85 years ago, on March 13, 1940, the Finnish Winter War was over.
Finland's valiant defense could no longer stop the Soviet invasion and it was forced to agree to the harsh terms of the Soviet peace treaty.
Finland was forced to give up about a tenth of its territory. With only a few exceptions, the Finnish population in the areas occupied by the Soviet Union chose to remain. About 450,000, or just over a tenth of the country's population, were displaced.
Finnish losses amounted to 66,350 wounded and killed. The suffering of the Finnish civilian population during the war played a major role in the final acceptance of the Soviet Union's terms for a ceasefire.
The price Finland paid to save its freedom was very high. However, their courage to protect their independence in the face of the hopeless task of defending themselves against the Soviet Union set an example for the whole world. Finland lost the war but still managed to save its freedom.
21 years old but already a war photographer
Photographer KG Kristoffersson was only 21 years old when he became the first photographer in the world to be on site at the Mannerheim Line. The defense line on the Karelian Isthmus that was the border with the Soviet Union and where some of the fiercest battles were fought during the Winter War. In an interview, Kristoffersson tells how he and journalist legend Barbro “Bang” Alving were fired upon at the Karelian Isthmus and had to quickly run back for cover with the bullets whistling.
Barbro Alving, 1909-1987, Swedish journalist known under the pseudonym Bang. Reporter and contributor to Swedish newspapers and reported on events such as the Berlin Olympics, the Spanish Civil War, the Hungarian Revolt. Here on the Karelian Isthmus in Finland, when she reported from the Finnish Winter War. In addition to the Finnish driver and a Finnish officer, the picture shows from the left Erik Wästberg and Kristina Ingman. December 1939.
Sweden and the War. The new documentary series in Svt where producers Kristina Lindström and Henrik Stockare talk about the Swedes during World War II.
The documentary series premiered on May 11.
In the first episode, Kristoffersson's picture of journalist Barbro Alving is shown in connection with the story of the Soviet Union's war of aggression against Finland.
Kristoffersson himself has said that it was quite dramatic when they heard the bullets whistling and they had to quickly take cover.
"Bang" looks pretty cool in the picture despite the situation.
The picture has been colored, which is common practice these days. That may be good, and it may be less good.
Funny that Svt is turning to me for pictures.
Link to the program: https://www.svtplay.se/sverige-och-kriget
War photographer Kristoffersson
KG Kristoffersson stands in the middle between editors Müller from Aftonbladet and Hedström from Stockholmstidningen during the trip to Finland. He looks a little nervously into the camera and holds his helmet in his hands. In front of him are his camera bags.
The photographer Kristoffersson
The magazine Se was the Swedish innovative picture magazine that presented news and reports in a new way. Se was the start of the new picture journalism that focused significantly more on image content than text. The pictures and photographers that editor-in-chief Nycop chose to publish were of a very high standard. Kristoffersson was a frequent photographer for Se. If you reached that level as a photographer, it was proof of your ability.
The pictures from Kristoffersson's travels to Finland during the Winter War were published in Se. Page after page where readers could see and read about the current events.
