Finnish infantrymen watch as mortar fires. Just after this photo was taken the mortar exploded due to double load. Result was five dead and five wounded. Autumn 1941.

Moments before death

Warrant Officer Leevi Moisander (1907-1997) of Muolaa, Karelian Isthmus. He is checking his M/27 "Spitz" which he personally considered best of all rifles.

Reservist Corporal Moisander served in a anti-tank company and in 5th IR, 11th Div, during the Winter War and fought at Karelian Isthmus near his hometown. He was promoted twice  before temporarily demoblized in July 1940. He was called back to service less than 11 months later and was then forward observer NCO in Light Artillery Battalion 14 throughout the following war, fighting in Ladoga Karelia and Karelian Isthmus. He was wounded in 1941 at Sortavala and in 1944 at Vuosalmi. During his wartime service Moisander earned himself Medal of Liberty 2nd class, Cross of Liberty 4th class and the Mannerheim Cross, which was awarded to him in June 1943. He was demobilized from military on 21.11.1944 and afterwards worked as real estate agent in Turku until his retirement in 1972. 

In addition to his actual job as forward observer, Moisander actively took part in infantry fighting whenever possible. He did countless of lone patrols to enemy areas, and in these patrols he killed or captured altogether some 50 soldiers and brought back important information of the enemy and lots of captured weaponry. During some 200 men strong enemy attack to nearby base he rushed to the scene for counter-attack and was first man to enter the enemy occupied positions, saving 6-7 wounded soldiers. And during another attack to different base, ignoring intensive enemy fire, Warrant Officer Moisander crawled to the barbedwire obstacles and with handgrenades and his rifle, destroyed the enemy crawling in hayfield, taking 7 prisoners. He later took one infantryman and went to scout the no man's land, where they confronted and destroyed patrol of nine soldiers and officer. One of the soldiers survived and was taken prisoner.

Promotions:
Korpraali (Lance Corporal) - 1.9.1927
Alikersantti (Corporal) - 6.12.1927
Kersantti (Sergeant) - 28.1.1940
Ylikersantti (Staff Sergeant) 23.3.1940
Vääpeli (Warrant Officer 2) - 13.4.1942
Ylivääpeli (Warrant Officer 1) - 6.12.1967

Warrant Officer

Finnish soldiers inspect Soviet tank in autumn of 1941.