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FIGHT SONG OF THE FINNISH SS MEN

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:70.00 USD Estimated At:150.00 - 200.00 USD
FIGHT SONG OF THE FINNISH SS MEN
"FIGHT SONG OF THE FINNISH SS MEN"
The cover and first page of a piece of sheet music, with text in Finnish and German, entitled: "Suomalaisten SS-miesten Taistolaulu/Kampflied der finnischen SS-manner" ("Fight Song of the Finnish SS Men"), 2pp. 10" x 13", by Finnish composer Yrjo Kilpinen. The cover features an illustration depicting the flag of the Finnish Volunteer Battalion of the Waffen-SS, which was comprised of 1408 Finnish volunteers, many of whom were affiliated with far-right political organizations, and whom chose to join the German Army to fight against the Soviet Union, rather than fighting with their own army in the Continuation War. The unit saw action on the Eastern Front in the Caucus Campaign of 1942, before being disbanded in July of 1943. The lyrics of the song, printed again in both Finnish and German, consist of a typical call to arms, in part: "Rise up to fight, boldly find the target!... Men of Finland always draw the sword, fight for the North..." The song apparently continues, but the rest is missing in this example. Yrjo Kilpinen was very highly regarded in music circles before the war, but his association with and admiration for the NSDAP, as evidenced by this song, greatly tarnished his post-war reputation. The item bears several chips and horizontal and vertical tears at the edges, as well as a split along a horizontal fold that divides the sheet, else good.