Hundreds of women auxiliaries were dismissed for "improper behaviour"

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In wartime the Finnish Lotta women's auxiliary volunteers had many tasks on both the war and home fronts. The national Lotta Svärd organisation, set up in 1920, practiced strict discipline, and over 1,100 cases of breaking the rules were recorded during the Continuation War alone. Typically, these cases were described just as "improper behaviour". As a punishment, the Lotta auxiliary in question was either sent back home, requested to resign from the organisation, or dismissed.
      Pia Olsson's new book Myytti ja kokemus. Lotta Svärd sodassa (Myth and experience. Lotta Svärd at War) describes what kind of demands and expectations were set for these women and what happened if they did not manage to meet them.
      "I was careful not to label the Lotta women who were punished. Many had very human, often sad backgrounds", says Pia Olsson.
     
In the period from 1942 to 1944, pregnancy or an illegitimate child was the reason for dismissal in 52 cases, and for resignation in 45 cases, whereas 60 Lotta volunteers were sent back home for similar reasons. A further 70 women were discharged because of venereal disease. Other reasons included smoking while cooking, or simply being too familiar towards officers and other ranks, or "wearing too much make-up; conspicuously lively and wild behaviour".
      Senior women volunteers were supposed to monitor their groups, and instruct them about important issues including abstinence from alcohol.
     
According to the Lotta Svärd ideology, women were responsible also for men's morals. Therefore, male behaviour was seldom questioned.
      In addition to hospital duties, Lotta women were trained for tasks ranging from spotting enemy aircraft to delivering mail to soldiers in the field, and they also served as switchboard operators.
      In battle zones, Lotta women provided food for the soldiers. On the home front they baked bread and manufactured goods for the front lines.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Lotta Svärd women's auxiliary organisation disbanded 60 years ago under terms of peace treaty (30.11.2004)
  War-time women auxiliaries celebrated in the Finlandia Hall 27.3.2001)

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