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Between 1939 and 1945, some 80,000 Finnish children were sent to Sweden, Denmark, and elsewhere, ostensibly to protect them from danger while their nation’s soldiers fought superior Soviet and German forces. This was the largest of all of World War II children’s transports, and although acknowledged today as “a great social-historical mistake,” it has received surprisingly little attention. This is the first English-language account of Finland’s war children and their experiences, told through the survivors’ own words. Supported by an extensive introduction, a bibliography of secondary sources, and over two dozen photographs, this book testifies to the often-lifelong traumas endured by youthful survivors of war.
“…a fine collection… The book is affecting, to be read a little at a time. You won't forget it afterwards.” · Finnish American Cultural Activities.
“Over a number of years, Sue Saffle has earned the respect of the war children in Finland and Sweden… to such an extent that she has been able to tap into a great source of social and war history. In addition, for many who contributed to the research, [this book] has the added element of being a form of personal catharsis. This is an excellent book which will add a great deal to the academic study of war children past and present.” · Martin Parsons, University of Reading
Illustrations
Foreword
Kai Rosnell
(Names in quotation marks are pseudonyms chosen by the authors)
The Work of Sorrow by Marja Hultin Barron
Unanswered Questions for a Finnpojke by Martti Kalervo Broström
A Desire to Scream by “Emmi Eskola”
Horseshoes and Licorice Drops by Juha Hankkila
The Last Summer in Sweden by “Karina Heino”
Farting in Swedish by Veijo Holopainen
Sugar Beets and Spettecaka by Soile Kiema Ilvesoksa
Dragons in a Handbag by Veikko Inkinen
A Good and Bad Hand by Eric Jaakkola
The Red Shoes by Anita Jakobsson
Bread in a Suitcase by Rauni Janser
The Lucky Stain by Rauno Juntunen
Paper Dolls by Sirpa Kaukinen
The Woman in the Broad-Brimmed Hat by Kirsti Kettunen
Swedish Toys by Helena Nyqvist Koivisto
Goodbye to the Bombs by Anne-Maj Korpela
Someone’s Daughter by “Leena Korpi”
To the Bomb and Back by Eeva Lindgren
A Blonde Curly-haired Girl by Mirja Luoma
Fishing with Ragnar by Pekka/Peter Louhimo
Black Birds by Seppo Mälkki
A Terror of the Dark by Marita Merilahti
Funeral Games by “Eine Miller”
The Woman in Black by Helena Nilsson
Understanding Backwards by Veijo Pönniäinen Paine
A Happier War Child Story by Virve Kaisu Kyllikki Palos
No Easy Choices by Ossi Rahkonen
God natt, sov Gott by Lea Rehula
A Lifelong Exile by Kai Rosnell
“Take the Bed Down!” by Gertrud Rullander
Waiting for the Time to Pass by Irma Saarinen
Children’s Prayers by Kaarina Siilasto
“Send the Little Ones!” by Bodil Nordman Söderberg
A Tale of Two Sisters by Marja Tähtinen
Swedish Fish by Rolf J. E. Tarvala
Horses in the Kitchen by Jorma Törmänen
Rita, not Rauha by “Rita Trent”
Repairing the Clock by Kaj Wanne
Soldier Boy by Norman Westerberg
Appendix: A Swedish War Child Administration Form
Bibliography
Index