Obligatory nationalist thread- Accelerated Finnish maritime development TL

Xa Effects of the Second World War on Finland before the Winter War

After German attack on Poland and subsequent declarations of war by Britain and France it was decided in a Finnish Cabinet meeting to implement the various measures wargamed in 1938 to merchant traffic. First measure was the effective nationalization of Finnish Merchant Marine by subordinating the private firms to KAMERTO (Kauppamerenkulun toimikunta, Committee on Maritime traffic, OTL measure of 1944) directly under Cabinet control. Code books and the associated equipment to effect traffic control had been distributed for all major Finnish merchant ships during previous spring.

In expectation of a situation similar to what was expected in the First World War the merchant traffic in Finnish hulls towards southern Baltic was halted on 1 September 1939 to escape any dubious privateering efforts by German Navy, which were experienced in the North Sea. Instead, the liner ships (mainly SEAL and SPAL liners together with some of the old Hog Islanders) in the Baltic were escorted out of the Baltic in a convoy protected by 2. Destroyer Squadron. One SPAL cargo liner was deliberately left to the Baltic partially due to it's effective electric cranes.

Due to shortage of artillery pieces in the Finnish Army the armament purchased and scheduled to be installed into Finnish merchants was not installed but instead utilized on land, the exception being AA-machineguns which were installed on the liner remaining in the Baltic. Although the 105/50 DP guns were not in many ways ideal ground weapons this measure put a total of 54 105mm field guns into Finnish Army service with improvised carriage by Christmas 1939.

The remaining six guns reserved for merchant were put onboard a rather curious vessel intended to exploit possible limits on merchant traffic. M/S Finnmerchant - a SPAL liner fitted with extra accomodation for service for merchant marine cadets - was requisitioned as armed merchant cruiser equipped with 6x 105/50 DP guns and eight anti-aircraft machineguns. This measure was taken in preparation for organizing neutral convoys and to carry sensitive cargoes if need to be. In practice the ship was defenceless against submarines and capable of only symbolic resistance against surface raiders. The ship was named "Susi" (Wolf), a name chosen mainly to have the least problems with radio transmissions. In addition, the most powerful icebreaker "Sisu" could not enter the Baltic due to the war and by November 1939 was in Narvik being equipped with it's wartime armament.

The Finnish trade in the Baltic was to be carried out by older tramp ships and liner ships normally serving solely Finnish-British traffic which were deemed as expendable. Initially a few ships were sent with export cargoes towards Great Britain but as they were captured by German U-boats this traffic was altogether cancelled.

The two new, fast tankers M/T Kiisla and Tiira constructed instead of SKIL liners proved to be invaluable as they could be used prop up meagre Finnish POL supplies with domestic hulls. In order to ensure speedy delivery M/T Kiisla was used against the accepted policy of keeping the best hulls outside the Baltic delivering her large cargo directly to Helsinki in October 1939. She escaped in a nick of time outside the Baltic just before German minelaying on Falsterbo Riff cut off the Baltic from the World Ocean in November 1939. Afterwards the emergency construction of oil tanks and rail tankcars provided enough capability that Finnish supply could be fulfilled through Norwegian route.

Thus the pattern which was to last for the first period of the Second World War was formed for Finnish foreign trade: The Baltic served as a route for exports and imports to Germany and Denmark and the transit of supplies arriving through Norwegian harbors. The most important Finnish exports to Germany were the various metal supplies, such as copper, chromium, chromium alloys, molybdeum etc, while most important Finnish imports from German sphere in the initial period of the war was coal to ensure production of Finnish metal industries and energy supply. The most important exports to Denmark were forestry products while the most important imports were food products.

The Norwegian ports, particularly Narvik, served as outlets of Finnish trade to the world ocean. In order to increase port capacity KAMERTO sent heavy lift ship M/S Ukko to increase crane capacity until the port facilities could be improved. The other heavy lift ship M/S Pekka was sent to Luleå, terminus of Narvik-Luleå railroad in order to rapidly improve crane capacity. By end of November M/S Ukko was sent to Lyngefjord in order to begin operation of an emergency port there. The plan was to operate a shuttle truck service to Kaulinranta, the northern terminus of Finnish rail network, some 400km's away in order to facilitate larger volume of imports and exports. Petsamo was deemed to be too close to Soviet Union for this kind of operation. By beginning of the Winter War the necessary equipment had been prepared to be sent to Lyngefjord but the distruption due to war put the plans largely on hold.

The good sent for export through Norwegian ports comprised mainly of paper, cellulose and plywood, comparatively high value goods for which the demand and thus price in Western countries was rising. The increase in price somewhat but not fully compensated the lack of export volume available through emergency measures. A decision was made to mostly export these goods to United States in order to obtain maximum number of US dollars for Finland. Very important in sense of barter trade was the export of services - merchant marine transportation, to be exact, by KAMERTO. Finland, Great Britain and France entered negotiations on the issue of Finnish merchant marine in September 1939. KAMERTO approved the utilization of highly sought cargo liner capacity on time charter basis, as there was more volume available than needed for purely Finnish use. This brought a steady trickle of British pounds for Finland which could be used for purchases within the Pound Zone.

Altogether, Finnish economy would be on life support but not doomed because of the war, the Finnish politicians thought by October 1939 when Moscow called Finland for negotiations on security issues.

Xb - Material purchases made before the Winter War


While Finnish Defence Forces were, in large, better equipped and most importantly better trained than forces of most of the other European democracies the scale of equipment was not satisfactory for a large scale combat in a World War. First step for large scale increase in armaments was taken in 1938 as the Basic Procurement Law (Perushankintalaki) was approved in the Finnish Parliament. However, due to lack of urgency, and the difficulties of purchasing arms and machinery tools in 1938-1939 the program had already been delayed significantly by September 1939.

There had been an option of a large loan raised from the US market which would have been extremely useful in emergency purchases of military supplies but due to lack of urgency the matter was allowed to lapse and Finnish purchasing personnel operating in the US had to resort on clearing trade. (First two paragraphs as in OTL)

Only the coming of the Second World War put true urgency on Finnish weapon purchases. Germany was allied with Soviet Union and waging a war against two major powers which made scope of purchases very limited. German political leadership was also expecting Finland to join Soviet sphere which made any long-term trading agreements impractical. However, with barter deliveries of chromium alloy steel from Tornio deliveries of coal was quaranteed to Finland as well as 134 20mm FlaK 38 AA-guns. The delivery of these AA-guns was, however, delayed and only 30 were delivered before beginning of the war and 20 in the first days of war for total number of 50. For the Navy 14 towed passive arrays were delivered as promised. The negotiations on Polish war booty were stalled by Germans. The most important deliveries were those not as visible. German machinery tools (which largely utilized specialized alloys) were delivered to Finland in schedule through Sweden and would greatly boost Finnish military production during the war.

Purchases from Great Britain were stalled by coming of the Second World War and delivery of the goods cancelled. However, as negotiations for utilization of Finnish Merchant Marine proceeded the deliveries were continued and before start of the Winter War the remaining Vickers 6 ton tanks were already in Finland, bringing the grand total to Finnish armored might to 36 tanks without armament or radios.

While the purchase of purely military equipment from the United States was delayed the Finnish Embassy used the dollar funds coming from continuing paper exports for good by purchasing a number of dual-use articles. Among the most significant was the purchase of 10 000 trucks. An innovative delivery arrangement had to be quickly devised during the Winter War for these trucks to be delivered in time to have an effect in the conflict.

Other important supplies were arriving by the Mediterranean route as well. The deal KAMERTO had made with French and the British made it possible to employ the Mediterranean route for purchases made from Hungary, Yugoslavia, Italy and Spain instead of lengthy and risky rail transport through warring, Soviet-allied Germany. Among the purchases were 60 000 7.62x53R rifles from Yugoslavia, 36 40mm Bofors AA-guns from Hungary and 7 12" coastal artillery guns from Tunisia (to be used in rather special way)

The Fascist Italy was willing to provide military supplies. Most important pre-war purchase was procurement of 25 Fiat G.50 fighters. Due to Nazi-Communist alliance and the chaos in German rail communications it was decided that instead of transshipment of planes via rail through Germany a cargo liner was dispatched both to deliver the barter goods and the planes in time. The 25 planes purchased were delivered by old Hog Islander "Finntrader" to Göteborg for assembly by SAAB just one day before the Winter War began and would be in service before end of the year. The negotiations for further purchases were well underway, to be paid in barter trade.

(in OTL many of the purchases were delayed by transportation difficulties due to reliance upon land transport as well as French halting some of the transports. ITTL stronger negotiation position acquired by Finns will make weapon transportation faster and simpler.The purchases listed here are OTL purchases whose transportation is accelerated due to faster transportation...)


margareta-fi.jpg


SS Margareta of Rederiet Nordström sinking after a torpedo hit in 1939. The ship was typical of Finnish tramps which suffered heavily already during the first phase of the war.
 
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BTW, did the Suomen Joutsen still exist in a similar role in your TL or do you envision that a different training ship/program was chosen ITTL?

The White Ship is still there, but dismasted and just serving as a mobile base tender as in OTL.
 

Markus

Banned
How come the French parted from 7 coast defence guns of that caliber?
What kind of planes did they buy from the Italians? Fiat CR.42 I assume?

And most important: What kind of fighter will they buy from the USA? You know, it´s not a buyer´s market but the USN just happens to have 50 or so planes for sale. :D

edit: Not that I want to influence your decision in any way, but did you notice me and von Adler work on prying Finnland from Nazi and communist claws. *whistle / innocent look*
 
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How come the French parted from 7 coast defence guns of that caliber?

They were Russian guns from battleship Imperator Aleksander III which had ended up interned after the Russian Civil War to Bizerte and was scrapped in 1936. Seven of them were purchased by Finland in Autumn 1939 but the delivery was delayed by various bureaucratic complications and did not take place until after the Winter War. The Finnish Coastal Artillery was using similar guns before, and two of the Bizerta guns are still in Kuivasaari coastal fort where they are ceremonially fired every 6th of December...

They were also used as TM-3-12 railway guns...

What kind of planes did they buy from the Italians? Fiat CR.42 I assume?

Fiat G.50, purchased, as OTL, before the Winter War but with their delivery delayed by Nazi-Communist alliance. After the war began the Italians offered a number of other types of fighter planes for sale but the main problem was that of delivery and payments, for which this ATL will introduce some changes as one can notice. In OTL the delay in delivery of military goods from Norway to Finland was significant, in this ATL it won't which will have some dramatic effects..

And most important: What kind of fighter will they buy from the USA? You know, it´s not a buyer´s market but the USN just happens to have 50 or so planes for sale. :D

I assume it won't be a surprise...;)

edit: Not that I want to influence your decision in any way, but did you notice me and von Adler work on prying Finnland from Nazi and communist claws. *whistle / innocent look*

Assuming you mean Malayan timeline I'm waiting to see how it works out... :cool:
 

Markus

Banned
They were Russian guns from battleship Imperator Aleksander III which had ended up interned after the Russian Civil War to Bizerte and was scrapped in 1936. Seven of them were purchased by Finland in Autumn 1939 but the delivery was delayed by various bureaucratic complications and did not take place until after the Winter War. The Finnish Coastal Artillery was using similar guns before, and two of the Bizerta guns are still in Kuivasaari coastal fort where they are ceremonially fired every 6th of December...

They were also used as TM-3-12 railway guns...


Ahh, I thought they were actual french coast defence guns.
 
Hi Jukra

Wondered if you'd put more thought into this one or had ideas on where it goes? I've been working on an alternative history scenario for Finland in WW2 (long explanation needed as to why and how I got there and what I plan for it ) in huge detail off and on for 2 or 3 years - and signed up intending to post and ask a few questions from anyone with a more detailed knowledge than I of Finnish military/socio-economic history.

Read your thread and thought "hey, reading my mind" or vice versa. The short version of my scenario on this is - Finland puts more emphasis on state-funded development from the mid-30's - very similar scenario to yours, more attention is paid to Mannerheim's views on defence, more funding for defence from late '20's on - I was running with a similar naval program to yours - hadn't thought about the commercial shipping but that makes so much sense - but with the Polish Grom-class destroyers as the basis for a Finnish destroyer construction program and earlier and more MTB's, MGB's and fast minelayers and Submarines (bottle up the Soviet Navy). Also, Polish ships evacuate to Helsinki and Turku after Poland falls

On the Army side of things, my scenario envisaged a rapproachment between the SDP and the Suojeluskunta / Lotta Svard in the very early 30's facilitated by Mannerheim and Tanner (coming out of the economic projects....) and a Reserve military largely modeled on the Swiss system - EVERYONE in the Army - old men, men, women, teenagers (male and female), .... and enough funding to equip a largely defensive force with better weapons - give Lahti his head on weapons design, bring in an early SLR, better squad LMG's, heavy emphasis on lots of mortars and anti-tank guns, start building 105mm artillery in 1931, buy a few bigger and smaller guns from Skoda, etc etc. Result is a 20-25 Division Army (smaller divisions, less horses, more Lottas and Cadets filling rear area positions), 1 Tank Div with Czech LT38s but with the French 47mm guns -

Air - better funding from 1931 on, more aircraft acquired at the rate of an addnl squadron or so a year, with more in 37/38/39 - and some of the aircraft that went to France like the Hawks going to Finland instead (US loans to Finland earlier). Also more French aircraft (and a few SoumaS35 and Char1b tanks - say 100 of each - paid for by French loans - French Govt was fairly corrupt - a few backhanders would have got it all approved) - Earlier dvlp of finnish aircraft construction industry - construction of largely wooden aircraft in Finland - Miles M20 fighters / early version of Mosquito with assistance from Miles and De Havilland to get production up and running in Finland, building Merlin engines under license. Finns trade nickel for some 88mm's, having seen their effectiveness as AT guns in Spanish Civil War. These are used to break the final Soviet Armored attacks on the Mannerheim Line.

Political - large # of right wing Finnish volunteers in Spanish Civil War (Lapua movement redirected? still have to work out the psychological / political motivation for that one) forming a Finnish Div equipped and supplied by the Italians - "shock troops" that pull the Italian bacon out of the fire - as a result, when Soviets put pressure in Finns early in 39, Mussolini sends in an Alpini Div for "winter exercises" at end of Summer (plus some aircraft and selling some addnl planes to Finland as well - Fiat G50s, Beda ground attack aircraft (they were useless but flown by Finns - they'd be better) and some SM torpedoe bombers), before attack on Poland. After attack on Poland, some Polish soldiers escape to Finland and a pissed off Franco (he was!) sends the Blue Division to Finland via Norway. So 3 foreign Divs in Finland when Soviets attack.

Finns are dug in on Isthmus with in depth defenses and adequate artillery and anti-tank as well as air superiority. No concrete bunkers, just lots and lots of well prepared log/sandbag bunkers, anti-tank obstacles and mines, anti-personnel mines - and they do a slow fighting retreat, slaughtering the Russians as they attack. Russian attack in the north is as per OTL, attack from Murmansk is wiped out by air (Finnish divebombers) and 2 Petsamo based submarines. Brits and French send aircraft - Brits send the Hurricanes and Blenheims that they did, plus Hawker Henley tugs (they were an excellent dive bomber, but the RAF.....used them as target tugs) and Rocs (in this TL, Finns had already bought some Skuas). Brits send Squadron Leader Bigglesworth as commander of a volunteer Brit Fighter squadron flying Hurricanes French send the aircraft they did, plus some Polish pilots. Soviet Baltic Fleet is virtually wiped out by Finnish Frogman unit (originally trained by Decimas Mas - Italian naval unit but now with their own techniques and approach). Soviet naval forces already out to sea are sunk in a series of naval encounters.

Finnish navy dominates the Baltic. One german attempt (in spirit of Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact) to seize a Finnish merchant ship evacuating Polish soldiers from Lithuania is terminated by Ilmavoimat and 2 Grom-class destroyers. One Swedish Vounteer Div is formed (includes Norwegians and Danes) and a Hungarian volunteer Div arrives via Italy, France and Spain courtesy of Mussolini and Finnish ships. Should also mention the Estonian Conscript Div that had been training with the Finnish Army and is also in action. "The Boys from Estonia". Estonian Army and Air Force (mostly equipped with old Finnish equipment) is on full alert along borders.

Finnish Winter Offensive goes on to seize Eastern Karelia to the Svir and then goes all the way to the White Sea, cutting of Murmansk. Finns then attack and sieze Murmansk and take all of eastern / white Karelia. Spring 1940 offensive, spearheaded by the Finnish Panzer divisoona retakes Isthmus down to outskirts of Leningrad. Mannerheim / Tanner try for peace / truce but Stalin is furious. Slaughter of Russians continues. Finns kill em as fast as they arrive but there's always more. Stalemate.

May 1940 - despite Narvik being unimportant, British and French continue with the gambit, using ostensible "aid to Finland" as reason to seize Northern Sweden and cut off iron ore to Germany. Initial Norwegian campaign unfolds as per OTL - Germany strikes first. Spoiler is that Finns have a huge interest now in Narvik and with Swedish complicity, Finnish Para Div (Ilmavoimat has DC3's - ex state-funded FinnAir) drops into Narvik. Norwegian-flagged Finnish Divebombers terminate German Destroyers, Finnish Infantry Div moves up by Rail & Road, Norwegian Div in northern Norway places itself under Finnish command, Finns order Brits and French to place themselves under Finnish command or get out of the way as they move South. Brits and French comply.

Not sure how the rest of that scenario goes as the Finns are still trading nickel and steel to the Germans down the Baltic. Finland is neutral, Finnish units in Norway are "Norwegian flagged" "volunteers", Finnish Major-General is placed in overall command of all Norwegian Forces. Brits and French in the south get toasted as per OTL. Finns absorb remnants and "retrain" - vigorously.

Back to "Winter War," Ilmavoimat launches a strike on the Kremlin with their Mosquitos, Blenheims and A20's (early versions of fuel-air bombs used, the result of Finnish research program) and level the Kremlin in an unexpected attack, killing off much of the Communist leadership, including Stalin. One of the Red Army generals takes over. Truce negotiated. Armistice. Negotiations continue at a slow pace until - BARBAROSSA!

Germans attack USSR. Finland declares neutral. Mannerheim / Tanner use opportunity to push for peace agreement. Return to original borders. Peace agreement signed. German attack on USSR as per OTL but without a northern front in Finland. Finns allow supplies across border into Leningrad during siege - no mass starvation. Finnish Army guarantees Estonion independance and stations units in Estonia. Some minor shootouts with Germans as Germans advance. Mussolini asks for Alpini to be returned, they are passed thru Baltic to Germany. Finland walks the tightrope, still trading with Germany, some sort of ceasefire line in Norway.

Mannerheim / Tanner enter into negotiations with the Allies as the tide turns for Germany. Petsamo becomes major port, constructed by SeaBees after US enters WW2. Military equipment from the US begins to flow into Finland. Agreement reach with Allies and Finnish forces reequip. US, British and Polish Divs start to move in thru Petsamo. Finnish naval construction program working in overdrive...... B-Day (Baltic-Day) approaches.....
 
Table of Organisation - ATL Finnish Army as of November 1939

TABLE OF ORGANIZATION

Finnish Army Organisation based on the alternative scenario outlined

1. Finnish Army as at November 1939, on the outbreak of the Winter War:

Total Strength:

On full mobilization, the Army consisted of 90,000 Regulars and Conscripts, 510,000 Reservists and 120,000 Lotta’s filling Army positions in rear-area units, including Anti-Aircraft and Rocket Artillery units.

Full strength on mobilisation consisted of:
19 Infantry Divisions (209,000 men) + 7 Foreign Volunteer Divisions (105,000 men)
3 Infantry Replacement Divisions (30,000 men)
3 Armored Divisions (33,000 men)
1 Paratroop and 1 Marine Division (22,000 men)
4 Coastal Defence/Coastal Artillery Divisions (60,000 men)
9 Frontier Guard Jaeger Brigades + Cavalry Brigade (reinforced, the equivalent of 5 Divs) (40,000 men)
7 Seperate Brigades + IR666 + Er.Os.P + 3 Tribal Bats (Special Forces, equivalent to 2 Divs) (26,000 men)

Total Fighting Force equivalent to approx. 42 Divisions / 420,000 men + 105,000 Foreign Volunteers
Finnish Divisions are light in men but heavy in automatic weapons, anti-tank guns and integral artillery.
Supporting this Fighting Force are approx. 180,000 Men and 120,000 Lottas in Artillery, Anti-Aircraft and other Support roles + Naval and Air Forces

Naval Forces (coastal artillery and coastal defence included; Commander: Gen.Lt. V. Valve), Air Forces (air surveillance included, Commander: Gen.Maj. J. Lundquist) and Home Troops (Commander: Gen.Lt. L. Malmberg) are together about 60.000 men.

Summary of Units:

Senior Commanders
HQ - Commander-in-Chief: Marshal C Mannerheim
HQ - Chief of Staff: Gen. Axel Erick Heinrichs
HQ - Deputy Chief General Staff/ Quartermaster General Lt. Gen Aksel Airo
HQ - Chief of Operations Office: Col. V. Nihtilä
HQ - Commander in Chief Army Air Force Lt.Gen Jarl Fritjof Lundquist
HQ - Commander – Special Forces (Talvela Group) Maj.Gen. Paavo Talvela
HQ - Commander – Frontier Guard Forces
HQ - General Officer Commanding Artillery Maj. GenVäinö Svanström
HQ - Commander – Artillery (General of Artillery) Vilho Petter Nenonen
HQ - Chief of Communications Maj. Gen Leo Aleksander Ekberg
HQ - Head of 2nd Department (Intelligence) Maj.Gen Lars Melander
HQ - Chief of Supply & Transport (3rd Department) Maj.Gen Harald Vilhem Roos
HQ - Chief of Corps of Engineers Lt.Gen Unio Bernhard Sarlin
HQ - Chief of Fortification Works Lt.Gen Edvard Fritjof Hanell
HQ - Commander in Chief, Home Guard Troops Lt.Gen Kaarlo Malmberg
HQ - Head of Foreign Volunteers Bureau Maj.Gen Heikki Kekoni
HQ - Inspector-General of Military Training Maj.Gen Juho Henrik Heiskanen
HQ - Chief Medical Officer Maj. Gen Eino Suolahti
HQ - Special Duties Maj. Gen Karl Wilkama
HQ - Special Duties Maj. Gen Paul Wetzer
HQ - Special envoy of the CinC to Paris & London Lt. Gen Oscar Paul Enckell
HQ - Intendant-General Maj. Gen Gustaf Gustafsson
HQ - Representative of GHQ at the State Council Lt-Gen Karl Walden
Govt - Chief of Civil Defence, Ministry of Interior Maj. Gen Aarne Sihvo
Govt - Head of War Economy Department, Ministry of Defence Lt-Gen Leonard Grandell
Govt - Head of Medical Department Ministry of Defence Maj.Gen Väinö Felix Lindén
Govt - First Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Maj. Gen Oiva Oskar Olenius

Senior Field Commanders
I Corps - I Corps Commander: Maj.Gen Eino Koskimies
Kan R. - Commander – Kannas Group Lt.Gen. Hugo Viktor Österman
Kan.R - Chief of Staff, Kannas Group Maj.Gen. Kustaa Tapola
Kan R. - Commander – II Corps Lt.Gen. Harald Öhquist
Kan R. - Commander – III Corps Maj.Gen. Einar Mäkinen
Aun R. - Commander - Aunus Group – IV Corps Lt.Gen. Karl Lennart Oesch
Poh K. - Commander – Pohjois-Karjalan Armeija / V Corps Maj.Gen Woldemar Hägglund
Poh S. - Commander – Pohjois-Suomen Armeija / VI Corps Maj.Gen. Wiljo Tuompo

Line Units
HQ - Päämajan radiopataljoona (PM Rad.P) HQ Radio Battalion Classified
HQ - Jalkaväkirykmentti 666 (JR 666) (Infantry Regiment 666) Col. Jussi Harkonnen
Kan.R - Erillinenprikaati 1 (Er.Pr 1) (Separate Brigade 1) Brig.Gen K. Savonjousi
HQ - Erillinenprikaati 2 (Er.Pr 2) (Separate Brigade 2) Brig.Gen Sven Björkman
Aun.R - Erillinenprikaati 2 (Er.Pr 3) (Separate Brigade 3) Brig.Gen J. Wickström
HQ - Erillinenprikaati 4 (Er.Pr 4) (Separate Brigade 4) Brig.Gen M. Hartola
HQ - Erillinenprikaati 5 (Er.Pr 5) (Separate Brigade 5) Brig.GenGustav “Gosta” Snellman
Poh S. - Erillinenprikaati 2 (Er.Pr 6) (Separate Brigade 6) Brig. Gen. Albert Puroma
Poh S. - Erillinenprikaati 7 (Er.Pr 7) (Separate Brigade 7) Brig.Gen William Häkli

Poh S. - Erillisosasto P (Er.Os.P) (Separate Detachment P) Lt.Col. Antti Pennanen
Poh K. - Vienan Heimosoturipataljoona (VHSP – Tribal Bat 3) Col. Pietari Autti
Aun R. - Aunuksen Heimosoturipataljoona (AHSP – Tribal Bat 2) Col. Ilmari Karhu
HQ - Heimopataljoona 3 (HeimoP 3 – Tribal Battalion 3) Col. Väinö Oinonen

Kan.R - Ratsuväkiprikaati 1 (Rv.Pr. 1) (Cavalry Brigade 1) Maj. Gen Georg Fedrik Palmroth
Kan. R - Laatokan Rannikkoprikaati 1 (Laa.RPr.1) Brig.Gen K. Yrjö Takkula
Aun.R - Laatokan Rannikkoprikaati 2 (Laa.RPr.2) Maj.Gen. E. I. Järvinen
Kan. R - Rannikkotykistörykmentti 2 (RTR 2 – Coastal Artillery) Lt.Col. T. Reponen

Kan R. - Rajajääkäriprikaati 1 (Frontier Guard Jaeger Brigade 1) Brig.Gen M. Tiitola
Kan R. - Rajajääkäriprikaati 2 (Frontier Guard Jaeger Brigade 2) Brig.Gen August Kuistio
Kan R. - Rajajääkäriprikaati 3 (Frontier Guard Jaeger Brigade 3) Brig.Gen O. Willamo
Aun.R - Rajajääkäriprikaati 4 (Frontier Guard Jaeger Brigade 4) Brig.Gen A. Rautasalo
Aun.R - Rajajääkäriprikaati 5 (Frontier Guard Jaeger Brigade 5) Brig.Gen U. Petäjä
Aun.R - Rajajääkäriprikaati 6 (Frontier Guard Jaeger Brigade 6) Brig.Gen R. Kalervo
Poh K. - Rajajääkäriprikaati 7 (Frontier Guard Jaeger Brigade 7) Brig.Gen V. Kivikko
Poh K. - Rajajääkäriprikaati 8 (Frontier Guard Jaeger Brigade 8) Brig.Gen L. Wetterstrand
Poh S. - Rajajääkäriprikaati 9 (Frontier Guard Jaeger Brigade 9) Brig.Gen V. Karhunen

Poh S. - 1. Divisioona (1.D) (1st Division) Maj. Gen. Taavetti Laatikainen
Kan R. - 2nd. Divisioona (2.D) (2nd Division) Maj.Gen. Armas-Eino Martola
Poh S. - 3. Divisioona (3.D) (3rd Division) Maj.Gen. F. Uno Fagernäs
Kan R. - 4. Divisioona (4.D) (4th Division) Maj. Gen. Johan Viktor Arajuuri
Aun.R - 5th. Divisioona (5.D) (5th Division) – Lynx Division Maj. Gen. Selim Isakson
Poh. K - 6. Divisioona (6.D) (6th Division) Maj.Gen. Paavo Paalu
Aun.R - 7. Divisioona (7.D) (7th Division) Maj.Gen. Aarne Blick
Aun.R - 8. Divisioona (8.D) (8th Division) Maj.Gen. Väinö Palojärvi
Kan.R - 9. Divisioona (9.D) (9th Division) Maj. Gen. Claes Winell
Kan.R - 10. Divisioona (10.D) (10th Division) Maj.Gen. Juhani Sihvo
Aun.R - 11. Divisioona (11.D) (11th Division) Maj. Gen Kaarlo Heiskanen
Kan R. - 12. Divisioona (12.D) (12th Division) Maj.Gen. Antero Svensson
Poh K. - 13. Divisioona (13.D) (13th Division) Maj. Gen. Hannu Hannuksela
Kan R. - 14. Divisioona (14.D) (14th Division) Maj.Gen. Erkki Raappana
Kan.R - 15. Divisioona (15.D) (15th Division) Maj.Gen Niilo Hersalo
Aun.R - 16. Divisioona (16.D.) (16th Division) Maj.Gen. Aleksanteri Autti
Aun.R - 17th. Divisioona (17.D) (17th Division) – Oak Division Maj.Gen.Viktor Sundman
Kan.R - 18th. Divisioona (18.D) (18th Division) Maj.Gen. Aaro Pajari
Trg.R - 19th Divisioona (19.D) (19th Division) Maj. Gen Antti Kääriäinen
Strat.R - 20th (Para) Jaeger Division Maj Gen. Hjalmar Siilasvuo
Strat.R - Panssaridivisioona 21 (Ps.D 21 – 21st Armored Division) Maj.Gen. Ruben Lagus
Strat.R - Panssaridivisioona 22 (Ps.D 22 – 22nd Armored Division) Maj.Gen Adolf Erik Ehrnrooth
Kan.R - Panssaridivisioona 23 (Ps.D 23 – 23rd Armored Division) Maj.Gen.Woldemar Oinonen
Trg.R - 24th (Estonian) Division Maj.Gen. Einar Vihma
Poh S. - 26th (Naval) Coastal Defence Division Maj. Gen Kaarlo Ilmari Viljanen
Strat.R - 27th (Naval) Uusimaa Marine Jaeger Division Maj. Gen Aarne Snellman
IK - 28th (Naval) Coastal Jaeger Division Maj.Gen Pekka Enkainen
IK - 29th (Naval) Coastal Jaeger Division Maj.Gen Kurt Martii Wallenius
IK - 30th (Naval) Coastal Artillery Division Lt. Gen Eino Iisakki Järvinen
Trg.R - 31st Koti.TD (Replacement Division) Maj.Gen. Per Ekholm
Trg.R - 32nd Koti.TD (Replacement Division) Brig. Gen. Verner Viikla
Trg.R - 33rd Koti.TD (Replacement Division) Brig. Gen. Akseli Kurenmaa
Trg.R - 34th Viking Division (Swedish Volunteers) Maj. Gen Ernst Linder
Trg.R - 35th Magyar Division (Hungarian Volunteers) Lt. Gen. Gusztáv Vitéz Jány
Trg.R - 36h International Division (Volunteers) Maj. Gen. Armas Kemppi
Kan.R - 37. Divisioona (37.D) (37th Division) (Polish volunteers) General Władysław Anders
Kan.R - 38. Divisioona (10.D) (38th Division) (Franco’s volunteers) General Agustín Muñoz Grandes
Strat.R - 39th Italian Alpini Division (3 Alpini Division Julia) General Giovanni Messe

Päämaja (Army Headquarters) in Mikkeli and Units directly controlled by HQ

Commander-in-Chief: Marshal C. G. E. Mannerheim
Chief of Staff: Gen. A. E. Heinrichs
Chief of Operations Office: Col. V. Nihtilä

Päämajan radiopataljoona (PM Rad.P)* in Mikkeli
(Radio Battalion of the Chief HQ)
Commander: Classified Classified
PM Rad.P had radio stations all around the country to communicate with the Special Forces groups behind enemy lines and to listen, locate and record/interpret the enemy's radio signals.

Jalkaväkirykmentti 666 (JR 666) (Infantry Regiment 666) Col. Jussi Harkonnen
Nicknamed Osasto Karhu (Bear Force), this was a small, élite Battalion-sized unit, highly trained in sabotage and fluent in foreign languages, particularly Russian, which could operate behind enemy lines and was intended to be used to wreak havoc with the enemy's command, communication and logistical tails. These were the elite of the elite, selected only from men who had already passed Special Forces training.

Erillinenprikaati 1 (Er.Pr 2) (Separate Brigade 2)
Commander: Brig.Gen Sven Björkman
”Stay-behind” Special Forces Brigade on the Karelian Isthmus but under the command of HQ rather than Kannas Group. This Brigade was hidden in small units throughout the Karelian Isthmus between the Border and the VT Line and was intended to undertake guerilla warefar against invading forces once the frontline fighting had overrun them. Where needed for specific attacks, these units were intended to be reinforced by units from Er.Pr4.

Erillinenprikaati 4 (Er.Pr 4) (Separate Brigade 4)* in Mikkeli
Commander: Brig.Gen M. Hartola
Nicknamed the "Freebooters of the Headquarters". This Brigade was a strategic special forces Brigade under the direct command of HQ and was used for specific missions on targets considered of strategic importance. The focus of this unit was on direct action missions behind enemy lines – raids and sabotage attacks. Almost all personnel were trained in Russian, were exceptional soldiers and were considered the among the elite of the numerous special forces units fielded by the Finnish Army in the Winter War.

Erillinenprikaati 5 (Er.Pr 5) (Separate Brigade 5)* in Mikkeli
Commander: Brig.GenOtto Gustaf "Gösta" Snellman
This Brigade was used for long distance patrolling and scouting far behind enemy lines outside of the Karelian Isthmus. Detachments made numerous very brave patrols hundreds of kilometers behind Russian lines. Many of the personnel could speak Russian. All were very experienced soldiers and athletics, long distance runners or skiers.

Heimopataljoona 3 (HeimoP 3 – Tribal Battalion 3)
Commander: Col. Väinö Oinonen
HeimoP 3 was one of three tribal battalions formed, largely from tribal personnel from within Finland who were all volunteers, but with a Finnish command structure. Intended primarily for long distance patrolling and scouting along the lengthy border stretching from Lake Ladoga north to the Arctic, the unit was highly effective in this role and also fought very well in combat in the Winter War when it was rushed to reinforce the defence against the Russians at Suomassilimi which had taken the Finnish command by surprise.

Strategic Reserve – under the direct control of Army HQ
Panssaridivisioona 21 (Ps.D 21 – 21st Armored Division) Maj.Gen. Ruben Lagus
(nicknamed “Marskin Nyrkki - The Fist of the Marshal”)
Brigade Commanders: Väinö Merikallio, Erik Sandström, Valter Nordgren, Gustaf Ehrnrooth
Panssaridivisioona 22 (Ps.D 22 – 22nd Armored Division) Maj.Gen. Einar Wihma
(nicknamed “Marskin Veitsi - The Knife of the Marshal”)
Brigade Commanders: Åke Wahren, Bertel Ikonen, Urho Tähtinen, Joel Walldén
20th (Para) Jaeger Division (Reserves)Maj Gen. Hjalmar Siilasvuo
Brigade Commanders: Hans Olof von Essen, August Mäkiniemi, Wilhelm Thesleff
27th (Naval) Uusimaa Marine Jaeger Division Maj. Gen. Taavetti Laatikainen
(with an additional Naval Special Forces Regiment in addition to 3 Marine Jaeger Regiments) (Reserves)
Brigade Commanders: Mauno von Schrowe, Joose Hannula, Antti Kääriäinen, Lauri Haanterä
19th. Divisioona (19.D) (19th Division)Maj. Gen. Hannu Hannuksela
Brigade Commanders:
39th Italian Alpini Division
(Italian Mountain Troops in Finland for “winter-warfare training”)

Undergoing Accelerated Training - – under the direct control of Army HQ
31st Koti.TD (Replacement Division - Reserves)Brig. Gen. Verner Viikla
32nd Koti.TD (Replacement Division - Reserves) Brig. Gen. Albert Puroma
33rd Koti.TD (Replacement Division - Reserves) Brig. Gen. Akseli Kurenmaa
24th (Estonian) Division Maj. Gen. Selim Isakson
(Estonian Conscripts training with the Finns)
34th Viking Division Maj. Gen. Claes Winell
(Scandanavian Volunteers- 2 Swedish and 1 Danish/Norwegian Regiment)
35th Magyar Division Lt. Gen. Gusztáv Vitéz Jány
(Hungarian Volunteers, Brigade Commanders: Lakatos Géza, Lajos Veress von Dálnoki, Jenő Major
36h International Division Maj. Gen. Armas Kemppi
(1 British, 1 American and a European Regiment – all Volunteers)

Logistics and Support
In addition to the Combat units listed, there were numerous separate support units under the overall Command of Army HQ which were assigned as needed to the various fronts or which remained under the control of Army HQ, eg. Logistics, Transport, Engineers, Signals, Medical, Rear Area Security, and Artillery. Most of these units, particularly in the rear areas where there was little or no dirfect military threat, were heavily manned by Lotta’s together with Boy and Girl-Soldiers of the 16-17 year old Class with Military Cadet training.

Artillery was indeed a special case. Through the 1930’s, the Finnish Army had put a great deal of emphasis on building up the Artillery. In addition to the Coastal Artillery Divisions and the Artillery units integral to Divisions and Brigades, there were numerous Independant Artillery Regiments which were controlled by Army HQ and assigned as overall military requirements dictated. In addition, by the start of the Winter War there were 17 Taisteluajoneuvo Raketti Prikaati (TRP - Rocket Launcher Brigades) in service, with 1800 Launcher systems. These Brigades were under the control of Army HQ and did not affect Army manning levels as they were almost entirely formed from Lottas, Boy-Soldiers of the 16-17 year old Class, with a thin sprinkling of Volunteer over-age soldiers, NCO’s and Officers to provide a leavening of command experience.

I Corps – Coastal Defense from Viipuri to the Hanko Peninsula
Commander: Maj.Gen Eino Koskimies

28th (Naval) Coastal Jaeger Division Maj.Gen Pekka Enkainen
29th (Naval) Coastal Jaeger Division Maj.Gen Iisakki Järvinen
30th (Naval) Coastal Artillery Division Maj.Gen Väinö Palojärvi

Kannaksen Ryhmä (Kan.R) (Kannas Group)
Aka Army of the Isthmus (Kannaksen Armeija /
Commander – Kannas Group Lt.Gen. Hugo Viktor Österman

Erillinenprikaati 1 (Er.Pr 1) (Separate Brigade 1)
Commander: Brig.Gen K. Savonjousi
Special Forces Brigade attached to Kannas Group HQ.

Ratsuväkiprikaati 1 (Rv.Pr. 1) (Cavalry Brigade 1)
Commander: Brig.Gen Lars Melander
Ratsuväkiprikaati was a light infantry (Jaeger) unit despite it's name and was used as an elite Reserve Force by Kan.R. The Brigade consisted of Jääkäripataljoona 1 (JP 1 - Jaeger Battalion 1), Jääkäripataljoona 6 (JP 6) (Jaeger Battalion 6) and two large light infantry regiments: Uudenmaan Rakuunarykmentti (URR - Uusimaa Dragoon Regiment) and Hämeen Ratsurykmentti (HRR - Häme Cavalry Regiment). Both regiments had six companies. The Brigade was overequipped with integral Light Artillery (75mm Pack Howitzers, 81mm Mortars and 47mm Anti-Tank Guns and, strategically, was intended to be used in containing Soviet breakthroughs and/or spearheading attacks. Both roles were undertaken over the course of the Winter War.

Panssaridivisioona 23 (Ps.D 23 – 23rd Armored Division)
Commander: Maj.Gen. Paavo Talvela
The 23rd Armored Division was not a full Division but actually consisted of a small number of Independent Armored Battalions equipped with French tanks – Souma S35’s, Char-1B’s and Renaults – which were used defensively in support of the Frontier Guard Delaying Forces along the border. In this role they proved superb, particularly in the anti-tank role and in spear-heading limited tactical offensives


II Corps - Holding the Left Flank of the VT Line across Karelian Isthmus
(Mannerheim Line as a fallback defensive line)
Commander: Lt.Gen. Harald Öhquist

18th. Divisioona (18.D) (18th Division) Maj.Gen. A. Pajari
2nd. Divisioona (2.D) (2nd Division) Maj.Gen. Armas-Eino Martola
Brigade Commanders: Esa Hannuksela
15. Divisioona (15.D) (15th Division) Brig.Gen Niilo Hersalo

Mannerhein Line unit
38. Divisioona (10.D) (38th Division) General Agustín Muñoz Grandes
(The “Blue Division” - Spanish Volunteers from Franco’s Nationalist Forces)

III Corps - Holding the Right Flank of the VT Line across Karelian Isthmus
(Mannerheim Line as a fallback defensive line)
Commander: Maj.Gen. Einar Mäkinen

4. Divisioona (4.D) (4th Division) Maj.Gen. Aleksanteri Autti
10. Divisioona (10.D) (10th Division) Maj.Gen. Jussi Sihvo
37. Divisioona(37.D) (37th Division) Maj. Gen. Anders
(Polish Division, made up of Polish Army soldiers who had escaped from Poland)

Mannerhein Line unit
14. Divisioona (14.D) (14th Division) Maj.Gen. Erkki Raappana

Kannas Group Reserves (under control of Kan.R)
9. Divisioona (9.D) (9th Division) Maj.Gen. Aaro Pajari
12. Divisioona (12.D) (12th Division) Maj.Gen. Woldemar Oinonen

Frontier Guard Units Holding the Border and acting as a Delaying Force
Rajajääkäriprikaati 1 (RajaPr 1) Brig.Gen M. Tiitola
(Frontier Guard Jaeger Brigade 1) – under II Corps
Rajajääkäriprikaati 2 (RajaPr 2) Brig.Gen August Kuistio
(Frontier Guard Jaeger Brigade 2) – under III Corps
Rajajääkäriprikaati 3 (RajaPr 3) Brig.Gen O. Willamo
(Frontier Guard Jaeger Brigade 3) – under III Corps

Each of the three Frontier Guard Jaeger Brigades were heavily reinforced with additional Mortar Companies, Anti-Tank Companies, Engineering and Artillery Units, an additional Infantry Company interated into each Battalion as well as integrated Armored Units – each Brigade had a Company of Souma S35 or Char1B tanks attached. These Brigades were intended to act as a delaying force, slowing down a Russian advance while gaving the main line units on the VT line additional time to prepare their defences.

Coastal Defence of Lake Ladoga – under II Corps
Laatokan Rannikkoprikaati 1 (Laa.RPr.1) coastal defence of Lake Ladoga (Laatokka)
(Lake Ladoga Coastal Brigade 1) Brig.Gen K. Yrjö Takkula
While under the overall command of the Finnish Naval Forces HQ (Commander: Lt.Gen. V.Valve), for operational purposes RTR 2 was subordinated to Kan.R

Coastal Defence of the Gulf of Finland from the Border to Vipuri – under III Corps
Rannikkotykistörykmentti 2 (RTR 2)** Lt.Col. T. Reponen
(Coastal Artillery Regiment 2, nicknamed: "Yellow Regiment")
While under the overall command of the Finnish Naval Forces HQ (Commander: Lt.Gen. V.Valve), for operational purposes RTR 2 was subordinated to Kan.R.

Aunuksen Ryhmä (Aun.R - Aunus Group) north from Lake Ladoga
Commander: Lt.Gen. Karl Lennart Oesch

Erillinenprikaati 2 (Er.Pr 3) (Separate Brigade 3) Brig.Gen J. Wickström
Special Forces Brigade attached to Aunus Group HQ.
Aunuksen Heimosoturipataljoona (AHSP) Col. Ilmari Karhu
(Aunus Tribal Battalion - AHSP and VHSP were formed from Finnish speaking non-native or non-Finnish citizens (East Karelians) living in Finland. The Battalions were a mix of voluntary Finnish personnel and "tribal" volunteers. These two voluntary battalion were among the toughest in the Finnish Army

Main Force units
5th. Divisioona (5.D) (5th Division) Maj.Gen. Kustaa Tapola
(nickname: "Lynx Division", Brigade Commanders: Eero Kuussaari, Kustaa Inkala, Urho Tähtinen
17th. Divisioona (17.D) (17th Division) Brig.Gen. Viktor Sundman
(nickname: "Oak Division", Brigade Commanders: Kai Savonjousi, Aarne Snellman, Matti Tiiainen
11. Divisioona (11.D) (11th Division) Maj.Gen. K. Heiskanen
Brigade Commanders: Armas Kemppi, Lauri Maskula, Väinö Merikallio
7. Divisioona (7.D) (7th Division) Maj.Gen. Antero Svensson
Brigade Commanders: Eero Juva, Torvald Ekman, Yrjö Sora

Northern Flank
8. Divisioona (8.D) (8th Division) Maj.Gen. Väinö Palojärvi
Brigade Commanders: Antti Kääriäinen, Bertil Heinrichs,

Reserves
16. Divisioona (16.D.) (16th Division) Maj.Gen. Aarne Blick
Brigade Commanders:

Frontier Guard Units
Rajajääkäriprikaati 4 (RajaPr 4) Brig.Gen A. Rautasalo
(Frontier Guard Jaeger Brigade 4)
Rajajääkäriprikaati 5 (RajaPr 5) Brig.Gen U. Petäjä
(Frontier Guard Jaeger Brigade 5)
Rajajääkäriprikaati 6 (RajaPr 6) Brig.Gen R. Kalervo
(Frontier Guard Jaeger Brigade 6)

Coastal Defence of Lake Ladoga
Laatokan Rannikkoprikaati 2 (Laa.RPr.2) coastal defence of Lake Ladoga (Laatokka)
(Lake Ladoga Coastal Brigade 2) Maj.Gen. E. I. Järvinen

Pohjois-Karjalan Armeija (Army of North Karelia) V Corps / 5th Corps
Commander: Maj.Gen. Woldemar Hägglund

6. Divisioona (6.D) (6th Division) Maj.Gen. Einar Vihma
Brigade Commanders:
13. Divisioona (13.D) (13th Division) Maj.Gen. Per Ekholm
Brigade Commanders:
Rajajääkäriprikaati 7 (RajaPr 7) Brig.Gen V. Kivikko
(Frontier Guard Jaeger Brigade 7)
Rajajääkäriprikaati 8 (RajaOr 8) Brig.Gen L. Wetterstrand
(Frontier Guard Jaeger Brigade 8)
Vienan Heimosoturipataljoona (VHSP) Col. Pietari Autti
(Viena Tribal Battalion - AHSP and VHSP were formed from Finnish speaking non-native or non-Finnish citizens (East Karelians) living in Finland. The Battalions were a mix of voluntary Finnish personnel and "tribal" volunteers. These two voluntary battalion were among the toughest in the Finnish Army

Pohjois-Suomen Armeija (Army of North Finland) VI Corps / 6th Corps)
Commander: Maj.Gen. Wiljo Tuompo

3. Divisioona (3.D) (3rd Division) Maj.Gen. Frans Uno Fagernäs
Brigade Commanders:
1. Divisioona (1.D) (1st Division) Maj.Gen. Paavo Paalu
Brigade Commanders:
26th (Naval) Coastal Defence Division Maj.Gen. Kaarlo Viljanen
Weak and understrength coastal defence formations along the Arctic coast with lots of static equipment (eg. coastal artillery)
Frontier Guard Units
Rajajääkäriprikaati 9 (RajaPr 9) Brig.Gen V. Karhunen
(Frontier Guard Jaeger Brigade 9)
Erillinenprikaati 2 (Er.Pr 6) (Separate Brigade 6) Brig.Gen Kaarlo Heiskanen
Special Forces Brigade attached to Pohjois-Suomen Armeija.
Erillinenprikaati 7 (Er.Pr 7) (Separate Brigade 7) Brig.Gen William Häkli
Nicknamed the ”Blue Brigade”, this unit protected the highly important nickel mines of Kolosjoki in Petsamo. (This was the worlds biggest source of nickel at the time) In addition to three Infantry Battalions, the Brigade had one strong AA-Regiment.
Erillisosasto P (Er.Os.P) (Separate Detachment P) Lt.Col. Antti Pennanen
Also known as "Erillisosasto Pennanen", this was a special unit formed from a combination of Frontier Guard personnel and Lapps with good knowledge of the local terrain who secured a 200km gap between the Army of North Finland and the Army of North Karelia. The unit strength was approximately that of a reinforced Battalion.

Commanding Officers are based either on those in command during the Winter War or around 1943 - there was a bit of juggling involved as well as some accelerated promotions (given earlier expansion of Finnish Armed Forces in this Timeline). Some units are invented, most actually existed.
 
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