SCANDINAVIAN VOLUNTEERS
FIGHTING IN FINLAND

by Odd Ryden

Sixty-three years ago the Soviet Union, a nation of 180 million, attacked the 3.5 million Finns without warning or a declaration of war, the initial attack was the bombing and strafing of civilians, cities and small towns causing considerable civilian casualties.

During the 105 days of the so-called Winter War, the enemy dropped about 100,000 bombs in a total of 2,075 raids against 516 communities. Nothing was spared: 46 hospitals and 4 churches became the targets for the soviet pilots. Over 50,000 Finns lost their homes.

The League of Nations expelled the Soviet Union and called upon the nations of the world to help Finland. Of the Scandinavian volunteers able to reach Finland during the winter war, 8680 were Swedes, 1010 Danes, and 727 Norwegians. A majority of them served in the SFK, Svenska Frivilligkåren (Swedish Volunteer Corps). The volunteers demonstrated a strong Nordic unity that was symbolized in their insignia of the “four brother hands”, representing Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark.

Today, these aging volunteers, who acted against aggression are confronted with the painful reality that their memory may be forever lost and forgotten. They have little support from any government. They do not have a permanent memorial in any Scandinavian country. Since 1975 SFK has held an 80 km (50 miles) long Memorial Ski March on cross-country skis every five years to commemorate their grueling trek to the front lines north of the Arctic Circle in temperatures reaching minus 49 degrees Centigrade. This Ski March is their chosen memorial and a living symbol of Nordic unity. However, due to lack of sponsorship, the future of these marches is being threatened. To secure the continuation of this event, an interest bearing tax-exempt fund managed by the Finlandia Foundation Trust has been established.

These men fought for the freedom of Finland, fully aware that the odds were against them. When they were issued uniforms, many gave their civilian clothing to Finnish refugees in Kemi. When they left Finland, they donated much of their pay to Finnish refugees from Salmijärvi. These brave men do not deserve to be forgotten.

For additional details feel free to contact any member on the memorial committee.

Learn more by visiting SFK on the web: “http://www.svenskafrivilliga.com”

Please help fund the Memorial Ski March so that the spirit of volunteerism, sacrifice and valor by these veterans will not be forgotten.

Additional information:

Just in case you are not aware of the background of the details of SFK Memorial Project, here are some facts and figures which often are news even to native born Finns:

• 13,500 volunteers came to the aid of Finland after the 200 million strong Soviet Union attacked the 3 ½ million Finns in 1939.

• The SFK brought with them not only manpower but large quantities of arms, ammunition, fuel, temporary housing, horses, trucks, ambulances and even one third of the Swedish air force.

• The SFK led by a Swedish General assumed responsibility for the defense of one third of Finland from Oulu north. The Finnish troops relieved from Lapland by the SFK were the only remaining reserves Marshal Mannerheim had to successfully reinforce the critically important front in Karelia.

• It is entirely possible, even likely, that without these reinforcements the Soviets would have been far more successful in achieving major breakthroughs in Karelia, after which their advance all the way to Helsinki would have been made possible. Without the SFK in the Winter War the history of Finland could have been very different. In fact it is possible that the office of NOKIA could now be located in Novosibirsk.

• Finland had definitely "shown what free men could do", as Sir Winston Churchill once commended Finland in a radio speech.

Get a printable PDF-version of this document [here].