Why, It's Almost Never Discussed About The Women Largest Auxiliary, Paramilitary Force During The WWII?

[Jopa79]

Fanni Luukkonen (1882-1947) was a Finnish woman. She was a founder member and a longtime leader of the Finnish Lotta-Svärd, the leader of the auxiliary, paramilitary organization for Finnish women. Luukkonen and Lotta-Svärd accepted foreign members, members also outside of Christianity. Luukkonen represented for very different values, unlike Adolf Hitler. However, Luukkonen, without having any of that foolish Nazi-sympathy, Hitler recognized Luukkonen's life-work awarding her by high acknowledgements.

Growing in an industrial worker family, her parents still favored more capitalism. Fanni graduated as an elementary school teacher just before the Finnish Civil War. During the Civil War, she was teaching in a Finnish city, Sortavala. Fanni saw the the Finnish White Guard, marching, training, exercising. She saw the wounded and the killed ones. These sights inspired her.

She was thinking, -"As a women, I have seen the war, the suffering of the men. The women can also put their effort for the Defence Forces'

Establishing Lotta-Svärd happened right after the Finnish Civil War. As the Red Guard had lost the Finnish Civil War, and while it had accepted women into its ranks, so did Lotta-Svärd. Absolutely, there was serious discussions, among the former Reds, -"Do you want to kill us all again?' The organization slowly gained also popularity among the poor, not only among the women, but among the Finnish families.

Building roads and railroads in Finland was supported by the army during the the late 1920's and until the mid-1930's. The manpower usually was taken from the poor. During the construction, Lotta-Svärd gave a woman smile and food for the exhausted men. The social classes also appealed for the old Civil War: -"Ai, isäskin taisteli Syrjäntaassa? Eiköhän sitten paiskata kättä!' - 'So, your father also fought in Syrjäntaka? Let's us shake a hand'.

After establishing the Molotov-Ribbentrop-Pact, Finland got very worried. While the Winter War broke out, the Lotta-Svärd was mobilized also. Like Luukkonen had always wanted, her organization helped the men, their suffering, Luukkonen's Lotta Svärd took care of the wounded, the killed ones, they sometimes were the messengers, they gave the death-message to the family in the home parish. Lotta-Svärd washed the dead bodies in the woods and in the front, before they were put in the coffins, so that even a badly wounded and a dead man or woman could be shown in his/her home parish. It was a very custom. No-one, not a single body was never left into the front, but always, the body was retrieved and transported later, buried into the home-ground.

The best Finnish attempt ever for a better good, is of course, the Continuation War. With, or without the foreign nations recognizing it. During this campaign, the Lottas were absolutely irreplaceable. Lotta-Svärd replaced about 100 000-150 000 Finnish men for the war.

It's absolutely confusing, this organization is not recognized globaly. Lotta-Svärd was the largest auxiliary-voluntary force by the women, ever worked during the 1920's-1940's. The world is full of pictures of other women doing their best during the war, but not a single picture about Lotta-Svärd.

 

[Jopa79]

This picture is in original form, it's a color photo, taken in Viipuri, August 31st, 1941. The event is the festivities and the held parade for recapturing the city. The location is the Torkel Knutsson Market Square. Knutsson was the Lord High Constable of Sweden, the Ruler of Sweden during the 13th-14th centuries and the founder of Viipuri and the stronghold in the city. Three Lotta-Svärd members in the forefront, watching the events. Photo: SA-Kuva

 

[Barsoom]

The best Finnish attempt ever for a better good, is of course, the Continuation War. With, or without the foreign nations recognizing it.

I think you've answered your own question.

 

[Jopa79]

I think you've answered your own question.

Sir, your reply leaves many places for rendering your actual intention.

However, I assume, you consider, the Lotta-Svärd is not discussed, because it’s not recognized in abroad?
If this is, (or is not) the case, why, exactly?

 

[Barsoom]

Sir, your reply leaves many places for rendering your actual intention.

However, I assume, you consider, the Lotta-Svärd is not discussed, because it’s not recognized in abroad?

Yes.

If this is, (or is not) the case, why, exactly?

I don't know. But let me first ask a different question: what happened to the organization after WW2? The answer might give us a clue.

 

[Jopa79]

But let me first ask a different question: what happened to the organization after WW2?

Sir, are you actually asking me that? If you are suggesting me being unaware of the happenings and events leading to the disbandment of Lotta-Svärd, then I have to say, you should reconsider.

Please, let me, mutually ask you, did you know the below. I appreciate greatly a honest answer.

The Allied Control Commission - the Soviet Union - demanded the ban of the Finnish organizations which it claimed to be fascist, semi-fascist, ”hitler-favoring”, or having an unfriendly attitude towards the United Nations and towards the Soviet Union. The USSR experienced the Lotta-Svärd as an organization which represented for those values.

How is defending own land, own relatives, protecting own country fascism? Well, it can be, if one is lead through fascist ideology. But can you tell me, where exactly the fascism comes up while talking about Lotta-Svärd? It’s more like using the same nazi-rhetorics as Russia does currently to authorize the invasion to Ukraine.

During the WWII, Lotta-Svärd mobilized to replace men conscripted for the army. Lottas worked in hospitals, being nurses, in catering. They delivered supplies and equipment for the front and homefront. They worked in communications and raised funds theirselves, to keep up operating. The only armed Lottas worked in air-surveillance and in using floodlights, still over 200 Lottas died in the WWII.

Also, Jews and Islamists were accepted as members.

However, shortly after the war, as the political atmosphere changed in Finland, the Lottas became hunted, victimized as the communists claimed, Lottas being unpatriotic, like they considered all whom didn’t love the Soviet Union. Many of the former Lottas burned their old uniforms and membership cards, to avoid the persecution.

Rehabilitation of the Lotta-Svärd took place during the 1990’s. It was recognized by the then Prime Minister - Esko Aho. A former Little-Lotta, the then Defence Minister and the runner-up for Presidency - Elisabeth Rehn. Also, Mauno Koivisto, the WWII veteran and the then President of Finland, with his wife were all present during the rehabilition event.

Currently, during the modern days, Lottamuseo - the Lotta Museum near the Finnish capital - records and represents for the history of the Lotta-Svärd. It studies and researches the women voluntary work, to maintain the independence during the WWII. The museum is funded by the Lotta-Svärd Foundation.

 

[Barsoom]

Sir, are you actually asking me that? If you are suggesting me being unaware of the happenings and events leading to the disbandment of Lotta-Svärd, then I have to say, you should reconsider.

Please, let me, mutually ask you, did you know the below. I appreciate greatly a honest answer.

I didn't know.

The Allied Control Commission - the Soviet Union - demanded the ban of the Finnish organizations which it claimed to be fascist, semi-fascist, ”hitler-favoring”, or having an unfriendly attitude towards the United Nations and towards the Soviet Union. The USSR experienced the Lotta-Svärd as an organization which represented for those values.

How is defending own land, own relatives, protecting own country fascism? Well, it can be, if one is lead through fascist ideology. But can you tell me, where exactly the fascism comes up while talking about Lotta-Svärd? It’s more like using the same nazi-rhetorics as Russia does currently to authorize the invasion to Ukraine.

But I did suspect that this might be the case. I didn't have time to look it up earlier. Now that I've done so, might I suggest that the organization's emblem contributed to the confusion? Lotta-Svärd's use of the swastika predates the nazis, so clearly it doesn't mean that they were, but it did make it easier for the Soviets to misrepresent them.

We've discussed the Continuation War before, I don't want to repeat the argument. Let's just say that not everyone views it as defensive. Of those who consider the motive of retaking land lost in the Winter War honorable, many consider it wrong to do so in alliance with the nazis. This association also contributed to the Soviets' case.

During the WWII, Lotta-Svärd mobilized to replace men conscripted for the army. Lottas worked in hospitals, being nurses, in catering. They delivered supplies and equipment for the front and homefront. They worked in communications and raised funds theirselves, to keep up operating. The only armed Lottas worked in air-surveillance and in using floodlights, still over 200 Lottas died in the WWII.

Also, Jews and Islamists were accepted as members.

However, shortly after the war, as the political atmosphere changed in Finland, the Lottas became hunted, victimized as the communists claimed, Lottas being unpatriotic, like they considered all whom didn’t love the Soviet Union. Many of the former Lottas burned their old uniforms and membership cards, to avoid the persecution.

Rehabilitation of the Lotta-Svärd took place during the 1990’s. It was recognized by the then Prime Minister - Esko Aho. A former Little-Lotta, the then Defence Minister and the runner-up for Presidency - Elisabeth Rehn. Also, Mauno Koivisto, the WWII veteran and the then President of Finland, with his wife were all present during the rehabilition event.

Currently, during the modern days, Lottamuseo - the Lotta Museum near the Finnish capital - records and represents for the history of the Lotta-Svärd. It studies and researches the women voluntary work, to maintain the independence during the WWII. The museum is funded by the Lotta-Svärd Foundation.

So it appears the organization wasn't regarded well in Finland for about half a century, then why would you expect the rest of the world to take a closer look? We all know that most people aren't history buffs and only a tiny group wants to learn the details of various small nations' histories.

 

[Jopa79]

I didn't know.

Thank you, for being honest.

Now that I've done so, might I suggest that the organization's emblem contributed to the confusion? Lotta-Svärd's use of the swastika predates the nazis, so clearly it doesn't mean that they were, but it did make it easier for the Soviets to misrepresent them.

Yes. I absolutely agree with you. Using swastika(s) in the Finnish military predates the Nazi-use of that emblem. For instance, the Finnish Airforce introduced swastika as its emblem in 1918 while a Swedish Count, Eric von Rosen granted the very first aircraft for the Finnish White Guard. Rosen's aircraft was decorated by his personal owner's mark, a swastika.

The Lotta-Svärd emblem was designed by Akseli Gallen-Kallela and Eric Vasström. However, in 1921, Vasström's design was declared as the official Lotta-Svärd emblem.

But especially, after the WWII and especially the Soviets, they decided, everything with swastikas was equated to the Nazis.

So it appears the organization wasn't regarded well in Finland for about half a century, then why would you expect the rest of the world to take a closer look?

The Lotta-Svärd had a bad reputation after the WWII only because of purposed tarnishing. The reason, why the rehabilitation took place so late, is because of the Finlandization, only doing what the Soviet Union wants. Anykind of conflict was to be avoided by following the Kreml rules and to not to upset the Soviets. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the leadership here dared to rehabilitiate the Lotta-Svärd.

Actually, there's one very interesting event relating closely to this. Even I didn't know, my other grandpa's attitude in this, until last weekend while my dad told me.

Eino Repo was the president of the state owned Finnish Broadcasting Company and the radio during the 1960's-1970's. Repo was a WWII veteran, but became very Soviet-friendly after the war. His time, leading the Finnish social media is still known as the era of Reporadio - Repo's Radio. It was a total brainwashing era, spouting propaganda and lies from Moscow. After listening for years of this, also my other grandpa, a Continuation War veteran started to listen and to believe in Repo's lies and grandpa questioned his and the whole nation's participation to the war: -"What was I doing there back then, in the front. The only thing I had to defend was our black cabin in the woods!"

We all know that most people aren't history buffs and only a tiny group wants to learn the details of various small nations' histories.

I agree, but actually, this thread is not about a small nation's history, but about history of the largest auxiliary, paramilitary organization. The organization just happens to have its origins in a small nation.

 

[Barsoom]

I agree, but actually, this thread is not about a small nation's history, but about history of the largest auxiliary, paramilitary organization. The organization just happens to have its origins in a small nation.

The idea has been quite successful. It was copied by neighboring states; it's only discontinued in recent years because women are now conscripted into the army itself. Three cheers for emancipation!

Which brought up the thought that maybe the lack of attention may also have to do with the lack of attention in women's auxiliary forces in general. Or maybe in "female professions" in general, which have a lower social status and usually lower pay than professions in which more males are working. In other words, it's possible that part of the answer to your question is just old-fashioned sexism.