Finnish Forces

Commander of 3rd Jaeger Battalion

Jouko Hynninen (1907-1983) Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #47. Commander of Jääkäripataljoona 3, 1941-1945 Hynninen served in the 3rd Jaeger Battalion (JP 3) since 1934 when he became officer, and was company commander in the Winter War when the unit fought on Karelian Isthmus. At the beginning of Continuation War he became the battalion's commander and led the unit's advance to East-Karelia where it fought with the Finnish armoured units and was often far ahead of other units. He captured Karhumäki and was the first one to reach Lake Onega. The battalion was made part of the armoured division when it was formed on June 30, 1942. In 1944 JP 3 fought on Karelian Isthmus and participated in the battles of Kuuterselkä, Portinhoikka (Tali-Ihantala) and Vuosalmi. After peace with Soviets, Hynninen's battalion participated in Lapland War until December 4, 1944 when the division was disbanded and men were sent home. Jouko Hynninen was wounded twice during WWII: July 13, 1941 at Jalovaara and July 13, 1944 at Vuosalmi. He served in Finnish Army until 1967 and reached rank of Major General.