On Sunday 24th September, the Finnish tabloid Ilta-Sanomat reported that the monument erected to remember local Finnish soldiers who fell during the Winter and Continuation wars had suddenly disappeared in the former parish Käkisalmi, nowadays referred to as Priozersk. Unfortunately, this is not the first time such a violation has taken place against Finnish memorials

Jatkosodan muistomitali Continuation War Service Medal Description: Bronze Observe: A bayonet wreathed in oak leaves in the centre. The dates “1941-1945” and the inscription “ISÄNMAA” or “FOSTERLANDET” (Fatherland in Finnish and Swedish respectively) around the outer edges. Reverse: The Finnish Coat of Arms (1920 variant) Ribbon: 32mm wide in dark blue with two 2mm white

On the 24th April 2003 the Tammenlehvän perinneliitto (Oak Leaf Association) was founded. Its goal was to coordinate the work of the various Veterans’ associations across Finland. It took its name and symbol from the emblem that emblazons the jackets and furnishes the headstones of veterans. But why the Oak Leaf? Oak leaf as a

On a wet June morning in 2004, a mixed gathering of people were observed at the Laivastopuisto in Katajanokka, Helsinki. The crowd consisted of Naval personnel, elderly veterans, city officials and interested individuals, the were all looking towards a covered plinth. The dark blue shroud was removed, revealing a sea mine atop of the granite

“There has never been a war fought in the high north… The region is completely unsuited for military operations” – General Eduard Dietl The words of General Dietl may have been true, but that did not stop the deployment of hundreds of thousands of military personnel in the forests and tundra of Lapland. Alongside the