FINNISH Army in 1920s-1930s (organization, equipment)

[Mikko H.]

There most certainly was no military construction in the Ahvenanmaa (Åland) Islands before the Winter War. Finland strictly adhered to the Islands’ demilitarized status. However, from the late 1930s on there was increasing concern in Finland about the fate of the Islands in the event of war, because Finns, while having the responsibility for the Islands' defence in wartime, could in no concrete way prepare in peace-time.

In late 1930s Finland and Sweden started cooperate to amend the status of Ahvenanmaa Islands, and by 1939 the plans were very advanced. It was intended that after getting the agreement of the original signatories of the demilitarization agreement, Finland and Sweden would jointly construct fortifications. But in mid-1939 the Soviet Union voiced its disagreement and Swedes opted out.

[JTV]

And I repeate my question, please, answer if possible:

As for the Aland Islands - I`ve read that they were demilitarized zone, but also I saw the mention that in late 1920s-beginning 1930s Finland started to built coastal fortified positions in those islands (as they were very important in strategical point of view). That caused diplomatic displeasure from Swedish side, also USSR was strongly against that.
Is the info correct?

Likely not, but I have consult my books before I can say for sure exactly what happened and when. Russian military had build coastal fortifications to the Aland/Ahvenanmaa Island during World War 1, but what I remember they were demolished after it (in early 1920's?).

I found it. Suomen linnoittamisen historia 1918 - 1944 (History of Fortifying Finland 1918 - 1944) by Reino Arimo has few pages about this.

Bit of background (makes the situation in 1920's understandable):

Finland was independent grand dutchy belonging to Russia between 1809 - 1917. During Crimean War French-British naval unit operating in Baltic Sea destoyed fortification of Bomarsund, which the Russians had been building to Aland/Ahvenanmaa Islands. In peace treaty of 1858 Russia promised not to fortify the particular islands again.

As the peace-time treaties don't really apply in wartime during World War 1 Russian military extended the coastal fortification system it was building also to the islands.

Namely they build following coastal batteries to Aland/Ahvenanmaa:
- Kungso/Kungsby: 3 or 4 x 6-inch guns
- Mellantorp: 3 or 4 x 6-inch guns
- Frebbenby: 3 or 4 x 6-inch guns
- Salis: 3 or 4 x 6-inch guns
- Boxo: 4 x 8-inch guns
- Hamno: 4 guns (57-mm or 100-mm)
- Ledsund: 4 guns (57-mm or 100-mm)
- Storklobben: 4 x 6-inch guns
- Kokar: 4 guns (6-inch or 100-mm)
- Korso: 3 x 6-inch guns

The Russian Empire collapsed in 1917. December 1917 Finland became independent, but in 1918 plunged into Civil War. This war was fought by two sides: Whites supported by Germany and Reds supported by Russian Bolsheviks. When the war started the Reds took over southern part of Finland, while the Whites took over northern and middle parts of the country. Once the frontline at border of these two areas appeared both sides started destroying enemy units, which still existed behind their front.

This is where the story starts. During Finnish Civil War one of the Suojeluskunta units (White Army volunteers) caught behind in Red controlled southern Finland decided to head to Aland/Ahvenanmaa as being poorly armed it had no chance of fighting the much more numerous Reds. This about 460 men strong unit retreated from city of Uusikaupunki to Ahvenanmaa, where it 12th of February started disarming Russians (in Prasto radio station). The unit was negotiating surrender of Russian troops in Godby village 17th of February with Russian and Swedish representatives, but they heard that Red Guards had sent icebreaker full of soldiers to the islands. This stopped the negotiations. The Red Guards unit about 200 strong arrived and battle was fought in village of Godby still that same day (this was the only battle fought in Aland/Ahvenanmaa in that war). Neither side really won the battle, but it was the Reds who retreated to Jomala. More negotiations followed and then the Swedes (communication route that the Whites had to Mannerheim’s HQ was telegrams sent via Sweden) tricked the Suojeluskunta unit to believe that Mannerheim wanted them to leave the islands to the Swedes. The Russians were evacuated, while Whites and Reds were disarmed and transported to the mainland. However the Russians were allowed to evacuate their weaponry, much of which they transported to Turku/Abo from where they went to the Red Guards (which made the Finnish Whites mighty pissed). Swedish military took over the islands and Sweden wanted to keep them. However already 5th of March arrived larger German naval unit, whose troops landed and took over the islands. The Swedes also remained in the islands. Finnish Civil War ended in May of 1918 and the Swedish naval unit left in end of May, but the Swedes still wanted Ahvenanmaa/Aland islands. Finland and Sweden decided to take the matter to newly formed League of Nations, which in 1921 decided that the islands belonged to Finland, but Finland had to guarantee them autonomy and demilitarise them. The demilitarisation treaty especially forbid fortifying the islands. However the treaty also obliged Finland to defend Aland in case of attack, even if the preparations in the islands (including building fortifications) was not allowed during peace-time.

In any case the coastal fortifications were long gone already in 1921. Sweden considered the fortifications in Aland/Ahvenanmaa as a threat already in 1918. During peace-negotiations of Brest-Litovsk in March of 1918 Sweden had contacted German and had suggested destroying of fortification in Aland/Ahvenanmaa. This was marked in that peace-agreement and because of this Finns made treaty with the Germans concerning destroying the fortifications. In summer of 1918 Sweden initiated negotiations about the matter with Germany and Finland and in December Finland reluctantly had to agree to sign this treaty. Each of the three counties sent its own unit of 250 to take part in destroying the fortifications in Aland. This demolition work started in April of 1919 and ended later that same year. Soviet Union protested that it had not been included to this treaty.

Swedish - Finnish relations were very poor around 1919 - early 1920's. Finnish military was seriously preparing for possible Swedish attack, which besides Aland could target also Finnish west coast. During early 1920's Finnish military maintained plans for countering such an attack as a plan known as "Ylosmarssisuunnitelma R.K. 1" (Mobilisation Plan R.K. 1, R.K. = Ruotsin Keskitys = Concentration for Sweden). The situation at the time was very tense indeed. June of 1920 Finnish President approved orders to open fire if Swedish Navy would attempt landing to Aland Islands.

Mannerheim was very unhappy with the situation also. His view was that by demanding demilitarising of Aland Sweden sabotaged not only Finnish defence, but defence of its own. He tried getting Sweden to co-operate with Finland in matter of defending Aland in case of war already in 1919, but without success. Around 1933 the suggestion of co-operation in this matter was again brought up in when some Swedish staff officers made public their doubts concerning the sense of Swedish policy concerning defence of Aland Islands. Finns decided to bring up the issue with their Swedish military contacts, but the matter didn't go beyond private conversations. In 1938 the matter finally started to advance and Swedish - Finnish negotiations begun. The Swedes offered a solution known as "Alandsbarriar" (barrier of Aland), which would require preparing line of coastal forts outside the demilitarised area in its southern side. The Swedes already had fortified island of Soderarm in there, but there was nothing between it and Uto island (the closest existing Finnish coastal fort). For this solution in case of war the Finns would have needed to fortify islands of Kokar and Lagskar in between these two islands, but Finnish military found Lagskar (600 meters wide 1 km long) poorly suitable for fortifications. Swedish - Finnish negotiations in July of 1938 ended without agreement. September of 1938 Finnish Ministry of Defence had come with a plan for the fortifications for Kokar, Bjorkor and Lagskar and Mannerheim (head of Defence Committee at the time) approved. But defence minister Niukkanen removed many of the guns from the plan (without consulting Mannerheim) before he introduced it to the government for getting appropriations. This was one the factors why Mannerheim asked resignation from his task as head of Defence Committee in January of 1939. Further negotiations were expected and Finland brought up changing of Aland's status as demilitarised area in League of Nations in May of 1939. However then came the Winter War and changed things....


So, in late 1920's or early 1930's there were no fortifications in Aland/Ahvenanmaa. However Finnish military was not naive enough not be prepared for defending the islands in case the war would break out. For this case Finnish military had coastal guns storaged to nearby city of Turku/Abo. Closest Finnish coastal forts were Uto, Oro, Makiluoto/McElliott and Lyperto. When Winter begun it became apparent that the Swedes were unwilling to take any part in defending Aland. Luckily Finnish military had already made plans for this and in September of 1939 its representatives had investigated possible suitable placed for coastal batteries in Aland. When Finnish Army was mobilised it concentrated some formations as Detachment Hanell (Infantry Regiment 22, Bicycle Battalion 8, 2nd Artillery Battalion of Field Artillery Regiment 6) to Turku/Abo waiting for the possible war, in which case they were to be sent to Aland. However the plans changed and most of Detachment Hanell was sent to Hanko/Hango area, so when the war begun only Ahvenanmaa Coastal Sector units, Bicycle Battalion 8 and two separate infantry companies were sent to Aland. During the war Finnish military build 12 coastal batteries to Aland Islands.

[BIGpanzer]

Thanks a lot, JTV, for the excellent info about Aland islands fortifications!!!
By the way, do you have exact info about the types and amount of the large-calibre (120mm-305mm) Finnish coastal guns of preWinter war period. Or it is impossible to find such info even in Finnish literature.........
I couldn`t find such info for a long time. As for Finnish field, AT and AA guns - this is more easy, I already collected some info.

Thanks in advance, BIGpanzer

[JTV]

Thanks a lot, JTV, for the excellent info about Aland islands fortifications!!!
By the way, do you have exact info about the types and amount of the large-calibre (120mm-305mm) Finnish coastal guns of preWinter war period. Or it is impossible to find such info even in Finnish literature.........
I couldn`t find such info for a long time. As for Finnish field, AT and AA guns - this is more easy, I already collected some info.

Thanks in advance, BIGpanzer

Unfortunately I the necessary books at work and I am at work. I will also be offline for the weekend. But likely one of my fellow Finns countrymen can give the information before I get back.

Arimo's "Suomen linnoittamisen historia 1918 - 1944" contains lists of artillery batteries build to Aland/Ahvenmaa during World War 2 (around page 130 or so?). Guns in some of these batteries (at least Herrö, which received French 155 K/77 modified to coastal use?) got the guns first installed to them replaced with another ones during the war (and what I remember these changes are not mentioned in Arimo's book), but they can be likely be found from "Itsenäisen Suomen rannikkotykit 1918 - 1998" (Coastal Guns of Independent Finland 1918 - 1998) by Ove Enqvist.

[Juha Tompuri]

By the way, do you have exact info about the types and amount of the large-calibre (120mm-305mm) Finnish coastal guns of preWinter war period. Or it is impossible to find such info even in Finnish literature.........

Not exactly what you are looking for but... have you seen this: http://www.novision.fi/viapori/

Regards, Juha

[BIGpanzer]

Thanks a lot!!!
Please, if you will find some additional info about Finnish coastal defence guns - let me know

I also found today some info about Finnish recruiting system in 1930s - the annual contingent amount for compulsory military service (for persons since 21 year old, 350 days army service or 440 days for reserve officers and NCOs schools) was near 26.000. First reserve - soldiers till the age of 40 and officers till the age of 60. Also second reserve existed, including all young men 17-21 year old.

Civic Guard (100.000 men, but permanent cadres - 450 officers + 750 officials in 1939) intended for providing of military training and supply the cadres for the formed war-time units.
Lotta Svärd was a women`s organisation under the rule of Minister of Defence - also 100.000 members, responsible for health, administration, civil defence services.

And several questions concerning the Finnish flag. I founf two images of the Flag of Finland since 1918: No. 1 and No. 2 - which of them was official state flag? (probably, the first one). Why two different flags existed, what was the difference between them? Probably, one was changed by another........Interesting, that Finnish lion had the crown despite the fact that Finland was a republic.
And the flag no.3 - what is this? My source mention that this is the Flag of Aland Islands in 1922-1954, but Aland Islands had no independence, they were the Finnish province..............

As for the Finnish Coart of Arms - am I right that it didn`t changed since the 1580s.

[BIGpanzer]

Finnish Coat of Arms since 1580s till present

[BIGpanzer]

Finnish friends!

Please, give me the answer about Finnish flags (my previous post)

Also any info about Finnish aircraft markings in 1920-1939, please.........

I know only this Finnish aircraft emblem (Blue swastika - "Hakaristi") - when did it appear? Probably, In 1918?



I made today a good job - here is the list of all Finnish aircrafts of 1920-1939 (Suomen Ilmavoimat - Finnish AF + also some civil aircrafts)
Is this list correct and full? Any notes and comments are very welcome!
By the way - quite many types of aircrafts for the relatively small country, I am tired to find and type all of them

1. Adaridi (1923-1924, 1 copy)
2. Aero A-11HS (1927-1929, 8 copies)
3. Aero A-32 (1929-1944, 16 copies)
4. Albatros B.II Typ 9 (1918-1921, 3 copies)
5. Albatros C.III (1919-1920, 2 copies)
6. Avro 504K (1926-1930, 1 copy)
7. Avro 652A Anson I (1936-1947, 3 copies)
8. Blackburn Ripon IIF (1929-, 1 copy)
9. Blackburn VL Ripon IIF (1931-1944, 25 copies)
10. Bleriot-Spad S.34-1 (1921-1925, 2 copies)
11. Breguet Bre.14A.2 (1919-1927, 38 or more copies)
12. Bristol Blenheim I (1937-1957, 18 copies)
13. Bristol Bulldog IIA (1939-1942, 2 copies)
14. Bristol Bulldog IVA (1935-1944, 17 copies)
15. Caudron C.59 (1923-1931, 3 copies)
16. Caudron C.60 (1923-1936, 30 copies)
17. Caudron IVL C.60 (1921-1936, 34 or 40 copies)
18. Caudron G.III (1920-1924, 13 copies)
19. Caudron G.IV (1922, 1 copy)
20. Cessna C-37 Airmaster (1939-1943, 1 copy)
21. deH. D.H.60X Moth (1929, 1 copy)
22. deH. VL D.H.60X Moth (1929-1944, 18 copies)
23. deH "Karhumaki" (1939-1944, 3 copies)
24. D.F.W. C.V (1918-1921, 2 copies)
25. Fairchild 24J DeLuxe (1939-1941, 1 copy)
26 Farman(Shchetinin) HF.30(M-16) (1918-1923, 6 copies)
27. Fiat G.50 Freccia/Fijju (1939-1946, 35 copies)
28. Fieseler Fi 156K-1 Storch (1939-1960, 2 copies)
29. Fokker C.VE (1927-1945, 14 copies)
30. Fokker CFM (1939-1944, 3 copies)
31. Fokker C.X (1937-, 4 copies)
32. Fokker VL C.X (1938-1958, 34 copies)
33. Fokker D.VII (1919-1924, 3 copies)
34. Fokker D.X (1923-1924, 1 copy)
35. Fokker D.XXI (1937-1941, 7 copies)
36. FF FF33E (1918-1920, 3 copies)
37. FF FF41A (1918-1923, 1 copy)
38. FF FF49B (1918-1923, 1 copy)
39. FF FF49C (1918-1923, 4 copies)
40. Gloster Gamecock II (1927-, 2 copies)
41. Gloster VL "Kukko" (1929-1944, 15 copies)
42. G-L GL-21.C1 (1923-31, 38 copies)
43. H.B.(IVL) W.33(A.22) (1922-1936, 120 copies)
44. I.V.L. C.VI.25 (1925, 1 copy)
45. I.V.L. C.24 (1924, 1 copy)
46. I.V.L. D.26 "Haukka" I (1927, 1 copy)
47. I.V.L. (VL) D.27 (1928-1930, 2 copies)
48. I.V.L K.1 *Kurki" (1927, 1 copy)
49. Junkers A.50 Junior (1936-1940, 2 copies)
50. Junkers F.13fe (1931-1940, 4 copies)
51. Junkers AFI K.43F (1931-1945, 6 copies)
52. Junkers W.34B (1930-1941, 1 copy)
53. Koolhoven FK.31 (1926-1931, 8 copies)
54. Koolhoven (VL) FK.31 (1929-1932, 4 copies)
55. Letov S.218A4 Smolik (1930-1945, 10 copies)
56. Letov (VL) S.218A4 Smolik (1933-1945, 29 copies)
57. Levy GL.40HB2 Type R (1919-1923, 12 copies)
58. L.V.G. C.VI (1922-1923, 2 copies)
59. Martinsyde F.4 Buzzard (1923-1939, 15 copies)
60. M.S. MS.50C (1925-1932, 6 copies)
61. Nieuport 16C1 (1918-1923, 1 copy)
62. Nieuport (Duks) 23C1 (1918-1920, 2 copies)
63. Potez 25A.2 (1927-1936, 1 copy)
64. Rumpler 6B (1918-1926, 2 copies)
65. Rambler C.VIII (1918-1924, 1 copy)
66. SIAI S.9 (1919-1920, 3 copy)
67. Shchetinin M-5 (1918-1920, 1 copy)
68. Shchetinin M-9 (1918-1922, 9 copies)
69. Spad(Duks) 7C1 (1918-1923, 1 copy)
70. Svenska ASJA J-6 Jaktfalken (1939-1945, 3 copies)
71. V.L. "Kotka" I (1930, 1 copy)
72. V.L. "Kotka" II (1931-1945, 5 copies)
73. V.L. "Paarma" (1931-1933, 1 copy)
74. V.L. "Pyry" I (1939-1962, 1 copy)
75. V.L. "Saaski" I (1928, 1 copy)
76. V.L. "Saaski" II (1929-1941, 12 copies)
77. V.L. "Saaski" IIA (1930-1941, 22 copies)
78. V.L. "Tuisku" (1935-1937, 2 copies)
79. V.L. "Tuisku" I (1935-1948, 13 copies)
80. V.L. "Tuisku" II (1935-1948, 16 copies)
81. V.L. "Viima" I (1936-1962, 2 copies)
82. V.L. "Viima" IIA (1939-1962, 22 copies)


Regards, BIGpanzer

[BIGpanzer]

Searching links with the info (specifications, history, etc.) about Finnish airplanes...................
Also about organisation of Finnish Air Force between Liberation and Winter wars.............

Please, any help and comments!

[Harri]

About Finnish flags and coat of arms. On this page you can see the so called "state flag" (above) and the flag of the President (below) in correct colours and relative sizes:
http://www.presidentti.fi/fin/instituut ... akuna.html

Your upper flag is the so called "national flag" or "merchant flag" of Finland which is the most widely used variant. Your second flag is some kind of an early variant of the "state flag" with a crown representing kingdom which Finland never became.

The last one is not familiar to me but it may be the early flag of Åland Islands. I think their current flag was used for the first time on 3.4.1954 (sorry about the small size!) which fits to your information on the flag (see also information on the Åland Islands):
http://www.norden.org/web/1-1-fakta/uk/ ... asp&lang=6

Finnish coat of arms is really very old. It was related to the Swedish era decision to make Finland a "Grand Duchy" which it really was already well before the Russian era. The coat of arms belonged to a Swedish noble family which ruled Finland. The "heraldic roses" were originally placed only to fill the empty areas on the coat of arms but later represented Finnish provinces? I think the original version is seen in Upsala Kathedral, Sweden?

----

About Finnish national emblems in aircraft see:
http://www.geocities.com/finnmilpge/fmp ... kings.html

About the early Finnish aircraft designation system:
http://www.virtualpilots.fi/hist/WW2His ... kings.html

You list on Finnish aircraft before the Winter War seems rather complete and at least contain 95% (or more) of all planes. The ones you lack so far are the Finnish VL made Fokker D.XXIs. From my old pages (update coming some day) you can perhaps find some missing ones:
http://www.geocities.com/finnmilpge/fmp ... hters.html
http://www.geocities.com/finnmilpge/fmp ... mbers.html
http://www.geocities.com/finnmilpge/fmp ... iners.html
http://www.geocities.com/finnmilpge/fmp ... recon.html

"Backwoods Landing Strip" is the best Finnish aircraft site but contains mainly WW II era and later information:
http://www.sci.fi/~ambush/faf/faf.html

The most important Finnish vessels can be found from this page (also old page, update coming some day)
http://www.geocities.com/finnmilpge/fmp ... ssels.html

[BIGpanzer]

Hello, Harri!
Thanks for the excellent links you`ve posted here. I will need several days to read them in detail

As for the Aland Islands - just one question. It has nothing common with Finnish Army, but with Finnish history of 1920s.
AFAIK Aland Islands were the part of Russian Grand Duchy of Finland since 17.09.1809 (so Finnish), but in 1918 they were occupied by Sweden (also popular movement to rejoin Sweden took place in 1917-1919) and by Germany. Only on 24 June 1921 League of Nations decided Aland Islands in favor of Finland. What happened between 1918-1921? Were Aland Islands already Finnish after Swedish/German occupation end in December 1918 or independent during that three years?


Also about Finnish armored vecicles of interwar period - is the list completed?:
1. Light tanks FT17 (French, were purchased in July 1919 - 32 copies: 14 with 37mm gun, 18 with 8mm MG + 2 additional in 1921 with unknown armament - so total 34 FT17 in Finnish Army) - the type was completely obsolete in late 1930s, but they were still in service because of Finnish lack of funds. The 1919 year order also included Latil tractors and associated trailers for transportation the tanks on any long distance move.
2. Light wheeled-tracked tanks St. Chamond - modèle 1921 (French, Finnish Army purchased a few for experimental reasons, but they were found to be unacceptable) - when and how much were purchased?
3. Light tanks Vickers-Armstrong 6-ton (UK, was tested by Finns in 1933 - model B and was found acceptable). AFAIK near 32 were ordered (unarmed, optics were equipped in Germany) - when exactly? In 1939 only 10 were fully operational, armed with 37mm psvk 36 Finnish-built guns, MG and Suomi SMG. Also some were armed with obsolete 37mm Puteaux guns from FT17. Some sources report that only 26 Vickers 6-ton tanks were delivered in 1938, and the remaining 6 only after Winter War.
4. Tankettes Vickers-Armstrong-Carden-Loyd Model 1933 (UK, 4 were bought in 1933 for testing and used in training till 1941).
5. Light tank Vickers-Armstrong MkIV or MkVI (UK, 1 test vehicle was purchased in 1933 and was used in training until 1943).

6. Armored cars Austin-Putilov (Russia/England, the Finns acquired a few (how many exactly?) from Russia and used them in the 1918 Civil War). They were used during 1920s by Finnish Army.
7. Armored cars Peerless (also were acquired from Russia and used in 1918 Civil War) - how many were used in 1920s?
8. Armored cars Fiat (Russia/Italy, also were purchased from the Russians and were used in the 1918 Civil War). Phased out of service by the early 1920's - how many were used?
9. Armored cars Landswerk 182 (Sweden, several (some sources report that even one!) were purchased for testing and were removed from inventory till 1941) - when and how much were purchased?

Thanks very much in advance
Regards, BIGpanzer

[JTV]

The situation with coastal forts built to Åland/Ahvenanmaa during World War 2 seems to have been bit more complicated than what I first remembered. Since your location says just "Central Europe" I am not sure how much of the nordic alphabets do you see correctly so the names with ä ("a with dots"), ö ("o with dots") and å ("Swedish o") have been written twice in these lists (once with scandic letters and in the brackets is the version without them). Anyway here is the info that I succeeded to find:

Batteries build during Winter War:
1. Signildskär (Signildskar): 2 x 152-mm Canet L/45 coastal gun
2. Hammarruddan: 2 x 152-mm Canet L/45 coastal gun
3. Nyhamnslandet: 3 x 120-mm Armstrong L/41 coastal gun
4. Herrö (Herro): 2 x 152-mm Canet L/45 coastal gun
5. Kökar (Kokar): 3 x 152-mm Canet L/45 coastal gun
6. Eckerö: 2 x 75-mm Canet L/50 coastal gun
7. Tellholm: 2 x 47-mm coastal gun
8. Djurvik: 2 x 37-mm coastal gun
9. Hamnör: 2 x 47-mm coastal gun
10. Maarianhamina / Mariehamn: 2 x 47-mm coastal gun
11. Kökar (Kokar): 2 x 40-mm antiaircraft gun
In addition to these Finnish coastal defence had six old Russian 87-mm field guns in Åland/Ahvenanmaa Islands. Finnish Armed Forces also planned building 254-mm coastal battery of two guns to Hammarrudda point. Typically Finnish Coastal Artillery had taken care of building its own fortifications, but this was an exception. Deal with Swedish company ”Skånska Cementgjuderiet” concerning building concrete structures for coastal batteries was signed 13th of March 1940 and renewed 1st of April 1940. The Swedish company took part building the coastal forts to Åland in 1940.

Coastal forts in summer of 1940:
1. Signildskär (Signildskar):
- 2 x 152-mm Canet L/45 coastal gun
- 2 x 40-mm Bofors antiaircraft gun
2. Valberget, Eckerö:
- 2 x 75-mm gun
3. Storby:
- 2 x 87/95 field gun
4. Skeppsvik:
- 2 x 87/95 field gun
5. Tellholm:
- 2 x 120-mm Armstrong L/41 coastal gun (under work)
- 3 x 47-mm coastal gun L/40
6. Djurvik:
- 2 x 47-mm coastal gun L/40
7. Hammarrudda:
- 2 x 254-mm Durlacher L/45 coastal gun (under work)
- 2 x 152-mm Canet L/45 coastal gun
- 3 x 75-mm Canet L/50 coastal gun (Meller Zenit mount?)
- 2 x 20-mm Madsen (?)
8. Kungsö (Kungso):
- 2 x 87 K/95 field gun
9. Herrö:
- 2 x 152-mm Canet L/45 coastal gun
- 2 x 40-mm Bofors antiaircraft-gun
10. Nyhamnslandet:
- 3 x 120-mm Canet L/45 coastal gun
- 2 x 40-mm Vickers automatic gun
11. Kökar (Kokar):
- 3 x 152-mm Canet L/45 coastal gun
- 2 x 75-mm Canet L/50 coastal gun (Meller Zenit mount?)
- 4 x 47-mm coastal gun L/40

Field fortified (build from wood and soil) positions for Heavy Artillery 1:
- Gottby, Torp
- Vestansunds
- Marby

In addition field fortified positions for antiaircraft-weapons in:
- Maarianhamina / Mariehamn
- Marsundet
- Färjsundet (Farjsundet)
- Valberget

The fortifications which were still under work were not finished as the political situation changed again in late 1940 and the forfication works had to be stopped. All work in them was halted 3rd of July 1940. 22nd of October 1940. Soviet Union forced Finland to sign agreement, according which Finland had to demilitarise the Åland/Ahvenanmaa Islands and not to forfify them. According agreement all the fortifications in the Islands had to be destroyed and the Soviets had right to observe doing this. Destroying the fortifications was done between 25th of September - 8th of October 1940. Finnish sappers and local civilian population was used for this work (sappers take care of demolition with explosives). Soviets were very demanding – even observation towers made from wood had to be removed, even if Finnish coastal guard could have used them.

Once Continuation War begun in summer of 1941 the situation changed again. In Åland Islands Finnish military had to fix the fortifications it had been forced to destroy previous year. List of coastal barreries designed to the Islands 24th of June 1941:
1. Signildskär (Signildskar): 2 x 152-mm Canet L/45 coastal gun
2. Kökar (Kokar): 3 x 152-mm Canet L/45 coastal gun
3. Hammarrudda: 2 x 152-mm Canet L/45 coastal gun
4. Tellholm: 2 x 120-mm Canet L/45 coastal gun
5. Nyhamn: 2 x 120-mm Canet L/45 coastal gun
6. Herrö: 2 x 152-mm Canet L/45 coastal gun
However this list was never exactly implemented. The number and model of guns in several batteries became other then in this list. During the war 75-mm coastal gun battery was build to Tollingarna.

Coastal forts in Åland / Ahvenanmaa 24th of January 1944:
1. Kökar (Kokar):
- 3 x 152-mm Canet L/45 coastal gun
2. Björkör (Bjorkor):
- 3 x 75-mm Canet L/50 coastal gun
3. Herrö (Herro):
- 4 x 155-mm (155/27-BaMK build from 155 K/77)
- 2 x 75 K/01 field gun
4. Nyhamn:
- 2 x 120-mm Canet L/45 coastal gun
- 2 x 47-mm coastal gun L/30
5. Maarianhamina / Mariehamn:
- 2 x 75 K/01 field gun
6. Hammarrudda:
- 3 x 152-mm Canet L/45 coastal gun
- 1 x 75-mm Canet L/50 coastal gun
- 2 x 47-mm coastal gun L/30
7. Tellholm:
- 2 x 120-mm Armstrong L/41 coastal gun
8. Signildskär (Signildskar):
- 3 x 152-mm Canet L/45 coastal gun
- 2 x 75-mm Canet L/50 coastal gun
In addition Kuggskär had 2 x 57-mm coastal guns. I am not sure if it was in Åland Islands or not. In addition to these the islands had 48 machinegun posts, 13 antitank gun positions and 11 antiaicraft gun positions, most of them field fortified.

Once Continuation War ended Åland Islands had to be demilirised once again. So the fortifications had to be demolished yet again.

Sources are the Arimo's and Enqvist's books mentioned earlier.

[JTV]

Replies to some of the questions:

1. The FT-17 received (French sent them compensation about two similar tanks, which they had earlier pressured to loan for Judenevich's Army and which were returned in very poor shape) 1921: One with 37-mm gun and another with 8-mm Hotchkiss MG.

2. St Chamond model 1921: One bought for tests in 1925. Proved not to be useful. Scrapped 1937.

3. Vickers 6 tanks: Germany didn't deliver optics (because of which Finns had to use improvised sights during Winter War - the 37-mm Bofors guns in these tanks never had proper sights, situation corrected only when they were replaced with 45-mm Soviet tank guns after Winter War but before Continuation War). 26 delivered before Winter War 1938 - 1939, 6 delivered after Winter War in 1940. Version armed with 37-mm Puteaux used only for training in 1939 (used in wargames of summer 1939, temporary attachments for 37-mm Puteaux were not strong enough for firing real live ammo). Notice: Beside the one "Alternative B" bought in 1933 these were all "Alternative E" (some consider them "alternative F" because of turret).

4. Armstrong Carden-Loyd model 1933 amphibious light tank: Only 1 receiced for tests in in September 1933, proved very poor, not bougth, sent back still that same month.

5. Carden Lloyd Mk IV tankette: 1 bought in 1933, never used in battle, removed from active use around 1943 (the vehicle minus its tracks is in Parola armour museum).

6. Mis-identification, not Austin-Putilov but Austin (model 1917. Nobody likely knows how many captured (at least two?). Used until early 1920's it seems. In 1918 the Reds seem to have had in Finland both Austin M/1917 and Armstrong-Whitworth Fiat.

7. Peerless: One captured by Finnish volunteer unit Pohjan Pojat in Estonia during Estonian War of Independence. Remained in Estonia, none ever in use of Finnish Army.

8. Fiat: Some (likely at least two?) captured in 1918. No idea how many. Also seem to have been used until early 1920's.

9. Landsverk 182: Yes, only 1 bought from Sweden in 1936. It was issued to test unit of Cavaly (Armour Unit of Cavalry, later: Seperate Armour Squadron. Modifying cavalry units to light armour units was very fashionable in those days.). Saw battle during Winter War in "Motorised unit of Cavarly Brigade" (only armoured vehicle of this unit) and During first year of Continuation War with 1st Division. Removed from use in end of 1941, scrapped after Continuation War. Weaponry (Finnish designed and manufactured, different then in any other Landsverk armoured car): 13.2 mm machinegun (turret) + two 7.62 mm machineguns (turret + front hull).

[BIGpanzer]

Hello, JTV!
Thanks a lot for the help with Finnish coastal artillery units on Aland Islands!!! I couldn`t find such info by myself.
Do you have the info (would like to write the same escellent ) about other Finnish coastal defence batteries? At least the locations and armament of main of them - Finnish Baltic sea coasts at Gulf of Finland (Hamina, Kotka, Helsinki, Turku defence) and Gulf of Bothnia (Vaasa, Kokkola, Oulu defence), also defence of the Finnish side of Lake Ladoga. We already discussed the number and amount of Finnish regiments of coastal artillery here, but what about different batteries of those regiments or separate batteries?
As for the Finnish Barents seashore - did Finns have at least several guns for coastal or AA defense there, or some coastal defense units?

As for the nordic alphabets - I am from Germany/Switzerland, so with ä,ü,ö should be no problem , but å I can`t type on my keyboard - but anyway I can read every symbols on my computer!

Thanks also for the info about Finnish tanks and armored cars......
Just several notes -
a) about Vickers 6-ton tanks: many sources report that Finnish tanks were sent to Germany for optics installation. If they mistake - did the Germans really plan to do this at least?
b)

JTV wrote: Mis-identification, not Austin-Putilov but Austin

"Austin-Putilov" armored cars - me seems I am correct here as original "Austins" were purchased by Russians from UK during WWI and then produced as completely modified version by Putilov plant (St. Petersburg, Russia) - they were the most common armored cars in Red/White Russian Forces during Russian Civil War. Finns could get Russian armored cars with much more higher possibility after Russian Revolution than original British armored cars. But this are only my suppositions.
c) Am I right that in 1936-1939 Finnish Army had only 1 armored car - Swedish Landsverk 182. And there were no another armored cars in Finnish Army?


Regards, BIGpanzer

[JTV]

Hello, JTV!
Thanks a lot for the help with Finnish coastal artillery units on Aland Islands!!! I couldn`t find such info by myself.
Do you have the info (would like to write the same escellent ) about other Finnish coastal defence batteries? At least the locations and armament of main of them - Finnish Baltic sea coasts at Gulf of Finland (Hamina, Kotka, Helsinki, Turku defence) and Gulf of Bothnia (Vaasa, Kokkola, Oulu defence), also defence of the Finnish side of Lake Ladoga. We already discussed the number and amount of Finnish regiments of coastal artillery here, but what about different batteries of those regiments or separate batteries?

Sorry, I don't have time for making lists about all of them.

As for the Finnish Barents seashore - did Finns have at least several guns for coastal or AA defense there, or some coastal defense units?

Nothing as far as I know. Small cabin with few frontier guards was the only thing reminding military presence down there before the war and Finns had no interest to arrange there coastal artillery there later (the troops for defending whole Lapland were very small in Winter War and in Continuation War the Germans took care of defending it). The area just didn't have real military importance for Finland at that time - after all, the Petsamo/Pechanga shore had only fishing village or two and maybe some reindeer herds (and not much to eat for them either as its tundra back there).

Thanks also for the info about Finnish tanks and armored cars......
Just several notes -
a) about Vickers 6-ton tanks: many sources report that Finnish tanks were sent to Germany for optics installation. If they mistake - did the Germans really plan to do this at least?

As far as I know at least the plans for ordering the gun-sights from Germany existed and probably the order was sent in 1938 or 1939. However none were ever delivered. So likely they were ordered before Winter War, but were not delivered (for Ribbentropp treaty which ban Germany from selling armaments to enemy of USSR?). Sending whole tanks to Germany just to install gun sights would have not made any sense. The sights would have undoubtedly been installed in Finland

b)

JTV wrote: Mis-identification, not Austin-Putilov but Austin

"Austin-Putilov" armored cars - me seems I am correct here as original "Austins" were purchased by Russians from UK during WWI and then produced as completely modified version by Putilov plant (St. Petersburg, Russia) - they were the most common armored cars in Red/White Russian Forces during Russian Civil War. Finns could get Russian armored cars with much more higher possibility after Russian Revolution than original British armored cars. But this are only my suppositions.

Well, who known for sure? What I remember they looked a lot like typical Austin 3rd Series (model 1917). Besides, there are not that many photos of them. I researched the thing and 2 years ago, but I don't have my notes right now. Below is the photo - you make the conclusions. As these were delivered in 1917 maybe the Russians didn't have time or capacity to modify them much?

c) Am I right that in 1936-1939 Finnish Army had only 1 armored car - Swedish Landsverk 182. And there were no another armored cars in Finnish Army?

Correct, it was the only one at that time.

Photo of Austin armoured car in Helsinki (year around 1919 or 1920?) below.