Stay athletic and march!

In 1940 Swedish Walking Association created and organized the “national march“. The purpose was to enchance the swedish people health and patriotism during ww2. These events repeated several times during the years 1940-45. There was a entry fee of 25 cents(öre). Those who did the predetermined march in a good amount of time was given the national march pin in bronze, silver or gold depending on the time.

The three grades of swedish walking association march pin. Note the bronze award is slightly bigger than the others.

In 1941 the finnish people wanted to compete against swedes. A national march match between Sweden and Finland was created and took place in May 4-25, 1941. Not only was it a match between the countries but a support for Finland during the winter war. 

A commemorative pin to the swedish/finnish competition

There where several criterias that had to be achieved:

• Adults had to be born in 1928 or earlier, if you were a child born later than 1931 you would not be allowed to patricipate.

• The walking distance was 15 km for the male competitors. You would have to do it in less than the maximum time 2 hours, 20 minutes.

• For the female competitors (and young boys born in 1928-31) the distance was 10 km. You would have to do it in less than the maximum time 1 hours, 40 minutes.

If you would meet the criteria and did the march under maximum time you got the chance to buy this pin in favor of Finland support.

The final score was calculated in relation to the countries population. Finland won the event with ground breaking 1,507,111 participants against the swedish 1,008,352 participants.

These are the so called march cards were the officials wrote times counted during the marches. 

They came in both swedish and finnish.

If someone is interested in how the national march looked like. Kulturarv Östergötland has a short video http://www.kulturarvostergotland.se/Article.aspx?m=336004&a=336928

As a fun side note. In the mid/late 90s the national march was resurrected in favor of cancer research. So I did that march in 97 (I think) and was given a national march pin!

Defence Loan - for DEFENCE and WORK

The preparedness of arming the swedish defence could not be implemented with the available state funds in the beginning of ww2. Large supplementation was required and they were forced to turn to the public. By using the propaganda skillfully they managed to catch the attention of saving clubs in the workplace, companies and large organizations. Millions were raised by selling the defence bonds. Three atempts were made during 1940-42. 

Exakt source of this pin is unknown to me. However it was probably given to those who took part in the defence loan meetings since their slogan was "for defence and work" 

• First defense loan

Started in April 25, 1940 and ended November 1, 1940. About 800 million were raised.

• Second defense loan

Started in January 15, 1941 and ended ??? About 610 million were raised.

• Third defense loan

Started in the spring of 1942 and ended May 15, 1942. About 915 million were raised. 

This pin was given to people who bought defence bonds during the third defence loan. 

This is a for defence and loan pin but with a wartime modification. Four norwegian flags has been attached to the backside of the pin. Probably a commemorative to the occupied Norway.

//Jimi

First post!

Hello!

This blog is intended to share pictures and info from my interest which is ww2 militaria (mostly swedish items but probably from other countries as well). I am from Sweden but I decided to post everything in english, because I want as many people as possible can take part in my collecting.

P.S. If you would find something incorrect please let me know and I will change it!

//Jimi