Sweden mobilises Home Guard for first time since 1975
44 replies, posted
Sweden’s 22,000 volunteer soldiers were on Tuesday evening grabbing guns and uniform, cancelling social engagements, and rushing to their stations, as the Swedish Armed Forces launched its biggest surprise exercise since 1975.
“The idea behind this exercise is that we are now strengthening our military defence of the country,” Sweden’s Supreme Commander Micael Bydén told Sweden’s state broadcaster SVT. “Its part of my duty to ensure that we boost our operative capabilities.”
According to a press release, all 40 Home Guard battalions have been mobilised for the exercise, which means Swedes will see them carrying out duties and patrolling at airports, ports and on the streets throughout Wednesday's National Day holiday.
The exercise is part of Sweden’s national effort to rebuild its Cold War Total Defence strategy in response to an increasingly belligerent Russia. The last time Sweden’s Armed Forces called up the entire Home Guard at once was in 1975 at the height of the Cold War.
Source (The Local)
I'm a medic with the 292nd Reaction Force and boy, this came out of nowhere (was at work when the call came). Still pretty fun though. Statistically we're supposed to be able to mobilize within at least two to three hours.
It's important practice. You guys want to join Nato now?
It's scary to see that Russia is being so belligerent as late that countries need to act like it's the cold war again.
“we will never give up. All information to the effect that resistance is to cease is false.”
That seems like a bit of a strange addition, given the fact that they capitulated to the Nazis.
edit:
wtf I'm in prison now
We became complacent in the west.
Hell, you Finn's might be able to cover the slack for most of Europe.
Europe's human shield, that seems to be what we are.
You mean by the time Finland is done with Russia
Keep in mind that the Home Guard also are helping in stuff like natural disasters, and we're having some problems with forest fires now
What, you don't have any leftover gear from the Hyperwar? Dig up some of those and Russia would be fucked
Sweden has not been at war with another country for more than 200 years. If it is attacked, the leaflet says, “we will never give up. All information to the effect that resistance is to cease is false.”
This part was a bit chilling to read. It's obvious I guess, but for a moment it had me looking out my apartment window wondering what it'd all look like bombed out and burnt down with Russian tanks rolling down the streets.
Sweden's used to the cold. I'm sure it'll be fine.
It's like last year when the fuckin' air raid siren went off and it wasn't during the otherwise mandated time they exercise the drill for it so where people SHOULD have been panicking and locking themselves indoors as the alarm signaled, everyone went outside and wondered what was going on.
It's very mixed. I myself, my family, most of my friends and colleagues in the SAF are pro-NATO. In my opinion the majority of folks that don't want us to join are either afraid of russian backlash, don't understand whar NATO is, fail to realize the threat against us or because they're anti-EU.
We're already flirting with NATO as it is, sending troops to Kosova and so forth. Might as well bite the bullet and join in.
I mean, Russia has essentially sidelined USA while they handle their president problem and you gotta wonder why. They know it's a short window until America gets a handle on it and plugs the holes exploited to spread and further that division. I don't think it's insane to speculate russia wants something to be done before 2020. It's just a question of what. Realistically, Scandinavia is a shit target for them. I'd guess more along reclaiming old USSR territories but i'm so woefully unaware and inattentive about russia except they need to fuck off from Dota, so i can't say shit.
Kosovo and Mali is on behalf the UN and not NATO but yes, I agree. Between Våreld and Swenex all our other operations (Aurora, Baltops, Northern Coasts and Cold Response) are joint-NATO efforts.
K-FOR is NATO tho
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo_Force
My granddad was down there as a field medic, gave me his velcro attachments when he returned home.
https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/110384/ae1a8427-0c75-4fbf-8568-c07eff20b144/image.png
I wonder if this is linked to swedens Islamic ghettos.
I wonder when dumb zingers like this will become bannable
No it's not you fucking dolt.
Nice try Ivan.
I'm almost surprised it didn't lowkey encourage guerilla warfare if Russia shows up (other than that line, I guess). Although it's probably only relevant to the north since the geography is practically begging for it and everyone is already armed to the teeth (with hunting weapons, but still).
Guerilla Resistence would almost inevitably happen, I think. Question is of it's effectiveness, I suppose.
Guerilla resistance has been brought up in previous versions of the pamphlet. Excerpt from the 1961 and 1983 version. It's probably omitted from the 2018 version because war is still somewhat far fetched. But I'm glad they maintained the key message to not give up.
https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/113148/552626e3-fc50-47dd-acf6-dfb2a7c2c7d0/image.png
https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/113148/91b60695-3f10-4746-b185-b883fd9387bf/image.png
There's a reason we have the Free War doctrine as a key element of how our armed forces operate.
If anything ever happens Sweden will probably end up like Denmark did during WW2
"You fight with your life on the line, but remember then that the soldiers on the front line and the men in the war of freedom do so as well! It is treason to fold for the enemy!"
Them's some real fightin' words. I won't lie, it kinda warms my heart.
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