Finland, independent from Russia since it seized control of its own affairs during the Russian Revolution was one of four Baltic nations to be invaded by the Soviet Union in 1939, and the only one to retain its independence after a hard fought bitter conflict in the most unpleasant of weather conditions. In January 1940 Winston Churchill said “Only Finland-superb, nay, sublime – in the jaws of peril – Finland shows what free men can do. The service rendered by Finland to mankind is magnificent”.
Using material in the Helsinki national archives we have been able to put together the List for Chain of Command. You can download it here: Finland Army List Winter War
Our Lardy Cultural Attache in Finland, Ville Savin, has also provided us with the following notes on Finnish infantry tactics using the manuals issued to Finnish officers throughout the Winter War and the Continuation War. You can read about how the Finns really fought here: Finnish Infantry Tactica
While you are considering the superb, nay sublime Finns, why not check out this interesting Kickstarter project from Baker Company. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1030835091/winter-war-wargaming-miniatures it looks like a superb way to game with Winter War with Chain of Command!
The Chain of Command Challenge
It’s not often we’ll be so direct as to ask “Do you prefer CoC, or the alternative?” but a very comprehensive review of Chain of Command and one of the alternative rule sets out there aimed at platoon level actions has certainly got people talking. You can read Trailape’s comments on his blog here: http://trailape.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/so-youre-platoon-commander-comparing.html
5 thoughts on “Finnish Army List for the Winter War”
Many thanks for the list and the tactica piece, also check out Sami Korhonens Winter War Page (http://www.winterwar.com) for further background. I also checked out the Winter War Kickstarter and with all the unlocked stretched goals to date and hopefully more before the funding ends it looks very promising indeed to get a full platoon for both sides covering many of the supports options to play some winter war action at the Border Skirmish level (£120). Check it out and also look at the tmp thread. I could not resist and just went for it…
That’s great – but mind you, I’m not a citizen of any Baltic State, never mind what Hitler said before the wars.
Finland is part of the Nordic Countries instead.
But thank you for the list!
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Why is Finland listed as a Baltic nation?
Is the a list for the continuation war ? I have a 1944 Finns list that I was using it for bolt action but want to use my finnish army for CoC
I also do Finnish ww2 enactment in the UK from the start of the winter war to the end of 44 🙂
Thanks
Tim