Swedish Brigade

The Swedish Brigade (Swedish: Svenska brigaden, Finnish: Ruotsalainen prikaati) was a paramilitary unit composed of 400 Swedish volunteers to assist the White Guards during the 1918 Finnish Civil War. The brigade participated in the Battle of Tampere between 28 March and 6 April.[1] 34 members of the Swedish Brigade were killed in action and up to 50 wounded. Notable members included the archaeologist Axel Boëthius and the historian Olof Palme who was killed in Tampere.[2]

Swedish Brigade
Svenska brigaden
Flag used by the Swedish Brigade
Active1918
Country Sweden
Allegiance Finnish Whites
TypeInfantry
Size400
EngagementsFinnish Civil War
Commanders
6 March – 16 AprilHjalmar Frisell
17 April – 22 AprilLars V. Runeberg
23 April – MayAllan Winge

It is suspected that the Swedish volunteers killed the Estonian Deputy Prime Minister Jüri Vilms. Vilms had traveled to Finland for instructions to get diplomatic recognition for his newly sovereign nation, but went missing. According to the Swedish Brigade war diaries, they executed three Estonians in the village of Hauho in 2 May. One of them was described as ″well-dressed″ and was carrying a large sum of money.[3]

References
  1. "Swedish Brigade". Mannerheim.fi. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  2. "Olof Palme (1884 -1918). Mannen som kunde ha blivit en svensk fascistledare". Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). 26 November 1995. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  3. "Kas Jüri Vilmsi hukkasid rootslased?" (in Estonian). Eesti Express. 21 February 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2016.

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