Den Danske Brigade 1943-45 badge and medal

[svapr]

On April 9, 1940, Denmark was attacked by Nazi Germany. The fighting lasted only six hours, the Danish army surrendered and surrendered. However, some Danish units decided to go to Sweden on their own. In April 1940, a total of 200 soldiers and officers arrived in Sweden. The rest decided to stay in Denmark. The Swedish government loaned the Danish embassy 25 million crowns to finance the training and arming of the brigade. Entry into this Danish military formation was voluntary. The core of the new force was formed by Danish soldiers evacuated from Roskilde in 1940. During 1944 and 1945, the ground forces in the Danish Brigade reached four light infantry battalions with a total strength of 2,200 men. The brigade was only deployed on May 5, 1945. The Danish brigade landed near Copenhagen near the village of Hellerup, from where it continued its march to the capital. After the official declaration of the surrender of the German armed forces, the brigade took care of security in the city; it was officially disbanded on July 10, 1945. However, the sappers helped remove minefields that the Germans had created along the west coast until the end of October 1945.

 

In 1943, the command of the Danish brigade had a badge made that referred to the national emblem of Denmark. The national emblem consists of a golden shield with three blue-colored walking lions. Between them are nine red hearts. The shield is topped by a royal crown. The badge was minted by the Sporrong company in Stockholm from a 61 mm long brass sheet. A nut was used to attach it to the uniform. It is not clear how many badges were minted, but let's assume that it was for all members of the Danish brigade - a total of about 2,200 pieces. Therefore, the badge is relatively rare if it is accompanied by an card. In 2005, a new circular commemorative medal was minted for veterans who served in Sweden during World War II.

 

If you know of any other medals or decorations related to this brigade, please write.