Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:03:37-3:03:58

Testing the proposed Swedish mining mission for HMS Glorious

The theory that Glorious was mining Swedish harbours raises escort and diplomatic problems rather than resolving the carrier's disputed mission.

Aircraft CarriersHMS GloriousNaval IntelligenceNaval MinesSwedish Iron Ore
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Question

Does a secret mission to mine Swedish harbours explain what HMS Glorious was doing?

Short answer

The theory is doubtful: such a dangerous mission should demand a stronger escort, and mining Sweden would create strategic costs while German harbours were already targets.

Notes

A viewer raises the theory that HMS Glorious was on a secret mission to mine Swedish harbours. The response is sceptical because a carrier deliberately sailing into danger for such a task should take a stronger escort. Mining Swedish ports also risked pushing Sweden towards Germany and seemed redundant when German harbours could already be mined. These operational and diplomatic objections make the proposed mission harder to accept, while Glorious's purpose remains unresolved.