Soldat, Home Guard (Hemvat), Royal Swedish Army, 1944.jpg

The fear of invasion never completely left the few neutral countries in war-torn Europe. The Swedes had constituted a ‘home guard’ or Landstorm in the Great War and continued this in to the Second World War. This force was usually clothed and equipped with cast-offs from the regular forces.

Headdress – Side cap of field grey serge. The side flaps could fold down over the ears as required. Attached to the front of the crown is a national cockade, in blue and yellow.

Jacket – Serge item with a fall collar, shown below. On the chest and hips are patch pockets with plain flaps. The front is closed with five dull buttons.

Stitched to the upper left sleeve is the Hemvat badge. This is a blue shield bearing three crowns, below the Royal crown.

Equipment – Standard Army ammunition belt. This consisted of a series of pockets worn at the front with the ends of a belt attached so that the item could be buckled around the waist. Sometimes this item is mistaken for a bandolier. An example is shown at the bottom of the page. The bayonet frog is attached to the belt, hanging behind the left hip.

Legwear – Serge trousers bloused over ankle boots.

Weapon – 6.5mm Mauser M94 carbine.