Foreign Volunteers in Finnish Army

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Franz repper
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Foreign Volunteers in Finnish Army

Post by Franz repper »

It was not only the german army who had foreign volunteers.In the winter war Finland had the following
Austria 2
Belgium 51
Czechoslovakia 1
Estonia 56
France 2
Germany 18
Italy 4
Lithuania 2
Luxembourg 3
Netherlands 17
Poland 6
Portugal 1
Switzerland 6
Uk 13
Yogoslavia 1
The biggest was the Swedish with around 8000 it was then the Danish with 1000, norway 700, Hungary 346, and yes America with 350 and they did see action will post more when I find out
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Sean
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Post by Sean »

Wow UK? I wonder what there motivations were for joining the Fins?

Im a total dunce when it comes to that area of the conflict to i think you'll be getting alot more questions as it does sound rather interestng.
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Pirkka
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Post by Pirkka »

Everything from fervent anti-Bolsheviks to idealists wishing to defend a British ally and democratic nation.
I seem to remember that one of the British volunteers went on to a great career in the commandos afterwards. I'll look further.
BTW, most of the volunteers from the West arrived after the war was over and took no part in it.
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Post by Franz repper »

With the Estonians they have been long term friends of the Finns the language is all most the same as well .will post some more tomorrow :D
There was all so fire unit from the Uk that worked in Helsinki
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Pirkka
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Post by Pirkka »

Yes, there's a photo of the British volunteer fire unit in Helsinki in 'The Winter War' by Engle & Panaanen. I think I read somewhere that they were from Birmingham.
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Post by Franz repper »

Yes think your right just to note some of the swedish went on to join the SS in Nordland Erik Walln was one see Twilight of the gods a good book
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jmatchlock
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Re: Foreign Volunteers in Finnish Army

Post by jmatchlock »

America with 350 and they did see action will post more when I find out/ Franz - you find any more information ?
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Franz repper
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Re: Foreign Volunteers in Finnish Army

Post by Franz repper »

jmatchlock wrote:America with 350 and they did see action will post more when I find out/ Franz - you find any more information ?
Well according to some accounts the those from the US arrived 2 days before the war ended
here is a list of aid from the US
44 Brewster aircraft = only a few arrived duing the war
23 203mm Howitzers = Arrived in Norway after the war
200 75mm Field cannon = Arrived in Norway after the war
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Pirkka
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Re: Foreign Volunteers in Finnish Army

Post by Pirkka »

I picked up a book called 'The Volunteers' at Beltring, which is an account of the strange war service of the Foreign Volunteer unit (Osasto Sisu) in the Winter War. A handful of British and US volunteers did see service, but not the 350 form the US who did get to Helsinki just 2 days before the outbreak of war, or the 150 man British company who were still training when the war ended.
The serving soldiers were British, US and other nationals who were resident in Finland and offered their services when the war broke out. i believe they ended up fighting with the Swedish Volunteer Corps at the Battle of Summa.
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Re: Foreign Volunteers in Finnish Army

Post by Franz repper »

From some accounts the british had some fire fighters in Helsnki
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jmatchlock
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Re: Foreign Volunteers in Finnish Army

Post by jmatchlock »

Where there any Americans in The Continuation War ?
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Franz repper
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Re: Foreign Volunteers in Finnish Army

Post by Franz repper »

jmatchlock wrote:Where there any Americans in The Continuation War ?
Dont think so off the top of my head as the Finns were part of the axis group ( even though we were not part of it ) was a few british
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Iohan
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Re: Foreign Volunteers in Finnish Army

Post by Iohan »

I know many swedish volunteers kept the swedish m/39 jackets but how about the rank badges? Did they keep their swedish rank badges or where they issued finnish ones? Talking about the continuation war here.
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jmatchlock
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Re: Foreign Volunteers in Finnish Army

Post by jmatchlock »

Iohan-have you seen the movie- beyond the fron lines -about Swedish volunteers ? Jay
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Bergführer
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Re: Foreign Volunteers in Finnish Army

Post by Bergführer »

Poland 6
Any more info? :D
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