Hold The Border: 30 Seconds from Disaster

Going over, briefly, the events in 1981 that almost ended up with a war being fought between Sweden and the Soviet Union, at the height of the Cold War.

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[SonsOfLorgar]

Minor correction.
The War mode on the fire control radar of the costal artillery that was activated on the personal initiative of a captain beside the radar operator wasn't undetectable, it was only unjammable as it switched the radar from transcieving on a single peace time frequency to multi-cross band frequency jumping at 100 jumps/second, just like the protected mode of Ra180.

Also, another of the likely critical factors was that one of the switched fire control radars had been deployed on the roof of the range finder bunker of a long decomissioned ww2 21cm coastal artillery battery where there hadn't been any activity for decades...

And finally, all of it was a damn lucky gamble, because we had only one single costal artillery piece in range and ready to fire with three more in the same battery lagging a minute or two behind...

The captain in question was a friend and colleague of my Costal artillery officer father.

[ForceSmart]

The fact that the Soviet fleet came to a full stop only 400m from Swedish territory shows that Russians are in fact mentally capable of recognizing borders when enough angry people point guns at them with intent to shoot.

[morten]

The algorithm sent me Lazerpig, who recommended History of Everything who recommended your channel. "He hates Soviet shit too, and has well-researched videos? I'll be right over..."

[TalsScribeMitch]

As a Swede I love this story. It shows how the Swedish people have been calling Russia's bluff for decades.

[Calimbandil]

My headcanon is that the Swedish officer who first approached the sub just knocked and asked: Å hur vare här då? (The classic introduction of all traffic cops)

[anderseriksen]

I remember that "incident" very clearly, at that time I was a member of the Danish Homeguard (app 80.000 member with guns & Ammo at home), and some of us where "scramble`d".
My municipalty and our local Homeguard community had for a long time had friendly arrangement/competition with a Swedish City/Homeguard, arranged via the Nordic council, and we Danes knew that the Swedes would fight if they where attack`d, and we would NOT JUST STAND BACK and look.
Sweden & and Finland, at that time had given each othere security warrenties, and where not members at Nato, but both Norway & Denmark where ! ! ! !.
A lot more than you report in this video happend there, - - not just/only in
Anyway - thanks for the upload - 1 like on the way

[brokenordinance]

As an American, I couldn't be happier that Sweden has joined NATO. Their military punches so high above its weight that it's staggering. Not to mention how lovely the country and people are!

[Vinzmannn]

Came fro History of Everything. Nice video of you. Keep it up.

[EricDKaufman]

My Ph.D. advisor was the commanding officer of the closest shore artillery fortification when this happened.

[mattl]

Very interesting story. Just came over from History of Everything, and I'm glad he mentioned your channel- your videos are great! I'd only ever first heard of this event in a Wallander (or Beck?) episode about the 'Submarine Summer'- and it was a murder mystery dramatization, not really about the details of the real event at all. I was only 11 at the time, and probably wouldn't have really noticed if it were reported about, but my Dad says he hadn't heard of this either (we're in Canada). So now knowing what nearly happened is fascinating- and freaky at the same time. I can only imagine how frightening it must have been in Sweden- but I have no doubt the USSR would have come off badly for what they were going to do. Go Swedes- and welcome to NATO :D

[ZOGLaboratories]

Here from, History of Everything (which see, because it's excellent and funny), subscribed!

[perm.jensen]

I remember the crisis. Pretty nerve-wrecking. Comparable to the Cuba crisis though not neary as well known.
Tak for endnu en god video. Fortsat held og lykke med kanalen.

[michaelimbesi]

7:29 It seems like it would translate as “grounding place”. Grounding or running aground is the term for when a ship or boat hits the bottom of the water or the land.

[algizmo]

I recall vaguely some incident involving mysterious Soviet sub prowling Swedish waters and seen off very firmly, suspect that might have been an occasional occurrence throughout cold war. This story much better. I remember at the time thinking better no-one mess with the Swedes.

[CharliMorganMusic]

History of Everything told me to check out this video.

[FXGreggan.]

Was only 6 at the time but I remember it, my first nuclear scare :) At this time I think we had the worlds fourth largest airforce, also quite a big fleet compared to today.. if we had been weaker things might have played out differently...

[equarg]

Another channel recommended you, glad I listened to this.
I heard about this incident, but did not know that Sweden had the proverbial gun loaded and ready to rumble…….damn.

[anno-fwxn]

hallo from
History of Everything he call you out for you great contant!

[TalsScribeMitch]

21:52
I feel the coreect term is "Sweden was intent on defending themselves if the Soviets went into Swedish watees."

[HenRoggaman]

Thx for a great video. I was twenty years old, living in another (NATO) country at the time that this happened. These days I’m a naturalised Swedish citizen and happy to be an article 5 NATO member.