Sweden in T2K

[Raellus]

I thought we had a thread discussing Sweden in the Twilight War but I can't find it.

I really like the idea of Sweden insinuating itself into early 2001 Poland. Most of the Americans in Poland are gone (OMEGA). German forces are pulling back to their home territory. Many major Soviet formations are on their way home. Big chunks of Poland are soon to be there for the taking.

Poland's a mess, but maybe Sweden's got its eye on the long-game. There's historical precedent (albeit, way back during the 30 Years' War). At the very least, I can see Sweden sending teams to gather intel. Further, I can see them sending troops, ostensibly acting as independent mercenaries, to assist whatever faction the Swedish government sees benefiting them in the long run- perhaps the PFC (although Sweden might not want a strong faction taking power) , or maybe a free city on the coast (Gdynia, or whatever's left of Gdansk). The idea is that Sweden intends to be the major power of the Baltic Rim- slowly, quietly, but definitively.

This all assumes that Sweden suffers less from the effects of WWIII than its neighbors. Canon mentions heavy fighting in Norway and Finland, but, AFAIK, it doesn't have much to say about Sweden. Or does it

[ArmySGT.]

This all assumes that Sweden suffers less from the effects of WWIII than its neighbors. Canon mentions heavy fighting in Norway and Finland, but, AFAIK, it doesn't have much to say about Sweden. Or does it

Would Sweden void their neutrality for territory

[Raellus]

Would Sweden void their neutrality for territory

Not likely. But they're not after territory, per se. They're after influence. The agents are incognito, the mercs are deniable. I imagine that their gear is scrubbed to hide any connection to Sweden. They're all volunteers. They know nothing about Sweden's strategic aims. They've been instructed not to be taken alive. Even if a few were captured, the Swedish government could deny any connection, explaining that they're simply thrill-seekers operating independently. I'm imagining small groups- no more than 100 mercs in any given area- operating in select, low-risk locations, where their presence has maximum leverage with minimal risk. Besides, by the winter of 2000-2001, the Soviets, Americans, and Germans have problems much closer to home to attend to. I'm not sure a couple hundred Swedish mercs in Poland is worth expanding the war again.

[The Dark]

Would Sweden void their neutrality for territory

Sweden dropped its official neutrality policy after the end of the Cold War. Unofficially, it was dropped in the 1960s, when US submarines with Polaris missiles were stationed in Swedish territorial waters, the US provided aid on the Viggen, and the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology helped improve the CEP of the Polaris missile.


What would be standard equipment for Swedish forces at the time I'm going through listings of when equipment entered and exited service, and my best guess is:
Pistol: Pistol 88/88B (Glock 17/19)
SMG: Kpist m/45 (Carl Gustav m/45, uncommon due to replacement by ARs)
Assault Rifle: Ak 4 (H&K G3) / Ak 5 (FN FNC)
General Purpose Machine Gun: Ksp 58 (FN MAG in 7.62x51mm)
Light Machine Gun: Ksp 90 (FN Minimi)

Vehicles:
Infantry support: Ikv 91 (amphibious light tank with 90mm L/54 gun and 2 7.62mm MGs, 12 per infantry brigade)
Tank: Centurion Mk.III and Mk.V (updated with 105mm gun, night vision, and reactive armor)
Tank Destroyer: Strv 103 (officially an MBT)
APCs: Pbv 302 (tracked, 3+8 personnel, 20mm cannon), Tgbil m/42 (wheeled, 3+7 personnel, 2x7.62mm M1917 Browning), maybe Patria Pasi (wheeled, 2+16 personnel, 12.7x99mm MG, 70+ sold by Finland to Sweden in the late 80s), Tgb 11/13/21/22 (Volvo C303 truck; 1+19 as APC, 1+11 as MANPADS carrier with RBS 70 systems, can also carry a 90mm recoilless rifle)
All-Terrain Carrier: Bv 202 (2+10 personnel), Bv 206 (1+12 personnel)

[The Dark]

My previous post notwithstanding, I am in agreement with Raellus that Sweden would be looking more for influence than territory. They wouldn't try to take over Warsaw (using that as an example only), but they might "encourage some mercenaries" to support their preferred faction in the city (i.e. send deniable assets to assist). The most likely personnel to be used would probably be Fallsk$rmsj$garna or Kustj$garna, since they were trained in recon and sabotage work.

[Raellus]

I've thought about how the mercs would be equipped. For a company of about 100 men, I'm imagining that most would be armed with AK4's scrubbed of all maker's marks. By 2000-2001, there are plenty of German G3s still floating around central Europe, so a sanitized AK4 wouldn't arouse much suspicion. I also figure that the Swedes would have managed to get their hands on quite a few Kalashnikovs, from Soviet troops interned after having wandered across Sweden's borders (there were plenty of Red Army troops in Norway and Finland), or defected, during the war. I like the AK5, but it's too distinctive and ammo it resupply would be difficult once the Swedish troops were in Poland.

For uniforms, sanitized surplus OD battle dress and LBE. I don't imagine them bringing anything heavier than some Carl Gustav RRs and mortars.

I imagine that the professional core of the merc companies would be personnel from the elite units you mentioned, Dark; the rest would be volunteers from the regular army.

I plan to write up a "typical" Swedish merc unit and post it here for anyone interested in using it.

[unkated]

Try searching.

"Scandinavia" turns up more than a dozen threads, including this one:

http://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.p...ht=scandinavia

"Sweden" shows the same one.

Uncle Ted

[The Dark]

I've thought about how the mercs would be equipped. For a company of about 100 men, I'm imagining that most would be armed with AK4's scrubbed of all maker's marks. By 2000-2001, there are plenty of German G3s still floating around central Europe, so a sanitized AK4 wouldn't arouse much suspicion. I also figure that the Swedes would have managed to get their hands on quite a few Kalashnikovs, from Soviet troops interned after having wandered across Sweden's borders (there were plenty of Red Army troops in Norway and Finland), or defected, during the war. I like the AK5, but it's too distinctive and ammo it resupply would be difficult once the Swedish troops were in Poland.

That sounds reasonable. The m/45 SMG might see some use as well, since Latvia and Estonia both used it. Another possibility would be the Kpist m/37-39 (a license-built Suomi KP/-31 after modification to 9mm Para), since it looks passably like a PPSh-41 from a distance. They were still in service in the 1980s, so they may not have been scrapped by the time of the Twilight War. Naturally, captured weapons would be used as much as possible, but they'd need something to start with.

I imagine that the professional core of the merc companies would be personnel from the elite units you mentioned, Dark; the rest would be volunteers from the regular army.

I plan to write up a "typical" Swedish merc unit and post it here for anyone interested in using it.

I'd envision them drawing the CO (and possibly XO) from the elite units, along with sniper/spotter team(s). Medics and comms specialists could likely come from either the elite units or the regular military (depending on qualifications), while "standard" riflemen would likely be volunteers from regular units or retired veterans. They'd likely also look for language specialists, since while German's fairly common as a taught language (until 1952, it was compulsory for all students), Russian and Polish are not.

[Raellus]

Agree with you on all points, Dark.

The m/45's appearance as a sanitized weapon in Poland, c. 2001 is somewhat ironic as U.S. SOF carried them on covert ops in Laos and Cambodia during the Vietnam War. Thanks for calling my attention to the Kpist m/37-39. I wasn't aware of its existence.

On a bit of a tangent, I can also see the Swedes mounting hearts and minds ops in relatively secure areas- teams of medical personnel and engineers helping to repair bodies and infrastructure.

[ArmySGT.]

Why wouldn't neutral Sweden be the exchange point for POWs instead There is enough influence in that.

There is heavy fighting all around them. 100 Fins for 100 Soviets, as an example.

Also Sweden maybe an ironic place where Soviets and NATO troops openly mingle in open air markets buying luxuries and food.

Sweden would be flooded with refugee children and the only place maybe with University level education intact.

[WallShadow]

Here's a bit of industrial trivia that would provide any Swedish-supplied troops with an advantage--the city of Falkenburg is the site of an aramid-fiber production plant--body armor and splinter-shielding for everybody!

[ArmySGT.]

Antenna hasn't been on in two years. Maybe send him an email and get his input I think he is Finnish.

How many Royals and 1% have parked their kids in neutral Sweden and Switzerland There is your influence and leverage. The Royals are all inter related in some way; Usually through Queen Victoria.

Do the Swede's really need to even bother with sanitized weapons and equipment after 4 years of world war Anyone raises a stink just tell them that armories for reserve troops were looted by marauders and sold on the black market.

[mpipes]

This is my take on Sweden in my modified timeline.

The repaired USS Enterprise leaves Narvik on the 16th February. Tipped off by a Soviet agent, the Soviets launch an air strike conducted through Swedish airspace. Analysts note that the escorting aircraft this time are long range SU27 Flankers. Sweden intercepts the strike, catching the Soviets by surprise, downing a number of attacking TU22M Backfires as well as Flanker escorts. Although a number of missiles are launched targeting the carrier, all are successfully engaged by the escorting cruisers and frigates or fighters. The Soviets suffer relatively light losses, as they wisely choose to break off the attack rather than risk getting caught in a pincer between Swedish Gripens and U.S. Tomcats. Sweden protests to the Soviet Union against the use of its air space and warns both NATO and the Pact that they intend to aggressively defend their airspace. However, before the end of March, Sweden declares war on the side of NATO as New Pact aircraft and submarines kept repeatedly violating Swedish territorial limits and attacking Swedish shipping. Swedish troops deploy north into the northern front with a few units moving into northern Germany.

[Raellus]

Interesting take, Mpipes.

@ArmySGT, I think Antenna is Swedish. I suppose Sweden could hope to gain influence by harboring V.I.P.s, but it's a little too passive for my tastes, and with no guarantees. "Leverage" sort of implies strong-arm tactics, but I don't think that you are suggesting that Sweden use "guests" as hostages to achieve political/economic ends.

I don't think that brokering prisoner exchanges between the Finns and Soviets is going to help Sweden gain influence in Poland.

Your Casablanca idea is intriguing, but I don't see Sweden allowing NATO and/or Soviet troops on its soil, even unarmed.

Sanitizing gear requires minimum effort and still, IMHO, lends itself better to plausible deniability than claiming marauders somehow made it to Sweden, stole a bunch of Swedish military guns, and then made their way back to Poland.

[Raellus]

Sweden as Power Player

Bottom line for me is that, as of early 2001, Sweden is in the best position of any nation east of France to emerge as Northern/Central Europe's leading economic and military power. Canon says that, as of mid-to-late 2000, the U.S.S.R. can no longer control its Baltic republics, and Ukraine is in open rebellion. Sweden is well positioned to lend covert support to the Baltics with the aim of bringing them into its sphere of influence. It could also support friendly factions in northern Poland, with like goals. Granted, this posits a Swedish government that is ambitious and not overly risk averse (in the spirit of Gustavus Adolphus).

Personally, I really like the idea of formerly neutral Sweden emerging as a power player c.2001. As a campaign designer, it opens up interesting new possibilities for NPCs, weapons and equipment, and PC options.