Swedish iron ore during World War II

The Swedish iron ore was important to the German war effort during World War two, as Germany had an inadequate domestic supply, and other sources were cut off by the British sea blockade. Both the Allies and the Third Reich were keen on the control of the mining district in northernmost Sweden, surrounding the mining towns of Gällivare and Kiruna. Both the planned Franco-British support of Finland in the Winter War, and the following German occupation of Denmark and Norway (Operation Weserübung) were to large extent motivated by the wish to control iron critical for German wartime production of steel.

Related Topics:
World War two - Allies - Third Reich - Sweden - Gällivare - Kiruna - Winter War - Denmark - Norway - Operation Weserübung - Steel

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