Vapaudenristin Ritarikunta, Vapaudenmitalin 2. luokka, 1941

2 lk Vapaudenmitali 1941 Hienokuntoinen

Order of the Cross of Liberty, Medal of Liberty, II class (Vapaudenristin Ritarikunta, Vapaudenmitalin 2. luokka), 1941

Circular bronze medal with original loop for ribbon suspension; the face with the crowned lion of Finland within a ring with a white rose of Finland to either side and inscribed URHEUDESTA FÖR TAPPERHET ('For Bravery' in Finnish and in Swedish); the reverse inscribed SUOMEN / KANSALTA (From the Finnish People) and dated 1941 within a circular laurel wreath; on original ribbon with glue resigue to the upper reverse. The Order was created on 16 December 1940 and based on the Crosses and Medals of Liberty from the Liberation War of 1918 during which Finland won her freedom from Russia. The Continuation War of 1941-1944 was so named to encourage the view that it was a continuation of the Winter War of 1939-1940 in which Soviet forces invaded Finland. The Continuation War, however, was an attempt by Finland to regain territory lost at the end of the Winter War and to occupy Russian territory, taking advantage of the German invasion of Russia, as a defensive buffer against future incursions. The defeat of German forces meant that Finland had to come to an accommodation with the Soviet Union and the war, in effect, achieved nothing. This example would have been awarded for an act of military bravery in the Continuation War.