Finnish Forces

Viljo Laakso

Viljo Aukusti Laakso was born as villein's son in Pälkäne, Finland on August 13, 1895.He was a farmer like so many, before his military career started on September 6, 1915 in Lockstedt's camp, Germany(Lockstedter Lager) in the training group's, 2nd company. After NCO training Laakso was promoted to hilfsgruppenführeriksi on Febriary 1916. He was in the eastern front at Misa River, Bay of Riga and Lielupe River. In August 1917 he was ordered to special training in Polangen and was promoted to gruppenführeriksi. While the course still continued, Laakso was chosen for 8 man special unit, that transported the first great weapon delivery from Danzig to Finland. The weapon ship Equity's men were the first jaegers to be sent to Finland as a battle unit. The Equity's Finnish jaegers organized the spreading of the German weapons to the Civil Guards of Southern Ostrobothnia, and formed a "training circle". Because of this, there was 2500-3000 basic trained men in South-Ostrobothia already in the beginning of 1918. This gave the Finnish white army a great advantage for the beginning of the Civil War. On January 27, 1918 Laakso led actions at Laihia's area of Hulmi. Where they faced a small Russian cavalry unit. This reletively small battle was remarkable in the way that it was the very first military operation of the Finnish Civil War.The first casualties of the war were suffered there, 5 KIA's. For this operation HQ had ordered a few hour advance from the common H-Hour, because the weapons from barracks, were needed for capturing the city of vaasa. When the jaegers trained in Germany were officially put to Finnish ranks on February 11, 1918, Viljo Laakso became vänrikki(2nd Lieutenant) and was ordered on February 14, as a teacher to Vöyri's military school. A training that aimed at forming the military regulars and the military NCO's, had started in Vöyri. Laakso formed the school's 5th Company and led it in battles, until the school battalion was disbanded after the great battle of Tampere. Laakso was promoted to luutnantti (1st Lieutenant) and was awarded with the Cross of Liberty. After the war Laakso stayed in the military career moving to the Civil Guard organization in autumn of 1919, serving in several commander jobs. Laakso was promoted to captain in 1928 and he returned to the army, becoming a company commander. If there had been no Winter War, Laakso would have moved to the reserve as a captain. Laakso's battalion was formed from the reservists of Loimaa area, in 1939. It trained under his command in a military refresher course during the summer of 1939. It became the 3rd Battalion of Infantry Regiment 13, which belonged to the 5th Division. It was the group Cpt.Laakso went to war with. In the Winter War Laakso first acted in Summa's front as sector commander. His codename was "kissa"(cat) which turned into "isäkissa"(fathercat) and quickly gained features of legend, because Laakso was constantly in the front line and even took part in patrols of enemy controlled areas. His battalion did its part in repelling the major offensive of December by fiercely defending its own sector from an overwhelming enemy, and Laakso was awarded with the Cross of Liberty 2nd Class. After a breach in the main position, the regiment fought heavy battles in the back area of the Lähde sector, attempting to hold down the breach and win time for the "middle position" to be occupied. In the battle of the "middle position"(Feb. 20 - 27, 1940), His battalion was first one ordered to counterattack, the purpose was to try to return the area that was lost the day before, when the middle position's line was bent near Honkaniemi. The counter attack only succeeded partially and it was noticed that the enemy had set the bulk of its armored attack nearby. The situation quickly became difficult and the middle position was in danger to fully break. In this situation Laakso was given battalion after another, so that in February 26, he led a special detachment consisting of 6 battalions. The Winter War ended for Cpt.Viljo Laakso on March 3, 1940 when a light machinegun bullet penetrated his waist in the "rear position" at Kärstilä, near Viipuri. in 1941 Laakso now a Major, went to the Continuation War still as the commander of Loimaa's battalion, which was now 3rd battalion of Infantry Regiment 35 operating in the north side of Lake Ladoga. Always in the front, leading his battalion and successfully effecting the result of battles with also his personal action such as destroying several enemy tanks. On August 3, 1941, he stepped onto landmine at Lustjärvi and the explosion tore off the whole part of his leg below his right knee. Laakso was one of those who had been already presented to have the mannerheim for merits during the Winter War. When he was wounded a presentation for mannerheim cross had been already made by his superior commander for Laakso's actions so far in the war. The presentation was accepted and the information reached the HQ of "Karelian Army". However, after an hour the decision was cancelled, as it wasn't believed that Laakso would stay alive for long. Instead, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and was awarded the Cross of Liberty 1st class. Even after the loss of his leg, Laakso wanted to stay in active service. He served in different commander jobs at homefront. In summer of 1944, when the soviet major offensive had begun and the situation at the front was critical, his superior commanders remembered Laakso, the tough field leader from the Winter War. Laakso was called to the front and on July 22, 1944 and in Loimola, he took the command of the "Ukko-regiment", the JR 8. He led the regiment with success, still always in the frontline untill the end of the war, also participating in the Lapland War, followed by the peace treaty with Soviets in september. For presentarion strongly supported by Lieutenant General Talvela, on January 30, 1945 Viljo Laakso became the Knight of The Mannerheim Cross number 191. After war Laakso was placed as the commander of military district of Seinäjoki. He resigned from the army in 1948 and died from blood poisoning in 1950, at age of 55. Viljo Laakso's Mannerheim-Cross can be now found from the Artillery Museum of Finland.