STOCKHOLM: Asked to account for the large consignment of maps of Sweden found on a Danish ferry boat at the South Swedish port of Hallingborg, the Nazi Press Attache in Stockholm Herr Hepp, denied that Germany intends to attack Sweden and said that he was sure that “there must be an innocent explanation”.

Interviewed by the Swedish newspaper “Afton Tdningen” he said “Germany has too much to do elsewhere now.” Neither he nor the German Military Attache knew anything about the matter. “They were General Staff maps and every General Staff has maps,” he said. “Doubtless Sweden has maps of Germany.”

The “Afton Tdningen” Representative replied: “Doubtless, but it is less probable that they would be used on German soil.”

Commenting, the newspaper said: “We now know in fact, what we only knew theoretically before — namely that Sweden could, if occasion war­­ranted, be attacked by Germany. The maps were evidently intended for German troops in Nor­way so that they should not lose their way, if ever they operate in Sweden. These troops are charged with defence against invasion, but they can also be ordered to attack Sweden.” — Dawn Delhi

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2019