General Helge Victor Jung (23 March 1886 – 3 January 1978) was a Swedish Army officer. Helge Jung had a distinguished military career in the Swedish Army. He began as a volunteer in 1904, graduated from the Military Academy Karlberg in 1906, and rose through the ranks, becoming a lieutenant in 1909 and later a captain in 1921. Jung served in various roles, including as an instructor and company commander, and attended military courses.
His contributions extended to the realm of war history and defence debate. Jung led the work on a comprehensive book about Sweden's war history, conducted extensive archival research, and played a key role in defence policy discussions. He founded the New Military Journal and had a significant influence on the Defence Act of 1936, which included a ten-year rearmament plan.
Jung's career continued to advance, and he became Chief of the Army Staff and the General Staff Corps in 1937. He advocated for active action in the event of war with the Soviet Union. However, disagreements within his circle of officers arose in the years leading up to World War II.
Jung was promoted to general in 1944 and appointed Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces. He held this position until 1951 and played a crucial role in shaping the future organization of the Swedish defence post-World War II. Despite facing challenges and opposition, Jung's determination and strategic leadership left a lasting impact on the Swedish military, modernizing its defence and anchoring it among the people. Historians describe Jung as a complex figure with both tactical cunning and a commitment to strengthening Sweden's defence.
Early life
Jung was born on 23 March 1886 in Malmö, Sweden, the son of the headmaster Victor Jung and his wife Maria (née Levan). Jung passed mogenhetsexamen in Malmö in 1903 and then studied history at Lund University for a couple of semesters 1903–1904.
Career
Early military career
He was accepted as a volunteer at the South Scanian Infantry Regiment (I 7) in 1904 and graduated from the Military Academy Karlberg in 1906 and was commissioned into the Swedish Army the same year as a underlöjtnant in the same regiment where he was promoted to lieutenant in 1909. From 1912 to 1916, Jung served as a regimental adjutant in the South Scanian Infantry Regiment, whereupon he attended the Royal Swedish Army Staff College from 1916 to 1918. He was a cadet officer at the Military Academy Karlberg from 1919 to 1922: first at the reserve officer courses during 1919 and then at the officer courses from 1919 to 1922. He was an assistant teacher in martial law and service regulations on the officer course at the Military Academy Karlberg from 1921 to 1922. In 1921 he was promoted to captain in the South Scanian Infantry Regiment.
During this time, Jung took an instructor course at the Royal Central Gymnastics Institute from 1907 to 1908, and served as company commander in 1st Division's (I. arméfördelningen) volunteer school in Halmstad from 1908 to 1909 and from 1909 to 1910. After that he was a company commander at the reserve officer volunteer school in Karlsborg in 1910, and commander of the conscripts selected for special winter service (ski service) from 1910 to 1911, company commander at the reserve officer volunteer school in Karlsborg in 1911 and adjutant at the Infantry Officer Volunteer School (Infanteriofficersvolontärskolan) in Karlsborg from 1914 to 1915.
War history and defence debate
From 1922 to 1926, Jung served in the War History Department of the General Staff, after which he was a teacher in war history and strategy at the Royal Swedish Army Staff College from 1926 to 1928. He was promoted to major in 1928, after which he was acting head of the War History Department in the General Staff from 1928 to 1929 and regular head of the same from 1929 to 1933. He was secretary of the issues regarding the Swedish Army in the 1930 Defence Commission from 1930 to 1935. In 1933 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel, after which he was head of the Foreign Affairs Department in the General Staff from 1933 to 1936. He was secretary of the Committee on Defence during the Riksdag of 1936.