Gunnar Hägglöf
Encyclopedia
Bo Gunnar Rickardsson Hägglöf GCVO
(1904–1994) was a Swedish
diplomat, in 1939 briefly cabinet member, then head of the foreign ministry's bureau for foreign trade during World War II, after the war participating in the preparations of the United Nations
' 1947 UN Partition Plan
of Palestine
, then ambassador to London 1948–1967 and Paris 1967–1971.
Gunnar Hägglöf has published several books, chiefly popularizing Sweden's World War II history for domestic and foreign readers. In his books, and also in accounts by other authors, Hägglöf appears as an outspoken critic of the idealist
policies of Foreign Minister Sandler
and Activist
advocates for Sweden's military engagement for the defence of Finland after the Soviet
attacks in 1939 (the Winter War
) and 1941 (the Continuation War
).
Although Hägglöf in policy matter was closer to left-leaning neutralist Social Democrats, led by Wigforss, he doesn't spare retrospect criticism on that circle's pro-Soviet sentiments, and particularly the policies of Foreign Minister Undén
's (1945–1962), that in Hägglöf's view was based on an exaggeratedly rosy perception of the Soviet Union.
Contrary to many other writers on the subject, Hägglöf also makes a point of reminding readers of the Allies
' disrespect for neutral countries
during a war that they perceived as a fight of life and death; and how openly discussed plans for an Allied invasion of Scandinavia was a chief reason for Nazi Germany
to launch a preventive invasion (Operation Weserübung
) in April 1940.
Gunnar Hägglöf was in the service of the Swedish government for all of his life. However, without doubt, his most critical achievements were during World War II, when he and associated negotiators managed to gain the confidence of both German and British counterparts, which ensured the enclosed Sweden a considerably improved supply of food and other necessities than during World War I.
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
(1904–1994) was a Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
diplomat, in 1939 briefly cabinet member, then head of the foreign ministry's bureau for foreign trade during World War II, after the war participating in the preparations of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
' 1947 UN Partition Plan
1947 UN Partition Plan
The United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine was created by the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine in 1947 to replace the British Mandate for Palestine with "Independent Arab and Jewish States" and a "Special International Regime for the City of Jerusalem" administered by the United...
of Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
, then ambassador to London 1948–1967 and Paris 1967–1971.
Gunnar Hägglöf has published several books, chiefly popularizing Sweden's World War II history for domestic and foreign readers. In his books, and also in accounts by other authors, Hägglöf appears as an outspoken critic of the idealist
Idealism
In philosophy, idealism is the family of views which assert that reality, or reality as we can know it, is fundamentally mental, mentally constructed, or otherwise immaterial. Epistemologically, idealism manifests as a skepticism about the possibility of knowing any mind-independent thing...
policies of Foreign Minister Sandler
Rickard Sandler
Rickard Johannes Sandler was a Swedish Social Democratic politician. He served asMinister without Portfolio in the Swedish government from 10 March 1920 to 30 June 1920, Minister for Finance from 1 July 1920 to 27 October 1920, Minister without Portfolio from 13 October 1921 to 19 April 1923,...
and Activist
Nationalist activism
The Nationalist activism was an elitist political movement of the early 20th century in Scandinavia, Finland and the Baltic countries. The Activists advocated in brief a close cooperation with Imperial Germany, and active support of Germany's military aims — primarily directed against...
advocates for Sweden's military engagement for the defence of Finland after the Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
attacks in 1939 (the Winter War
Winter War
The Winter War was a military conflict between the Soviet Union and Finland. It began with a Soviet offensive on 30 November 1939 – three months after the start of World War II and the Soviet invasion of Poland – and ended on 13 March 1940 with the Moscow Peace Treaty...
) and 1941 (the Continuation War
Continuation War
The Continuation War was the second of two wars fought between Finland and the Soviet Union during World War II.At the time of the war, the Finnish side used the name to make clear its perceived relationship to the preceding Winter War...
).
Although Hägglöf in policy matter was closer to left-leaning neutralist Social Democrats, led by Wigforss, he doesn't spare retrospect criticism on that circle's pro-Soviet sentiments, and particularly the policies of Foreign Minister Undén
Östen Undén
Bo Östen Undén , J.D., was a Swedish academic, civil servant and Social Democratic politician and acting Prime Minister of Sweden 6 October 1946-11 October 1946 following the death of Per Albin Hansson...
's (1945–1962), that in Hägglöf's view was based on an exaggeratedly rosy perception of the Soviet Union.
Contrary to many other writers on the subject, Hägglöf also makes a point of reminding readers of the Allies
Allies
In everyday English usage, allies are people, groups, or nations that have joined together in an association for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out between them...
' disrespect for neutral countries
Neutral country
A neutral power in a particular war is a sovereign state which declares itself to be neutral towards the belligerents. A non-belligerent state does not need to be neutral. The rights and duties of a neutral power are defined in Sections 5 and 13 of the Hague Convention of 1907...
during a war that they perceived as a fight of life and death; and how openly discussed plans for an Allied invasion of Scandinavia was a chief reason for Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
to launch a preventive invasion (Operation Weserübung
Operation Weserübung
Operation Weserübung was the code name for Germany's assault on Denmark and Norway during the Second World War and the opening operation of the Norwegian Campaign...
) in April 1940.
Gunnar Hägglöf was in the service of the Swedish government for all of his life. However, without doubt, his most critical achievements were during World War II, when he and associated negotiators managed to gain the confidence of both German and British counterparts, which ensured the enclosed Sweden a considerably improved supply of food and other necessities than during World War I.