Figure 1.--Countess Brnadotte was deeply involvedin the Sveriges Scoutforbund (Swedish Boy Scouts), a movemt in which he took a special interest. He had been appointed diector (1937). He integrated the Scouts into Sweden's defense system, training the boys in anti-aircraft work and as medical assistants. Here he is workig with Cubs in 1943. Notice the knives.

At the outbreak of World War II, Sweden was threatened by a German or Soviet invasion. All of its Nordic neigbors were invaded. The Soviets invaded Finland (1939). The Germans invaded Denmark and Norway (1940). Sweden provide a refuge for Finnish children and refufees fleeing BAZI occupation in Denmark and Norway. Sweden itself was largey cut off from the world The country with its iron ore resource was vital to the NAZI war effort. This probably saved the country. If the Germans had invaded, the Swedes would have stouoyed the mining infrastructure. It would have taken some time to repair the damage. Sweden did not have the military capability of fighting the Germans and relied on neutrality as it did in World War I. The NAZIs, however, ignored neutrality. hus the country did what it could to prepare for war. Berndotte at the time was not involved in the military. He was involved in the Sveriges Scoutforbund (Swedish Boy Scouts), a movemt in which he took a special interest. He had been appointed diector (1937). He integrated the Scouts into Sweden's defense system, training the boys in anti-aircraft work and as medical assistants. Bernadotte is best know for his work as vice chairman of the Swedish Red Cross. He became involved during the War (1943). He worked on the exchange of disabled British and German war prisoners through Sweden. Sympathy for wounded soldiers was arare matter the warring powers could agree about. Thus it was something for which the Red Cross could achieve some success.

Created: 10:36 PM 1/3/2018
Last updated: 10:37 PM 1/3/2018