Helge Strömbäck


Vice Admiral Helge Hjalmar Immanuel Strömbäck was a Swedish Navy officer. He was the Chief of the Naval Staff from 1942 to 1945 and the Chief of the Navy from 1945 to 1953.

Early life

Strömbäck was born on 26 July 1889 in Delsbo, Gävleborg County, Sweden, the son of vicar Hjalmar Strömbäck and his wife Ida. He became a sea cadet in 1903.

Career

Strömbäck became a sub-lieutenant in the Swedish Navy in 1909. Strömbäck conducted Russian language studies in Moscow from 1913 to 1914 and was promoted to lieutenant in 1918. He attended the Royal Swedish Naval Staff College from 1918 to 1921 and was a teacher there and at the Royal Swedish Army Staff College. Strömbäck was secretary of the 1929 Defense Investigation and expert assistance in the 1930 Defence Commission. Strömbäck was promoted to commander in 1933 and was head of department at the Naval Staff from 1933 to 1936.
He was captain of the seaplane cruiser in 1936 and then head of the Naval Operations Department in the Defence Staff from 1937 to 1939. Strömbäck was promoted to captain in 1939 and served as flag captain from 1939 to 1941 and Chief of the Naval Staff from 1942 to 1945. He was promoted to rear admiral in 1943 and finally vice admiral in 1945. Strömbäck was Chief of the Navy from 1945 to 1953.

Personal life

In 1921, Strömbäck married Melanie Suchy. He was the father of Melanie, Gudrun and Barbro.

Death

Strömbäck died on 20 March 1960 in Stockholm. The funeral service was held on 29 March 1960 in Skeppsholmen Church in Stockholm. He was interred on 31 March 1960 at Galärvarvskyrkogården in Stockholm.

Dates of rank

Awards and decorations

Swedish

Foreign

Honours