14 Feb Rättvik

Rättvik is a small resort town in central Sweden, 190 miles northeast of Stockholm, on the shore of Lake Siljan. In 1945 it had a population of 900.

When the airmen began arriving in greater and greater numbers, Rättvik was chosen one of the sites for housing internees. They stayed in small hotels and rooming houses.

Smithy and I have a room together as in the days of old. Radio, heater, spring beds are amongst the conveniences offered. The evenings are filled with either reading, writing, bag fests, an occasional movie when the local cinema house rates an English film, or simply hitting the sack early to catch up on all those hours of sleep lost somewhere along the line these past two years. Most of the day is spent outdoors enjoying the spots offered. So goes our time. (Herman Allen, March 23, 1944)

William Dixon was the right waist gunner of a B-17 bomber nicknamed “Snort Stuff.” His plane arrived in Sweden on the same day as the Liberty Lady. March 6, 1944 was the day that over 700 bombers attacked targets around Berlin. Four of them were forced to divert to Sweden.

After being hit by enemy fighters, the pilot of William’s B-17 flew over the Baltic Sea. Finally, Swedish fighter planes led him to Bulltofta airfield where he was able to land.

Main Street in Rättvik. Photo compliments of William S. Dixon who was there!

“Bill” and I have been corresponding for a year, and he since has given me a lot of first-hand information about life in Rattvik.

When they arrived in March, the lake was covered with thick ice. They were still receiving their pay so were able to buy clothes, sports equipment, bikes, whatever they needed. The economy in Rättvik boomed from the Americans being there.

They were restricted to a three-mile radius around the town except when given special permission to go outside that area. The airmen were allowed to go to Stockholm for three days each month and Bill says that he took advantage of that every month.

So this is where Herman, Smithy, Merle, and Stan were sent for their internment.  It was like a vacation for a while, then Herman wrote:  “the ugly demon inactivity is beginning to rear its ugly head, especially after those hectic months just past.”

Herman was bored.

Related Posts:

Rättvik Then and Now

Rättvik Internment

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