WesWorld

Source: Dagens Nyheter, January 9, 1942

Headline: GUN TESTING KILLS SEVEN

Story: An explosion at the Royal Nordish Navy Armament Proving Grounds north of Uppsala yesterday afternoon killed seven and wounded thirty more. Proving Ground authorities stated that they were investigating and did not yet have complete information, but that the most likely cause seemed to be a mishandling of ammunition being used in the acceptance testing of a gun mount destined for the aircraft carrier HMS Gam, now under construction at Trondheim.

This incident marks the third and most severe of a series of accidents plaguing the procurement of the Gam's self-defense weapons, and seems likely to lead to greater challenges from within his own party to Prime Minister Kallio's decision to retain Naval Minister Ingstad, who was originally appointed by now Opposition Leader, former Prime Minister Grundevik, in his current post.

Source: Dagens Nyheter, February 4, 1942

Headline: NORDTING INQUEST REPORTS POOR SAFETY

Story: The committee appointed by the Thing to study January's fatal explosion at the Uppsala Proving Grounds today issued its preliminary findings in full session of the legislature. On the basis of professional testimony from various naval architects and engineers as well as the naval personnel who operate the existing installations and otherwise classified internal Navy reports of unpublished accident rates, the committee has issued a scathing criticism of the naval general staff and its direct civilian overseers, and called for a thorough inquest into the actions of the serving members of those bodies and a complete reevaluation of the navy's armament safety practices.

Naval Minister Ingstad could not be reached for comment, but both Prime Minister Kallio and Opposition Leader Grundevik have called so extensive a legislative action 'premature'.