germany was conquering several other nations from 1939-1941. They invaded Denmark for acess to Norway. Norway was used as an airial and naval base for operations against Britian. So basically Sweden didnt pose a threat and it was surrounded by german-controlled and german-friendly nations.

Answer 4

With respect to carlmoles65 the main reason Germany did not invade Switzerland during WWII was due to the Swiss Army. German military authorities felt that it would take 3 German soldiers to equal one Swiss and, for what they would get, it was not worth the potential loss in manpower. In addition much of the Swiss defenses were hidden in moutains making them difficult to attack effectively.

A similar reason was advanced for not invading Sweden although in this case part of the reason was several old warships that the Swedish Navy had. Although out of date they were capable of operating in the fjords where the main part of the German Navy could not operate. The terrain of Sweden made anything other than a naval assault too difficult and would have required a significant reduction in soldiers needed to fight elsewhere. Additionally, Germany needed iron ore from Sweden and it was easier to buy it than to occupy the country. If Sweden had stopped supplying iron ore to Germany they would have violated the terms of neutrality. In addition, of course, the only way Sweden could trade was through German held waters as Germany controlled the Baltic Sea.

Although there were other countries that tried to remain neutral, Germany invaded them. Both Sweden and Switzerland were left alone basically because the German high command felt that it would be too costly to mount an effective invasion given how well armed and trained their armies were and the type of terrain they would have to fight in.

Answer 5

More sense than to bite the hand that fed them.
Hitler's war machine needed Swedish iron Ore to thrive...which the Swedes were only too happy to sell him.
Sweden and Switzerland are both Notorious worldwide for selling anything to anybody.

Answer 6

Sweden declares its neutrality and was not strategically important.

Answer 7

Indigenous population is blond and blue-eyed.