[Finns]Talvisodan sotapäiväkirjat netissä

Originally Posted by Oberon

What sorta food do you have on the average morning tea?

In the military? When at the barracks or on an exercise, usually porridge and bread. There was tea and coffee but the coffee tasted horrible. Guerrillas had their own guerilla rations, kinda like the MRE's the Americans have. Those ration packs were ok, they even had chocolate which was eaten first.

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by OneToughHerring

In the military? When at the barracks or on an exercise, usually porridge and bread. There was tea and coffee but the coffee tasted horrible. Guerrillas had their own guerilla rations, kinda like the MRE's the Americans have. Those ration packs were ok, they even had chocolate which was eaten first.

I've heard those MREs referred to as 'Meals Rejected by Ethiopians'
So, when doing the Guerrilla course did you act as the opfor to those doing a standard course or was it a seperate entity for use in case of invasion?

Originally Posted by Oberon

I've heard those MREs referred to as 'Meals Rejected by Ethiopians'
So, when doing the Guerrilla course did you act as the opfor to those doing a standard course or was it a seperate entity for use in case of invasion?

I actually didn't specialize as a guerilla although I was at the guerilla company for my rookie period. I got elected as a medic. I did learn to do to most of the stuff the guerillas did and was along for their marches. Mostly I was with the anti-tank company, RPG guys.

[UnderseaLcpl]

Originally Posted by OneToughHerring

I actually didn't specialize as a guerilla although I was at the guerilla company for my rookie period. I got elected as a medic. I did learn to do to most of the stuff the guerillas did and was along for their marches. Mostly I was with the anti-tank company, RPG guys.

You use RPG's? You know the guys next door make AT-4's right?

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

You use RPG's? You know the guys next door make AT-4's right?

I get the idea that it has been awhile since OTH went thru the service.

I believe our AT weaponry is KES88 and the 112mm Apilas. And then of course we have TOW 2, EuroSpike some other stuff.

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

You use RPG's? You know the guys next door make AT-4's right?

RPG's as in a general name for stuff they use to shoot tanks with. The Finnish military uses the old M72 LAW's and French Apilas's. Apilas pic. As for missiles we use TOW 2's and Eurospikes.

More info on Finnish military equipment in English.

Dowly, it's not THAT long ago. I used to load up the practice rounds into the KES's (LAW's).

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

You guys actually used those? Blech.....

Well, at least once. They made the water taste even funnier.

[Happy Times]

The Finnish special operations forces are rather complex topic.

The Sissi troops being the largest, several batallions in war time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sissi_(Finnish_guerilla)

Sissi (Finnish light infantry)




The Finnish Army Sissi units are trained to conduct reconnaissance patrols, gather intelligence from concealed observation post, raid enemy installations (especially supply depots), conduct road side ambushes and pursuit and destruction of special forces units.

In wartime, the unknown number of reservists assigned to Sissi battalions would deploy and operate as small groups up to company size. They are meant to stay behind and covertly operate against enemy forces in their area of responsibility even if regular friendly troops have been forced to retreat. Sissi battalions are part of Finnish Army local troops, not jäger and armored brigades meant for operational use. Sissi units are considered as the elites of the Army conscripts, and many of the units, such as the Paratroopers or Frontier Jaegers, are formed of volunteers.


Term and use
In Finnish, "sissi" means guerrilla, but the term is somewhat misleading when referring to Finnish Army Sissi troops. Sissi forces are not irregular guerrilla or militia forces; they are part of the regular Army trained for operations behind enemy lines. Like most of the Finnish Defence Forces, Sissi battalions are composed of reservists. Their closest foreign equivalents are the Swedish Armed Forces Jägare troops.

Sissi as a description is a person of extraordinary stamina (or Sisu) – e.g. "Sissi weather" (Sissin sää) refers to the worst possible weather conditions as Sissi soldiers prefer these for their operations.

In the Finnish Defence Forces, Sissi is used as an umbrella term for all unconventional military applications such as MREs, which are called "Sissi rations."

Training
Volunteers are preferred for Sissi training, but any conscript in decent physical condition has a good chance of being assigned to a Sissi training company. Conscripts with hobbies such as hunting and hiking are also preferred.

Sissi troops are trained in several brigades under the Finnish Defence Forces. Finnish Border Guard, which is under the Ministry of the Interior, also trains Sissi-troops in Frontier Guard units.

In addition to this small groups of conscrips (8-10 people) are bi-annually given marine Sissi and reconnaissance training at the amphibious brigade in Dragsvik. The group is usually taken from the elite "rannikkojääkärit" (Marine Commando) infantry unit. In Finnish Border Guard sissi troops, called Frontier jaegers, are trained in each Border Guard Command. Sissi troops trained in Finnish Border guard are also taught basic duties of border guarding. In Kaakkois-Suomen Rajavartiosto special Sissi troops (Special frontier jaegers) are also trained in Special forces tactics and techniques. Reserve officers for all Sissi troops are trained at Reserviupseerikoulu. Rivalry between Sissi-troops in different services is traditionally high.


Conscript in Sissi-company begins with 8-week basic infantry training. After this training becomes more intense. Conscripts are given survival training during every season of the year, they can specialize further into reconnaissance, sniping, dog handling, battlefield medical service or signals. Sissi NCO/Officer training includes additionally signals, demolitions, extended small arms training as well as advanced escape & evasion techniques and ambush tactics. Those unable to cope for either physical or psychological reasons are either given deferments or transferred to a regular infantry training.

Special Sissi NCOs are also trained to operate in Sissi platoons, called sissiradisti or Sissi signalists. These NCOs are trained in the use of telegraphy for long-range communications.

Besides specially trained sissi troops, everyone in Finnish army at least in theory receives basic training in survival and sissi tactics. All troops and soldiers in Finnish army are theoretically capable of moving from normal warfare to sissi tactics if they are, for example, encircled or their main forces or command structure are destroyed.

Sissi troops are generally not airborne, with the exception of Army Para Jaegers trained in the Utti Jaeger Regiment. Para Jaegers are trained in sissi warfare, with an emphasis on long-range reconnaissance and the addition of close-quarter battle and urban operations training. Para Jaegers carry the sissi insignia on their sleeves.

Sissi troops also resemble Scout troops (tiedustelijat), who are more specialized at gathering intelligence than the aggressive Sissi troops. In some brigades, Sissi are trained in Scout companies, and vice-versa in other brigades, the training is quite similar.

Weapons and equipment

Sissi troops are un-motorized and are not equipped with heavy weapons or equipment, their uniforms and weaponry are almost identical with regular infantry issue. Distinctive personal equipment used by Sissi are Savotta "Para Jäger" backpacks used because of extended hikes[4], camouflage paint and personal camouflage nets. Sissi units have fewer crew served weapons and more sniper rifles than regular infantry.

Mines are an important part of the Sissi tactic of ambushing enemy convoys. They are also used to discourage pursuit after a raid and serve as defences of bivouac. Sissi training includes constructing improvised explosive devices, as well as boobytraps e.g. from dud artillery shells. Sissi units have a wide variety of land mines at their disposal.

The above mentioned Scout troops receive mostly the same training but specialize in an LRRP role in war time and are deployed as small patrols.
The Sissi troops operate in platoon to batallion size depending on the situation.
Scout troops are also part on the operational brigades.
Sissi troops operate under the regional forces. They have caches preparred in the peace time in their area of operations.

These troops number in thousands of trained resrvists.

There are also active SOF units that have enlisted troops and train only small number of concripts.
They are the elite SF troops with a large set of skills and versatility.

Army-Special Jaeger Battalion

Navy-Combat Divers

Border Guard-Special Border Jaegers

These troops number in the hundreds only and are deployed by the high command.

[mjs80]

Finns always claim dubious victories and terms. Case in point the Molotov coctail. Not excactly a fiinnish invetion, petrol bombs were used in the spanish civil war. Finns only added the element of (wood)tar. That made a rudimentary napalm. And finns claim ww2 as a victory simply because the goals were met, the goals being independece. "Yeah we lost 10 percent of the land but hey! we set our goal on independece!" Easy to shout from the audience after the play...

[Dowly]

*POKE*


JR23 - 3rd machinegun company - 13.02.40 - 13.03.40

13.02.40

Artillery fire still fierce. Enemy attacked at Terenttilä, but was pushed back with heavy casualties.
One platoon from our company was sent to Mustaoja for the night. Sgt. Aleksi was wounded on the way there.
Bases 5, 6 and 7 have half-platoon each. Enemy air activity was dense.

14.02.40

Company was at the front like yesterday. Pressure from the enemy was heavy, especially at Terenttilä, but
again all attacks were pushed back. Lance corporal Luoma was mildy wounded. Late at night, ensign Mikkolainen
was killed. He was the CO of 3rd platoon. Enemy air activity dense.

15.02.40

Front was occupied by half-platoons at 5, 6, and 7 bases, rest of the half-platoons were in their dugouts near Kaasno-oja(sp?).
Enemy air conducted numerous bombing attacks during the day at Pihkahovi without any mentionable damage. At base 5 private
Ylihärsilä was killed. Soldiers from base 5's front positions pulled to rest during the evening.

16.02.40

Bases 6 and 7 manned with half-platoons. Not much happened during the day. Enemy air continued bombing Pihkahovi area.

17.02.40

Day remarkable peaceful, enemy air very light.

20:30 - Company's supply platoon left with battalion on skis towards Pyhäjärvi's Noitermaa where the plan was to take shelter in the
two houses still standing there.

18.02.40

06:00 - Breakfast.

Due to heavy air activity, orders came to stay in the dugouts unless otherwise told. The day was spent resting, which was welcomed by
the battle-weary soldiers.

21:00 - Meal.

Air activity dense, they are attacking areas around our dugouts so no real danger from them. 2. platoon got to go to sauna.

19.02.40

Clear skies all day with moon during the night. Air activity dense. 3. platoons turn for sauna.

20.02.40

6:00 - Wake up call and breakfast.

All weapons cleaned during the day. Air activity remains dense. 1. platoon went to sauna during the night.

17:15 - Ready order was given, company ready to move out. Company was to be ready to move out at 19:15, but the
order was cancelled.

21.02.40

Finally we got a snowstorm, so no air activity. Day was spent resting. One volunteer joined our ranks later in the evening.

22:02.40

6:30 - Wake up call and breakfast.

Weather was foggy, no air activity.

18:00 - Meal.

Company set a two man guard for the battalion area for the night, company area was guarded by one man.

23.02.40

6:30 - Wake up call and breakfast.

10:30 - Corporal Järvenpää's platoon left on skis to patrol the Pyhäjärvi-Noitermaa area.

11:00 - Ensign Lahtinen left with few NCO's to recon the placement of enemy vehicles. Sergeant Jaskari and Antila (sp?) left to
search and open up a way for an counter-attack thru the shore of Kiimajärvi towards Pahkala.

18:00 - Meal.

24.02.40

6:30 - Wake up call and breakfast.

10:00 - Company wide test firing of the machineguns. 2. and 3. platoon's ammo boxes carried to sauna to dry up.

18:00 Meal.

11 soldiers on leave.

25.02.40

6:30 - Wake up call and breakfast.

Sunny day, air activity was light.

18:00 - Meal.

Company took leave for the night and went to the youthclub at Montrua.

26.02.40

6:30 - Wake up call and breakfast.

Air activity moderate.

17:30 - Meal.

18:00 - Company left to do fortifications from which it was ordered back after few hours when alert order was given.

22:30 - Company left to Konnitsa.

27.02.40

03:00 - Company arrived to Konnitsa where it took shelter in three houses.

03:30 - Meal.

12:00 - Company loaded on trucks and moving out to Vuosalmi where it took shelter in five houses.

14:00 - Equipment left Konnitsa towards Vuosalmi, arrived at 23:00. Company reinforced with 3 sergeants.

28.02.40

5:30 - Company had meal.

Recon for suitable frontline positions completed during the morning, digging commenced immediately.

18:00 - Meal. Immediately after meal company moved to vuoksi area and took positions merged with other companies as follows:
1. platoon with 9. company, 2. platoon with 8. company and 3. platoon with 7. company.
Weather was foggy, no air activity.

29.02.40

01:30 - Supply platoon left towards Vuoksenranta arriving at 04:00 at Kaskiselkä.

05:00 - Meal distributed to front positions via horse.

Company made fortifications, no contact with enemy. Air activity dense.

19:00 - Meal distributed to the front positions. Company reinforced with 16 men.

01.03.40

05:00 - Meal distributed to front positions. Company prepared machinegun positions. Contact with enemy during the afternoon.

19:30 - Meal distributed to front positions.

02.03.40

05:00 - 1. and 2. platoons pulled from the front to houses near Vuosalmi where they had meal. 3. platoon had their meal distributed to them to the frontlines.

19:30 - Meal.

3. platoon was suddenly attacked by a platoon sized force of russkies. The enemy was pushed back, one prisoner caught.

03.03.40

05:00 - Meal at the houses near Vuosalmi where 3. platoon arrived during the morning, 2. half-platoon arrived late at night.

18:30 - 1. platoon rotated to the front, taking positions in 8. company's sector. Air and artillery activity dense.

04.03.40

05:00 - Meal prepared for frontline troops at the nearby supplyroad where 2. and 3. platoons were positioned during the night. 1. platoon was positioned to the front positions,
6 men were wounded.

19:00 - Meal. 2. platoon rotated to the front, 1. got out. Enemy attacks repulsed.

23:00 - Supply platoon moved to the forest next to the supply road. Reinforcements from JR6, 16 men.

05.03.40

05:00 - Meal delivered to 1. and 3. platoon.

2. platoon in the line, privates Mäki and Mäkelä wounded. Enemy made no gains on the company's sector.
Air and artillery activity heavy.

20:00 - Meal delivered to the line for 2. platoon. 3. platoon as acting as backup, positioned to the left side of the ferry and north side of Vuohinen(sp?). Returned during the night.

11 men from supply platoon ordered to regiment as backup, they returned during the night. Corporal Vaahtoniemi was wounded by enemy bomb. 3. platoon's private Hautaviita was aswell
wounded by an enemy bomb.

06.03.40

05:00 - Meal delivered to the front. 2. platoon still in frontlines, 1. moved to front during the morning aswell.
Heavy artillery activity, but line was held.

19:00 - Meal delivered to the front. Corporal Mäkirintala wounded.

07.03.40

3. platoon moved to front reliefing 2. platoon. Enemy's attacks repulsed throughout the line. Corporal Panula wounded.

08.03.40

04:00 - Meal delivered to the front. 2. platoon rotated with 1. platoon and took positions on the line. During the day Corporal Ämmälä, private Iikka and private Suonpohja were wounded. Private Muikku was killed.

Russkie tried to attack at Pölläkkälä but was pushed back. 7 men back from leave.

09.03.40

Only 1. platoon in front. Heavy artillery all day. No attacks. 1. Platoon returned from the front after meal.

10.03.40

05:00 - Meal. Company resting.

19:00 - Meal.

11.03.40

Rested all day. Air activity heavy.

18:00 - Meal. Alert given after which 3. platoon and a half-platoon from 1. got into the line near the ferry, north of Vuosalmi.

2. platoon and half-platoon from 1. returned to rear.

12.03.40

Enemy kept constant artillery barrage on our lines. No air activity. ensign Tanner wounded.

After meal, 3. platoon was rotated from the front and was replaced by 2. platoon and a half-platoon from 1.

13.03.40

Day started with heavy artillery, but then it got quiet.

11:00 - War is over. Complete silence. The men climbed from their positions and waved at the enemy.

After meal, 3. platoon was moved to front, 2. platoon returned to rear.

[AVGWarhawk]

Strange how he simply states, "War is over." "We wave at the enemy."

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Strange how he simply states, "War is over." "We wave at the enemy."

The war diaries are more of an formal thingamaling where one only writes down the important stuff concerning the actions of the unit.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Dowly

The war diaries are more of an formal thingamaling where one only writes down the important stuff concerning the actions of the unit.

Eating was important then!!!! Formal yes but I really wonder what he was thinking when he wrote the war has ended. Silence. We wave at the enemy. Seems like he turned off any feeling about it. Kind of dropped his weapon and started to make his way home. The war was over. Different times. Different thoughts.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Eating was important then!!!! Formal yes but I really wonder what he was thinking when he wrote the war has ended. Silence. We wave at the enemy. Seems like he turned off any feeling about it. Kind of dropped his weapon and started to make his way home. The war was over. Different times. Different thoughts.

The mentalitety at River Taipale sector was pretty grim. Taipale was hit hard constantly from mid-late December to early February and there was huge losses on both sides. Not only did the russians keep constant pressure by attacks, they hammered the finnish positions from air and (IIRC) with the 84 batteries they got as artillery support.

There's an radio broadcast recorded from Taipale that one can listen (tho, think it works only for those living in Finland ) that gives a pretty good idea off the amount of russian arty fired at the finns. You hear a constant, sort of an windy sound (like wind blowing to a microphone) during the broadcast, except that's no wind it's one constant 'BOOOOOOOOM' that's coming from the arty hits.

Lastly, maybe the finns described in the diary were already aware of the fact that after 105 days of fighting and dying they now have to pullback from the positions they had held against everything the russians threw at them.

Not saying I know exactly what happened, just speculating.