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What is/was "Swedish Drill"

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by Amphion (U3338999) on Wednesday, 27th August 2008

  Many of the letters I have read of Terriers in training camps during the First World War, have references to their training programme. One phrase that comes up again and again, is "We then had Swedish Drill until 8.30, then it was breakfast." What wexactly did/does Swedish Drill consist of???

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  Posted by highchurchman (U7711917) on Wednesday, 27th August 2008

  What is or was,"Swedish Drill"?
  
  I have always understood the Swedish Drill, to stem from Gustav Adolphus;s habit of sending his cavalry to attack the enemy by riding up to face them, then emptying their pistols and riding off.
  
  This was during the 30yrs War.

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  Posted by TimTrack (U1730472) on Wednesday, 27th August 2008

  I was initially reluctant to Google for 'Swedish Drill' on the basis of the sort of pictures that might come up. However, I was rather disappointed to find this link :
  
  

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  Posted by LongWeekend (U3023428) on Wednesday, 27th August 2008

  Amphion
  
  It is physical training - calisthenics done as a drill, a system developed by a Swedish medic. It was popular under that expression - Swedish Drill - with organisations like the Boys Brigade and the Scouts (and the Army, of course). Use of the term in letters might indicate the writer had been involved with one of those organisations before enlisting.

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  Posted by Palaisglide (U3102587) on Thursday, 28th August 2008

  From my first days in school before the war we did Swedish drill. Right through Secondary School we did it and in the army we did it.
  Keep fit films during the war showed healthy young people doing the drill as a method of keeping fit.
  It was synchronized PT plus medicine balls hoops and Gym equipment, every one doing the same thing as a drill.
  It always started with deep breathing exercises then arm swinging running on the spot to warm up.
  It did us a lot of good especially on freezing mornings in the school yard getting the blood moving, the kids of today could do with some of the same.
  Frank.

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  Posted by Nielsen (U3014399) on Thursday, 28th August 2008

  When I went to primary school in Denmark - in the midst of the last century - we did it as well, and later too when doing my National Service.
  And as remefrankmee didn't say, yet what I experienced (subjective NOT objective!) was that it was used to install a sense of parade ground drill in us kids, preparing us for acceptance in the Services.

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  Posted by Palaisglide (U3102587) on Thursday, 28th August 2008

  Nielsen
  What frank (me) did not say was everything in my youth was preparing me for some sort of government services or the forces.
  Empire, Soldiers of the King, Gallant Sailors,
  Maps round the walls, Biggles and stories of daring do in Africa India and other far flung places.
  Discipline was accepted as normal, anyone who kicked out at the system was beaten with parents consent, it was good for us. (so we were told)
  Being a bit of a rebel I got my weekly ration of six of the best.
  I did join the Army and by dint of breaking every rule in the book got to be a WO1, the way being to learn the rule book by heart before using it against the system.
  We actually enjoyed the PT by rote, well most of us, we were all outside lads, the house was for sleeping and eating so we were fitter than most of the kids today. Having reached a good age seeing all my friends go to the big parade ground in the sky, it cannot have done me any harm.
  Frank.

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