Narvik was the seaward end of a major Swedish iron-ore route as well as a naval base. Britain could buy as much of that high-grade ore as possible, denying it to Germany while supplementing the limited quantity of comparable British ore. Cleaner, richer feedstock requires less preparation and lets furnaces complete useful steel charges more efficiently. In this counterfactual, improved throughput could reduce the steel constraints that delayed capital ships, carriers, and other construction in 1940-41. Shipping ore onward to Canada or the United States could also help North American production, although every gain depends on the Allies continuing to hold and supply the port.
Notable Point · 3:30:03-3:35:20
Holding Narvik could redirect Swedish iron ore into Allied steel
Buying high-grade Swedish ore through an Allied Narvik could deny it to Germany, improve British furnace throughput, and ease steel constraints on warship and merchant construction.