Finnish Forces

The unknown effecter

Colonel Valo Nihtilä (1896–1973) In 1930's, Nihtilä already a veteran of the Finnish Civil War, served as a instructor in the army and then as teacher of tactics in military academy. Many of his students later became generals and Knights of the Mannerheim Cross. During the Winter War Nihtilä served as the chief of operations in the operative unit of the Headquarters. It was Nihtilä who first invented the idea of using the tactics which later became known as "motti tactics". Also, the first major Finnish victory, the Battle of Tolvajärvi started from his suggestions. In the Continuation War he continued his job in the headquarters but as chief of staff of the IV Army Corps, as the "right hand" of Lieutenant General Oesch. During the offense phase of 1941, just before the recapture of Viipuri, the general got sick and Nihtilä led the battle for the city, but he never got the honor for it. In 1943-1944 after Nihtilä had inspected the frontline positions, he continuously critisized the commanding generals of Karelian Isthmus for disregarding the fortification works and underestimating the threat of major Soviet offensive. He stated that the main position, the frontline of Karelian Isthmus won't hold if it suffers a hard blow. His warnings were mostly ignored. Mannerheim himself later said that he should have believed his colonels and not his generals. After the Continuation War, Nihtilä was one of the key figures in the "Weapons Cache Case" and in 1945 was sentenced to 5 years in prison, but after serving 3 years he was put on probation. That year there was rumors about communist coup attempt and the situation was tense. The military was at state of emergency. Nihtilä had lost his military rank and right to wear his uniform and could only influence military business through his friends still in service. Nihtilä met the chief of general staff and told him what he would do if he was still in service. "Because the situation in Helsinki is threatening, the president's guards must be increased and they must be equipped with submachineguns. The armoured units must be brought within the city limits." However, the feared coup attempt never occurred. Nihtilä never regained his rank but he was still the one who planned new defence system for Finland in mid 1950's. Valo Nihtilä died on October 24, 1973. He had a heart attack in a political meeting after his speech where he demanded to know why the youth, like the previous speaker, are disregarding the importance of national defence.