Sweden's two Heinkel HD 16s were unreliable and too few to decide a battle, but they gave crews practical experience with reconnaissance, exercises, and aerial torpedo attack. Their intended contribution was described as closing the back door. An enemy moving into Sweden's layered coastal defences would face mines and surface weapons ahead while aircraft maneuvered around to attack from behind. The concept multiplied the dilemmas confronting an attacker even though the original pair could not supply enough striking power. This is the clearest explanation of how torpedo bombers fitted Sweden's defensive system.
Chapter · 25:01-26:15
HD 16 and closing the back door
Two HD 16 test aircraft demonstrate Sweden's idea of swinging torpedo bombers behind an enemy already committed against mines, artillery, and coastal forces.