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Aviation History
1942
1942 - 1806.PDF
234 FLIGHT AUGUSI 27TH, 1942 AT AN "AIR FORCE DAY" ; A flight of Swedish Bi7's. SWEDEN'S AIR POWER The Growing Air Strength, Industrial Resources, Equipment and Organisation of the Air Force By V. L. GRUBEBG UNTIL the outbreak of this war Sweden enjoyed an uninterrupted period of peace for about 130 years. German aggression and the subsequent military operations on the Scandinavian Peninsula have rudely dis turbed the tranquillity of the country. Although not actively drawn into the combat, Sweden found herself surrounded by violent changes brought forth by the war, and had to find ways and means to readjust herself to these new con ditions. Strictly observing her neutral stains, Sweden took the view that the strengthening of her defences was the best guarantee for the preservation of her neutrality. By 1940 the Coalition Government embarked upon a pro gramme of substantial expansion and modernisation of her armed forces, and particularly so of the air force. In pursuance of this policy, far-reaching measures were adopted to build up an air force which would be commensurate to Sweden's needs. This meant starting almost from scratch, for while Sweden certainly had a nucleus of an air force, neither the equipment nor the number of personnel were in any proportion to the country's needs, as envisaged hy the policy of "strong neutrality." It has been suggested that because, of the high standard of nutrition, peaceful development and sporting activities of iheir youth, the resources of suitable potential flying personnel are higher in Scandinavia than any where else. This is certainly an important factor in the Swedish endeavour to build up their air power. But the human potential would be useless with out suitable training and without the provision of suitable types of aircraft in adequate quantities. The standard of training of the Swedish air force is built on methods developed from British and German experience, and is certainly very high. So far as equipment is concerned it was hitherto mainly of foreign origin. With increased transport difficulties, political complications involved in purchases from belligerents and the priority necessarily given by T^'<*?> for their war needs, Sweden had to turn to the domestic industry to fur nish the equipment for her expand ing air force. This was greatly facili tated by the existence of a substantial mechanical and armament industry and by the available resources of mechanical skill. For years Sweden's armament industry enjoyed an international reputation and produced some of the world's finest weapons. The produc tion of automatic weapons is based on an old-established industry such as the famous Bofors A.B. or the Husqvarna Arms Works, which in I i94r achieved a record output higher hy 35 Per cent, than that of rg40. The products of. Sweden's arms and *J mechanical industry were in pre-waj^H days exported to practically all parts of the world, from South America to Afghanistan. To-day the main efforts of this industrv are directed tov
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