Lance Corporal Sakari Sandroos (1919-1997) in Mikkeli 19.12.1943, some month after receiving the Mannerheim Cross. He started military service during the Winter War (1939-40) and fought at Karelian Isthmus in 1940 and 1941-44. In the latter conflict he served in 7th Infantry Regiment which became the regiment with most Mannerheim Cross Knights (11 out of 191). He was wounded 4.3.1940, 1.10.1941 and 26.11.1942. During one enemy attempt to break out of encirclement, he had to fight off infantry assaults alone with his light machine gun for an hour, because other members of the squad were either dead or wounded. After the war he worked as a carpenter and gardener. He got married quite young and had two children, born 1939 and 1943.

Sakari Sandroos

Luftwaffen soldier wish good luck for the Finnish pilot who is just going to start his mission. Värtsilä 1941.09.14

Tschüss

Erkki Korpi (1920-1988) photographed in Mikkeli, Finland. 19.12.1943. He was a brave man who served at Karelian Isthmus at the end of the Winter War (1939/40) and throughout Continuation War (1941-44). This coolheaded private once took out a group of some 50 enemy soldiers when guarding a road together with another soldier. He had very recognised position among the platoon for his combat merits and modest personality. He was one of the 191 men awarded with the Mannerheim Cross, which he received in late 1943. The war ended for this man at Äyräpää, where a shrapnel penetrated into his right temple on 23.6.1944. He later became sergeant after two post-war promotions in reserve. After the war he worked on his home farm to year of 1982.