Finland

[cyberia]

Finnish Artillery Sergeant in winter camouflage smock

Finland supplied their troops with a white winter camouflage cover.
The camouflage top, is made of a fleecy cotton. It has an integral hood and two slits about waist level, so that when the jacket is done up the equipment can be accessed. There are four buttons on the front of the white top, and these buttons are made of a white pressed paper.
This Finnish soldier is an artillery sergeant, as shown by his red collar badges with the black border. The three yellow chevrons show his rank. He is wearing an early m/22 leather belt and buckle. This buckle is made of steel and has the Finnish lion inside a wreath in its centre. The three pocket ammunition pouch is surplus WW1 German stock, reinforced and reissued by the Finnish Army. He is also carrying a binocular pouch, marked [SA] on the lid, the leather shows a green color.

The tunic is the standard M1936 model with 6 bronze buttons. The M/36 woollen uniform was suitable for the winter conditions, but during the Winter War, 1939 - 1940, it was in short supply. The Finnish Army also issued a M/36 summer tunic for use during the more moderate months of the year.

This junior officer could carry a rifle and basic equipment, but he would also be required to carry out other tasks. It would not be uncommon for him to carry other equipment required for orienteering for the movement and setting of guns. He may carry maps, compass, binoculars, usually slung over his shoulder and carried to the rear.

[cyberia]

Finnish Soldier of WW2 wearing a uniform of the M36 pattern tunic
Winter War 1939 - 1940

In the War between Finland and Russia in 1939 -1940, known as the Winter War, the Finnish Army had very little equipment. This soldier is wearing the M/36 tunic in the standard gray color, with four patch pockets and dark buttons embossed with the Finnish lion. He has also been issued with a cap, belt and ammunition pouch with a Finnish made Mosin Nagant rifle.

The soldiers of Finland made use of a great deal of surplus WW1 equipment. The rifle of the army of Finland, was the Russian based Mosin Nagant rifle. It was adopted partly as a result of the vast quantities of Russian rifles that the Finns inherited as a result of the Russian revolution and their own independence.

In the Winter War in combat the Finnish soldier would carry ammunition in a set of leather pouches. The pockets were large enough to carry ten rounds of ammunition in each pocket. The pockets had a leather flap, which was held closed by a leather strap and metal pillar stud. Many of these pouches were WW1 surplus
German ammunition pouches, intended for carrying 15 rounds in each pouch, but with the rimmed 7.62mm ammunition the Fins used there was room for only 10 rounds.

Finland issued its soldiers with a practical soft peaked uniform cap, also of the model of 1936, which had a blue and white cockade for soldiers.

[Biscuit]

God bless ya Paul, for all the hard work you have put into the Zone! Hats off!

[Geek44]

Thanks Paul...these are great.
During the Winter War (Talvesotta), the Finns also made use of surplus WW1 and WW2 helmets. I've seen a few of these with my own eyes...even several that carried a skull or skeleton motif painted by it's owner in white. Due to aforementioned equipment shortages, captured Soviet equipment was often used as opportunity arose. The PPSh sub-machine gun was also copied by Finnish industry I believe. It's hard to believe also that during the 1939-45 period, Finland also produced multiple (maybe four) indigenous aircraft types from fighters to more general types. None were a great success, perhaps because of small numbers.
Winter camouflage smocks also ran to hastily sewn bedsheets too. Given the disparity of numbers between the Finns and the Soviets, I believe many of the Finnish combat troops were reservists. The Winter War to the Finns was the equivalent of the fear of Sea Lion for the Brits...except the enemy actually came. Cheers Paul...I appreciate it.
This is the Finnish Lion as mentioned above...

[McCoy]

The Finns didn't copy the PPsh-41 'cos they had their very own konepistooli *Suomi" m/31 that was far superior to any Russian smg durin' the entire war.

[cyberia]

Finnish Army Soldier
Continuation War

In the above photo this WWII Finnish solider is wearing a WWI Austrian helmet, and carrying extra ammunition in a cotton bandolier because the soldiers of Finland made use of a great deal of surplus WW1 equipment.

Shown here is the uniform m/36, the standard uniform of the Finnish Army of 1936 to 1945. This pattern of uniform remained in service until the 1970s.

In combat the Fin soldier could carry more ammunition by the use of the cotton bandolier, as seen in this photograph. It is made of a strong cotton khaki cloth, and has a simple adjustable buckle. The pockets are large enough to carry ten rounds of ammunition in each pocket. The pockets have a flap, which is held closed by a button. Each button is made of metal and painted black. The buttons are all marked with the words, for gentlemen, and appear to be British trouser fly buttons.

Finland issued its soldiers with a variety of helmets. It is not unusual to see in any group of Finnish soldiers a number of different helmets. In fact it does appear to be unusual to see one type worn by a group. Helmets other than First World War Austrian worn were Italian, Czechoslovakian, Hungarian, Swedish, Polish. Some Russian and British helmets were used in the rear areas. The WW2 German type, did not see any substantial use in Finland.

[Geek44]

Originally Posted by McCoy

The Finns didn't copy the PPsh-41 'cos they had their very own konepistooli *Suomi" m/31 that was far superior to any Russian smg durin' the entire war.

I stand corrected McCoy. Thanks.
You sure about there being little use of WW2 German helmets Cybs? I know they had other nations pots as well...I'll see if I can find some pics among my books.
Peace.

[McCoy]

They did use Russian SMG's though but only as long as they had ammunition to 'em n' then they turned 'em in to the armoury. The Finns were excellent scrougers of equipment.

[Geek44]

I suppose they had to be. Their airforce must have been very difficult to maintain with aircraft from so many places.

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by Geek44

I stand corrected McCoy. Thanks.
You sure about there being little use of WW2 German helmets Cybs? I know they had other nations pots as well...I'll see if I can find some pics among my books.
Peace.

Yes sir. They used them, but no where near as much as they used all the others. I think it was a matter of economics.