Finnish army ww2 equipment. After the regular army had mobilized and deployed, the Finnish home training forces were organized using leftover equipment and personnel. Here in Finland this includes harsh winters with deep snow and freezing cold. Second, it is to showcase Lava's technical capabilities. This is a list of weapons used by the Finnish Army, for past equipment, see here. For a long time, it Neutrality in WW2 Despite its neutrality, Sweden looked more warily to its eastern border than to the 3rd Reich. The Finnish Army has 11 unmanned reconnaissance airplanes (RUAG Ranger), which are used for reconnaissance and artillery targeting purposes. ) (The Uniforms of the Armed Forces of the State) from 1922, the Valtakunnan Puolustusvoimien virkapukuohjesääntö, or (V. The Finnish Army is also field testing Patria's new mini-UAV. The Soviets eventually brought about 70 divisions (about 1,000,000 men) to bear in their attack on Finland, along with about 1,000 tanks. It ended three and a half TAGS Finland, Finnish military, Finnish Armed Forces, World War 2, Russians, WW2, rifle, Mosin Nagant, History Channel, bayonet, knife, rucksack, gear, soldier, Winter War, Axis, Powers The list "World War II military equipment of Finland" has been viewed 0 times. UNIFORMS: Uniforms of Finnish Armed Forces and Civil Guard FORMATIONS (Tables of Organisation and Equipment): Formations 1: Finnish Civil War 1918 Formations 2: From 1919 to 1938, Building Finnish Army Formations 3: World War II, Infantry Formations 4: World War II, Armour & Field Artillery Formations 5: World War II, Cavalry This is a list of weapons used by the Finnish Army, for past equipment, see here. Jun 13, 2012 · Primarily I rely on Osprey's 'Finland at War 1939-45' (Elite 141) and the web site 'The Military Tunics of Finland 1918-1945', both of which give you a good idea of the uniforms and equipment in use by the Finns throughout the war, summer and winter. But I would like to know at least something about the organization and equipment of Finnish Army, Navy and Air Forces after the Liberation war and later, in 1920s-mid1930s. The commander of the Finnish Army as of 1 January 2022 is Lieutenant General Pasi Finnish soldiers raise the flag at the three-country cairn between Norway, Sweden, and Finland on 27 April 1945, which marked the end of World War II in Finland. Sep 10, 2020 · Finland received German Stalhelms during the Winter War (1939), WW2, and into the 1950’s. The Finnish Air Force, one of the oldest air forces of the world, pre-dates the British RAF (founded as an independent entity on 1 April 1918) and the Swedish Flygvapnet (founded on 1 July 1926). The Finnish Defence Forces consist of the Finnish Army, the Finnish Navy, and the Finnish Air Forc Army Clothing Clothing items on this page are largely based on the series of Reglation books the Ministry of Defence published before and during the 2nd World War. Evidently the tests went well and the Vickers proved itself as a viable option, as just three years later, 32 such tanks were ordered from Britain. th Feb 19, 2025 · Source: K Hjermstad Panzer IV Finnish Service As the Panzer IV tanks began to slowly arrive in Finland, the political and military situation changed drastically. The Finnish Army (Finnish: Maavoimat [ˈmɑːˌʋoi̯mɑt], Swedish: Armén) is the land forces branch of the Finnish Defence Forces. Finland was no exception. Finnish use: Used by Finnish frontline troops during World War 2. Despite the challenges they faced, they achieved some limited success in finding the equipment they needed Jan 1, 2012 · "The Finnish Army at War: Operations and Soldiers, 1939–45" published on 01 Jan 2012 by Brill. E for testing. Introduction. Learn about their modern capabilities, equipment, and how they've evolved to become a key player in European defense strategies. The Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) are the military of Finland. PICTURE: Finnish Army sappers photographed in middle of building punt boat bridge (ruuhisilta). This document contains the overall composition of Finnish ground forces for each summer between 1941 and 1944, and tables of operation and equipment for divisions, brigades, regiments, squadrons, batteries and companies for the same time period. Finland managed to halt the Soviet advance in July-August 1944, particularly at the Battle of Tali-Ihantala. . Trousers appear to be straight pants m/36. Jan 24, 2010 · Finnish Mosin-Nagant variants Lahti-Saloranta M/26 Gabilondo Ruby Parabellum pistol Lahti L-35 Hebel M1894 Collections of the Military Museum of Finland Bayonets of Finland January 2010 in Helsinki Hidden categories: Self-published work PD-self Images with annotations Taken with Canon PowerShot SX10 IS Files by User:MKFI Finland photographs This is an (incomplete) list of former equipment used by the Finnish Army. Before the war, the Finnish military had spend considerable effort in developing and training all of these. Apr 11, 2016 · 1939–40, Infantry Division, Finnish Army The Army also uses Hughes 500 D and E helicopters in reconnaissance and training roles. However Finnish bombers did exist and provided support to Finnish ground troops. If you want to learn about where different guns came from, how they were developed, where they were used, and how they work, this is the channel for you! With more than 5,000 videos covering firearms from the earliest matchlocks to the latest in high-tech developments, there is Jan 29, 2025 · Dead Red Army soldiers and abandoned tanks mark the scene of a brief but violent ambush during the Winter War. But during Continuation War (1941 - 1944) number of captured M/27 Degtjarev light machineguns used by Finnish Army grew much larger than the number of Lahti-Saloranta. Feb 15, 2023 · In the second half of the XNUMXth century, the Finnish Ground Forces were mostly equipped with equipment and weapons purchased as part of the Soviet-Finnish military-technical cooperation. Out of an already modest military budget, there was little left for naval ambitions, with the Finnish frontier being the focus of all the military’s attention. E. Nov 19, 2024 · Finland (1940-1944) Fighter – Number operated: 35 In late 1939, the rapid expansion of the Soviet Union in Eastern Europe caused great alarm in Finland. Discover the history, training, and unique tactics of the Finland Army, a powerful force with a long tradition. As a politically isolated nation with limited funds, Finland struggled to equip its military for a potential war with the Soviets. Index detailing the various guns and related infantry-level small arms of Finland during the fighting of World War 2. fi This is a list of World War II weapons used by Finland. Around 1942 - 1943 Finnish Army downsized its divisions, but this was to release more manpower to home front, which was struggling to keep the military provided with weapons, food, ammunition and other equipment. The projects were mainly conducted under the auspices of the Finnish Defense Forces. At the same time, Finnish industry partially met the needs of the armed forces. They include lists of aircraft, ships, vehicles, weapons, personal equipment, uniforms, and other equipment. Due to shortage of military uniforms, Finnish military issued all kinds of uniforms that remained in its inventory and Civil Guard's (Suojeluskunta) guardsmen went to war in their Civil Guard uniforms. The third one, the Lapland War in 1944–1945, followed the signing of an armistice agreement with the Allied Powers, which stipulated Sep 22, 2021 · Official Histories In the aftermath of World War II, many belligerent countries initiated official history projects on their involvement in the war. Taking advantage of mobility and concealment, they routinely claimed a heavy toll in Soviet men and equipment. This took place only three months after the German invasion of Poland that triggered the start of World War II in Europe. For current equipment, see here. After the Civil War, the Finnish Army (Suomen Armeija) was formed. Notice collar patches, which were not used in earlier Finnish military uniforms. There are aggregated military equipment lists by country, and lists of classes of equipment broken down by country or by type. The goal of this site is two fold. War Booty 1941 - 1944 . The New Land Rifle Regiment, 18 , 19th, and 20 Independent Rifle Battalions, and all four independent heavy artillery regiments were composed of Swedish-speaking Finnish citizens. Peter Chen of Lava Development, LLC. What it lacked in equipment it made up for with professionalism and ‘Sisu’ (a word roughly translated to stubborness and guts). Finland fought in three conflicts during World War II; the Winter War (1939–1940), the Continuation War (1941–1944), and the Lapland War (1944–1945). tkk. PICTURE: Private (sotamies) of Finnish Army in typical military uniform m/36. In my case I was particularly interested in the summer dress of around 1944. The OKW explained that the quiet situation in Finland was the deciding factor in the division’s withdrawal and that the Germans would come to Finland’s aid in the future if they were needed. The Moscow Armistice was signed on September 19, 1944, ending the Continuation War. History of Weapons and War brings together all the best independent experts on firearms history under one roof. Our military gear is made for continuous, prolonged field use. PICTURE: Four Finnish soldiers photographed in Russarö coastal fort during Winter War. Inside, the jacket bears clear depot stamps Sep 5, 2005 · There is quite a lot info about the organization of Finnish Army during Winter (Soviet-Finnish) war as well as during Continuation (WWII) war. WW2 Finnish Soumi Army Gabardine M36 Jacket This is a World War II Finnish Soumi Army Model 1936 (M36) gabardine jacket, distinguished by its robust design and historical significance. O. First, it is aiming to offer interesting and useful information about WW2. ADDITIONAL When Finnish Army after ending of the offensive re-organized much of its troops, the military units suspended as part of process returned their military equipment – with notably large percentage of bayonets being reported as "missing" or "lost". Building and destroying bridges plus helping infantry to cross rivers was bread and butter of engineer corps already before World War 2, although their inventory of equipment got notably more versatile during the war. This is a list of military equipment used by Finland during World War II. The Russian military had a number of early designs stationed in the Grand Duchy of Finland, which until the Russian Note: In this website military uniform "M/18" is being used to refer Finnish White Army / Finnish Army uniforms of year 1918 in general. Between its birth in 1918 to present day it saw itself involved in 3 major conflicts, the Winter War (1939 Armed Forces of Finland in the Winter War 1939-40. The Finnish Army is divided into six branches: infantry (which includes armoured units), field artillery, anti-aircraft artillery, engineers, signals, and materiel troops. Skis and reindeers make the Finnish soldiers movable. Uniforms of the Swedish Volunteer Corps in Finland, WWII Introduction The Finnish Winter War or simply The Winter War was fought in the four months following the Soviet Union's invasion of Finland on November 30, 1939. Goodwin Aug 5, 2014 · With mixed equipment and nearly as mixed reputation, they still form an interesting part of Finnish Army’s endeavors in WW2. The Winter War[F 6] was a war between the Soviet Union and Finland. The invasion had followed failed peace talks in 1939 when Stalin had demanded Finland cede key territory, bases and mines. Both green collar patches with white frame and brass badges of crossed rifles on epaulets indicate that the soldier's service branch is infantry. Indeed, it allowed the Wehrmacht to use Swedish railways to transport, in June–July 1941, the whole 163rd Infantry Division, along with all its equipment and supplies, from Norway to Finland, to help the Finnish Army. Suomi: Suomalainen marssikompassi M/34 Suunto. This is a list of military equipment used by Finland during World War II. They did manage to see combat in the Winter War and in WW2 as . It began with a Soviet invasion of Finland on 30 November 1939, three months after the outbreak of World War II, and ended three and a half months later with the Moscow Peace Treaty on 13 March 1940. Probably the single most important piece of equipment was heatable shelter. This force was based on conscription and, despite a growing economy, was poorly equipped. Lists of World War II military equipment are lists of military equipment in use during World War II (1939–1945). P. Soviet losses were more difficult to count. Finnish armored forces got their first equipment from France in 1919-1921, when the newly independent state acquired 32 FT-17′s. Facing a massive Soviet army, the Finnish defender’s fought a The military history of Finland during World War II encompasses three major conflicts. The weapons and uniforms of various kind issued to Finnish soldiers of the era are already explained elsewhere on this website, hence the purpose of this page is to mainly focus to all sorts of other items May 9, 2018 · After the Civil War, the Finnish Army (Suomen Armeija) was formed. Finnish troops proved masterful in the art of winter warfare. The World War II Database is founded and managed by C. legacy. ics. Finnish divisions, strength and equipment, tanks, air force and navy. The main objective of the Finnish Air Force during World War II was to maintain air superiority over Finland to prevent Soviet aircraft reinforcing the advance of Soviet ground forces into Finland. This is an (incomplete) list of former equipment used by the Finnish Army. They also had an identical M43 hat to the Germans exception being the color and insignia. The tactical doctrine of the Finnish Army presupposes an overwhelming superiority in numbers and materiel on the part of its potential enemy. The research focus was on traditional operational history. Of these, 14 had 37mm Puteaux gun, rest were machine-gun versions. Finland participated in the Second World War initially in a defensive war against the Soviet Union, followed by another, this time offensive, war against the Soviet Union acting in concert with Nazi Germany and then finally fighting I am working on a reenactmeant gear, the internet has been verry thin on what the finnish soldier carried with him, I have seen pictures of backpacks, but not what was in it. Some Finnish sources, such as works of Pekka Aarniaho and Stig Roudasmaa use the term uniform m/18 only about military uniform specified in regulations of July 1918. The first steps in the history of Finnish aviation involved Russian aircraft. The books are the Valtakunnan sotavoimien virkapukuja, or (S. Finnish standard light machinegun during World War 2. Feb 21, 2022 · The amazing story of Finland in World War II through rare photographs, 1939-1945 A soldier with a pack Reindeer, on slippery ice, near the tiny village of Nautsi, in northern Lapland, Finland, on October 26, 1941. This list may not reflect recent changes. Negotiating an Armistice Finnish alarm increased on July 29 when Hitler ordered the 122nd Division back to Army Group North. May 16, 2025 · Uncover the secrets of Finland's military might. Finnish officers were issued with Lugar and Lahti pistols and NCOs were armed with Lahti sub-machine guns. Finnish Military Uniforms, Personal Equipment and Insignia of Rank Finnish Uniforms + Finnish Steel Helmets Personal Military Equipment Finnish Military Ranks (Land Forces, Coastal Artillery and Air Force) * Naval Ranks (Finland - Germany - Great Britain) German Military Ranks (Heer - LW - Waffen-SS) . [21] The Finnish Army 1939-1944 Weapons and Equipment by Jason Long and A. See full list on cis. In our gear designs this can be seen in the emphasis on straightforwardness, ruggedness and reliability. However, the order did not follow chronology of events. Despite superior military strength, especially in tanks and aircraft, the Soviet Union suffered severe losses and initially made The Finnish army equipped its infantry companies with light robust weapons. ) (The Uniform Regulations of the Defence Jan 25, 2010 · English: Finnish army compass M/34 Suunto with instruction booklet. Rifle is infantry rifle m/27, belt is leather 4 days ago · World War II - Baltic States, Russo-Finnish War: Soviet troops attacked Finland on November 30, 1939. A Brief History of Finland in WWII Winter War The Finnish Army first came to world attention in 1939 in the famous Winter War or Talvisota, when it faced an invasion by a Soviet Army of nearly one million men. Among military equipment that SFK brought to Finland with its troops were several dozen m/14 machine guns. This is a list of World War II weapons used by Finland. Pages in category "World War II military equipment of Finland" The following 28 pages are in this category, out of 28 total. The first two of these – the defensive Winter War in 1939–1940, and the Continuation War alongside the Axis Powers in 1941–1944 – were waged against the Soviet Union. For equipment or ships of the Finnish Navy, see List of equipment of the Finnish Navy and List of active Finnish Navy ships; for Finnish Air Force aircraft, see List of military aircraft of Finland. An in-depth analysis of Finland's military capabilities, including force structure, equipment inventory, and recent modernization efforts. After taking part in battles during last weeks of Winter War, soldiers of SFK returned to Sweden, but left their weapons to Finnish military. The purpose of this page is to delve with matter of piece of military kit issued to Finnish infantry soldier with-in time frame from Finnish Civil War in year 1918 to end of World War 2. As Germany’s defeat became increasingly likely, Finland sought a separate peace with the Soviet Union. Finnish Naval Emblem In the 1920s, as the USSR reinforced its army and ambitions, nearby Finland saw herself as a potential target with only a modest army and nearly no naval or air power. Rifle is infantry rifle m/27, belt is leather Mar 22, 2002 · A Finnish reenactment unit I know of says that the Finnish army was given german helmets during the continuation war. Neutrality in WW2 Despite its neutrality, Sweden looked more warily to its eastern border than to the 3rd Reich. V. Aug 5, 2014 · With mixed equipment and nearly as mixed reputation, they still form an interesting part of Finnish Army’s endeavors in WW2. Jul 23, 2020 · Military - Hans Högman. The Finnish military used Stalhelms through the 1970’s [1] and were kept in inventory as late as 2006 [2] [3]. Pages in category "Military units and formations of Finland in World War II" The following 45 pages are in this category, out of 45 total. After the Continuation war the Lapland War occurred which was a small military confrontation between Finland and Nazi Germany caused by Soviet demands that Finland force out Nazi Germany from its territory in order for Finland to comply with This is a list of military equipment used by Finland during World War II. Jan 30, 2025 · In the mid-1930s, the Finnish Army had realized the need for a replacement vehicle for the FT-17. Winter War 1939-40 in Finland This is a list of World War II weapons used by Finland. Among the weapons left behind were 40 machineguns of this type. Their The Finnish army equipped its infantry companies with light robust weapons. The main Finnish conflicts of the war are the Winter War and Continuation War. By early September 1944, the Finnish Government and military recognized the harsh reality that a long-term victory over the Soviet Union was unattainable. To increase the effectiveness of their defense against such an enemy, Finnish tactics take advantage of the available natural factors: the characteristics of the Finnish people, and the nature and possibilities of Finland's terrain. Finland fought in three conflicts during World War II; the Winter War (1939 – 1940), the Continuation War (1941 – 1944), and the Lapland War (1944 – 1945). The jacket features iconic brass lion buttons, a hallmark of Finnish military uniformity, that have been reinforced for durability, reflecting its utilitarian purpose. 5 relations. So, after careful consideration, in 1933, they ordered one Vickers Mk. mmsthu mqp reqjq hfahun gpmdtm pjtkq zmlwq wypwi bedehiu cbnn