Finnish Forces

Lieutenant Heikki Nykänen

Uomala / SA-kuva

Knight of the Mannerheim Cross, lieutenant Kaarlo Heikki Nykänen (1920-2011). Uhtua, 12 August 1943. SA-kuva 134936 He commanded a machine gun platoon 1941-42 and was then leader of 3rd Division's long range patrol unit for most of the war. The unit's main duties were constant patrolling and hindering of all kinds of enemy activities. Once, he captured hill positions from numerically superior enemy with his 40 men. Forty enemies died and only one of his men was killed and five were wounded. The Mannerheim Cross was awarded to him 11 days before this photo was taken. In 1944 he was transferred to Seperate Battalion 4 of the Army HQ, an elite long range patrol unit. During the Battle of Ilomantsi his patrol destroyed a column of 30 trucks carrying artillery ammunition. He took part in the Lapland War before being demobilized 23.11.1944. He was also involved in the secret weapons hiding operation which became known as the Weapons Cache Case. Vänrikki (Second Lieutenant) - 31.7.1940 Luutnantti (First Lieutenant) - 30.12.1941 Yliluutnantti (Senior Lieutenant) - 20.7.1953 Kapteeni (Captain) - 6.12.1964 Majuri (Major) - 4.6.1977