Mobilising Children for National Defence: Boys’ Education in the Finnish Civil Guard Organisation During the Second World War

Abstract

This article examines the nature of the education provided to boys’ by the Finnish Civil Guard organisation during the Second World War. The research questions are: What type of education did the organisation provide and what values and skills did its members learn? Based on data gathered from a variety of sources, including archives, magazines and previous studies, it appears that boys education in the Civil Guard emphasised Finnish nationalism, Christianity, good manners and various sports skills. Practical training was also provided. During the Second World War, the values and skills learned were put into action – boys participated on the home-front, performing various work assignments that significantly aided the war effort by freeing men for other duties. Some boys participated in military service behind the front line and some voluntarily joined the battlefront troops. After Finland lost the war, however, the organisation was disbanded in 1944 at the demand of the victorious Soviet Union.