Swedish Interests in T2K Poland

[Raellus]

We've talked a lot here about France's interests in Poland, as well as those of Poland's immediate continental neighbors and the dual/dueling governments of the U.S. but, as I was doing some research into Poland's history- specifically the history of the regions along the Baltic coast- I learned that Sweden actually had control of the area around Kolobrzeg during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

Would Sweden have designs on the carcass of Poland in late 2000 and thereafter? Especially after the chaos that follows in the wake of XI Corp's abortive offensive and the mysterious PACT counteroffensive in the summer of 2000, it seems like certain cities along the coast would be ripe for the picking.

I've never much thought about Sweden during the Twilight War (apologies to our Swedish contingent) so I'm operating here from a position of ignorance. My impression is that Sweden is largely spared the destruction visited upon its neighbors on both sides of the Baltic (Norway, N. Finland, Poland, Germany).

Operating from a position of relative strength, could/would Sweden try to snatch a piece of coastal Poland? What would Sweden stand to gain, or lose, from such an adventure? Might Sweden do so in an attempt to position itself as a continental power- a return to the glorious past of Gustavus Adolphus- for the new milenium? Would staunchly neutral Sweden even consider such a thing? Imagine, France and Sweden as the preeminent powers of Europe in the first decades of the 21st century!

Perhaps a group of Swedish troops, acting on their own initiative but with the implied approval of the Swedish government ("let's just see what happens"), could test the waters with an expedition to Poland in an operation somewhat reminiscent of their Viking ancestors.

Thoughts?

[dragoon500ly]

Intresting....

The big problem is if the Swedes decide to violate their neutrality.

Currently they only have two landing craft capable of carrying 325 troops each, everything else is short-ranged landing craft. There would also be the question of how much airlift they would have.

Realisticly...if they sent any troops at all I doubt it would be much more than brigade strength at best. Most of their navy is coastal submarines and guided-missile and torpedo boats so Poland would be streching their capabilites to the maximum. I'd have to vote no.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

Sweden was one of the significant European powers in the 1600s but from what I understand of it, a general lack of income prevented her from being pre-eminent (that and the Battle of Poltava in 1709).
During the height of her empire, Sweden had control of parts (or in some cases, all) of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Russia and even Trinidad & Tobago.
However, that territorial ambition was all but stopped after the Battle of Poltava.

Would the Swedes be interested in resurrecting part of their old empire? I tend to think not because I think too much time has passed and many Swedes of the late 20th century would not feel any sort of connection to the empire of the 17th century. I think they would be more concerned with maintaining what they already possess as the world crumbles around them.
The French were propelled into their foreign policy (or should that be, empire building!) by a desire after the 1960s for self-sufficiency from Europe and the NATO alliance but the Swedes have no such motivation.

[Abbott Shaull]

Yes way back when Sweden was quite a power. Ironically and historically Sweden, Austria-Hungarian Empire, Russia, as well as various German state have all had their time with time-sharing Poland and the Baltic States. As well as Poland at one time was just as big of a player in the region.

[Panther Al]

One of the biggest reasons you see Sweden if I read my history right is that back in the day you had lutheran swedish Vasa's claiming Poland, and polish catholic Vasa's claiming Sweden. And with each side perfectly willing to fight about it, well... The existing Swedish royal family on the other hand is french: one of napoleon's generals took the throne. Bernadotte if I recall correctly.

[Mohoender]

For my part I have a Sweden being at the center of a new Kalmar Treaty. However, not as a so-called Empire but as defensive/economical Union.

I tend to have Norway and Finland in it with the king of Norway heading the Union. If Sweden initiated it, it doesn't intend to rule it on an absolute manner.

I also tend to have Sweden maintaining commercial exchanges with Estonia but that can go a lot further IMO. I wouldn't have the Swedes going in Poland (too much of a mess) but more likely in Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania and Schleswig-Holstein (Germany).

Again, I don't have them doing this with conquest in mind but defense and common-interests. About, their neutrality, I integrated the fight between Sweden and USSR as depicted by "Antenna". I integrated it so fully that I can't say anymore if it is part of cannon or not.

About their means of actions (ships I mean), I consider that they have quite enough especially in regard to the situation in the Baltic.

First, I had the Swedish Navy being joined by surviving vessels from Norway and Finland (These are quite enough in the Baltic Sea with the German, Polish and Soviet navies virtually gone).

Second, their navy still receives replacements as Sweden retains a functionnal industry with quite some ressources at hand. For my part, I have Sweden taking over the Sjkold design from Norway. THerefore, the backbone of their navy are Visby-class corvettes, Göteborg-class corvettes, Sjkold-class Missile Crafts, Spica-class Missile Crafts (including Helsinki-class as a matter of convenience) and Götland-class submarines (with a few German Types).

Third, they have enough landing crafts: 3 LST (may be a couple more from Norway), 60+ LCT and more than 200 Stridsbät 90 (including some from Norway). I agree that these ships are short range but the distances involved are short as well (mostly around 200km with the most being probably 300).

Last, as I don't consider that Sweden conducts invasion but responds to calls from its neighbours, most troops are brought by civilian ferries with very little naval landings involved (in the true sense).

This is for the potential (IMO) but in my timeline I have the following:
- The New Kalmar Union was established in response to NATO (Finland) and Soviet agressions (Norway and Sweden).
- Finland, Norway and Sweden are now one country under the leadership of Haakon VIII with troops heavily involved in Northern Scandinavia. Despite losses within the navy, these losses had been partly replaced and they effectively control the Baltic along with most of the Norwegian coast.
- As in v2.2 I consider that nothing was subjected to nukes. On the other hand, I have the region being more organized with chaos essentially concerning Finland and the mountainous center of the peninsula.
- Access to strategic materials is greatly reduced but not down to zero. Between these three countries, you get about everything you need. As a result, industrial production remains a reality even for a limited amount of civilian goods. I adopted the idea of Antenna about sunthetic fuels but since the drying down of combat, oil is available as well. Oil/Gas rigs had been reopened in the North Sea and production is increasing.
- That's stictly me but I have Denmark being independent and out of the war. Not part in the New Kalmar Union, it maintains commercial relations with Sweden.
- Estonia also maitains some relations with it and Lithuania might see a Swedish intervention. However, I don't have the Swedes entering Latvia and Poland while it is the Danes which are being involved in Schleswig-Holstein after a late and short border war with Germany easily won by the Danish Army (and no, Denmark doesn't invade Germany).

[Targan]

Originally Posted by Mohoender

However, I don't have the Swedes entering Latvia and Poland while it is the Danes which are being involved in Schleswig-Holstein after a late and short border war with Germany easily won by the Danish Army (and no, Denmark doesn't invade Germany).

Is this before or after the Germans receive hundreds of AFVs from the Americans as part of the Operation Omega deal?