Winter War

Born into a family of farmers on 21st June 1922, Julia Shemeikka was quiet, unassuming and caring girl. She volunteered for the Lotta Svard auxiliary organisation in 1939. She was assigned to assist with cooking. On the 19th December, while carrying out her duties, the house she was in was bombed by Soviet bombers. She […]

Bruno Johannes Heliste was a farmer from Rantsila, Northern Ostrobothnia region. He was married and had 5 children. Infantry Regiment 40 was a unit made up of older reservists and was lacking in equipment compared to other Infantry Regiments. However, due to the advancing Soviet 122nd Rifle Division in the Salla region, the unit was

At noon on the 6th January 1940, in the skies above Kymenlaakso, Luutnantti ( Lieutenant) Jorma Kalevi Sarvanto set a world record by shooting down six Soviet Ilyushin DB-3 bombers in four minutes. This record captured the attention of the international press and remains a feat of unrivaled air combat. His Early Years Jorma Kalevi

If you head to the older part of the Hietaniemi Cemetary in Helsinki, often called the Suomen kaartin hautausmaa (Finnish Guard’s Cemetary), you’ll find a section of it dedicated to the followers of Islam. Taking a stroll in the grounds will bring you to a large black obelisk with the words Pro-Finlandia 1939- 1944 as

Mauno Artturi Kiviristo was a farmer in the municipality of Koski Tl. Born on the 20th January 1904, he was unmarried when he was called up for Additional Refresher Training. Like others from his area, he was assigned to Infantry Regiment 14. When the Winter War broke out, 2nd Company, with the rest of 1st

A blacksmith from the Karelian Ishtmus border region of Metsäpirtti. Oskar Ahtiainen was born 13th January 1904. He was married and had 4 children. During the Additional Refresher Training, he was called to the 9th Border Company. This unit was part of the Metsäpirtti Detachment and was to secure the eastern part of the Karelian

Eino Makkonen was born 27th September 1906. He moved from the North Karelian municipality of Rääkkylä to Sulkava. He worked as a farmer living with his wife and child. Makkonen was assigned to the 33rd Engineer Company during Additional Refresher Training. The 1st Platoon of the company was seconded to the 34th Engineer Company. On

Väinö Olavi Majanen was born in the small town of Mänttä, Pirkanmaa, on the 17th February 1902. He was a labourer with a wife and 4 children. Called up from the reserves for the Additional Refresher Training in October, he was assigned to the 3rd Machine Gun Company, 3rd Battalion, Infantry Regiment 16. The Regiment

Born in Viipuri on 3rd March 1916. Uuno Valter Holopainen moved to Hyvinkää and was a boilerman apprentice. He was called up from the reserves in October 1939 and assigned to 1st Company, Bicycle Battalion 5. The Battalion was part of 4th Division and was responsible for the area in front of Viipuri. On the

Born into a Swedish speaking family in Porvoo, Gustaf Sigurd Hedberg moved to Tampere some time in his youth. He married and had three children while working with as an Insurance Inspector. He was part of the Headquarters Company of 1st Battalion, Infantry Regiment 16 when it was called up on the 14th October 1939.