The classic manual “The Soldier in the Field”, also called SoldF, has been translated into Ukrainian and is now used in the training of soldiers in the country.
– I don’t want more lives to be lost in this war, says Daniel Smith, captain and initiator.
Anyone who has done military service probably remembers the classic book SoldF; 450 pages with everything a soldier needs to know. The book is known for its many color illustrations and covers everything from international law to how to take care of your feet.
Now the book has been translated into Ukrainian, somewhat Officer newspaper has reported. Behind the initiative is Daniel Smith, captain in the defense and PhD student at the Norwegian Defense Academy, who researches combat experiences in Ukraine. He got the idea when he interviewed Swedish volunteers who train Ukrainian citizens in basic military training in the country.
– It emerged that the Swedish volunteer instructors used what is written in SoldF and that several Ukrainian soldiers expressed an interest in having it translated.
He started a project to translate the book and enlisted the help of volunteers.
– I do not want more lives to be lost in this war. I want the soldiers to have a more tolerable life.
So far, only a trial edition has been printed, which will be used by Swedes educating Ukrainians in Great Britain. A few Ukrainian officers have also received the book. The plan is to print 20,000 copies shortly, a cost that the Swedish defense is responsible for.
According to Daniel Smith, the response so far has been good both from Swedes in Ukraine and Ukrainians.
– There have been very nice reactions. Both about someone picking up on this, but also about the content itself.
This is SoldF
The soldier in the field, SoldF, is a soldier’s regulation for the Armed Forces that has been issued in several editions. The book has served as a basic textbook for all conscripts. Most of the editions have been illustrated with drawings by Alf Lannerbäck.
Source: Wikipedia