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The life of Georg Carl von Döbeln (1758–1820), a Swedish general, is full of curious and almost legendary episodes—so much so that in Sweden he has become a semi-mythical figure, symbolizing courage, honor, and a certain romantic heroism.
During the Russo-Swedish War of 1788–1790, von Döbeln was seriously wounded in the head by a bullet. The wound never fully healed, and to cover it he wore a black forehead band for the rest of his life, which became his trademark.
This black band became so iconic that he is depicted wearing it even on medals and official portraits. In Sweden, he is still referred to as the “den svarte Döbeln”—Döbeln the Black.



After the injury, a military doctor removed the bullet fragment from his skull without anesthesia, right on the battlefield. He survived by a miracle but suffered terrible pain and mood swings for the rest of his life—some biographers believe the wound made him more impulsive and even more brilliant.