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Good morning everyone....GP

Here I am with another decision to make....GP

I know....GP

I'll do it again. INP....GP

Good morning folks!

Good morning - Tithe. [&o][&o][&o]

Good afternoon here!

Good morning, all. Brilliant sundogs in the morning sky today. Another blizzard yesterday. Looks like flaming the fireplace tonight. -27F for tonight.

ORIGINAL: Schani59

Good morning, all. Brilliant sundogs in the morning sky today. Another blizzard yesterday. Looks like flaming the fireplace tonight. -27F for tonight.

That sounds like a nice, warm night . . .

A suggestion, if you have an SO, give her a liquid desert of hot chocolate (made with milk or light cream for extra richness) with some creme de menthe - no, not from the grocery store! Whipped cream on top, even from a can. Then sprinkle some more cocoa beverage powder or even chocolate curls and/or grated chocolate on top of that. Think of that for her when snuggling under a quilt watching the snow move sideways . . .

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: tolsdorff

ORIGINAL: Orm

....

However, the main question remains. Even though I didn't ask it in my original post. What is the purpose of heavily reinforcing the amphibious invasion capacity in the Baltic sea?

I couldn't tell. Seeing the lack of serious repercussions following Russia's recent annexation of the Crimea, perhaps Sweden is planning an invasion of Åland. Perhaps no one will notice now with Covid and such, and if someone does notice, they might let it slip?

As I understand it, Russia controls a chunk of land between Lithuania and Poland, along the Baltic south coast. Part of the response to a Russian invasion of Ukraine could be elimination of this pocket. Kaliningrad is in the area I describe.

I was a bit vague in my posts. On purpose. Now I feel the need to clarify.

Russia recently heavily reinforced their amphibious invasion capabilities in the Baltic Sea. In response, the Swedish defence reinforced Gotland.

Not all that many likely targets for Russian amphibious invasion in the Baltic region. That is, of course, in my humble opinion. I suspect that Gotland is included, one way or the other, in all planning, by all sides, if an armed conflict in the region should break out.

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I am not familiar enough with the political or strategic issues there to comment further. I also hope that no one pushes too far on their brinkmanship. Since the topic is kind of political, we should leave it at that.

Seems wise.

And a good evening to you all. Gentlemen. Ladies.

ORIGINAL: Orm

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I am not familiar enough with the political or strategic issues there to comment further. I also hope that no one pushes too far on their brinkmanship. Since the topic is kind of political, we should leave it at that.

Seems wise.

Unfortunately yes, but it is still important to be informed on current events. I remember that there used to be Soviet/Russian incursions into Swedish territory which did not turn into shooting events. So there is history there as well.

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

ORIGINAL: Orm

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I am not familiar enough with the political or strategic issues there to comment further. I also hope that no one pushes too far on their brinkmanship. Since the topic is kind of political, we should leave it at that.

Seems wise.

Unfortunately yes, but it is still important to be informed on current events. I remember that there used to be Soviet/Russian incursions into Swedish territory which did not turn into shooting events. So there is history there as well.

Well. There has been at least a couple of Swedish (military) airplanes that were shot down over international water. (during the cold war)

Edit: And the Soviet Union bombed several Swedish cities during WWII. Navigational error... And the Soviet submarines hunted ships during the war in Swedish waters and sunk several transports.

ORIGINAL: Orm

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

ORIGINAL: Orm


Seems wise.

Unfortunately yes, but it is still important to be informed on current events. I remember that there used to be Soviet/Russian incursions into Swedish territory which did not turn into shooting events. So there is history there as well.

Well. There has been at least a couple of Swedish (military) airplanes that were shot down over international water. (during the cold war)

Edit: And the Soviet Union bombed several Swedish cities during WWII. Navigational error... And the Soviet submarines hunted ships during the war in Swedish waters and sunk several transports.

Yes, those also happened.

The US also (un)intentionally bombed a Swiss city as a warning during WWII.

The Germans also sank neutral shipping including Swedish shipping during WWII.

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

The Germans also sank neutral shipping including Swedish shipping during WWII.

Indeed.

And Germany shot down at least one (Swedish) courier plane that flew between England and Sweden. Noteworthy is that Germany had allowed these flights to take place, and had guaranteed their safety.

ORIGINAL: Orm

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

The Germans also sank neutral shipping including Swedish shipping during WWII.

Indeed.

And Germany shot down at least one (Swedish) courier plane that flew between England and Sweden. Noteworthy is that Germany had allowed these flights to take place, and had guaranteed their safety.

Funny how these "accidents" occur much more frequently in times of tension between nations ...

Orm, you forgot to mention the USSR subs that got caught trying to hide among the rocky islands of Sweden's coast. IIRC, at least one actually got hung up on a rock! [:-]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Orm, you forgot to mention the USSR subs that got caught trying to hide among the rocky islands of Sweden's coast. IIRC, at least one actually got hung up on a rock! [:-]

Didn't forget it. I assumed it was included among the 'incursions' that RJ was thinking on.

Had a very interesting discussion about that 'event' with a retired US Air Force veteran who had been stationed in Europe at that time.

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Funny how these "accidents" occur much more frequently in times of tension between nations ...

Indeed.

And some other incidents as well.

Cut from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Munthe

Later recruited to the Special Operations Executive, he worked in Scandinavia - both behind enemy lines in occupied Norway and in neutral Sweden - as a spy and saboteur, blowing up a German munitions train some 70 miles from his own family home in Leksand, Dalarna.

Note that this one is not, as far as I know, proven to be sabotage. Today, many claim that it was an accidental explosion.