Finnish soldier with few week old teddybear. Kivivaara 1944.03.31

Finnish soldier with few week old teddy

Lieutenant Jorma Hämäläinen (1918-1962), Knight of the Mannerheim Cross. Mikkeli, 1942.

Starting military service in a dragoon regiment in 1939, he became machine gunner and fought at Summa before being sent to reserve officer school in early 1940. His talents were noted and he was put to long range patrol detachment directly responsible to Finnish Army HQ in Mikkeli.

In 1941 Hämäläinen led the patrol of 16 selected men sent across the border in civilian clothes, a week before start of hostilities. Their mission lasted for 3 weeks and reached all the way to White Sea Canal, some 300 km from the border. They failed in an attempt to destroy the canal's locks but managet to cut the Murmansk railway when leaving, and brought back valuable information of enemy activity. Two men were lost in combat. 

He was awarded the Mannerheim Cross in Feb 1942, after having spent more than 2 months behind enemy lines in total. In that time he had caused lots of headache to commanders of enemy supply- and communications units. His patrols also destroyed and disintegrated much larger units with minimal losses.

At the end of the war he served as platoon leader in regular infantry units at Rukajärvi. He was considered very prudent and caring leader by his men. Hämäläinen was demobilized 31.8.1945 and he then lived in his farm until his early death. He had 3 children and a wife, whom he divorced 6 years before his death.

Promotions:
Vänrikki (Second Lieutenant) - 1.4.1940
Luutnantti (First Lieutenant) - 31.10.1941
Kapteeni (Captain) - 27.8.1944

Long range patrol leader

Few weeks olds teddybears with Finnish soldiers. Kivivaara 1944.03.31