Need help with Finnish document

[Frank Heukemes]

Posted for member Sebastian G.

"Can somebody tell me something about this Finnish document?"

[Dave Danner]

It is an award document, like a Besitzzeugnis I think rather than a certificate, for the Medal of Liberty (vapaudenmitali), 2nd Class. That would be the first medal on the bar below. It is dated October 2, 1941 and signed by a Lt. Colonel (everstiluutnantti), but I can't make out the signature and I don't know what the acronym ("PPoh.sl:n" ? ) means for his unit. It might be a notice to the next-of-kin (Hildrud Ellwanger) whose address is given, but I can't tell. I can only pick out some individual words and phrases like "published in the Headquarters awards list." I believe Puolustusvoimain ylipäällikkö means Defense Forces Commander-in-Chief, but it could be High Command.

Hopefully Ville Ruokonen or one of our other Finnish members will see this.

Regards,
Dave

[Sebastian G.]

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[AnttiP]

Hi Frank!
Well Dave basically told you everything about the doc.
The rough translation is:

Oct. 2. 1941 Number: 508
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces (Mannerheim), has awarded you, pioneer Hans Ellwanger, The Medal of Liberty, 2.Class.
The award document shall be sent to the next of kin (Hildrud Ellwanger...) as soon as your name has been published at the Headquarters Awards List.

Signed by Lt.Colonel K. Kaarlonen, the commander of PPoh.sl.

So basically this is just a notification for Hans Ellwanger.
PPoh.sl. simply means Pohjois-Pohjanmaan Sotilaslääni, The military district of Pohjois-Pohjanmaa.

Antti
EDIT Just making some corrections.

[Blitz]

yep, you got there first, Antti Pohjois-Pohjanmaa a.k.a Northern Ostrobothnia

[Sebastian G.]

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[AnttiP]

Hi Sebastian.
The Medal of Liberty 2nd Class is indeed one of the most common awards here in Finland. It was awarded approximately 480 000 times. Finnmedals which is a Finnish dealer and a member of this forums sells one for 30 euros, so I advice you to check out the following addres www.finnmedals.com
Mannerheim gave an order to award every wounded soldier with the Liberty cross or medal, so that explains the great number of awarded persons.
I'm not sure about the attacks at Salla but I'll check it out. Did your grandfather have any other awards?

Edit Yeah, Salla was captured back 8.7. 1941.

Antti

[Sebastian G.]

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[AnttiP]

Hi Sebastian!
Always eager to hear wartime stories. Three hours in a crater with a smashed leg! Your grandfather seems to be one tough guy.
When it comes to my family...
Well, I know that my grandfather took part in Continuation War. He was born in 1926 so he was 15 year's old when the war begun. He was a volunteer and served as a messenger. I do not know where he was stationed, but I will find it out. He was awarded with somekind of medal. I'm not sure of what it was since my grandmother didn't describe it so well. (I haven't seen it myself.)
After the war he did his military service and got his NCO cross.

Antti

[Dave Danner]

Thanks for the background detail on your grandfather.

When we hear that an award like the German Iron Cross, 2nd Class, the Finnish Medal of Liberty or the US Bronze Star, just to cite some examples, was awarded X thousand or X million times, we sometimes are dismissive: "Oh, that doesn't mean much. Everybody got one of those." Providing those details places the medal in context and reminds us that not everyone got such medals, most did something that separates them from the common man, even if it was "just" put your life on the line for your country and the comrade next to you.

Dave

[Sebastian G.]

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[AnttiP]

Hi Sebastian!
I believe that's right. I would've translated it Kurier but after a little research, Melder is the right word.

I totally agree with you Dave and Sebastian. There is always a man/woman behind that piece of medal, there's always a story.

Antti