Sweden's Iron Ore: Neutrality's Backbone in WWII

In World War II, Sweden's neutrality was a tightrope walk, and the nation's iron ore mines in Kiruna and Gällivare were the fulcrum. Episode 20 examines how Swedish iron ore became a strategic prize for Nazi Germany and the Allies alike. We explore the 'iron ore question' that nearly drew Sweden into the war, the diplomatic maneuverings of Swedish Prime Minister Per Albin Hansson and Foreign Minister Christian Günther, and the controversial transit agreements that allowed German troops and matériel to cross Swedish territory. The episode also delves into the Allied plans to disrupt ore shipments—including Operation Wilfred and the Altmark Incident—and how Sweden's economic dependence on Germany shaped its wartime policies. From the Luleå harbor to the Norwegian port of Narvik, we trace the flow of ore that fueled Hitler's war machine and the moral compromises that kept Sweden out of the conflict. How did a small neutral nation navigate the pressures of total war? Listen to find out.

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