Miniature circular silvered metal medal with loop for ribbon suspension; the face with the crowned lion of Finland, a red enamel Geneva (Greek) cross imposed at the base, within a ring with two white roses of Finland 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; diameter 16.2mm (0.63 inch); on possibly original ribbon.
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.
In the Winter War of November 1939-March 1940 and again in the Continuation War from June 1941 to September 1944 Russia attempted to re-annex Finland, as she had the other independent Baltic States. Finland resisted heroically and against overwhelming odds, retaining her independence.
Some 5,253 awards of the full-size medal were made during the Continuation War between 25 June 1941 and 19 September 1944; the miniature is rather rarer.
|