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Description |
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Home Page |
Introduction page with
links to various sections and the description of the KevOs4 Reenactment
Group |
| Finland's
Wars 1939-1944 |
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The Winter War was mainly an outcome of the major political events
taking place in Europe during the 1930s.
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On
November 30, 1939, Russian troops entered Finland in a multitude of
locations. Russia, and the world, expected a quick overrun-type
operation. |
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The
controversial plan by Britain and France to assist Finland by sending
troops there via Norway and Sweden. |
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The
show of “The little peaceful country pluckily standing up against its
big evil neighbour” of course had all the ingredients necessary to
inspire all forms of actions of sympathy in most of the western world. |
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Already
before starting the latest offensive the Russians had let it be known
that they were prepared to side-step the puppet government created by
them and negotiate with the true Finnish government. |
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The
question if the Winter War could have been avoider has been a recurring
theme in Finnish debate during the past 65 years. |
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The
terms of the Moscow peace treaty had been hard, although the
independence had been saved, at least for the time being. |
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Considering
the risks , even by mistake, to have a clash between their own troops
and the German troops in Finland, the Russians most certainly would
think twice before any invasion. |
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After
rather quickly re-conquering the areas ceded after the Winter War the
Finnish army then continued eastward north of Lake Ladoga and didn’t
stop until it had reached the passes between the major lakes Ladoga,
Onega and Segozero.
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Already in December 1941 there started to arise grave doubts in leading
Finnish political and military circles about Germany’s chances of
winning the war with Russia. |
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The Finnish army might have been unprepared mentally and
materially, rusty and half asleep at the beginning of June but by early
July it again was a well oiled fighting machine ready to take on all
comers. |
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The peace terms were even harsher than those of 1940. Not only was the
Petsamo area with its nickel mines and Finland’s only ice-free harbour
lost but a sky high war-retribution should be paid to Russia. |
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If the analysis about the unavoidability or not of the Winter War was
fairly straightforward the questions around the Continuation War are far
more complicated. |
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KevOs4 Unit War
History |
Actual war history of
the real KevOs4 Finnish Army group in Finland |
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Wartime Photos
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Recruits, pre-war and
old m22 and m36 Finnish Army uniform pictures. |
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Finnish Army trucks, mortars, cannons and photos
of soldiers training to use these |
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Finnish sleds, horses, and troops on the
move. |
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Wartime photos of armored trains, Finnish tanks,
assault guns, and cannons and captured tanks like the KV1 and T34 tanks
plus some German Stug tanks |
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Russian battlefields, captured vehicles, and
Finnish
armor photos |
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Wartime pictures of the Finnish Kenttapostia in
action delivering mail to the front lines |
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New section of wartime
pictures of Bike troops and Ski Troopers |
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Another new section for
planes, trucks, autos, trains, and tractors |
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This page is devoted to
automobile, horse, and sled pictures. Most of the pictures were taken
during the Continuation War. |
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Lots
of different buildings and structures in these photos. Also, groups of
Finnish and German soldiers in these shots. |
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The
newest section of Wartime Photos are artillery, anti-aircraft, and some truck
photos. Section
added April 2007. Thank you to Jyri Paulaharju for identifying some
of the trucks and artillery on
this page!
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Some
interesting wartime photos of Mottis, captured Russian vehicles, and Russian Prisoners
of War.
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Upcoming Events |
Important dates for the
KevOs4 reenactment group and information on events related to Finnish
culture |
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Past Events
and News |
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Latest Pix from the
February, 2004, Winter War Reenactment in Rensselaer, Indiana |
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Pictures from the
February, 2003, Winter War Reenactment |
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Pictures of various
members of the reenactment group |
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Member
Requirements |
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Information on joining
the group and on the Finnish Army m36 uniform |
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The list of weapons
approved for use in Winter War reenactments |
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The application for
membership in the KevOs4 group. This can be printed and mailed or emailed. |
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Color plates : Badges of
Rank
and Insignia for Finnish WWII uniforms |
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Collectors Guide
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Pictures and
descriptions of gear worn by Finnish soldiers |
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Items that were issued
to each soldier including medical, cooking gear, pioneer tools, and
cleaning gear |
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Types of
personal items carried by a typical soldier in the field |
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Pictures of machine
guns, bicycles, cannons and mortars |
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Our Links Page |
Sources of information
for people interested in Finnish history or reenacting. Includes sources
for Finnish militaria and weapons. |
| Gear For Sale |
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A large "For Sale" page
where members can get gear and uniforms for doing reenactments and Living
History displays |
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Additional
Finnish Reenactor items plus artwork and special order items |
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Wartime
uniforms for sale, plus boots, belts, helmets, bayonets, hats |
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Special Features |
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Details
and ordering information on the new Winter War film "Fire and
Ice" by producer Ben Strout of MastersWork Media. Also includes a
press release and a movie trailer. |
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Ben Strout is the
producer of the new Finnish Winter War documentary "Fire and Ice: The
Winter War of Finland and Russia" |
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Spotlight!
A new section about collectors and their collections |
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Articles written by
members of the Group regarding trips or events |
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This huge collection of
photographs and descriptions cover Finnish uniforms between the times of
the Finnish Civil War and the Winter War. There are 6 separate pages
of different uniforms. |
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A pictorial record
of the progress of the restoration of an old 1937 Ford flat-bed farm truck
into a Finnish Army truck like those used in WWII. |
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Translated letters
written by soldiers and families during the war. This is great insight
into the thoughts and concerns of those who fought, both in the front
lines and on the home front. |
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This huge section was
written for KevOs4 by Jarkko
Vihavainen of the
Jaeger Platoon Website.
It is an excellent article about the creation and organization of the
Lotta Svard in Finland. |
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This great article about
a Finnish hero from the Winter War is reprinted here with permission from
mosinnagant.net |
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Another
excellent page by Finnish historian Jarkko
Vihavainen. Jarkko has provided expert knowledge of Finnish collar
patches and insignia used during the Finnish wars 1939-1945. |
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There was
little differentiation between civilian and military targets. This was
total war and the civilian population was in the Russian bombsights. |
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"When some day the history of this war is written,
the world will learn of your efforts". - Marshal Mannerheim.
March 14th, 1940. |
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Images
of Marshall C.G.E. Mannerheim at his hunting lodge in East Karelia on
the occasion of his 75th birthday in 1942. |
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If a sufficient amount of flaming gasoline got sucked into the turret, there was a good chance it would ignite one or more rounds of ready ammo, which was usually stored in a rack near the main gun's breech. When that happened, the result was gruesome. |
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Modern Finland Today |
Finland's wartime story
would not be complete without knowing what happened to Finland after the
war. Complete with maps and pictures. |
