More than 400 Swedish volunteers participated in medical units in the Finnish Winter War 1939-40. The Swedish sympathies for Finland were strong and the medical contribution was seen both as a humanitarian and a military action. The Swedish red cross was one of the participating organizations but the red crosses where removed from the vehicles. Much of the medical equipment came from the Swedish army. The link to the Swedish voluntary corps was very strong and many of the treated patients were Swedes. The contribution met with great acclaim while it lasted. Afterwards, however, only a third of the doctors declared their participation. Perhaps they wanted to avoid being associated with the war.