The robbery of liquorstore in city of Kajaani
During February 42 6th Division was on skimarch from Salla front to rear into small city of Kajaani.They were returning from heavy battles and were looking forward some rest.A rumour spread among men that Germans had promised a centimeter of cognac for every kilometer they skied.That helped men endure 2 weeks and 500km that march taked.When weary and thirsty men arrived to Kajaani,they were disappointed.There wasn't cognac,no rest but troops were regroupped for further action on different front.To make things worse,Divisional commander Generalmajor Vihma made thoughtless speech.In that he said if men had thought that they had had rough times,they were wrong.They were going to heavy battles and many of men would die.Men were less than enthuasiastic,especially men of I/IR54.They began call themselfes "deaths battalion".
In barracks moods were dark.They were going to front tomorrow.Atleast they wanted to drink.But there was no alcohol for men.Officers could buy alcohol from liquerstore and go to restaurant but it was denied from lower ranks.Some alcohol could be buyed from blackmarked but that wasn't enough.Soon over thousend thirsty men wanted more.Later things got out of hand.Few men were arrested for drunkness and were put on towns jail.Twenty men decited to free their comrades.They stormed jail and freeed their friends.Then they went to towns liquerstore,smashed windows and distributed alcohol to crowd of men waiting on street.184 bottles of liquer was stolen.Soon drunked mob was creating havoc on town.Shots were fired in air,men were out of controll.I/54 commander Major Salonmies tryed to controll events and did go to barracks were his men drinking.He was beaten and quite possible could have been killed,but some more sober men did get him out.He ordered officers to tame their men but they were wiser and let things calm down.Some more men were arrested by police and again men went to free them.Shots were fired to air but militarypolice arrested the rescue squad.The liquer ran out and men went to sleep their head sober.Surprisingly damages were light.Main offenders were arrested and in morning men marched to train to be transportted to front.Divisional commander was at rage and tryed to arrest men who's breath stinked.Men shouted less than kind words to him and he almoust reached for his pistol.Things weren't helped by burst from light mg to chimney of station.
In courtmarchall 9 soldiers were convicted.One men did get 6 years of hard labour,5 others did get lighter sentenced.3 got light sentenced whitch were served at their units.
The riot was censored from press.Not many even today know about this event.But goverment was deeply concerned about incident.But men from participating units regarted "rioters" as heroes.Afterall they did provide liquer to thirsty men.I have seen a homemade medal,made from liquerbottle cap.It has text "Kajaani" and it's a shape of cross.It's for memory of "battle of Kajaani"
Later some more....
Juha
