Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, Europe, Volume V

740.0011 EW/5–445: Telegram

The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

Stockholm, May 5, 1945—2 a.m.
[Received 2:07 a.m.]

1687. Foreign Minister Günther asked the British Minister and me to see him at midnight. He informed us that Swedish Minister Dardel at Copenhagen had advised his Government that General Schellenberg¹⁰ is arriving at Stockholm at 10 a.m. today (May 5) with full powers from Doenitz¹¹ to arrange for surrender to the Swedes of German troops in Norway.¹² Mr. Günther thinks it most likely that this means internment in Sweden until these forces can be taken over by the Allies.

Swedish Government would be grateful for a most immediate expression of the views of the American and British Governments with respect to this course of action.

Mr. Günther has not yet informed the Soviet representative in view of the fact that in the proposed staff conversations (your 782, April 28, 8 p.m.¹⁴ and my 1606, April 30, 3 p.m.) it had not been the intention of the American and British Governments to bring the Russians into these conversations. If, however, it is your intention to inform the Soviet Government at this stage of the forthcoming visit of Schellenberg the Swedish Government would particularly desire to have the first opportunity to do so and are anxious to have the views of the American and British Governments.

Mr. Günther asks for absolute secrecy but wishes you to know that the Norwegian Minister is being informed immediately.

It is my opinion and that of the British Minister that qualified representatives from SHAEF should arrive at Stockholm at the earliest possible moment to advise us in these matters. The Swedish Government has no objection and Mr. Günther informed us that the officers may come in uniform and with armed escort planes if timely notice of arrival is given so that adequate warning and instructions can be given to Swedish anti-aircraft forces.

Johnson

10. Maj. Gen. Walter Schellenberg, Major General in Waffen (Armed) S.S. and Chief of Military and Foreign Political Intelligence of the Reich Security Main Office.
11. Grossadmiral Karl Doenitz, Chief of the German State (Staats-Führer) following the death of Adolf Hitler, and Commander in Chief of the German Navy.
12. For further documentation on General Schellenberg’s role in discussions relating to surrender of German forces, see vol. iii, pp. 717 ff.
14. Quoted in telegram 22, April 30, 9 p.m., to the Ambassador to the Norwegian Government in Exile, supra.