G
Photos WW2 Finnish armed forces
- Thread starter morris
- Start date
G
guest0001
Guest
Today in history 81 years ago, on Jan 26 1940, the President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt encourages volunteers to join the Finnish Field Army by saying that they won’t loose the citizenship.
At the time joining a foreign army fighting the enemy caused the loss of the US citizenship - but since there were no war declarations whatsoever between the USSR and Finland there was no war.
Pics show Finnish Col. Willamo hosting the so-called ”Hoover’s Expedition” in the Rovaniemi town on Jan 26.
SA-kuva
At the time joining a foreign army fighting the enemy caused the loss of the US citizenship - but since there were no war declarations whatsoever between the USSR and Finland there was no war.
Pics show Finnish Col. Willamo hosting the so-called ”Hoover’s Expedition” in the Rovaniemi town on Jan 26.
SA-kuva
G
guest0001
Guest
Finnish Detachment Pajari was struggling in the Aittojoki area, Ladoga Karelia, on Jan 21-22. The Soviet 153rd Division had attacked in the Viitavaara-Vegarus area and the 75th along the Vaaksaus road, the latter also trying the flank from the left heading to the Tolvajärvi-Ägläjärvi road.
Detachment was strenghtened with Sissipataljoona 2 (Guerilla Battalion) on Jan 21, and the Separate Battalion 10 tried to stop the 75th Division by a night-time counterattack. As the counterstrike had failed the enemy continued the attempts to break through on Jan 22 but the 1st and 2nd Battalions from the Infantry Regiment 16 repelled all attacks. The Soviets, however, managed to capture the depots of the Separate Battalion 9 in the Karsikkolampi area. Finnish counterattack succeeded and they pushed the enemy to the Luglajoki River. Meanwhile, the Sissipataljoona 2 was heavily pressured on the western side of the Vegarusjärvi Lake. And when the "Pössi's Guerillas" informed that the Soviet activity had increased on the southern flank the situation started to be critical.
Maj. Gen. Talvela then decided to issue the Separate Battalion 112 to Pajari, informing the Supreme HQ that the Sissipataljoona 3 should be re-positioned. Col. Pajari was ordered to capture the Vaaksaus road in the Hautalampi area and cut the enemy supply routes. Finns counterattacked started in the morning of Jan 23 failed. Vieksinki village on the southern flank was captured by some two Soviet companies. Finns, having no reserves, gathered some labour battalions from Tolvajärvi trying to re-capture the village but were forced to take defensive positions in the outskirts.
Today 81 years ago, on Jan 24 1940, the Finnish defense was broken at the Sissipataljoona 2's sector on the western side of the Vegarusjärvi. Unit retreated to the western bank of the Luglajoki River and was strenghtened with the 2nd Company and an MG Platoon of the Separate Battalion 112. Soviet advance there was stopped at the Kuukkausjoki River.
Pics show Col. Pajari in his dugout inspecting a map, some Finns during an assault and some unnamed soldier from the area. Last pic is taken on Feb 17, but most likely depicts a soldier from the Separate Battalion 10.
SA-kuva pics # 4162, 3405 and 8862
Talvisodan historia, osa 3, s. 173-175
Detachment was strenghtened with Sissipataljoona 2 (Guerilla Battalion) on Jan 21, and the Separate Battalion 10 tried to stop the 75th Division by a night-time counterattack. As the counterstrike had failed the enemy continued the attempts to break through on Jan 22 but the 1st and 2nd Battalions from the Infantry Regiment 16 repelled all attacks. The Soviets, however, managed to capture the depots of the Separate Battalion 9 in the Karsikkolampi area. Finnish counterattack succeeded and they pushed the enemy to the Luglajoki River. Meanwhile, the Sissipataljoona 2 was heavily pressured on the western side of the Vegarusjärvi Lake. And when the "Pössi's Guerillas" informed that the Soviet activity had increased on the southern flank the situation started to be critical.
Maj. Gen. Talvela then decided to issue the Separate Battalion 112 to Pajari, informing the Supreme HQ that the Sissipataljoona 3 should be re-positioned. Col. Pajari was ordered to capture the Vaaksaus road in the Hautalampi area and cut the enemy supply routes. Finns counterattacked started in the morning of Jan 23 failed. Vieksinki village on the southern flank was captured by some two Soviet companies. Finns, having no reserves, gathered some labour battalions from Tolvajärvi trying to re-capture the village but were forced to take defensive positions in the outskirts.
Today 81 years ago, on Jan 24 1940, the Finnish defense was broken at the Sissipataljoona 2's sector on the western side of the Vegarusjärvi. Unit retreated to the western bank of the Luglajoki River and was strenghtened with the 2nd Company and an MG Platoon of the Separate Battalion 112. Soviet advance there was stopped at the Kuukkausjoki River.
Pics show Col. Pajari in his dugout inspecting a map, some Finns during an assault and some unnamed soldier from the area. Last pic is taken on Feb 17, but most likely depicts a soldier from the Separate Battalion 10.
SA-kuva pics # 4162, 3405 and 8862
Talvisodan historia, osa 3, s. 173-175
G
guest0001
Guest
Continuation War, Finland.
Mixed pics from Kirkkolahti village/area. Kirkkolahti 1941.07.16 (SA-kuva)
Mixed pics from Kirkkolahti village/area. Kirkkolahti 1941.07.16 (SA-kuva)
G
guest0001
Guest
Continuation War, Finland.
A Finnish soldier checks a captured 45 mm anti-tank gun. Kirkkolahti 1941.07.16 (SA-kuva)
A Finnish soldier checks a captured 45 mm anti-tank gun. Kirkkolahti 1941.07.16 (SA-kuva)
G
guest0001
Guest
Continuation War, Finland.
A "murros", when the Finns pushed forward summer 41, they had to pass many of these defense lines.
In one of the first scenes of the movie "Unknown Soldier" they are attacking a "murros" reminding of this one. Nuijamaa 1941.07.16 (SA-kuva)
A "murros", when the Finns pushed forward summer 41, they had to pass many of these defense lines.
In one of the first scenes of the movie "Unknown Soldier" they are attacking a "murros" reminding of this one. Nuijamaa 1941.07.16 (SA-kuva)
G
guest0001
Guest
Continuation War, Finland.
First train arrives to Värtsilä, the town/municipalitie was lost during the Winter War, but is here on the Finnish side again. Värtsilä 1941.07.16 (SA-kuva)
First train arrives to Värtsilä, the town/municipalitie was lost during the Winter War, but is here on the Finnish side again. Värtsilä 1941.07.16 (SA-kuva)
G
guest0001
Guest
A Junkers W-34, evacuating Finnish wounded in Tiiksjarvi (now part of Russia), Continuation War, 1941.
G
guest0001
Guest
Continuation War, Finland.
Sauna time! Ponkalahti 1941.07.16 (SA-kuva)
Sauna time! Ponkalahti 1941.07.16 (SA-kuva)
G
guest0001
Guest
On Jan 22 1940 the Soviet 168th Division decided to retreat in the Kitilä area, Ladoga Karelia, to the line Polviselkä-Pieloinmäki-Jonnisenmäki.
Reason to that was the increased Finnish activity there, they had started to harass the only Soviet supply route southwards across the icy Lake Ladoga and manned some of the islands along it meanwhile the Task Force Kilpa had reached the eastern coast of the Lake in Peräkylä area. The northern front of the Kitilä pocket stayed at the line mentioned 'til the end of the War.
During the day the Detachment Oinas captured the Ruunaviidanmäki Hill, occasionally being able to cut the road Lemetti Crossroads-Myllykylä village. Meanwhile, the Jaeger Battalion 4 repelled several assaults when trying to capture the Ruhtinaanmäki Hill. The unit was later strenghtened with the 1st Company from the Separate Battalion 18 and the Hill was in Finnish hands on Jan 25.
Pic shows a Finn holding a Soviet helmet in the Ruhtinaanmäki area on the 21st of January.
SA-kuva pic # 3550
Talvisodan taisteluja, s. 200
Reason to that was the increased Finnish activity there, they had started to harass the only Soviet supply route southwards across the icy Lake Ladoga and manned some of the islands along it meanwhile the Task Force Kilpa had reached the eastern coast of the Lake in Peräkylä area. The northern front of the Kitilä pocket stayed at the line mentioned 'til the end of the War.
During the day the Detachment Oinas captured the Ruunaviidanmäki Hill, occasionally being able to cut the road Lemetti Crossroads-Myllykylä village. Meanwhile, the Jaeger Battalion 4 repelled several assaults when trying to capture the Ruhtinaanmäki Hill. The unit was later strenghtened with the 1st Company from the Separate Battalion 18 and the Hill was in Finnish hands on Jan 25.
Pic shows a Finn holding a Soviet helmet in the Ruhtinaanmäki area on the 21st of January.
SA-kuva pic # 3550
Talvisodan taisteluja, s. 200
G
guest0001
Guest
Today in history 81 years ago, on Jan 30 1940, the Finnish radio intelligence decrypted a Soviet message sent by the Commander of the 9th Army V. I. Tsuikov. He wanted to know if the 54th Division, struggling in the Kuhmo area, was surrounded or not. Seems that both Tsuikov and Division Commander Nikolai A. Gusevski were unaware about the fact that the victorious 9th Division was more than ready to wipe off the enemy from the Finnish soil.
Maj. Reino Hallamaa can be considered as the father of the Finnish radio intelligence. In 1919 he was positioned to the Gogland Island, Finnish Gulf, to observe the Soviet messaging. He then refurbished the Russian radios found from the border control post and noticed that for some reason they sent messages both encrypted and decrypted...
Meanwhile, the Finnish 4th Company from the Infantry Regiment 65 was strenghtened with an AT platoon and a combat engineer formation since the Soviet 3rd Separate Ski Battalion was advancing in the Silmälampi Pond area, Kuhmo municipality. The Finns will defeat the enemy there during the next day, Soviet losses being around 160 fallen and huge amount of automatic rifles.
Pics show him beside the Helsinki Main Railroad Station on March 3 1940
SA-kuva pics # 7780 and 7781
Maj. Reino Hallamaa can be considered as the father of the Finnish radio intelligence. In 1919 he was positioned to the Gogland Island, Finnish Gulf, to observe the Soviet messaging. He then refurbished the Russian radios found from the border control post and noticed that for some reason they sent messages both encrypted and decrypted...
Meanwhile, the Finnish 4th Company from the Infantry Regiment 65 was strenghtened with an AT platoon and a combat engineer formation since the Soviet 3rd Separate Ski Battalion was advancing in the Silmälampi Pond area, Kuhmo municipality. The Finns will defeat the enemy there during the next day, Soviet losses being around 160 fallen and huge amount of automatic rifles.
Pics show him beside the Helsinki Main Railroad Station on March 3 1940
SA-kuva pics # 7780 and 7781
G
guest0001
Guest
Finnish Task Force Suoranta was holding the ground in the Saija area, Lapland, on Jan 30 1940 when the Soviet 88th Division was about to launch an offensive on the southern side of the Tenniöjoki River, starting on Jan 31.
Having only 1st Battalion from the Infantry Regiment 40, 8th Battalion from KT-Pr (Kenttätäydennysprikaati), 1st Company from the Separate Battalion 26 (ErP. 26), the mortar company of the IR 40, the 2nd AT Gun Platoon and Recon Detachment (TO 9) the Finns were heavily outnumbered and outgunned.
Fortunately, the enemy's poor mobility in a rough terrain prevented them to utilize the manpower - but on the other hand, using only one regiment at the front/assault they had fresh troops in reserve for the possible breakthrough, also being able to secure the supply depots and routes.
Finnish hit-and-run attacks made by the Recon Detachment 9 and the 1st Company of ErP. 26 had already severely harmed the Soviet service corps so they were forced to use one regiment to prevent such actions. Pics show the Commander of the VIII/KT-Pr Capt. M. Teira and some soldiers from the area.
SA-kuva pics # 4696, 6717, 6707 and 6704
Having only 1st Battalion from the Infantry Regiment 40, 8th Battalion from KT-Pr (Kenttätäydennysprikaati), 1st Company from the Separate Battalion 26 (ErP. 26), the mortar company of the IR 40, the 2nd AT Gun Platoon and Recon Detachment (TO 9) the Finns were heavily outnumbered and outgunned.
Fortunately, the enemy's poor mobility in a rough terrain prevented them to utilize the manpower - but on the other hand, using only one regiment at the front/assault they had fresh troops in reserve for the possible breakthrough, also being able to secure the supply depots and routes.
Finnish hit-and-run attacks made by the Recon Detachment 9 and the 1st Company of ErP. 26 had already severely harmed the Soviet service corps so they were forced to use one regiment to prevent such actions. Pics show the Commander of the VIII/KT-Pr Capt. M. Teira and some soldiers from the area.
SA-kuva pics # 4696, 6717, 6707 and 6704
G
guest0001
Guest
Maybe the most peculiar way to capture an enemy bomber was this:
A Soviet DB-3M formation was returning from the Turku bombing sortie on Jan 29 1940 when the commander spotted that his aircraft should be re-fueled. From at some 100 meters altitude the Hauho village looked like a place where might be fuel, so four of the six bombers landed onto the icy Iso-Roine Lake.
First civilian they spotted knew Russian and the commander asked the location of the nearest fuel depot. The guy, a Karelian Isthmus evacuee Jaakko Susi from Kivennapa, replied that it's impossible to get any fuel since they've landed to Finland, showing a cigarette box as a proof.
Soviets realized that they had misoriented, believing the lake being in Estonia, and decided to take off. Commander's bomber was left intact behind. Meanwhile, the Parola airfield was alarmed and a biplane trainer aircraft piloted by Pasi Jääskeläinen was approaching (a Gloster Gamecock, if I'm right). Intercepting the enemy formation failed but some MG cartridges were used, though.
The unlucky formation was later engaged by more modern interceptors. Story tells that only two managed to reach their base. Finns, lacking bombs for the enemy bomber, used her as a sea recon aircraft 'til the end of the war.
Pic shows a DB -3 from the 5th SQ of the 5th DBAP downed by AA artillery. Pic is dated Feb 5 1940 and the location is said to be either the yard of the Lapanpiha elementary school or Salonlappa village, Läskelä.
SA-kuva pic # a_673
yle.fi
A Soviet DB-3M formation was returning from the Turku bombing sortie on Jan 29 1940 when the commander spotted that his aircraft should be re-fueled. From at some 100 meters altitude the Hauho village looked like a place where might be fuel, so four of the six bombers landed onto the icy Iso-Roine Lake.
First civilian they spotted knew Russian and the commander asked the location of the nearest fuel depot. The guy, a Karelian Isthmus evacuee Jaakko Susi from Kivennapa, replied that it's impossible to get any fuel since they've landed to Finland, showing a cigarette box as a proof.
Soviets realized that they had misoriented, believing the lake being in Estonia, and decided to take off. Commander's bomber was left intact behind. Meanwhile, the Parola airfield was alarmed and a biplane trainer aircraft piloted by Pasi Jääskeläinen was approaching (a Gloster Gamecock, if I'm right). Intercepting the enemy formation failed but some MG cartridges were used, though.
The unlucky formation was later engaged by more modern interceptors. Story tells that only two managed to reach their base. Finns, lacking bombs for the enemy bomber, used her as a sea recon aircraft 'til the end of the war.
Pic shows a DB -3 from the 5th SQ of the 5th DBAP downed by AA artillery. Pic is dated Feb 5 1940 and the location is said to be either the yard of the Lapanpiha elementary school or Salonlappa village, Läskelä.
SA-kuva pic # a_673
yle.fi
G
guest0001
Guest
Finnish Maj. Gen. Gustav Hägglund arranged a "Motti Meeting" (mottineuvottelu) on Jan 27 1940 in order to find out what his commanders thought about the overall situation in the Lemetti area.
As a result the Western Lemetti pocket was attacked by the Jaeger Battalion 4 from the south and the strenghtened 3rd Battalion of the Infantry Regiment 37 from the north a day later. Since the first assault failed the Finns changed the tactic, starting to use squad or platoon sized night time patrols to storm the enemy gun nests, foxholes and dugouts. Had they have more artillery or at least heavy mortars the assaults would've been easier. The 81 mm mortar shells were way too light to cause enough damage in the Soviet positions.
Night patrols were mainly armed with SMGs, hand grenades and satchel charges. At least one of those warriors is worth mentioning, the Soldier of Three Armies aka Lauri Törni.
Pics show some Soviet Captain being interrogated at the command post of the Separate Battalion 8 and part of the battlefield from the Kelivaara pocket which was neutralized on Jan 28.
SA-kuva pics # 8427 and 8439
Talvisodan taisteluja, s. 201
As a result the Western Lemetti pocket was attacked by the Jaeger Battalion 4 from the south and the strenghtened 3rd Battalion of the Infantry Regiment 37 from the north a day later. Since the first assault failed the Finns changed the tactic, starting to use squad or platoon sized night time patrols to storm the enemy gun nests, foxholes and dugouts. Had they have more artillery or at least heavy mortars the assaults would've been easier. The 81 mm mortar shells were way too light to cause enough damage in the Soviet positions.
Night patrols were mainly armed with SMGs, hand grenades and satchel charges. At least one of those warriors is worth mentioning, the Soldier of Three Armies aka Lauri Törni.
Pics show some Soviet Captain being interrogated at the command post of the Separate Battalion 8 and part of the battlefield from the Kelivaara pocket which was neutralized on Jan 28.
SA-kuva pics # 8427 and 8439
Talvisodan taisteluja, s. 201
G
guest0001
Guest
Here we see the ruins of the vicarage from the Johannes municipality, Karelian Isthmus.
During the Winter War the building was marked with Red Cross emblems since it served as a hospital. On Jan 28 1940 the Red Airforce raided managing to hit twice. Bombs set the house on fire, killing 20 wounded, two nurses and two lottas.
SA-kuva pics # 7225, 7224 and 5215
During the Winter War the building was marked with Red Cross emblems since it served as a hospital. On Jan 28 1940 the Red Airforce raided managing to hit twice. Bombs set the house on fire, killing 20 wounded, two nurses and two lottas.
SA-kuva pics # 7225, 7224 and 5215
G
guest0001
Guest
At the Mannerheim Line, Summa sector, the Finnish bunker Summanjärvi 4 (Sj 4 aka Poppius) was almost demolished 81 years ago, on Jan 27 1940. Also the nearest bunker, Sj 5 aka Miljoonalinnake, suffered heavy damages after being bombarded by direct-firing Soviet 152 mm cannons. E.g. two of its the three observation cupolas were blown off during a 3-hour long shelling. Finns repaired the other using concrete and mounting a periscope on to it, so the attempt to disable the stronghold didn't succeed.
In the '20s and '30s Finland, lacking funds, was able to partially fortify the Main Defense Line on the Karelian Isthmus. That can be considered as a some kind of oddity because the politicians weren't eager to spend money for the military. For example, the future President of Finland, Risto Ryti, said to Mannerheim in the '30s "it makes no sense to give huge amount of funds to the Defence Forces since there won't be any war". "Well, if the Army could rely on that principle the funds would really be unncessary" replied Mannerheim.
In the pics we see Risto Ryti and the ruins of a Finnish dugout from the Summanjärvi (Lähde) sector, last pic showing coffined remains of the fallen.
SA-kuva pics # 20549, 51754 and 51757
In the '20s and '30s Finland, lacking funds, was able to partially fortify the Main Defense Line on the Karelian Isthmus. That can be considered as a some kind of oddity because the politicians weren't eager to spend money for the military. For example, the future President of Finland, Risto Ryti, said to Mannerheim in the '30s "it makes no sense to give huge amount of funds to the Defence Forces since there won't be any war". "Well, if the Army could rely on that principle the funds would really be unncessary" replied Mannerheim.
In the pics we see Risto Ryti and the ruins of a Finnish dugout from the Summanjärvi (Lähde) sector, last pic showing coffined remains of the fallen.
SA-kuva pics # 20549, 51754 and 51757
G
guest0001
Guest
The USSR suggested peace negotiations in the end of January 1940. Eljas Erkko informed the nation about the offer on Jan 30. Finns had made a counteroffer, suggesting that they could cede more areas from the Karelian Isthmus but still refused to allow any military bases being positioned on their soil. Since the terms of a peace treaty stayed they refused.
The attempt was initiated by Hella Wuolijoki, a communist and spy, who was born in Ala (Helme Parish, Valga County, Livonia, Russian Empire / now in Estonia) on 22 July 1886. She moved to Helsinki, Finland, in 1904 and married Sulo Wuolijoki, personal friend of V. I. Lenin and Otto-Ville Kuusinen.
Although having divorced in 1923 she still had proper connections with the Soviets, so Hella had contacted their Ambassadeur in Sweden, Alexandra Kollontai, that resulting the first attempt to stop the Winter War. In the pics we see the former Minister of the Foreign Affairs Eljas Erkko, Mrs. Wuolijoki and barrel of 234 mm gun (234/50 Be) being evacuated from the Russarö Sea Fortress on March 20. As we all know the Finns were forced to "rent" the Hanko Peninsula starting on March 22 1940 at 0.00 AM...
SA-kuva pic # 8015
Wikipedia
The attempt was initiated by Hella Wuolijoki, a communist and spy, who was born in Ala (Helme Parish, Valga County, Livonia, Russian Empire / now in Estonia) on 22 July 1886. She moved to Helsinki, Finland, in 1904 and married Sulo Wuolijoki, personal friend of V. I. Lenin and Otto-Ville Kuusinen.
Although having divorced in 1923 she still had proper connections with the Soviets, so Hella had contacted their Ambassadeur in Sweden, Alexandra Kollontai, that resulting the first attempt to stop the Winter War. In the pics we see the former Minister of the Foreign Affairs Eljas Erkko, Mrs. Wuolijoki and barrel of 234 mm gun (234/50 Be) being evacuated from the Russarö Sea Fortress on March 20. As we all know the Finns were forced to "rent" the Hanko Peninsula starting on March 22 1940 at 0.00 AM...
SA-kuva pic # 8015
Wikipedia
G
guest0001
Guest
Continuation War, Finland.
Finnish troops and German tanks at Vasonvaara, Vuokkiniemi 1941.07.17 (SA-kuva)
Finnish troops and German tanks at Vasonvaara, Vuokkiniemi 1941.07.17 (SA-kuva)
G
guest0001
Guest
G
guest0001
Guest
Similar threads
