World War 2 Photos > Finnish Forces > Second flag at the three-country cairn

Second flag at the three-country cairn

Description

On 27 April 1945, commander of Infantry Regiment 1, Colonel Väinö Oinonen, arrived at the cairn to inspect the situation with a detachment of soldiers including photography specialists, a larger flag, and a better flagpole. The war flag of Finland was ceremoniously raised on the cairn and Colonel Oinonen took the titular photo—with the 894 m (2,933 ft)-high Golddabakti fell of Norway in the background. Amidst the festivities, a shout of "Wer da?!" ("Who's there?!") surprised the Finnish soldiers. Even though the area had been inspected, a German unit lay waiting in position on the Norwegian side of the border. The flag-raising soldiers took cover behind the cairn. Battle was avoided after a Swedish army officer approached to act as an intermediary. Soon after, Colonel Oinonen resolved the situation with two Oberleutnante, who shared German Juno cigarettes with him. The officers saluted each other and went their ways; the time was 1:30 pm. On 28 April, General Siilasvuo sent a telegram to Finnish Commander-in-Chief C.G.E. Mannerheim, reporting that the Wehrmacht had been expelled from Northern Finland. This marked the end of Finnish participation in WW2, and is today celebrated as the National Veterans Day in Finland.

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