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[[File:Italienjagarna.jpg|thumb|From left to right: the destroyers {{HSwMS|Remus|28|2}}, {{HSwMS|Romulus|27|2}}, {{HSwMS|Psilander|18|2}} and {{HSwMS|Puke|19|2}} at [[Nya Varvet]] in [[Gothenburg]] on 10 July 1940.]]

The '''Psilander affair''' was an incident that occurred in [[Skálafjørður]] near [[Tórshavn]] in the [[Faroe Islands]] on 20 June 1940 when the four Swedish  [[destroyer]]s {{HSwMS|Psilander|18|6}}, {{HSwMS|Puke|19|2}}, {{HSwMS|Romulus|27|2}} and {{HSwMS|Remus|28|2}} were seized by the [[Royal Navy]]. The raid took place out of concern that the ''[[Kriegsmarine]]'' would otherwise seize the destroyers and put them into German service when they left the [[North Sea]].<ref name="Barker & Kjellström (1976), p. 18">{{Harvnb|Barker|Kjellström|1976|p=18}}</ref>

The fact that Swedish destroyers were in the Faroe Islands, at a time critical for the [[United Kingdom]] in June 1940, was due to the urgent need for military equipment that arose on the Swedish side during the outbreak of [[World War II]] in September 1939. [[Italy]] was one of the few countries that could sell suitable equipment and a quick purchase of four destroyers was carried out. The ships were tested in [[La Spezia]] during March and April 1940. After a long and dramatic journey home, delayed, among other things, by urgent repair needs and the difficulty in obtaining fuel, the destroyers ended up with the accompanying passenger ship ''Patricia'' and the tanker ''Castor'' in the Faroe Islands, since the fighting in Western Europe forced them to avoid the area around the [[English Channel]].

About a week later, Sweden recovered the seized destroyers after intensive diplomatic activity, and the ships were finally able to sail to [[Gothenburg]]. Since the commander of the destroyer force, Commander Torsten Hagman had handed over equipped Swedish naval ships to foreign power without combat, his conduct was questioned and preliminary hearing was held at the [[Court-martial|military court]] of the [[West Coast Naval Command|West Coast Naval District]]. When the case did not go to trial Hagman was also never publicly acquitted in court for his decision.

==Background==
[[File:Jagarleveransen 1940-2-2.png|thumb|
{{legend|#FF0000|The destroyers route from [[La Spezia]] to [[Tórshavn]] and from [[Kirkwall]] to [[Gothenburg]] under Swedish command.|outline=#A2A9B1}}
{{legend|#FF4500|Under British command from Tórshavn to Kirkwall.}}
{{legend|#008000|The tanker ''Castor''{{'}}s route as an individual ship, including via [[Casablanca]].}}]]

When the [[World War II]] broke out, there was an urgent need to strengthen the [[Swedish Armed Forces]] with new military equipment. In December 1939, the [[King in Council (Sweden)|King in Council]] appointed a commission commissioned to buy in Italy, initially torpedoes and engines for torpedo boats, and if so, ready-made ships were offered primarily [[destroyer]]s and [[motor torpedo boat]]s as well as possibly [[cruiser]]s.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 17">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=17}}</ref> The commission consisted of the Naval Engineer of the 1st Rank in the [[Swedish Navy]] reserve Holger Graffman, the Swedish Navy [[Kapten#Navy|lieutenants]] [[Johan Gabriel Oxenstierna (pentathlete)|Johan Gabriel Oxenstierna]] and Henning Hammargren (who was naval attaché in [[Rome]] at the time), and the naval engineer Samzelius.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 17"/> 

===Purchase===
There was doubt from the Swedish side about the purchase of two destroyers of the Italian [[Sella-class destroyer|''Sella''-class]]. These were launched in 1926 and were considered to have passed their age limit before being put into service in Sweden.<ref name="Fontander (2006), p. 84">{{Harvnb|Fontander|2006|p=84}}</ref> However, the Italian bid was two ''Sella'' and two [[Spica-class torpedo boat|''Spica-3''-class]] destroyers. The latter class was launched in 1934, and significantly more modern.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 18">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=18}}</ref> On 21 January 1940, all contracts were ready for the purchase of four destroyers, four motor torpedo boats and more. The four motor torpedo boats of the [[MAS (motorboat)|MAS class]], which in Sweden became T11-T14, were transported to Sweden on MS ''Boreland'' from [[La Spezia]] to [[Gothenburg]] in March 1940. Sweden was also allowed to buy other military equipment for a total of SEK 250 million.<ref name="Fontander (2006), p. 82"/> A total of between 700 and 800 railway wagons qith military equipment rolled from Italy to Sweden with mines, torpedoes, ammunition, spare parts, bombsights and cannons.<ref name="Fontander (2006), p. 82">{{Harvnb|Fontander|2006|p=82}}</ref> Later in the spring of 1940, 216 aircrafts were purchased, partly the [[Fiat CR.42]] (J 11) and [[Reggiane Re.2000]] (J 20) fighter aircrafts and the [[Caproni Ca.313]] (B 16) bomb and reconnaissance aircraft.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 23">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=23}}</ref> In addition, a large number of aircraft engines and machine gun ammunition were purchased.

[[File:Patricia1.jpg|thumb|left|The passenger ship ''Patricia'' on the way to La Spezia in March 1940. Life boats are swung out for immediate use.]]

===The crew's trip to Italy===
Prime Minister [[Per-Albin Hansson]] personally supported the appointment of [[Kommendörkapten|lieutenant commander]] Torsten Hagman, to ''Avdelningschef '' (AC) for the naval force. Hagman had served as [[Adjutant]] to Per-Albin Hansson, when he was [[Minister of Defence (Sweden)|Minister of Defence]] in the 1920s.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 24">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=24}}</ref> The passenger ship ''Patricia'' of Rederi A/B Svenska Lloyd (Swedish Lloyd) was lease and quickly converted into a auxiliary cruisers in the Swedish Navy. The ship was equipped with a 12 cm gun and two 8 mm machine guns. After the return to Sweden, the ship was destined to become the mother ship for the rising number of submarines.<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 121">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=121}}</ref> The four destroyer crews, a total of 450 men, embarked in Gothenburg and together with ''Patricia''{{'}}s crew of 36 people began their journey to La Spezia on 4 March 1940.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 24"/> The destroyer crews came largely from the frozen destroyers {{HSwMS|Sigurd|21|6}} and {{HSwMS|Ragnar|22|6}},<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 124">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=124}}</ref> as well as {{HSwMS|Vidar|23|6}} and {{HSwMS|Wale|3|6}}.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 263">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=263}}</ref> When Gothenburg was blocked by a half meter thick ice, ''Patricia'' got icebreaker aid to be able to reach [[Skagerrak]].<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 121"/> Without more serious interruptions or incidents, ''Patricia'' arrived in La Spezia on 19 March.

===Preparation and sea trials===
On 27 March, the Italian flags on the destroyers [[HSwMS Puke (19)|''Bettino Ricasoli'']], [[HSwMS Psilander (18)|''Giovanni Nicotera'']], [[HSwMS Romulus (27)|''Spica'']] and [[HSwMS Remus (28)|''Astore'']] were lowered and Swedish naval ensigns were hoisted on {{HSwMS|Puke|19|2}}, {{HSwMS|Psilander|18|2}}, {{HSwMS|Romulus|27|2}} and {{HSwMS|Remus|28|2}}, which the destroyers were named.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 266">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=266}}</ref> Initially, the latter two were intended to be called ''Mode'' and ''Magne'', but the Italian naval command understood that a couple of the ships should be given a name reminiscent of their country of origin.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 22">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=22}}</ref> The name change significantly facilitated the continued cooperation. During sea trials, the ships went on "mätt mil" outside La Spezia, and artillery and torpedoes were fired, smoke screens were tested, and more.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 123">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=123}}</ref>

[[File:Larsson3.jpg|thumb|Italian military band and guard of honor leads the procession on its way to the memorial service for the death of the Radio Corpral Erik Larsson in La Spezia.]]

====Fatal accident====
For the crews there were obvious risks in sea trials and trimming machinery and equipment. A fatal accident occurred when the 1st Radioman, Radio Corporal Erik Larsson, worked with troubleshooting the transmitter in the radio room on ''Romulus'' on 4 April together with the 2nd Radioman Tage Sundgren. When Larsson was investigating a contact on the backside of the transmitter, he came in contact with high voltage. Burned on the left hand, Larsson emerged from the back of the transmitter and collapsed in the radio room. Resuscitation attempts were in vain, and Larsson was pronounced dead at a military hospital.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), pp. 29-30">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|pp=29-30}}</ref> A memorial ceremony was held two days later with both Swedish and Italian participation, and his remains was taken onto ''Patricia'' for burial in Sweden.

During the work on sea trials and trimming, the crew members gained different insights into Italian culture.

{{Cquote|The wardrobe doors had mirrors that covered the entire interior. In them you could reflect both front and back and see themselves in full figure. Of course, for the fashion-conscious Italian officers, it was obvious that men should have tall mirrors.
|author=[[Fänrik|Acting sub lieutenant]] John Rumenius, 3rd Officer on ''Remus''
|source=<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 127">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=127}}</ref>
}}

{{Cquote|The Italians are a singing people. The time for departure from La Spezia was approaching and the last flaws on the outside of the ships were being painted over. He was happy and then you sing. Not quiet for himself, but with the full force of his lungs. Rarely have I heard "[[’O sole mio]]" sound so beautiful. Imagine a worker on the shipyard in [[Karlskrona]] in joy to start and sing. At least I can't.
|author=Erik Persson, [[Fireman (steam engine)|fireman]] on ''Psilander''
|source=<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), pp. 100-101">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|pp=100-101}}</ref>
}}

[[File:Hagman.jpg|thumb|left|Commander Hagman on the bridge of HSwMS ''Puke'' at the departure from La Spezia. Italian destroyer crews man the [[gunwale]].]]

===The journey home begins===
Fitting-out and sea trials were completed on 13 April. The Italian Navy ministry had previously granted a [[shakedown cruise]] to [[Tripolis]] and back, but the [[Operation Weserübung|German attack on Denmark and Norway]] on 9 April made this impossible.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), pp. 31-32">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|pp=31-32}}</ref> It was then important that the destroyers left Italy as soon as possible. In the first part of the trip, there were also two Italian naval engineers and seven engine non-commissioned officers on board the destroyers to remedy engine breakdowns.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), pp. 31-32"/>

In Rome, the Swedish naval attaché sought to establish free passage from the English authorities for the naval force through the [[Strait of Gibraltar]], and up to [[Lisbon]]. At the same time, the legation in [[Berlin]] took care of the creation of free passage from Germany.

The destroyers sailed from La Spezia on 14 April and arrived in [[Naples]] the following day, at noon on 15 April. The visit to Naples was made as a reported naval visit, to emphasize that the destroyers had changed to Swedish flag. For the crews, this meant that after completing work on board, they could go ashore during a normal naval visit. On the depot ship ''Patricia'', 30 purchased torpedoes and a large amount of spare parts were loaded for the destroyers and the already delivered torpedo boats.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), pp. 31-32"/> Some ammunition was also loaded on board ''Patricia''. On 18 April, the naval force left Naples with Lisbon as a planned bunkering site. ''Patricia'' went first in the column as a cruise control, with 12 knots speed.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 269">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=269}}</ref> Then following in the same cruising speed was HSwMS ''Puke'', commanded by Commander Torsten Hagman as force commander. After ''Puke'' came HSwMS ''Psilander'' commanded by Lieutenant Agne Löfgren, HSwMS ''Romulus'' commanded by Lieutenant Rolf Ström, and last HSwMS ''Remus'' commanded by Lieutenant Edward Hamilton.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 24">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=24}}</ref> 

[[File:Romulus1.jpg|thumb|upright|HSwMS ''Romulus'' steaming in the Mediterranean, aft of HSwMS ''Psilander''.]]

{{Cquote|A month's stay in Italy had redeemed us for life. We traveled from a beautiful country with friendly people.
|author=Corpral Curt Lennerhed on ''Romulus''
|source=<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 269">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=269}}</ref>
}}

On 20 April, the British naval attaché in Rome announced that the "[[Admiralty]] would guarantee free passage for the squadron in the same manner as had happened with ''Boreland'' and ''Patricia''. Best for you to make your way through the [[English Channel]], whereby the Germans can conveniently assume responsibility in line with [[Rotterdam]]."<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 35">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=35}}</ref> Despite this, the Military Office of the Naval Defence (''Sjöförsvarets kommandoexpedition'') announced, to the German mission in Stockholm, that the destroyer force planned to travel via [[Ireland]] and the Faroe Islands to the [[Coastline of Norway|Norwegian coast]] and then to Gothenburg.

====Collision====
At noon on the same day, 20 April, ''Puke'' suffered mechanical breakdown and left the formation without announcing his intention to the subsequent ''Psilander'',<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 37">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=37}}</ref> who did not manage to get away but collided at moderate speed ''Puke''{{'}}s stern with its stem. ''Puke'' got a propeller cover torn out, and in the hole after that, water entered. On ''Psilander'', rivets had loosened in the bumped metal sheets of the stem, which also caused a minor leak.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 226">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=226}}</ref> When the waterproof bulkheads were intact, both destroyers were able to continue at 12 knots for a while, and the naval force went to [[Cartagena, Spain|Cartagena]] in [[Spain]] for repair, where they arrived on 21 April.

[[File:Cartagena1.jpg|thumb|Picture from Cartagena in Spain, April 1940. From left to right: HSwMS ''Remus'', HSwMS ''Romulus'', and HSwMS ''Puke''. ''Puke'' is heeling to fix the stern.]]

===In Spain and Portugal===
In Cartagena, the Spanish workers worked quickly and efficiently on the repairs, despite the destruction of the shipyard after the [[Spanish Civil War|civil war]].<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 132">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=132}}</ref> ''Psilander'' was docked for repair, while ''Puke'' was repaired without docking. Due to the unplanned arrival in Cartagena, a great deal of the secrecy surrounding the destroyers and the return home was broken. After stockpiling, the destroyers departed for [[Lisbon]] on 26 April, where ''Patricia'' had been dispatched in advance to receive ordered oil.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 38">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=38}}</ref>

Meanwhile in Cartagena, on 23 April, the Italian naval commander [[Domenico Cavagnari|Admiral Cavagnari]] had informed the Swedish naval attaché by phone that the ships should leave for Sweden as soon as possible. "It should take less than three weeks, but be careful so the German does not damage the ships in the [[Kiel Canal]]."<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 40">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=40}}</ref> This statement was later interpreted as the admiral's understanding of [[Adolf Hitler|Hitler's]] plans to attack the West in early May.

{{Cquote|I always used to listen to the British radio broadcasts from [[Malta]] and [[Gibraltar]]. After the passage of Gibraltar, I heard the British broadcaster read the following message: "The destroyers that Italy ''lent'' to Sweden today passed Gibraltar. They are now on their way to Lisbon." It might not be so surprising to hear the broadcaster say "lent", but what surprised me was the fresh tone.
|author=[[Fänrik|Acting sub lieutenant]] John Rumenius, 3rd Officer on ''Remus''
|source=<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 132"/>
}}

[[File:Puke.jpg|thumb|left|HSwMS ''Puke'' repaired in dock in Lisbon.]]

The naval force arrived in Lisbon on 28 April and anchored on the river [[Tagus]], where the original plan was to quickly bunker oil and fresh water, and then proceed to [[Cobh]] in [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. The wait in Lisbon turned out to be month-long as no oil could be accessed, only fresh water. ''Puke''{{'}}s damage from the collision in the Mediterranean was finally repaired with dock repair.

The destroyers journey was now closely followed in London. In a memo to the Military Office of the Naval Defence (''Sjöförsvarets kommandoexpedition''), the Swedish [[Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Sweden)|Ministry for Foreign Affairs]] announced::

{{Cquote|The [[Embassy of Sweden, London|Swedish mission in London]] states that the [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office|British Foreign Office]] has ordered the destroyers to remain in Lisbon for the time being and that under prevailing circumstances they must be strongly discouraged from be transported to Sweden.
|author=Telegram from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to the Military Office of the Naval Defence on 29 April 1940
|source=<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 132"/>
}}

However, this message did not reach Commander Hagman in Lisbon. On 10 May, Germany attacked the [[Netherlands]], [[Belgium]] and [[France]] on the [[Western Front (World War II)|Western Front]], which closed the destroyers route through the English Channel. In the meantime, people were working in Stockholm to get oil to the destroyers from elsewhere and the [[Chief of Navy (Sweden)|Chief of the Navy]], Vice Admiral [[Fabian Tamm]] announced on 15 May that a Swedish tanker was to be expected within four to five days.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 81">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=81}}</ref> The Swedish tanker MT ''Castor'' had been requisitioned and ordered to join the destroyer force. On 21 May, ''Castor'' arrived in Lisbon with 14,495 tonnes of oil, half of which was diesel fuel.<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 134">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=134}}</ref> In addition, the ship had more than 1,000 tonnes of fresh water in its tanks which was expected to make the destroyers self-sufficient. 

[[File:Castor1.jpg|thumb|The tanker MT ''Castor'' outside [[Vigo]] in Spain in May 1940.]]

A series of telegrams were sent from the Chief of the Navy:

{{Cquote|Time number 1400, 24.5.40 ''Castor'' with cargo has transferred to the Swedish state. Captain Juhlin has been constituted lieutenant in the reserve. Naval ship. Naval ensign. Included in your force. Departure as soon as possible according to plan to [[Cobh|Queenstown]]. Announce departure time.

Time number 1109, 26.5.40 The The shipping company promised to immediately announce ''Castor'' under your command depart with you. The crew's wages are arranged in the same way as ''Patricia''.

Your inferred force must be kept together. ''Castor'' may not be detached.
|author=Telegram from the Chief of the Navy to Commander Hagman in Lisbon.
|source=<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 135">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=135}}</ref>
}}

The tanker now formally became the naval ship ''HM Transportfartyg Castor'' and the commander John Juhlin thus simultaneously became a lieutenant in the Swedish Navy reserve.

On 26 May, the naval force left Lisbon, and on 27 May, it arrived in [[Vigo]], Spain, where ''Castor'' and ''Patricia'' bunkered fully, and the Italian engine crew on the destroyers went ashore as they were called home by their government.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 42">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=42}}</ref> On 10 June, Italy entered the war.

Although the Chief of the Navy had previously given instructions that ''Castor'' should accompany the destroyer force, the ship's low speed, about eight knots, meant that oil and water would probably not suffice on the destroyers for the move to Cobh in Ireland, according to Hagman's assessment. He therefore detached ''Castor'' and let the destroyers and ''Patricia'' to leave Vigo at their most economical speed, twelve knots, in a wide arc out in the [[Atlantic Ocean]] towards Cobh on 29 May. 

[[File:Spica.jpg|thumb|''Romulus'' ship's dog "Spica", an Italian mixed breed dog known to, in various contexts, always recognize the ship's crew members.]]

====''Castor'' is rammed====
''Castor'' was escorted out through the dangerous submarine area closest to the Spanish coast, and received orders to continue on his own to Cobh.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 42"/> At noon on 30 May, ''Castor'' was rammed by a French patrol ship. When, according to documents, the tanker belonged to the Swedish Navy and carried a naval ensign, it still had no guns. A naval ship must have at least one gun, the French commander said.<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 137">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=137}}</ref> Captain Juhlin was a lieutenant in the Swedish Navy, but did not have a uniform. All this made the French suspicious, and ''Castor'' was ordered to go towards [[Casablanca]], where ambiguities would be resolved.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 42"/> After intervention by the Swedish government, the tanker was released after two days, and received orders to reunite with the destroyer force in Cobh.

In late May and early June, the [[Dunkirk evacuation|dramatic evacuation of approximately 300,000 English and French soldiers]] from the beaches of [[Dunkirk]] was conducted across the English Channel. A new route out in the Atlantic Ocean towards the Faroe Islands was instructed by the British Admiralty,<ref name="Fontander (2006), p. 85">{{Harvnb|Fontander|2006|p=85}}</ref> and ''Castor'' would also join there. In practice, the [[British occupation of the Faroe Islands|Faroe Islands were occupied by the British military]] since April 1940, following [[German invasion of Denmark (1940)|Denmark's capitulation]], but the British did not formally acknowledge this, as it would entail responsibility for the Faroe Islands' board and supply.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 43">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=43}}</ref>

Off the south coast of Ireland on 1 June, ''Patricia'' discovered a periscope on the starboard, and evasive maneuvers were carried out by all ships.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 143">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=143}}</ref> The destroyer force anchored in Cobh (Queenstown) on 2 June. Again, no oil could be obtained ashore. By bunkering from ''Patricia'', the destroyers were able to replenish enough oil to reach the Faroe Islands.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 42">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=42}}</ref> In addition, it was announced that 117 civilian passengers, including 40 women and 8 children, would follow ''Patricia'' as passengers.<ref name="Artéus (1996), p. 355">{{Harvnb|Artéus|1996|p=355}}</ref> Most were former employees of English companies, who have now become unemployed since the companies switched to war production. Among the passengers were several young women who worked as au pairs, or in the service profession, and now wanted to go home because of the war.<ref name="Fontander (2006), p. 85"/> Also sailors from the wrecked Swedish ships, for example SS ''Foxen'', were among the passengers. These were expected to arrive in mid-June, and the waiting time was utilized by the crews for physical training. On 15 June ''Patricia'' took her civilian passengers aboard, and on the night of 16 June they left Cobh for Faroe Islands.

On 14 June, German troops marched into [[Paris]], and on 22 June, [[Armistice of 22 June 1940|France surrendered]]. This meant that the United Kingdom stood alone against the hitherto ever-victorious German troops, with an [[Operation Sea Lion|imminent threat of German invasion]]. The ''[[Kriegsmarine]]'' had previously lost ten of its most modern destroyers in the [[battles of Narvik]] on 10 and 13 April 1940, and the British were anxious that Germany would not have quick access to new destroyers.

==The incident==

===Tuesday, 18 June===
At the British [[war cabinet]] meeting in London, the [[Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs]] announced that four Swedish destroyers had left [[Éire]] to go to the Faroe Islands. He suggested the war cabinet to consider the possibility of capture the destroyers upon their arrival in the Faroe Islands. The [[Foreign Secretary]] declared himself willing to investigate the matter further.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 59">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=59}}</ref>

===Wednesday, 19 June===
At the war cabinet meeting, the proposal from the previous day on the capture of the destroyers was discussed. The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs felt that this was a case where [[angary]] could be used. This is a right established by international law for a belligerent nation to seize the property of a neutral state, within the territory of the belligerent nation or territories occupied by it.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 59"/> Prime Minister [[Winston Churchill|Churchill]] considered it of the utmost importance to take possession of the destroyers. Immediate action would be taken and later explanations would be considered appropriate. The war cabinet instructed the [[Admiralty]] to order the capture of the destroyers as soon as possible.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 59"/>

[[File:Skaalefjord2.jpg|thumb|''Patricia'' anchored at the far end of Skálafjørður on 19 June 1940.]]

In dense fog, ''Patricia'' and the destroyers approached the Faroe Islands on a northern course in the early morning, with minimal speed alternating between "Slow" and "Half". At 05.45, "Stop" and "Full reverse" were ordered on ''Psilander'' as the rocks were so close that the echo of the steam whistle was thrown back.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 145">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=145}}</ref> The ships turned back and waited for the fog to lighten, for the possibility of new berthing. ''Castor'' gave its location via radio at 09.00 at about 120 ''distansminuter'' from the Faroe Islands, and the ship would be there the following morning.

At the same time, the Swedish consul in the Faroe Islands was not informed in advance of the destroyers' arrival by Swedish authorities, but was told that a large amount was made available to him at Føroya Banki, to be used for the destroyer force's needs. Neither had the British representative, "Naval Officer in Charge of Faroe Islands (NOIC)" Captain Crowther, been informed of the destroyers before he was announced by the Swedish consul.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 64">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=64}}</ref>

After the fog lightened in the morning ''Patricia'' and the destroyers again steered towards the Faroe Islands, and took aboard pilots that led the ships to the long narrow Skálafjørður near [[Tórshavn]]. There ''Patricia'' was assigned an anchorage at the far end of the fjord, and the destroyers were allowed to anchor in tactical order - in line,<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 143">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=143}}</ref> at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. In the same fjord a number of English [[naval drifter]]s also anchored on each side of the destroyers. Ashore, the British military occupied the small telephone stations along the fjord, and seized binoculars and cameras.<ref name="Fontander (2006), p. 108">{{Harvnb|Fontander|2006|p=108}}</ref> 

{{Cquote|On board ''Patricia'', there was a real hatred of the English now. I wonder what all this means. Many people in London, many from the [[Ministry of Information (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Information]], told me before leaving that the English would certainly take the destroyers, otherwise the Germans would. They were still Italian destroyers and not Swedish, they said.
|author=Journal entries by [[Maj Lorents]], journalist and translator, member of ''Tisdagsklubben'' ("Tuesday Club") and passenger on ''Patricia''.
|source=<ref name="Fontander (2006), p. 89">{{Harvnb|Fontander|2006|p=89}}</ref>
}}

Commander Hagman ordered the boilers to be extinguished in order to save oil. This meant that it would take about four hours to get the destroyers ready for departure again.<ref name="Fontander (2006), p. 92">{{Harvnb|Fontander|2006|p=92}}</ref> In addition, [[watchkeeping]] was ordered on quarters, that is, no [[combat readiness]].<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 143"/>

{{Cquote|We had oil for about 20 hours left, ie at 12 knots speed. Fresh water was almost gone. There were 320 ''distansminuter'' to the nearest Norwegian coast. If ''Castor'' did not arrive, our position was not enviable.
|author=Rolf Karlsson, crewman on ''Psilander''
|source=<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 146">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=146}}</ref>
}}

{{Cquote|We could order supplies if we needed, we could recover, take hot baths ashore etc. We took it naturally because we were among friends, we were in agreement. We had been more thoughtful on our journey to the German side, but here we had no idea.
|author=Karl Uno Olsson, signalman on ''Remus''
|source=<ref name="Fontander (2006), p. 92"/>
}}

The three British [[Tribal-class destroyer (1936)|Tribal-class destroyers]] {{HMS|Maori|F24|2}}, {{HMS|Tartar|F43|2}} and {{HMS|Mashona|F59|2}} left the naval base at [[Scapa Flow]] on the [[Orkney Islands]] at 19.30 with a course towards the Faroe Islands, with the intention of taking over the Swedish destroyers.<ref name="Naval events">{{cite web |url=http://www.naval-history.net/xDKWW2-4006-19JUN03.htm |website=www.naval-history.net |title=British and Other Navies in World War 2 Day-by-Day: NAVAL EVENTS, JUNE 1940 (Part 3 of 4) Saturday 15th - Friday 21st |last=Kindell |first=Don |accessdate=1 June 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Skaalefjord.png|thumb|upright|Map of the situation at Skálafjørður in the Faroe Islands on 20 June 1940.]]

===Thursday, 20 June===

====At 05.00====
In the early morning, ''Castor'' arrived in the Faroe Islands and received orders to anchor southeast of Tórshavn about ten ''distansminuter'',<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 159">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=159}}</ref> one and a half hours walking time, from the destroyers in the Skálafjørður.<ref name="Fontander (2006), p. 92"/> Later in the morning the British destroyers also arrived.

{{Cquote|It was badly done by us and I had a nasty feeling while it was going on. We got ready for battle, put on our lifebelts and steel helmets and steamed into the Skálafjørður where the Swedes anchored far in.
|author=[[Ludovic Kennedy]], officer on HMS ''Tartar''
|source=<ref name="Fontander (2006), p. 93"/>
}}

The guard on ''Remus'', closest to the fjord estuary, noticed that some large English destroyers anchored and some armed trawlers approached the Swedish force. He awoke the duty officer and reported.<ref name="Fontander (2006), p. 93">{{Harvnb|Fontander|2006|p=93}}</ref> 

====At 07.15====
In a motor boat, the British squadron commander Captain C. Caslon, as well as a Lieutenant Commander (paymaster) as secretary and a civilian arrived to ''Puke''. Caslon orally stated in ultimate form that he had been ordered directly from the British government to seize the destroyers. As a motive for their actions, it was stated that from the English side, it was assumed that the Swedish destroyers would end up in German hands as the ships approached Sweden.<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 149">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=149}}</ref> According to British requirements, the destroyers would be evacuated within two and a half hours, and the crews would then be transferred to England for further transport to Sweden. ''Patricia'' and ''Castor'' could continue the journey, but resistance from the destroyers or attempts to sink the ships would be met with "appropriate countermeasures".<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 147">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=147}}</ref> All radio transmitters on the Swedish ships would be sealed immediately, and attempts to establish a connection with Sweden would be prevented by force.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 44">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=44}}</ref> 

Commander Hagman's spontaneous response was to reject the demands, and that he would fight alternatively sink the ships.<ref name="Zetterberg & von Hofsten, p. 67">{{Harvnb|Zetterberg|von Hofsten|2020|p=67}}</ref> Captain Caslon regretted this and pointed out that it was only a matter of seizing the ships, they would remain Swedish property.

Hagman then demanded the opportunity to get in touch with the Swedish government, but Caslon explained that the use of radio would be prevented by force. Hagman asked to have the British government's demands and motives in writing, after which he would respond in writing. Caslon promised to accommodate this, and then left ''Puke''.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja, p. 45">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=45}}</ref>

{{quote|We will have a nice little fight at nine o´clock.|Commander Hagman's closing comment when Captain Caslon left ''Puke''<ref name="Zetterberg & von Hofsten, p. 67">{{Harvnb|Zetterberg|von Hofsten|2020|p=67}}</ref>}}

====At 08.00====
A message was sent from the captain on ''Puke'' to other Swedish ships in view: "All captains are called within half an hour".<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 153">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=153}}</ref> According to the applicable regulations for the Swedish Navy (RM II §56), the commanding officer could, on more important occasions, convene subordinate commanders for council, where minutes are kept but the decision is made by the chief himself.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 45"/>

[[File:Drifter.jpg|thumb|British drifter in [[Skálafjørður]].]]

====At 08.06====
Shortly afterwards, a new message came: "Prepare to evacuate the destroyers".<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 153">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=153}}</ref>
{{Cquote|I had written down "Prepare evacuation of the destroyers" but refused to grasp the contents. As training, we used to signal funny texts, which always ended with the word exercise, but this word was missing. In the [[wardroom]] I met FC and VO. When I read out the signal message, the commander stared wildly at me.
|author=Corpral Curt Lennerhed, skeppsnummer 1 on ''Romulus''
|source=<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 273">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=273}}</ref>
}}

Commander Hagman was aware that the destroyer HSwMS ''Psilander'' got its name from Admiral [[Gustav von Psilander]], who in the [[Battle of Orford Ness (1704)|Battle of Orford Ness]] in 1704 refused to surrender to a powerful English force. While waiting for the other ''fartygschefer'', he formulated his own position.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 105">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=105}}</ref> 

{{Cquote|Here I have an opportunity, which no Swedish officer has had in 200 years, to join [[Arnold Munthe|Munthe's]] "Swedish naval heroes". But I have to put my personal ambition in the bag, because the only possibility to solve the task is to now give in and bet that we can get the destroyers back through negotiations.
|author=Commander Hagman, referred by [[Löjtnant#Navy|sub-lieutenant]] Bengt Hellsten, 1st Officer on ''Puke''
|source=<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 105">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=105}}</ref>
}}

====At 09.00====
The British requirements were submitted in writing. The appendix also states "Right of Angary", in which warring countries have the right to temporarily seize the property of neutral power on their own or occupied territory. Prejudice from [[Franco-Prussian War]] 1870–1871 and [[World War I]] were stated, but none with application to warships. According to the written requirements, any damage to the seized destroyers would be compensated.

{{Cquote|Attached to the letter was an appendix which was an excerpt from something that the British called the [[Angary|Right of Angary]]. Only Churchill could probably explain what this right had to do with an assault on a warship belonging to a neutral country.
|author=[[Fänrik|Acting sub lieutenant]] John Rumenius, 3rd Officer on ''Remus''
|source=<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 146">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=146}}</ref>
}}

After reviewing the written requirements, the ''fartygscheferna'' held consultations on board ''Puke''. The balance of power was strong in British favor. The British destroyers were on the move and ready for battle in [[General quarters|action stations]]. Each of the ''Tribal'' class destroyers had eight 12 cm guns, four anti-aircraft autocannons and four torpedo tubes. In addition, there were armed English "drifters" between the Swedish destroyers, as well as postings ashore.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 45"/>

On the Swedish side, the ships had a very low level of oil and water and an unfavorable position for battle in the narrow fjord, extinguished and anchored in line. After a few hours of getting the steam pressure up, only ''Remus''{{'}} two aft 10 cm guns could be aimed with free firing range at the British destroyers. If the Swedish destroyers had broken out, they would soon run out of fuel and become easy targets for [[Home Fleet]].<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 45">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=45}}</ref> In addition, ''Patricia'' was in the line of fire, loaded with ammunition and with 117 civilians on board.

To self-harm or [[Scuttling|scuttle]] their own destroyers would partly help the British in their alleged effort to prevent the destroyers from falling into German hands, and partly jeopardize the Swedish government's compensation claims. In addition, it would have serious consequences for ''Patricia'' and ''Castor'' with passengers and expensive cargo of munitions and oil.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 45"/>

[[File:HMS Maori (F24).jpg|thumb|English ''Tribal'' class destroyer {{HMS|Maori|F24|6}}, one of the destroyers in [[Skálafjørður]].]]

====At 09.20====
Flera av ''Tribal''-klass jagarna  styrde in i Skálafjørður, vände och styrde ut igen.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 232">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=232}}</ref> 

I det pågående fartygschefsmötet, så skulle enligt reglerna den yngste av fartygscheferna, Edward Hamilton på ''Remus'', yttra sig först för att inte påverkas av de äldre. Samtliga fartygschefer hade ändå samma åsikt, att motstånd var utsiktslöst och att situationen borde lösas med förhandlingar mellan respektive länders regeringar.<ref name="Fontander (2006), p. 94">{{Harvnb|Fontander|2006|p=94}}</ref> Kommendörkapten Hagman, som befann sig i den för en svensk officer märkliga situationen att ensam behöva fatta beslut som kunde få storpolitiska konsekvenser, skrev i sitt svar till britterna att han under omständigheterna inte hade något annat val än att gå med på kraven. Men han protesterade också i svaret allvarligt mot hela proceduren, särskilt att han förvägrats möjligheten till kommunikation med egna regeringen.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), pp. 45-47ff">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|pp=45-47ff}}</ref>

Innan skrivelsen överlämnades hade en förfrågan gjorts, om besättningarna kunde föras över till ''Patricia'' och ''Castor'' i stället för att, enligt det ursprungliga ultimatumet, föras till [[England]]. Begäran godkändes av engelsmännen.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 47"/>

Efter mötet återvände fartygscheferna till sina fartyg och meddelade besättningarna. Endast personliga tillhörigheter skulle få packas ner i sjösäckarna enligt brittiska direktiv. På AC order medtogs dessutom flaggor och [[befälstecken]] utom de blåsande, kojer, filtar, gasmasker med mera.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 47">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=47}}</ref> En del tillhörigheter kastades överbord, eftersom besättningarna inte ville överlämna det till engelsmännen.<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 157">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=157}}</ref> [[Marketenteri]]innehållet delades ut så rättvist som brådskan medgav.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 243">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=243}}</ref>

{{Cquote|Chefen sa åt löjtnant Sölje att dela ut whiskyn bland våra kamrater. Han tog upp alla whiskyflaskorna och delade ut "två per backlag". Efter en stund när chefen frågade efter sina flaskor fick han till svar av löjtnanten "dom har jag delat ut till besättningen". Efter en liten paus medan ansiktet började anta en blåaktig färg kom det: "Vad i h-e menar ni, har ni delat ut spriten till besättningen, det var ju vi som skulle ha den". "Jasså", sa löjtnanten.
|author=Einar Andersson, kock på ''Remus''
|source=<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 187">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=187}}</ref>
}}

[[File:Scottish.jpg|thumb|upright|Besättningen på HSwMS ''Remus'' har embarkerat driftern ''Scottish'' för vidare transport till tankern ''Castor''.]]

Trots order från AC att inte försämra läget genom sabotage eller motstånd, jagarna var fortfarande svensk egendom, förekom detta på enskilda besättningsmäns initiativ. På ''Remus'', som låg närmast de brittiska jagarna, fick befälet avstyra begäran från besättningsmedlemmar som trots övermakten ville gå i strid.<ref name="Rumenius (1976), pp. 157-158">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|pp=157-158}}</ref><ref name="Fontander (2006), p. 96">{{Harvnb|Fontander|2006|p=96}}</ref> I maskinrummet på ''Remus'' hade vissa kikar, det vill säga ventiler som växlas mellan öppet och stängt med ett kvartsvarvs vridning, och kranar stängts. Dessutom hade några [[fläns|blindflänsar]], det vill säga plattor som stoppar flödet i rörledningen, monterats.<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 162">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=162}}</ref> [[Slagstift|Slagstiften]] till kanonerna hade tagits bort, och gjort artilleriet obrukbart.<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 162"/> På ''Romulus'' fick radiomännen tillstånd att göra sändaren obrukbar. De slog då sönder [[radiorör|slutrör]] och reservrör, samt lämnade en skylt med texten "Pericolo di Morte" (Varning för döden) i radiohytten.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 288">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=288}}</ref>

====At 11.00====
Tre drifters användes till att föra över besättningarna från ''Puke'', ''Psilander'' och ''Romulus'' till ''Patricia'' samt från ''Remus'' till ''Castor''. Utrymningen leddes av NOIC, Captain Crowther.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 47">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=47}}</ref> Utrymningen var känsloladdad för besättningarna från jagarna som fick påspädning av en, i vissa fall, arrogant attityd från drifters besättningar.

{{Cquote|Kanoner och [[kulspruta|kulsprutor]] var bemannade och riktade mot oss. Den aktra kulsprutan var bemannad av en man i kockmössa, som hotfullt svängde sin kulspruta fram och tillbaka och grinade hånfullt. I det ögonblicket tror jag alla bittert ångrade att vi inte fått möjlighet att sätta oss till motvärn.
|author=[[Fänrik|Acting sub lieutenant]] John Rumenius, 3rd Officer on ''Remus''
|source=<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 161">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=161}}</ref>
}}

{{Cquote|Den ena jagarbesättningen efter den andra sattes ombord på ''Patricia''. Vi stod en grupp människor, både passagerare av båda könen och en del av besättningen och bevittnade detta. En dam i gruppen föreslog att vi skulle sjunga "[[Deutschlandlied|Deutschland, Deutschland über alles]]", men någon annan säger då "Nej, det är att göra saken värre än den är". Damen replikerade: "Kan den bli det?"
|author=Mats Wångbladh, 2:a klass sjöman och sjukvårdare på ''Psilander'' och ''Patricia''
|source=<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 209">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=209}}</ref>
}}

Efter att svenska besättningarna lämnat kom brittiska besättningar ombord på jagarna, med första åtgärd att hala de svenska flaggorna och befälstecknen.<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 161"/>

[[File:Puke1.jpg|thumb|Brittisk ''Tribal''-klass jagare långsides den betydligt mindre HSwMS ''Remus'', där en tillfällig engelsk besättning försöker få igång maskineriet.]]

===Friday, 21 June===
Klockan 09.00 kom NOIC, Captain Crowther, till ''Patricia'' och meddelade att fartyget kunde avgå. Vid 14-tiden på eftermiddagen lättades ankar och man gick ut genom Skálafjørður med kurs mot norska kusten. Ute på internationellt vatten kunde radiosändare åter användas till kontakt med svenska myndigheter.

I en serie telegram informerade kommendörkapten Hagman, chefen för marinen (CM):

{{Cquote|1510. I ett läge som gjorde motstånd omöjligt, vi därtill utan olja och vatten, engelsmännen igår med 4 Tribaljagare beslagtagit jagarna trots allvarliga protester. Enligt engelsk uppgift svenska regeringen meddelad och åtgärden grundad på internationell rätt.

1515. Besättningarna med personliga tillhörigheter embarkerade Patricia/Castor. Nu till sjöss invid Färöarna kurs 82 fart 8 knop. Anhålles instruktioner.

1520. Enda möjligheten komma i förbindelse att utgå. Om order återvända Torshamn uppger konsuln, förläggning jagarbesättningarna om än med svårighet kan ordnas Torshamn. Engelsmännen mycket ivriga vi skulle gå, vänta tydligen tyskt anfall.<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 153">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=153}}</ref>

Sent på kvällen kom svaret från CM till AC Hagman: 

2245. Återgå Torshamn. Återfordra energiskt jagarna. Engelska regeringen ej meddelat något till svenska regeringen.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 48">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=48}}</ref> }}

''Patricia'' och ''Castor'' girade på kontrakurs tillbaka till Färöarna. Under tiden började en diplomatisk telegramväxling mellan Stockholm och London. [[Kabinettssekreterare]] [[Erik Boheman]], som var på middag hos den brittiske [[Minister (diplomat)|ministern]] i Stockholm, [[Victor Mallet]], blev mycket upprörd och krävde att Mallet skulle [[Telegrafi|telegrafera]] till London om att jagarna omedelbart skulle friges.<ref name="Fontander (2006), p. 99">{{Harvnb|Fontander|2006|p=99}}</ref>

===Saturday, 22 June===
De två svenska fartygen återvände till Torshamn, där de ankrade på yttre [[redd]]en klockan 08.00. Den svenske vicekonsuln på Färöarna meddelade att jagarna hade förflyttats till en för honom obekant plats, vilket han protesterat emot hos den brittiske konsuln.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 48">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=48}}</ref>

De diplomatiska kontakterna fortsatte. Bland annat samtalade den svenske ministern i London, [[Björn Prytz]], med brittiske utrikesministern [[Edward Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax|Halifax]]. Prytz meddelade att, om britterna behöll jagarna, skulle tyskarna anklaga den svenska regeringen för att tillåta kränkning av den svenska neutraliteten, och som konsekvens invadera Sverige. Prytz meddelade också att jagarnas färdväg fullständigt hade diskuterats med den [[Storbritanniens ambassad i Stockholm|brittiska legationen i Stockholm]], vilket Halifax inte ansåg sig känna till.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 60">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=60}}</ref>

Senare granskning av källmaterial har gett en förklaring till att det brittiska agerandet eventuellt byggde på ett missförstånd. Den svenska formella begäran om fartygspassage hade blivit liggande hos amiralitetet i London på grund av semestertiderna. Därför blev den brittiska regeringen överraskad av den svenska sjöstyrkans förflyttning, som det uppfattades utan förvarning och utan att följa normal rutin och "proper channel". Misstanken väcktes därför att svenskarna var [[bulvan|bulvaner]] i ett försök att förstärka den tyska flottan med italienska fartyg.<ref name="Artéus (1996), pp. 358-359">{{Harvnb|Artéus|1996|pp=358-359}}</ref>

[[File:Patricia6.jpg|thumb|Midsommarfirande den 23 juni 1940 ombord på den överfulla ''Patricia'', till ankars vid Torshamn.]]

==The destroyers are recovered==
Under de följande dagarna insåg man på brittisk sida att jagarna var ganska små och inte särskilt effektiva.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 61">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=61}}</ref> Man försökte också koppla ett eventuellt frisläppande av jagarna som argument i förhandlingar om andra frågor, till exempel möjlighet att skjuta upp svenska flygplansköp i USA, samt avbrytande av den planerade [[Permittenttrafiken|tyska transiteringstrafiken]]. Vid brittiska krigskabinettets möte den 24 juni fattades beslut om att släppa jagarna.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), pp. 60-63ff">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|pp=60-63ff}}</ref>

På kvällen den 25 juni meddelade NOIC att de svenska jagarna skulle återlämnas till sina besättningar. Två av jagarna befann sig i [[Kirkwall]], och två var på väg dit. För att inte ''Castor'' skulle behöva färdas genom de farliga vattnen runt [[Orkneyöarna]] fördes ''Remus'' besättning också över till ''Patricia''. Enligt direktiv från [[Marinchef|CM]] skulle de civila passagerarna inkvarteras i Torshamn, men detta tilläts inte av britterna. Med över 600 personer ombord på ett fartyg som var avsett för 250,<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 232">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=232}}</ref> avgick ''Patricia'' den 30 juni 01.00 till Kirkwall, och var framme cirka klockan 23.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 48">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=48}}</ref>

{{Cquote|Det fanns också klart [[Antisemitism|antisemitiska]] inställningar ombord. Jag satt vid ett tillfälle och talade med en person, och då kom ett av ''Patricias'' befäl förbi och sa till mig att "här sitter man inte och talar med en tysk jude då jag är i närheten".
|author=Maj Lorents, journalist, medlem av Tisdagsklubben och passagerare på ''Patricia''
|source=<ref name="Fontander (2006), p. 98">{{Harvnb|Fontander|2006|p=98}}</ref>
}}

[[File:Romulus2.jpg|thumb|Del av besättningen på ''Romulus'' uppställd inför storrengöring i Kirkwall.]]
På förmiddagen den 1 juli kunde fartygscheferna och vissa besättningsmän inspektera jagarna. Under färden mellan Färöarna och Kirkwall hade de fått åtskilliga skador. Dels på grund av de engelska besättningarnas ovana vid jagarnas maskineri, dels på grund av svenska sabotage. Detta hade lett till upprepade maskinstopp och bogseringar, allt i mycket hårt väder. På ''Psilander'' och ''Romulus'' hade britterna torrkokat en panna, som därigenom blivit helt förstörd.<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 173">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=173}}</ref> På ''Romulus'' hade olja dessutom av misstag pumpats upp i gångar och mäss.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), pp. 246-247ff">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|pp=246-247ff}}</ref> ''Puke'' hade skador efter kollision i samband med bogsering, och hade tappat ett ankare. Den engelska besättningen anspelade också på det kraftigt rullande fartygets namn, som på engelska betyder må illa, kräkas.<ref name="Fontander (2006), p. 103">{{Harvnb|Fontander|2006|p=103}}</ref> 

Fartygen hade till stor del plundrats på lösa inventarier och verktyg. På ''Remus'' lista över förlorade inventarier fanns 22 borddukar, 54 handdukar, 53 tallrikar, 77 kaffekoppar och så vidare i en lång lista. Alla förluster, samt lönekostnader för ''Patricia'' och ''Castors'' besättningar med mera värderades senare till 879&nbsp;644 kronor, vilket betalades av britterna.<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 197">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=197}}</ref> 

Jagarna återlämnades 2 juli till sina svenska besättningar, som snabbt utförde rengöring och provisorisk reparation av fartygen. Den 5 juli 02.00 lämnade ''Patricia'' och jagarna Kirkwall för att åter färdas mot Färöarna. ''Castor'' möttes vid en punkt 40 distansminuter öster om öarna på kvällen den 5 juli,<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 148">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=148}}</ref> och styrkan gick därefter i kolonn mot Norge, med åtta knops fart och ordningen ''Puke'', ''Psilander'', ''Castor'', ''Patricia'', ''Romulus'' och ''Remus''. 

{{Cquote|När jag tjänstgjort på bryggan 27 timmar i ett sträck sände kapten Juhlin genom mig en [[Semafor (kommunikation)|semaforbegäran]] om ytterligare en signalman. Svaret kom omgående: "[[Högt bland Saarijärvis moar|Tyvärr förfrusen står din grannes åker]]" efter en känd dikt av [[Johan Ludvig Runeberg|Runeberg]].
|author=Signalkorpral Gunnar Franzén på ''Romulus'', under tillfällig tjänstgöring på ''Castor''
|source=<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 118">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=118}}</ref>
}}

[[File:Puke4.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Babords gångbord på ''Puke'' under gång med luftvärnsberedskap.]]
=== Bombanfall ===
Efter att ha siktat flygplan både 6 och 7 juli på lång distans kom, utefter norska kusten, vid 6-tiden på morgonen den 8 juli ett bombanfall av flygplan från brittiska kustkomandot, där fyra bomber fälldes mot ''Castor''. Bomberna sprängdes på 50-75 m avstånd från tankern, som efter noggrann kontroll rapporterade att ingen läcka kunde märkas.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 50">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=50}}</ref> Anfallet berodde på ett misstag, och britterna har senare bett om ursäkt.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 82"/>

{{Cquote|Inte för att man höll på tyskarna, men England miste man all sympati för.
|author=Einar Andersson, kock på ''Remus''
|source=<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 188">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=188}}</ref>
}}

Efter att både ''Puke'' och ''Remus'' sänkt drivande [[Sjömina#Förankrade kontaktminor|hornminor]], kom styrkan fram till [[Kristiansand]] på morgonen den 9 juli. Då myndigheterna behövde få några timmar för att varsko den egna kustbevakningen om den svenska styrkans förflyttning, blev Hagman under tiden väl emottagen hos de tyska myndigheterna.<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 181">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=181}}</ref>

{{Cquote|Jag fick ett hjärtligt mottagande hos dem som jag helst inte hade velat besöka, medan jag hos dem som jag trodde var våra verkliga vänner togs på sängen med uppfordran till kapitulation.
|author=Kommendörkapten Hagman
|source=<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 181">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=181}}</ref>
}}

På eftermiddagen fortsatte resan, och på morgonen den 10 juli passerade styrkan in på svenskt [[territorialvatten]]. Vid 17-tiden var jagarna förtöjda vid [[Nya Varvet]] i [[Göteborg]] där de togs emot av chefen för marinen, amiral [[Fabian Tamm]]. Han hälsade fartyg och besättningar välkomna hem, men med en kylig underton.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 82">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=82}}</ref> Ingen ifrån regeringen fanns representerad i Göteborg, vilket dåvarande statsminister [[Per-Albin Hansson]] senare ångrade.<ref name="Fontander (2006), p. 106">{{Harvnb|Fontander|2006|p=106}}</ref>

{{Cquote|Bilden förmörkades dock när en bister amiral Tamm, chef för Marinen kom ombord. Jag hade tidigare tjänstgjort på amiralens expedition och känt stor uppskattning för honom. Nu kände vi oss inte välkomna och vi kände att resan inte var slut och aldrig skulle bli det.
|author=Korpral Curt Lennerhed, skeppsnummer 1 på ''Romulus''
|source=<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 275">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=275}}</ref>
}}

==Aftermath==
Efter ankomsten till Göteborg hölls på CM:s initiativ förberedande förhör med Hagman vid [[Krigsrätt (domstol)|fältkrigsrätten]] vid [[West Coast Naval Command|västkustens marindistrikt]]. På en fråga från förhörsledaren om Hagman ansåg att han uppehållit "svenska flottans anseende och svenska flaggans ära" svarade han, att han ansåg sig i det aktuella läget ha handlat riktigt, oberoende av reglementen och instruktioner.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 56">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=56}}</ref>

Sedan fältkrigsrätten återigen sammanträtt den 6 augusti 1940, konstaterades att Hagmans handlande inte skulle leda till ansvar eller ersättningsskyldighet och att ärendet inte skulle gå vidare till rättegång.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 82"/> Vid sammanträdet frågade åklagaren, om det kanske varit lämpligt att låta engelsmännen skjuta ett eller annat skott, och först därefter bestämma om jagarna skulle överlämnas. På det svarade Hagman, att han ofrånkomligt varit tvungen att besvara elden, därmed skulle också alla ersättningsanspråk äventyrats. Det var enligt Hagman utomordentligt viktigt att inte ett enda skott föll.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 57">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=57}}</ref>
 
Trots att statsminister Per Albin Hansson personligen meddelande Hagman att han hade hans stöd för sitt handlande fick Hagman aldrig någon formell upprättelse, eftersom han inte blev offentligt friad i domstol. Han betraktades av många som en förrädare som överlämnat sina fartyg utan strid.<ref name="Nilsson">{{Harvnb|Nilsson|2000}}</ref> Kritiken från högsta marinledningen gällde också att Hagman [[detachera|detacherat]] ''Castor'' utanför Vigo, mot direktiven från CM att låta tankfartyget ingå i jagarstyrkan.<ref name="Rumenius (1976), p. 141">{{Harvnb|Rumenius|1976|p=141}}</ref> Dagen efter det att fältkrigsrätten avslutat sin förberedande utredning, den 22 augusti 1940 utfärdade chefen för kustflottan, [[konteramiral]] [[Gösta Ehrensvärd]], en hemlig order: 

{{Cquote|Jag förbjuder varje officer under mitt befäl att överlämna sina fartyg till främmande makt, vilket skälet än kan vara. Trohet mot fanan är viktigast av allt.|author=Chefen för Kustflottan, konteramiral [[Gösta Ehrensvärd]]
|source=<ref name="Fontander (2006), p. 105">{{Harvnb|Fontander|2006|p=105}}</ref>
}}

En pressdebatt bröt ut i samband med krigsrättens dom, där de flesta tidningar stödde Hagmans handlande. En kommentar var att "krigsmannaplikten får inte överflödiggöra bruket av hjärnan".<ref name="Fontander (2006), p. 106">{{Harvnb|Fontander|2006|p=106}}</ref> Tidningarna på extrema vänsterkanten, och den för sin tyskvänlighet kända ''[[Östgöta Correspondenten]]'' var kritiska till Hagmans beslut.<ref name="Lundberg (2012), p. 55">{{Harvnb|Lundberg|2012|p=55}}</ref>

På brittisk sida har flera företrädare efteråt uttryckt att man ångrade åtgärden att beslagta jagarna, som kallats "a dirty trick" igångsatt av [[Secret Intelligence Service|Secret Service]].<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), pp. 64-65ff">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|pp=64-65ff}}</ref> En hög civil tjänsteman i [[amiralitet|Admiralty]] framförde till dåvarande [[konteramiral]] [[Stig H:son Ericson]], att den brittiska åtgärden uteslutande kunde förklaras med det nervösa tillstånd som britterna befann sig i, samt att Admiralty gjort en mycket beklaglig blunder.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), pp. 64-65ff"/> Churchill erkände också senare för svenske [[Minister (diplomat)|ministern]] Prytz i London, att Hagman skött "den svåra och pinsamma affären" på ett beundransvärt sätt, och att "han besparade båda länderna mycket besvär".<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), pp. 64-65ff"/> Han nämnde också "Om den svenske chefen varit en brittisk officer i motsvarande läge skulle vi ha givit honom en lämplig utmärkelse för att uttrycka vår beundran och nationens tacksamhet".<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 77">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=77}}</ref> 

Incidenten gjorde att den redan tyskvänliga svenska sjöofficerskåren blev rent fientligt inställd mot Storbritannien i allmänhet och mot brittiska flottan i synnerhet.<ref name="Barker & Kjellström (1976), p. 18"/> Detta kom att vålla britterna problem i samband med senare händelser kring de i Sverige instängda norska [[kvarstadsbåtarna]], [[Operation Rubble]]<ref name="Barker & Kjellström (1976), pp. 75–76">{{Harvnb|Barker|Kjellström|1976|pp=75–76}}</ref> och Operation Performance.<ref name="Barker & Kjellström (1976), p. 144">{{Harvnb|Barker|Kjellström|1976|p=144}}</ref>

I förordet till jubileumsskriften för 50-årsjubileet av Italienexpeditionen år 1990 lovordade dåvarande chefen för Marinen, viceamiral [[Bengt Schuback]], kommendörkapten Hagmans handlande och gav honom en [[postum]] upprättelse.<ref name="Lundberg (2012), p. 57">{{Harvnb|Lundberg|2012|p=57}}</ref>

{{Cquote|Varje annat alternativ, att sänka fartygen eller att uppta en hopplös och blodig strid, skulle ha spolierat huvuduppgiften, nämligen att föra jagarna till Sverige. Det skulle också ha betytt förlust av svenska liv och kanske till och med  ha dragit in Sverige i kriget.

Vårt folk, och speciellt förbandets besättningar, har all anledning att vara tacksamma för kommendörkapten Hagmans kloka beslut i denna svåra situation, som kunde ha slutat mycket illa.
|author=Chefen för Marinen, viceamiral [[Bengt Schuback]]
|source=Ur förordet till jubileumsskriften "Jagarköp under krig"<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 5">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=5}}</ref>}}

==About the sources==
Flera av källorna nämner en fjärde ''Tribal''-klass jagare vid Färöarna, förutom de tre namngivna. Däremot nämner inte någon av källorna vilken jagare det skulle varit. Enligt ett rykte på ''Romulus'' fanns också slagskeppet {{HMS|Rodney|29|6}} utanför mynningen av Skálafjørður.<ref name="Strömbäck, Jahr & Lilja (1990), p. 255">{{Harvnb|Strömbäck|Jahr|Lilja|1990|p=255}}</ref>

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist}}

===Print===
*{{cite book |last=Artéus |first=Gunnar |title=Svenska officersprofiler under 1900-talet |year=1996 |publisher=Militärhögskolan |location=Stockholm  |isbn=91-87072-19-X |id={{LIBRIS|7762137}} |language=Swedish}}
*{{cite book |last1=Barker |first1=Ralph |last2=Kjellström |first2=Nils |title=Blockadbrytarna |year=1976 |publisher=Rabén & Sjögren |location=Stockholm |isbn=9129471672 |id={{LIBRIS|7233733}} |language=Swedish}}
*{{cite book |last=Fontander |first=Björn |title=De onda åren: Sverige 1940-1945 |year=2006 |publisher=Carlsson |location=Stockholm |isbn=9172037849 |id={{LIBRIS|10166527}} |language=Swedish}}
*{{cite book |last=Lundberg |first=Lennart |title=Svenska öden under andra världskriget |year=2012 |publisher=Instant Book |location=Stockholm |isbn=9789186939205 |id={{LIBRIS|12339211}} |language=Swedish}}
*{{cite book |last=Rumenius |first=John |title="Klart skepp för minfällning": en reservfänrik berättar från beredskapsåren i flottan 1939-1940 |year=1976 |publisher=Lindfors |location=Stockholm |id={{LIBRIS|7630300}} |language=Swedish}}
*{{cite book |editor-last1=Strömbäck |editor-first1=Stig |editor-last2=Jahr |editor-first2=Erik |editor-last3=Lilja |editor-first3=Nils-Hugo |title=Jagarköp under krig: dramatisk hemfärd med Italien-jagarna |year=1990 |publisher=Jubileumskomm. för 1940-års Italienexpedition |location=Stockholm |id={{LIBRIS|936771}} |language=Swedish}}
*{{cite book |last1=Zetterberg |first1=Kent |last2=von Hofsten |first2=Gustaf |title=Jagarincidenten vid Färöarna 1940: brittiskt försök att beslagta svenska örlogsfartyg |year=2020 |publisher=Svenskt militärhistoriskt biblioteks förlag |location=[Stockholm] |language=sv |isbn=9789188885227 |id={{SELIBR|7kxw9mkp5fcclqw7}}}}

===Web===
*{{cite web |url=http://www.naval-history.net/xDKWW2-4006-19JUN03.htm |website=www.naval-history.net |title=Naval events, June 1940, Saturday 15th - Friday 21st |first=Gordon |last=Smith |date=2011 |accessdate=2011-01-07 }}
*{{cite web |url=http://members.tripod.com/Bengt_Nilsson/Marinhistoria/svenhedin.htm |title=Sven Hedin och Torsten Hagman : Psilander som förebild under 1900-talet |first=Bengt |last=Nilsson |date=December 2000 |accessdate=2011-01-07 |language=Swedish }}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book |last=Hagman |first=Torsten |title=De i Italien inköpta jagarnas utrustning och hemfärd |year=1941 |location=Karlskrona |id={{LIBRIS|2062626}} |language=Swedish}}
*{{cite book |last=Hagman |first=Torsten |title=Tillägg 1959 till berättelsen "De i Italien inköpta jagarnas utrustning och hemfärd" |year=1959 |location=Stockholm |id={{LIBRIS|3228778}} |language=Swedish}}
*{{cite book |last=Hagwell |first=Åke |title=Ett jagarköp och ett chefsbeslut 1940 |edition=New rev. |year=1993–2003 |location=Torekov |id={{LIBRIS|3228783}} |language=Swedish}}
*{{cite book |last=Hammargren |first=Henning |title=Vapenköp i krig: svenska krigsmaterielinköp i Italien under andra världskriget |series=Marinlitteraturföreningen, 0348-2405 ; 67 |year=1981 |publisher=Marinlitteraturfören. |location=Stockholm |isbn=9185944025 |id={{LIBRIS|7753508}} |language=Swedish}}
*{{cite book |last=Hardy |first=A. C. |title=Kampen på haven: sjökrigshändelserna under andra världskriget |year=1950 |publisher=Allhem |location=Malmö |id={{LIBRIS|1399533}} |language=Swedish}}

==External links==
*Hagberg, Gunnar: ''[http://www.nt.se/nyheter/torsten-hagman-ar-norrkopings-glomda-hjalte-2066665.aspx Torsten Hagman är Norrköpings glömda hjälte]'' (article in ''[[Norrköpings Tidningar]]'' on 12 March 2005) {{lang in|sv}}
*Rosenqvist, Staffan: ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20130313084126/http://www.beredskapsmaerken1939-1945.se/flottan.htm Beredskapsmärken: Flottan 1939 - 1945]'' (see especially ''1940-års ROMULUSMÄN'') {{lang in|sv}}

[[:Category:Sweden in World War II]]
[[:Category:Faroe Islands in World War II]]
[[:Category:Conflicts in 1940]]
[[:Category:Sweden–United Kingdom relations]]