"Beloved Lotta Sisters" "You have gathered here today to pledge your volunteers oath." "PROMISE" "Europe is in an uproar;" "nobody knows what will happen." "But in this stormy sea of nations; we can put our trust in the eternal God." "I now ask you to pledge your Lotta Oath." "I, Anna Moisio swear by my honor;" "to honestly and conscientiously- assist the civil Guard as it defends our homes; nation and religion- and to conduct myself by the rules of the Lotta Svard Organization." "I, Ruth LimneII, swear by my honor;" "to honestly and conscientiously- assist the civil Guard as it defends our homes; nation and religion- and to conduct myself by the rules of the Lotta Svard Organization." "PORKKALA, MOISIO FARM, SOUTHERN FINLAND Two weeks later" "Mona!" "What are Mona's plans?" "She can't stay in the stables forever." "We'II have her married." "Right;" "HeImer?" "Haven't even married Anna off yet." "No sense in marrying at times like this." "Look at me and HeImi." "We started off a bit late, but once we got going..." "The bible says: be fruitful;" "and replenish the earth." "You plan to do it singIe-handed?" "Too old for that now, I am." "still have a handful with the children I have." "What is it?" "Are you sad about having to leave Lasse?" "I don't know." "I'm sure he understands." "Of course he does." "It just feels so bad somehow." "You're not one to lose your head over a man." "I know I wouldn't." "Am I disturbing you?" "The third wheel should roll on." "You don't have to go." "No; huh?" "I'II leave you two alone." "How about today?" "In the middle of Mona's party?" "That's over and done with already." "Lasse, please, there's no time." "AII it takes is to slip the ring on." "You have to ask my father's permission." "I got it already." "Got what?" "We're being sent to the KareIian border next week to provide- supplies for the entrenchers." "Then we're off to training again." "Who has time to get engaged now?" "Or married." "So you don't want to?" "I do." "The same as you." "A family and children, but later." "My dear daughter and our newest graduate, Mona Mosio." "On this very special day ; your mother and I would Iike to remember you- with this necklace your mother and your grandmother have both worn." "May it symbolize what we feel in our hearts today." "We have shed tears of joy for the success of our youngest child- but are also deeply concerned over the situation our country is in now." "May we look at the future with a trustful mind." "Thank you." "You're welcome." "congratulations again; darling." "Maybe I should tell you now about my plans for the future." "Go ahead;" "Mona." "Thinking of marriage, eh?" "So which one of them will it be?" "Young Ake, I bet." "No." "I'm off to oslo to study to become a veterinarian." "I though we already talked this vet idea through." "The world situation hasn't changed." "If not for the worse." "You keep saying nobody's going to attack us." "But how long will it last?" "Who'd ever think of starting a war on such a beautiful summer day?" "almost seems you're hoping for it." "If things get bad; everyone of us will have to do their share." "including you." "Entrenching has begun by the eastern border." "You know what that means?" "Why should I?" "You're a smart girl, Mona." "But sometimes you can be surprisingly childish and selfish." "You can do more with that head of yours than just grow pretty hair." "You're still underage." "We are not going to pay for your studies in oslo." "For the time being." "Is that clear?" "The Earth is like this small, insignificant grain." "There could be other kind of Iife up there in the stars- and I am going to study it." "We'II travel there one day." "First the Moon- then the past and the future." "Stop fooling around;" "Ake." "Ake!" "Ake dearest!" "Open your eyes!" "would you have been sad if I had died?" "certainly not!" "You called me "dearest"." "I call my horse that too." "Because you love him." "should we row out to the island tomorrow?" "What do you think?" "!" "Germany and Soviet Union sign non-aggression pact" "Germany and Poland at war ( 1.9.1 939)" "Warsaw surrenders" "Estonia resigns to Soviet demands" "Councilor of State Paasikivi to negotiate Soviet territorial demands" "The Lotta Svard Women's Auxiliary Organization We are in the process of mobilizing part of the field army." "The concentration of troops begins tomorrow, October 1 1 th." "We need to discuss medical service." "Where do we stand?" "The training of the Lotta medical Service is proceeding well- and we are fully prepared to activate our field hospitals." "Air surveillance courses have also been organized all over the country." "If the message goes" ""Enemy planes are advancing from east to northwest";" "it is coded as follows:" ""eagle flies in; alpha; tango, fox"." "Or you can blur the content by giving the letters new semantic values." "Greetings from the maneuvers." "You got to shake hands with a rifle; too?" "Are they ready for action now?" "Pretty much." "I was by the KareIian border, too." "They had every man jack building trenches; the richest and the poor." "So Roope put you to work?" "The potatoes have to be harvested." "Better this than getting bored to death." "Is Anna back from training?" "How should I know, harvesting all day." "They came for the horse." "See you soon;" "Roy." "It won't last long." "It's got the name and address on both sides; and some sugar." "Look after yourself." "Do you know where you'II be stationed?" "Somewhere in air surveillance." "We have to all be brave." "Come along now." "This is for you." "It's your necklace." "Take it." "I can't wear any jewelry there." "Keep it in your pocket for luck." "Thank you;" "Mona." "I'II write you as soon as I find out my address." "Take good care of Mother and Father." "You must under no circumstances stay out in the streets." "If no permanent shelter is available in the middle of an air raid- go to the gateway or staircase of the nearest building." "We'II be back as soon as we've cleared out the office." "The Russians are here!" "They'II destroy the whole country in four days!" "Shut up." "Hit the shelter!" "Dear Anna; the Russians bombed Helsinki yesterday morning- and again later when we were fetching things from Father's office." "They say at least 44 people died- and many more were wounded;" "mostly women and children." "I can't just stand around and watch these things happen." "KARELIAN ISTHMUS;" "December 1 939 Our course ended last week and I took my Lotta Oath on Sunday." "Maybe I'II see you out there soon." "With joy we join together to serve our native land- every Lotta servicewoman;" "together hand in hand." "You're one heck of a talker." "hardly a word since we got on that train." "Want some?" "Which division will you be in?" "Veterinary service." "You can speak!" "I'm more into human service myself." "Took a six-month medical training course up north." "Most of these girls are going to provisioning." "But there are others, too." "Like Ikki here and Kirri." "My sister's in air surveillance, and I have a friend in medical service." "Anna Moisio and Ruth LimneII." "You know them?" "Not as of yet." "But who knows; we may have shared barracks by the time this is over." "alarm!" "welcome to the front;" "volunteers!" "I hear the Russkies already gave you a welcome." "If you need medical attention, you can stop by the sick bay." "Before you all get to settle down, I want you to report to me- and after that to Commander AnttiIa with your assignment papers." "Are you hurt?" "Just a scratch." "I brought some food and clothes from home." "Sorry, but I have to go." "I just came to wish you welcome." "Where are you going?" "To the OP." "You'II be fine." "I'II see you later." "Come, I'II show you the barrack." "Dear Anna; had a few moments alone in the tent- so I though I'd write." "They sure make us sweat here." "I skied ten miles today and may even have to top that tomorrow." "The Lottas have set up a canteen a few miles from here." "I should get biscuits there;" "maybe even candy." "Dear Lasse; thank you for your letter- and greetings from the barrack I have come to know so well." "We call it the Sauna." "No chance of freezing to death here." "I wish you could see how nice we've turned it. lt almost feels like home." "Our stove is smoking so hard that I can't see to the next wall." "My friends look like blackamoors;" "and our clothes are filthy." "Pants covered in tar; coats in soot and mud; crinkled a thousand-fold." "Saw some planes headed out that way today." "May God protect us all." "Be careful and stay brave." "Over there." "I see them." "Contact control station." "Eye 1 8; attack!" "Six big ones." "From 20 degrees, high." "Six big ones, 20 degrees; high." "Getting closer; circling west." "Eye 1 8; circling west." "Hi there, folks!" "These goods should last us well until the end." "Hi;" "Mona." "So you decided to join us too?" "Kaisa supplies the canteens." "And helps set up new ones." "I also do inspection rounds- so if you ever need a ride somewhere, just ask me." "Got to run." "The guy thinks he's a general;" "walking wide like that." "I apologize on behalf of our honorable messenger." "He usually sees the women;" "not the ugly but the pretty ones." "Wandering around like that with his eyes closed!" "But that's what I'm here for, to follow him around- and clear up the mess." "It's okay." "ville SorvaIi is the name." "From KareIian Nuijamaa." "Lotta Moisio from PorkkaIa." "This one's got no name at all?" "I prefer to keep it to myself." "A name is what you make of it." "But as you please." "I've been here almost a week now- and with all the work to do;" "I haven't had much time to be afraid." "I have twenty poor old steeds to look after as we speak." "It means getting up at five am and collapsing in bed at night." "I have had such strange dreams lately- and it breaks my heart to see these innocent horses suffer in vain." "P.S. The Stable Officer is nice; but I'm not sure about Smith Ollinen yet." "How's it going with freckles?" "I can see he's hurting." "He needs to exercise that leg." "You are to ride these horse every day ; a few miles each." "Where's our little debutant?" "Came here to do her riding since the army took her horses to war." "This girl can ride without a saddle." "Saw her do it the other day." "Are these the ones?" "They've been trampling through the snow all winter in summer shoes." "Ruth!" "Wait!" "My shift ended." "I came out for some fresh air." "How are things in the stable?" "Not good." "How come?" "awful rush and the Smith keeps sneering at me." "And now the stable master wants me to ride about a hundred horses a day." "Where will I find the time?" "KARELIAN ISTHMUS; 23 December; 1 939" "The stretches!" "Ake!" "You know him?" "How bad is it?" "Chest smashed by a splinter." "Mona, don't go." "Mona... hand... hand." "Sing to me... it's Christmas Eve." "Christmas is here;" "the awaited feast" "every heart is filled with laughter and joy." "She's a clever girl- but it won't do her any good to know that." "The weather's been mild after the southern storm has passed." "Snow has fallen;" "it is the darkest day of the year." "In just a few hours a new day will dawn; a little longer than this one." "Long lines of our soldiers skied past us last night- l don't where they were headed." "The missiles light up the sky ;" "but the machinegun roar has stopped." "The heat is on us now ; as the enemy tries to put on a show of force." "Peace is such a beautiful and solemn word." "Next year we will spend the feast of light together." "Goodbye; dear Anna." "I hope to see you soon." "Your Lasse." "PS." "Give my love to Mona and Anna." "You've taken good care of this lot." "Like a real professional." "I ran out of shoes." "I'II go see if any new ones came in." "Got an hour till my shift starts." "Let's snuggle up a bit." "Stop wriggIing!" "Come sit on my lap." "No!" "Let go!" "No way!" "You want it just as bad yourself." "Stop!" "help!" "The stable is burning!" "Let me go!" "Easy, girl." "If you can't handle yourself around here; you should go home." "handle myself?" "You know what was almost done to me?" "In case you don't know, this is a dangerous place for us all." "You women don't have to be here." "With us men it's different." "You're not even human!" "Tough spot for Mona." "When are they holding the hearing?" "Tomorrow, already." "Mona was pretty shocked." "She's still so young." "Did they believe her?" "Who?" "The Matron, for instance;" "and the others." "That the labor conscript attacked her." "Of course they did." "They won't charge her with improper conduct and send her home?" "You know how strict they are about that." "That man attacked her!" "Yes; but..." "But what if he says something else?" "I want to go home." "Everything's fine now." "They sent that man away." "KARELIAN ISTHMUS;" "January 1 940" "Ruth!" "New orders from the Chief Commander." "The dead will no Ionger- be buried in the field." "They are to be shipped home in coffins." "The men will surely bring them in- but they can't clean the bodies and lay them in the coffins." "would you be interested in helping us with that." "Me?" "I figured you'd be used to bodies, having worked in a nursing home." "You don't have to say yes." "It's a tough job." "You think I'd be up to it?" "Yes." "well; if someone has to do it, why not me." "Thank you;" "Ruth." "You can report to the Reverend in the morning." "So you are aware of the nature of the assignment?" "Yes; sir." "And I'm used to harsh work." "In that case;" "I warmly welcome you to join us." "old Annie will show you the ropes." "I'm here if you have any questions." "The bodies freeze up real fast in the winter- but they can take days and days to thaw." "Better this than summer." "folks say there are hundreds of bodies out in the woods." "Oh well; we have many pairs of hands." "And here's one again, for us to make pretty and clean." "No point in sending this one to wash." "full of holes like a sieve." "The men will burn it outside." "Then you empty his pockets;" "take off the rings and watches- whatever he happens to have." "Love never dies" "How did the hearing go?" "Very well." "Good thing Messenger Vuori was there." "So they believed you were innocent?" "Yes." "February 1 940- l seem to be getting used to all the dreadful things happening here." "And at least I'm able to ease the suffering of innocent animals a little." "But I can't help thinking of Roy ;" "where he is and how he has got by." "Someone heard from our pilots that outside Leningrad the Russians- have long lines of trucks full of fresh munition and soldiers." "And still no word of Lasse." "Ask Messenger Vuori." "He knows everything around here." "Let's go." "We just got here." "The supplies you brought will sure come handy." "They're sending in more men before we head for the front again." "Ask him." "So you didn't go home; then." "No." "I'm managing fine, thank you." "You have to, over here." "What is it that you wanted to know?" "Nothing." "So no questions, then?" "We just wondered about the situation." "The Soviets are bombarding the frontlines at Summa." "And we get to call in artillery only when the target's fat enough." "The new artillery we got from France sure has a pretty roar." "But one can't help but wonder who'II be doing the roaring in the end." "Is that enough news for you?" "I'II sleep through my whole rest shift as soon as we get back." "If I don't freeze to death before that." "Sometimes I feel I'II never live up to my Lotta Oath." "You shine like a star in this dark wilderness." "I keep wishing I was better and more decisive." "I wish my heart was as pure as yours." "Four;" "Iow." "40 degrees." "Liisa!" "Anna, help me!" "It hurts." "You'II be fine; everything's fine." "hello!" "hello!" "help!" "We need help!" "luckily the stable didn't burn down." "So you decided to stay?" "You don't have to worry about seeing that scoundrel again." "He's locked up safe." "You're name is Mona?" "Why didn't they sound the alarm?" "Get the horses in!" "Sorry." "I don't know where that came from." "I guess it's because I'm off to the frontline soon." "I figured it was my last chance for a kiss." "That wasn't a kiss!" "It was meant to be." "unfortunately the teeth got in the way." "But we got you here safe." "You've been reading that same page for half an hour now." "Either you're thick as a stick or zoology is deadly boring." "Or funny." "You're smiling like a goon." "What are you thinking about?" "Foot and mouth disease." "Or what Ruth would call ungodly thoughts." "She feels we shouldn't be having any fun amidst all this madness." "Good evening." "I have some bad news." "You are Mona Moisio, Anna Moisio's sister?" "They fired at the OP." "We found this in the snow." "Is Anna in the hospital?" "We don't know." "We found Liisa Hakkarainen's body by the foot of the tower." "I'm sorry." "I guess once they started this war, they've got to carry it through." "This uniform is still so well intact- we'II send it off to the laundry so the tailor can fix it up." "Excuse me." "I'm looking for Ms LimneII." "Now take the nameplate off." "There's a Lotta out there asking for a Lotta." "Me?" "Aren't you all Lottas?" "There's one in the body sled too." "They fired at the OP." "Liisa is dead and Anna is missing." "A Russian patrol must have taken her prisoner." "Excuse me." "I must call the meeting to a halt." "Before continuing our program I will now make an announcement- on the results of the peace negotiations in Moscow." "The Soviet Union will gain possession of the Hanko Peninsula- the Mappuja Port and the surrounding islands." "The new border between Finland and the Soviet Union- will be essentially the same as the old Peter The Great Border." "On the Gulf of Finland the border will run through the Vironlahti church- and the Paasio Island- and Vainikkla;" "Nuijamaa;" "Vartsila and Korpiselka west of Lake Ladoga- immersing with the present border on Lake Lahnajarvi." "So this is what we got after all the bloodshed." "We have to continue the meeting." "As heavy-hearted as we receive the news of this peace" "I propose we immediately move on to discuss population transfers." "Mona!" "hello, Ruth." "Any news of Anna?" "What about Lasse?" "Have you heard from him?" "At least the country's at peace." "But at what cost?" "We lost most of KareIia, including the city of Vyborg." "And the towns;" "KakisaImi and SortvaIa." "old Annie's home is in Vyborg." "Was bombed down a few days ago." "But the KoIIaa and TaipaIe fronts held fast." "They couldn't get through there, those damned Russkies." "I hope to God we will have real peace one day." "That we'd have a whole and independent country again." "But now we've all got to leave;" "wherever we have homes or not." "We missed our wagon." "Can you help us?" "My son's just two weeks old;" "he'II freeze." "Our sled is following behind;" "there should be room in there." "Dearest family ; a few quick words;" "since I don't know when I'll be home." "My heart is heavy ; as there are still no news of Anna." "I'II go find someone who can tell you where to go." "I found out that Lasse is still alive; thank God." "More and more evacuees keep pouring in." "I just helped out a Karelian woman with four small children." "Can you imagine; a newborn baby and nowhere to go in this cold weather!" "I left Anna's coat for the children to keep them warm." "Luckily the Lottas are distributing food- and Voluntary Care looks after the rest." "I hug you all!" "Hope to see you soon;" "Mona." "You'II get home soon, to grow up and get stronger." "Can I close up?" "There's some girl in here!" "What are you doing here?" "Are you alone?" "Just the horse and me." "Your papers!" "Lotta Moisio; veterinary service." "AII clear." "What's wrong?" "Nothing." "We're on the safe side of the new border now." "Any idea which way the horses will be returned?" "You're thinking of your horse;" "Roy?" "The ones that made it will be returned to their owners." "Though thousands of them have died." "You should go report for duty." "Thank you;" "Smith, and farewell." "Just say "goodbye"." "It means we'II meet again." "Let's hope in better times." "PORKKALA, Spring 1 940." "The last POW consignment arrived on april 26th?" "Some smaller groups have arrived thereafter?" "I see." "And no reason to believe Anna might have been in Grjazovetsky?" "I'II try get in touch with Captain ViitaIa directly." "Happy birthday." "Thank you; dear." "Yes; there's always hope." "Thank you." "Goodbye." "No news?" "I will keep on hoping- until we get Anna home." "It hurts to watch Father's concern and Mother's grief over Anna." "We are starting to lose hope; and I doubt we'll get Roy back either." "Mona!" "You have two guesses." "Know what has two dark hairs." "No;" "I don't!" "There goes your first guess." "Now you have just one left." "And one gray hair." "Getting senile, are you?" "Stop it." "As you please." "I was going to tell you they got a new batch of horses in,- returnees from the front." "Was Roy there?" "How should I know ;" "I heard about it just now myself." "hello." "hello." "Has our Roy been returned?" "Roy!" "Roy!" "You can pick him up tomorrow when we'II have the paperwork done." "Over 800 prisoners have been returned by now." "Anna can't have just vanished from the face of the earth." "basically we have records on all the prisoners from the camps- and the wounded and the sick." "Anna's name wasn't among them." "Papers do get lost; though." "I refuse to believe she's dead." "Me too." "Not until it's proved differently." "They gave their everything;" "their life for their country." "We still keep receiving sad tidings of Lottas- who served in voluntary defense;" "under extreme conditions- as the enemy's steel birds sowed horror around them." "Today we; the survivors;" "solemnly honor- the memory of those who died a hero's death- and of those whom we don't know of- the ones we haven't been able to bless on their final journey." "Let us pray." "God who art in heaven- thank you for leading our nation through its many trials and battles- into a new day." "You'd never think food was rationed." "It's all from our farm." "feels so good having the young ones back home." "So Lasse; what's your take on the new defense line?" "That's what we're off to build." "Seems we're on the eve on another war." "It's New Year's Eve!" "But the Soviets even broke off the trade agreement with us." "Doesn't seem like a honeymoon to me." "They say hunger conquers the toughest soldier." "But not us!" "Or Germany." "We should develop our trade relations that way- and we wouldn't have a worry in the world." "The Finnish Lion will not bow down to the Russian Bear." "To finland!" "A new day chases the mist of night away" "the birds in the woods awake;" "the wind brings in sweet scents." "So short is the summer;" "autumn closes the gates of joy- and everything that is dear to you;" "you have to forsake." "girls!" "Run home!" "Now!" "Citizens;" "Our peaceful nation- which has for over a year now struggled to rebuild this country- after the destruction of the last war;" "has been cruelly attacked again." "Medic!" "I'II write as soon as I get there." "For Roy ; too." "I will never get used to this." "I'II be fine now that I know what it's like." "When does the signals course start?" "What signals course?" "I'm going to be a signals Lotta." "Where?" "In helsinki?" "No." "At the front." "You knew about this?" "Mom; it's not all that dangerous." "We have proper weapons this time." "And Germany's support." "We can win KareIia back." "At least the city of Vyborg." "And I'II be inside in the telephone exchange." "And I'II be in the stable." "And Lasse will be there; too." "And a certain young message man." "Message what?" "KARELIA; summer 1 941" "Good morning." "Good morning." "Are these those captured horses?" "What else." "This one's swarming with lice." "Our horses hardly ever get lice." "On these ones they grow like hair." "Smith OIIinen!" "Goodbye." "Goodbye." "Setting up a delousing sauna?" "The Germans use big tanks for spraying out gas but we don't have them." "We could try to mix up some kind of a concoction." "You still plan to go study theology after we get out of here?" "That's what I did before the war." "But will you continue?" "Don't you believe in God?" "The bible says God is good and merciful." "Kind of hard to believe;" "with all this killing going around." "You'd make a good doctor." "You care about people- and you've got a good head." "Doesn't the bible say that God created man in his own image?" "By helping people you'd be serving God." "Watch." "Ring." "We'II go catch some air." "hello." "Yes." "hold on." "Damn that polka;" "and still a ban on dancing!" "The last time I danced to this was at my sister's wedding back home." "Three days they've been playing that polka so the Soviets can't set off- their radio-controIIed mines." "Who's the dancing girl?" "Kirre, the mason's wife." "I got mad foot disease!" "surely my husband won't mind me dancing with a coat?" "Here are some of finland's secret weapons." "Ms EdeIman." "Thank you." "It's from Lasse." "You're welcome." "At ease." "I hear Miss Moisio is stationed here." "She's Mrs. EdeIman now." "Got herself married, she did." "She's reading her sweetheart's letter; blind and deaf to the world." "hello, Anna!" "There's someone here to see you." "What...?" "I meant Mona Moisio." "Mona's not here." "I'm her sister." "Has something happened?" "No." "I'm 2nd Lieutenant Vuori." "There you go!" "Thank you." "I've got some mail for you boys." "Private Kivi." "That's me!" "corporal Mayra." "Private Autti." "No longer here." "Died yesterday." "Sergeant Haapakoski." "I've got something for you, too, Mona." "Thank you." "Thanks." "Dear Ms. Moisio; you will most likely be surprised by this letter." "I got your address from your sister at the telephone exchange." "We get our share of action here;" "today a couple of plains circled by." "I hear you've been hard pressed over there; too." "Helsinki has also been badly bombed." "I hope you're safe- and that we'll soon send those vermin back over the Urals." "You can write to me if you like;" "at this address." "I don't know when I'll end up that way." "Sincerely ;" "Veikko Vuori." "OLONETS KARELIA, Christmas 1 941" "Let's hope they won't serve us any MoIotov cocktails today." "surely they wouldn't on Christmas Eve?" "Have there been problems with the mail?" "problems?" "You just got a letter from Anna; didn't you?" "Let's go!" "Thank you;" "ladies." "What a trip!" "We must have come a hundred miles or more." "Anna!" "Kaisa!" "Merry Christmas!" "Merry Christmas." "Merry Christmas, Ruth." "Come help us, Anna." "We could feed a herd of sheep with all this food." "How come you feel so small?" "I won't for long." "We're having a summer baby." "That's wonderful!" "You have to go home." "I will." "I'II be relieved after Christmas and Lasse will have a leave; too." "We'II have many days together." "Thank you." "You're welcome." "Did that Vuori fellow write to you?" "He did once." "And I wrote back." "But I haven't heard from him in months." "I heard he made Lieutenant." "Merry Christmas." "Merry Christmas." "MOISIO, PORKKALA, January 1 942" "There you are!" "Look;" "Mother." "well;" "look at that." "What a lovely little Lotta dress Anna made for Kirsti's doll!" "She won't have to cry over not making Lotta little Sisters yet." "Seems we have half the village here sewing ski-uniforms." "Evening!" "Do we have to sew too if we come in?" "That's all we need." "We sure sweated with those logs in the backwoods." "Good thing I had this soldier on leave to help." "I'm cold and hungry like in Soviet hell." "Let's get us some grub." "What is it?" "Anna, what is it?" "It hurts." "Excuse me." "A miscarriage." "You knew she was pregnant?" "Three months." "Has she been alright otherwise?" "She still won't talk to us about what happened in that prisoner camp." "No wonder." "But outwardly at Ieast everything seems to be in order." "I gave her some medicine." "call me if there are any complications." "Thank you; we will." "I've been their family doctor for years." "I brought Anna into this world." "So a happy New Year to you- and I hope we meet again under better circumstances." "Lasse!" "feeling any better?" "It wasn't the baby's time yet." "It may never be." "It will, I'm sure." "Even the doctor said so." "I had that dream again." "I came home and everyone was dead." "And they were bombing us again." "Just try to get some rest." "They kept poking those rat's tail bayonets." "I put my hands up." "But Liisa." "I can't stop thinking about her." "I can't stop thinking why did I survive." "Why did she have to die and I got to live?" "What's the purpose of this all?" "OLONETS KARELIA, summer 1 943" "Where did that horse doctor go?" "He'II get here as soon as he can." "Name of the horse?" "Reima." "Here in faraway eastern Karelia I sometimes feel very sad and empty." "I feel I've suddenly grown so much older." "Maybe one year at war equals ten years of peacetime." "Ok;" "let's move." "We'II drop him on a count to three!" "And Anita can hand out the instruments." "Where did you find shoes like that?" "They look like little boats." "They're from Sweden." "We call them olive shoes." "So where's Popeye?" "Is the gelding asleep already?" "In a minute." "They're sending us to the frontline again." "Good morning!" "Good morning." "Hey ; hold on!" "although I haven't got much time." "We're headed for the front." "Kind of hard for me to write to you, Ruth- if I don't even know your name." "You just said it." "Seems I did." "I'm the kind of man who finds out what he needs to know." "Those eyes of yours need a little brightening up." "Think you could start writing with an ordinary sergeant like me?" "I do known how to write." "Don't mind if I do." "You smell as lovely as the Rose of Sharon." "Spring 1 944" "Headquarters are extremely grateful for the invaluable help the Lottas- have provided both in ground operations and at the home front." "Thank you;" "Lieutenant colonel, for your kind words." "For three years we have been engaged in a war against an enemy- that outnumbers us by far." "And the situation is becoming critical." "I must ask of you to extend the Lotta operations- in one more area of defense." "Which is?" "To fill in for the anti-aircraft searchIight batteries." "We can start by training around 300 Lotta volunteers- preferably graduates or university students- who have distinguished themselves in air surveillance." "Is that all?" "I have one more question." "The searchlights need to be guarded night and day- by the Lottas, apart from their regular duties." "For this they would need rifle training." "That is against the principles of the Lotta Svard Organization; as you know." "It is absolutely out of the question." "The Lottas will not take up arms!" "That is the men's job." "Mrs. Chairwoman;" "we haven't got any more men." "If and when things get dangerous..." "No more men?" "We are coming to the end of the road." "Every third man is out of service." "I thank you for your confidence, but I can't promise anything." "We have been stationed to move the horse hospital closer to the front." "Where exactly ;" "they won't tell us." "Thank God the folks home are fine." "I got a long letter from Anna." "Not a word from Lieutenant Vuori in ages; even though I've written to him." "I won't write to him anymore." "I haven't seen him in almost a year." "Why did I have to start talking about love?" "well?" "well what?" "At least the mail still gets through." "What does Lieutenant Vuori write?" "He'II be coming this way soon." "He won't tell me where;" "or much anything else; either." "Men are inexplicable." "What about ville?" "Any mention of him?" "No." "should there be?" "The peace talks fell through!" "I keep hearing these rumors." "Horsemen's news." "They say the war hasn't even started yet for finland." "Kaisa says they have started teaching Lottas to use rifles for seIf-defense." "Has there been anything about it in the papers?" "Not a word." "I find it hard to believe." "You've got a whole lot prettier in a year." "You know what?" "I've decided to take you home to be my wife when all this is over." "ville has always been such a romantic." "And a man of action." "So how are you;" "Miss Mona?" "Fair enough." "Anna?" "What are you doing in helsinki?" "I was called up for searchIight training." "called up?" "They contacted my university." "What are you talking about?" "Our training starts in June;" "right off the helsinki coast." "You can't." "You're not strong enough." "Dad, they need me there." "We need you at home, too." "We're getting old." "please think it over." "I guess there's no way I can talk you out of this?" "Try me." "Finland is now facing its fatal hour." "The Soviets have started a massive attack in Karelia; with the objective of- breaking through the Finnish defense;" "both on ground and in the air." "We need everyone's help now." "You may not be familiar with weapons, searchlights or sound detectors- so we'll start from the basics." "This is am Italian Terni m/36 rifle." "Apart from searchIight training;" "you will receive security training- in which you will fire two series of five shots." "The night of Sunday ;" "June 11 th;" "was quiet- but at 6 am they started bringing in masses of wounded horses." "I heard at the field hospital that we lost the blood service van." "There is a terrible shortage of blood; plasma; everything." "Anna wrote me that she is going into searchlight training." "Whatever it is;" "I wrote her at once not to go." "Dear Lasse. I've been quite busy ;" "and the training is going very well." "I don't know when they'll let me off on leave- but I just found out I will be stationed close to home- although it doesn't mean much in practice." "The thought warms my mind because I think of you and the folks back home- all the time." "Luckily there's not much time to miss anyone- because the situation is very grave;" "and I am needed here now." "ville, Iet it be!" "The Russkies broke our defense west of the village." "I know all you men are tired;" "but we have to strike back at once." "EdeIman will lead the attack to the right by the path." "Koistinen takes the Ieft wing." "HoIIo covers the right rear." "AaIto supports the attack, as usual." "Any questions?" "Let's go." "The number of wounded friends and strangers keeps growing fast." "We were just ordered to pack up our division and retreat without delay." "For the first time I am starting to wonder how all this is going to end." "Medic!" "PeItonen!" "call them forward!" "Forward!" "Attack!" "Company ; charge!" "Lasse..." "Lasse...." "Goodbye, ville." "Lost my leg." "Get me a pistol." "Lasse, think about Anna." "Soon everything will be better and you'II get to go home." "My dearest Anna; just a brief message since I'm still quite weak- and it's hard to write with a pencil stub lying on your back in bed." "Everything has gone pretty well;" "believe it or not- and I'll be getting out of the hospital soon." "Now that the war is over for me;" "I have been thinking that I should- continue my studies at law school as soon as possible." "Who wants me?" "1 st Sergeant;" "Sir." "Did you hear finland has decided to initiate peace talks." "No." "We'II finally have peace." "Remains to be seen." "At least we didn't give in to the Russkies." "No." "I just wish this whole thing ended so we could all go home." "Some of us will and some of us won't." "I Ieft my first home of my own in Vyborg." "My wife and I just got married- and now she's staying with some relatives on the west coast." "Our baby is due this month." "congratulations." "Sorry, but I have to run." "I need to get changed for my shift." "We'II stand guard until the bitter end." "My love for you hasn't changed;" "it has only grown stronger." "I so hope you feel the same way about me- even though I'm not the man I was when we got married." "The war has taken its toll." "But I will try my best- and I truly believe we can still have a good life- and the son we have hoped for so long." "I kiss you everywhere." "Yours;" "Lasse." "KARELIAN ISTHMUS; 5 September 1 944" "I heard the Soviets have kept firing at us- even though the armistice was declared yesterday." "And I've made my decision." "What's that?" "I've had enough of dying." "I'm going to study medicine." "No more corpses for me, if only I can avoid it." "I have two more letters here." "Got here just in time before we hit the road." "Mona!" "Thanks." "Anita!" "My mother sure will be happy to have me back home." "The poor woman's been looking after the farm on her own." "What does it say?" "Who is it from?" "My father." "Anna is dead." "I have to go." "The horses are waiting." "I came as soon as I heard." "We'II have to leave the farm and go to stay with relatives in helsinki." "Such are the terms of the armistice." "Home; 26 September 1 944" "The Soviets gave Finland eight days to evacuate the headland of Porkkala." "Luckily a good number of Lottas and soldiers came to help us move." "We couldn't have done it without them." "Mother and Father are desolate;" "because the lease for a Soviet- naval base is for 50 years;" "and they will not live to see the day- when we will get back home." "I probably will not either." "Goodbye; sweet home." "PorkkaIa, Moisio" "Out you go;" "Anna." "This is Mummy's home." "We didn't have to wait 50 years." "And we didn't fight for nothing." "Her name is Lotta." "The Finnish Lotta Svard Organization was the world's largest women's voluntary auxiliary organization." "At its height it included over 240 000 volunteers." "Under the terms of the interim peace treaty with the Soviet Union- the Finnish government disbanded the organization on 23 November 1 944." "This film has been supported by the Lotta Svard Foundation." "subtitles:" "Susan Heiskanen"