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 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R00200090020-4

short periods during the winter, and many roads are in poor and impassable condition during the spring thaw. Dense forests, steep slopes, and numerous wet areas make road construction difficult, but many temporary roads are constructed each winter; many of them cross the frozen surfaces of lakes, streams, and bogs. Dispersal from the routes and cross-country movement would be difficult because of extensive forests and rugged terrain. Movement would be easier during the period from late October to early May, when the surfaces are frozen; during this period, however, movement may be adversely affected by deep snow, slippery surfaces, and low temperatures. In most of the region, cover from flat-trajectory fire and concealment from ground observation would be available from surface irregularities, and concealment from air observation would be afforded in dense needleleaf evergreen forests. During the period of snow cover special camouflage clothing and techniques for concealing positions and movements in a snow and forest landscape would be necessary. Tunnel-type construction would be hindered by gentle slopes, which make long adits necessary, or by unstable rock in areas of steep slopes. Bunkers could be constructed in the eskers scattered throughout the region.

The region generally is unsuited for airborne and airmobile operations. Parachute drops and helicopter landings would be restricted to the scattered cultivated areas in the larger valleys. Most sites for airfield construction are suitable only for small airfields. There are few existing airfields; however, in winter the thick ice cover of most lakes and streams affords many suitable sites for landing assault-type aircraft.

Conditions are favorable for irregular force operations. Excellent concealment possibilities would be afforded by the dense forests and rugged terrain. The irregularities in the terrain provide additional concealment from ground observation and afford cover from flat-trajectory fire. Vehicular cross-country movement would be precluded except in scattered small areas. Most of the population is concentrated in scattered small settlements in stream valleys. There are few settlements in the mountains and large areas are uninhabited; roads and railroads are sparse. Limited food supplies could be obtained from the scattered agriculture areas and from natural sources. Ample fresh water is available throughout the region. Timber suitable for shelter materials and firewood is available in the valleys and on lower hill and mountain slopes but is scarce or lacking at the higher elevations. Major problems for irregular forces not properly equipped are the numerous insects — mosquitoes, gnats, and flies — following the spring thaw and snow glare. The remote international border could be clandestinely penetrated by small groups with little difficulty.

C. Strategic areas (C)

The two strategic areas in Sweden are the Stockholm-Goteborg strategic area and the South Coastal strategic area (Figure 10). They contain the largest cities and ports, major concentrations of population, important agricultural and mining areas, and are the principal industrial, transportation, communication, political, cultural, and economic centers of the country.

1. Stockholm-Goteborg

This area (Figure 7) is the cultural, political, industrial, and economic center of Sweden. it contains Stockholm (Figure 8) the capital and largest city (population about 1,500,000) and Goteborg (population about 450,000), which is the second largest city, the chief port, and the major outlet to the west. The area is heavily populated and has the densest transportation net, several of the major airfields, important mining areas, the most important agricultural area, and the greatest concentration of militarily significant industrial installations in the country. These installations include those producing mechanical and electrical equipment, automobiles, aircraft, armaments, rubber products, steel, hull and roller bearings, chemicals, textiles, and pulp. Goteborg is the largest shipbuilding nd ship repair center in Sweden. Stockholm, Goteborg, Norrkoping (population about 95,000) and Gavle (population about 80,000) have extensive storage facilities for crude oil and refined petroleum products that have a total capacity of about 18 million barrels. Important oil refineries are located at Goteborg and near Stockholm. Most mines in the strategic area yield iron ore, deposits of copper and uranium ores and oil shale are also being worked. An inland waterway route enables small oceangoing vessels from the west to traverse the large inland lake of Vartern and smaller vessels to reach the east coast ports through a connecting canal system.

2. South Coastal

This area (Figure 9) is the second most important agricultural area and contains several large ports and major airfields. An important naval base is at Karlskrona (population about 45,000). Malmo (population about 260,000) is the third largest urban

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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R00200090020-4