JR 49 during Continuation War

[Mek]

Hi,

Does anybody have information on JR 49 (Infantry Regiment 49.)
during Continuation war? Particularly 4./JR 49? Any books,
websites or stories? Where was JR 49 located during the
Continuation war?

I was also wondering what information is it possible to get
from Finnish war archives (or anykind of other war time
archives) about relatives such as a grandfather for example?
a copy of their file maybe? anything? or are this kind of
inquiries limited to real researches.

Regards,
-Pete

[Sami_K]

Hi,

Does anybody have information on JR 49 (Infantry Regiment 49.)
during Continuation war? Particularly 4./JR 49? Any books,
websites or stories? Where was JR 49 located during the
Continuation war?

Check out "Jatkosodan historia"-series (available in most loca libraries) for general info where the unit fought.

I was also wondering what information is it possible to get
from Finnish war archives (or anykind of other war time
archives) about relatives such as a grandfather for example?
a copy of their file maybe? anything? or are this kind of
inquiries limited to real researches.
Regards,
-Pete

Yep, its pretty much a public archive located in Sörnäinen, Helsinki (I recommend getting there first thing in the morning, you'll get the files faster).

If your relative died during the war, the file is public. If its been less than 50 years from his death (if memory serves that's the limit), you have to apply for a research permission. Being a relative is a valid reason and getting to see his service record is no problem. Writing down notes is definitely cheaper than paying for photocopies (which are very expensive). In fact, if memory serves the research permission has to be filled up regardless when he died, but granting the permission to view the file depends.

check http://www.sota-arkisto.fi

You can probably find his service record and eg. JR 49's war diaries (sotapäiväkirja) as well as the war diaries of subunits down to company (often at least to this level) - platoon level (sometimes).

Cheers,
Sami

[Andreas Lärka]

I was also wondering what information is it possible to get
from Finnish war archives (or anykind of other war time
archives) about relatives such as a grandfather for example?
a copy of their file maybe? anything? or are this kind of
inquiries limited to real researches.

Check out http://www.sota-arkisto.fi/. There you'll find the forms needed to order the information you want. I myself have ordered copies of my relatives "kantakortit". I checked the box "Sukututkimus" on the form. There is not very much information on the "kantakortti". Personal information, dates and some service records; ie. transfered here or transfered there etc.
For information about what happened, when and to who you'll have to go to the Sota-arkisto and read the "sotapäiväkirjat".

Note, that "Henkilötiedot ovat julkisia 50 vuotta henkilön kuoleman jälkeen. Elossa olevan henkilön henkilöasiakirjat saa käyttöönsä vain asianomaisen henkilön kirjallisella luvalla."

Andreas

Edit: Seems like me and Sami_K pressed "Enter" at the very same time...

[Juha Hujanen]

2 books come to my mind:

Toimituskunta-Jalkaväkirykmentti 49 Sodassa vv.1941-1944.
Matti Koskimaa-Murtajan Tykistö (more of history of artillery/2nd Division but also a good general history of 2nd Division).

JR49 was part of 2nd Infantry Division and fought in Karelian Isthmus.In summer 44 most heavy battles for JR49 were Siiramäki and Vuosalmi.


Cheers/Juha

[Sami_K]

Edit: Seems like me and Sami_K pressed "Enter" at the very same time...

[Mek]

Hi,

Thanks guys for the replies and information.

Visited library today and found "jatkosodan historia" and Matti
Koskimaa's "Murtajan tykistö". Now I just have to read them

I also browsed the War Archives pages, and I think I'll have to
do some research:)

Btw, have you guys checked out the database for Suomen sotasurmat
1914-1922. I even found a relative listed there, unfortunately
not sure whatever to trust the version I heard from my relatives or the
version reported in the archives. So the question is, how reliable are
those files. Is there any cases that they um.. "improved" the statistics, by
marking people who were executed as people fell in combat?

Regards,
-Pete

[JTV]

Hi,

Thanks guys for the replies and information.

Visited library today and found "jatkosodan historia" and Matti
Koskimaa's "Murtajan tykistö". Now I just have to read them

I also browsed the War Archives pages, and I think I'll have to
do some research:)

Btw, have you guys checked out the database for Suomen sotasurmat
1914-1922. I even found a relative listed there, unfortunately
not sure whatever to trust the version I heard from my relatives or the
version reported in the archives. So the question is, how reliable are
those files. Is there any cases that they um.. "improved" the statistics, by
marking people who were executed as people fell in combat?

Regards,
-Pete

What I seen the database is as reliable as it can humanly be. The project which created the database was large effort and the statistics it gathered seem to be the most reliable that exist today. However, the information the database has isn't always correct in individual cases. The problem causing this is in the original sources. In Finnish Civil War it was not exactly rare for POW's to be executed during or immediately after the battle and being reported then as "fallen in combat". Seperating those cases from those who actually died in battle is not easy after over 80 years - especially if the only source available in some individual case are the reports.

I recommend book "Tie Tampereelle" by Heikki Ylikangas about the subject. He was the first historian to bring this false reporting practice used during War of 1918 to the public in that particular book.

BTW: There are some other weird things caused by the original reporting in that database also. One example: White Army practically always executed by shooting (either with firing squad of riflemen, pistol or machinegun), but large number of executed Reds have been marked as "mestattu" (beheaded) in the database. This seems to be because "mestaus" was the legal term used with capital punishment in Finland at that time.

Few more reasons for uncertain cases and mistakes in database (in Finnish only):
http://vesta.narc.fi/cgi-bin/db2www/sot ... otettavuus