Sweden Stamps
1940
Unlike other European countries during World War II, Sweden was able to maintain it's neutrality. However it was a difficult balancing act, with the Swedish Government sometimes breaching its neutrality status in favor of both Germany and later, the Western Allies.
During the German invasion of the Soviet Union (June 1941), Sweden allowed the Wehrmacht to use Swedish railways to transport the German 163rd Infantry Division along with heavy weapons from Norway to Finland. German soldiers traveling on leave between Norway and Germany were also allowed passage through Sweden (the so-called permittenttrafik). Iron ore was also sold to Germany throughout the war.
For the Allies, Sweden shared military intelligence and helped to train soldiers made up of refugees from Denmark and Norway, to be used in the liberation of their home countries. It also allowed the Allies to use Swedish airbases between 1944 and 1945.
Michel 277 and 278
100th Anniv of birth of
Carl Michael Bellman
Issued 4th Feb 1940. These stamps were printed intaglio and are perf 12¾.
Mi 277
5 Ö
green
5 Ö
green
Mi 278
35 Ö
lilac-red
35 Ö
lilac-red
Michel 279 and 280
200th Anniv of the birth of
Johan Tobias Sergel
Issued 2nd Jun 1940. These stamps were printed intaglio and are perf 12¾.
Mi 279
15 Ö
dark brown
15 Ö
dark brown
Mi 280
50 Ö
grey
50 Ö
grey