Swedes in Allied Forces 1939-45

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Erik G:son Lewenhaupt did not fullfill his military training in Sweden due to health problems.

Aged 34 he however 1939 joined Swedish Voluntary Corps in Finland and became a Corporal in a Motor Transport Company.

In April 1940 he fought in Norway, Kongsvinger area, but was sent back to Sweden suffering from malaria. After recovering he fought in Northern Norway a o rescuing a Coy of Scots Guards and winning his first Military Cross.

He had appointed himself a Captain when he joined the Norwegian forces and such were the conditions in Norway 1940 that nobody questioned his rank.

In June 1941 he joined the British Army that did not accept his rank so aged 38 he re-started as Private. He quickly made NCO with British 1st Airborne Div. Thereafter he attended an Officers School at Southend-on-Sea (Tell me of that School - please) and 1944 he became 2Lt in Royal Army Service Corps and attached to 6th Airborne Div.

In 1944 he became Captain with 716th Independent Pathfinder Coy. He made five paradrops in combat. Jumped Normandy 6th June 1944.

He later served in Burma and Singapore. In 1947 temporary LtCol and CO of Officers School Hong-Kong. Demobilized in 1948 as Major. Received Military Cross twice and also the King´s Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom.

After returning to Sweden he was appointed Captain of Cavalry reserve and served as an instructor with the Swedish Paratrooper School in Karlsborg.

Photo: After having participated in the liberation of Denmark May 1945.