PM ang rymdprojektiler (Memorandum regarding space projectiles)

This memorandum, dated November 21, 1946, and authored by B. Sandmark, outlines critical deficiencies in the Swedish military's organization for monitoring 'space projectiles' (rymdprojektiler). The author highlights that while the current monitoring units (er-spaning) produce valuable reports, the reliance on mailing these reports to Stockholm for compilation results in unacceptable delays. For instance, a report from Ottenby regarding observations made between November 15 and November 21 had not yet reached the Defense Staff (Fst) by the time of the memo. The author notes that the current system fails to utilize the potential for rapid direction of monitoring assets toward targets. Observations have included objects in the air within a 6 km radius of stations, ships suspected of being linked to the projectiles, and unconfirmed indications over the Alvaret area. To address these issues, the author proposes seven specific measures: 1) establishing optical air surveillance on southern Öland and the mainland; 2) identifying sea vessels through marine surveillance and aerial photography, potentially disguised as customs inspections; 3) investigating the presence of guidance organs on Öland; 4) densifying the monitoring network with new stations at Kristianopel, Torhamn, and Kapelludden; 5) coordinating radio monitoring with other surveillance efforts; 6) considering the deployment of anti-aircraft and fighter assets if the projectiles' speed is indeed 300 km/h or less; and 7) centralizing the command of all monitoring and military branches to the affected region rather than maintaining the current fragmented command structure in Stockholm.