Signal corps - finnish border and other exploits

The signal corps was created in 1937 to primarily serve the senior staff  with communication or "information transfer". If you would do well in peace times and show your proficiency as a signaller you could be awarded a badge in bronze, silver or gold.

The middle badge is made from actual silver and this particular one is dated 1940. The last one in gold is probably plated in silver since it says 925 on the back but no hallmark. This could of course vary from badge to badge not all was made from silver and if they were they might be dated differently, just to clearify.

One of the bigger achievments the signal corps did during the war to send special forces to Tornedalen at the finnish border. Their purpose was to report the progress of the war and if we would get attacked by soviet. During 1944 the following stab signal joints was stationed there:

• 12. distribution station comp and 12. distribution cable comp 
• 14. distribution station comp and 14. distribution cable comp
• 26. temporary signal comp

The signal corps would also help to evacuate refugee finnish children to sweden in 1944.

These are cufflinks with the text "finnish border 1944". They source is unknown but I guess they are post war commemorative pieces given by some veteran association. Most likely are rare piece that was made in low numbers.

Liberty defence and other skiing badges

Sorry for not uploading in a while but here is a post about different skiing badges from ww2. 

Frihetens värn (Liberty defence) was instituted in 1940 by the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet. It was an event for biathlon( ski and shooting sport). This event helped people to get interest in this type of sport, since it was only used by the military before. During 1940 to 42 it was very severe winters so the sport got serious attention, even in the southern parts of Sweden. 

You could get the badges in bronze, silver and gold. Until the war ended in 1945,  265,000 copies were awarded. 

"In their fathers track" was nationwide march on ski's. It was established in 1940 by Swedish Ski Association and got huge attention in 1941 and in 1942 just as the "liberty defence" event. It was a huge success and proof of that:  

• 217 000 approved tests in 1941
• 120 000 approved test in 1942 

The criteria was 10 km track and the time would be 1:15 for men and 1:30 for ladies. This event was carried out during the period February 9 to 16.

If you did an approved test in 1941 you would get the bronze and if you did it again in 1942 you would also get the silver. Stig Blomberg was the sculptor of the badges.

As a bonus I will show you these. They are military skiing badges for proficiency in sports during military drill in peace times, awarded under certain provisions.

Side note these particular badges was awarded to my grandfather so I am proud to own these!

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