A departed colleuge...

Discussion in 'Veteran Accounts' started by Redcoat64RgtFoot, Feb 23, 2006.

  1. Redcoat64RgtFoot

    Redcoat64RgtFoot Junior Member

    Friends,

    I had the greatest pleasure of meeting Allan Mann here in Sweden. This was just a few years ago and since last year he is no longer among us.:(

    Allan Mann (Swedish) was born 5 may 1921 and he was a good wrestler. In 1939 he volunteered to the Swedish workforce for Finland. At that time he had no previous military experience. He was sent to Finland and participated there as an ordinace.

    After Finland he followed some Norweigan friends to particpate in the fighting against Germany. He arrived there on April 12 1940, he fought around Kongsvinger and Röros. At the end of the fightings there they herd about the the ongoing fightings around Narvik. They walked to Sweden, from there traveled up north in Sweden and thorugh Finland to Narkvik.

    Anyway, on the night between 6-7 June 1940 Allan fought i na mixed force (Norwegans, French and Polish troops). They advanced along the "malmbanan" (railroad line for Iron Ore). They meant to recapture Narvik. This didn´t work out. Most of the troops where killed or captured. Allan and a french collegue survived, but both where wounded. Allan then, still wounded, carried the frenchman all the way to Sweden.:eek: (both survived).

    After his woudns had healed he went back to Norway as a courier, 52 times! Later in the war he was a bit bored so he went to england and went some "ranger" courses. After that he particpated in the advance into Germany.

    He was a very modest man, and most of the stories I have hear has come from his friends. At my first metting with him, I saw an old and week man. But once he shook my hand I could feel his strength.

    I dont't know the correct english translation of his medals but I give it a try:
    Finnish warmedal, Norwegan St Olavs medal with oakleaves, british military medal, the french warcross with palmleaves, honorarylegion knightsensigna (foreign legion i believe), Norwegean Defencemedal with oakleaves. Se the picture below of all his medals.

    [​IMG]


    In the picture below he is the one at far right.
    [​IMG]


    I saw Allan once at an winterexercise in northern Sweden. 20 degrees below zero and on the "fjäll" (mountainus region) We skeed with 200 cadets at the age of 20-25. Allan was at this time about three times older than the cadets but he could still outskee all of them. At night when we where going into "bivak" (digging snow caves) The cadets did the job in maybe 4 hours, Allan did in 2. I didn't know him that well, I only met him a couple of times but he really made an lasting impression.

    best regards
    Redcoat
     
  2. Gnomey

    Gnomey World Travelling Doctor

    [​IMG] Remarkable man by the sounds of things. RIP
     
  3. redrat

    redrat Junior Member

    top row , 2nd in on the left is the polish silver star
     

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