1939 - 1944

Åland Islands Demilitarized Zone

Åland Islands [Ahvenanmaa] has been a demilitarized and autonomous part of Finland since 1921 when the League of Nations decided that islands belong to Finland. Demilitarization meant that no fixed or temporary coastal defence positions or any stored military equipment were allowed. Local only Swedish-speaking population was releaved from obligatory military service in Finnish Defence Forces although many did serve voluntarily in Swedish speaking units.

Armed vessels of the Finnish Navy and Coast Guard had although right to visit the area occasionally but only unarmed vessels could stay longer periods there. Finland was although responsible of defending islands during the possible conflict.
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Winter War 1939 - 1940

On 30.11.1939 Coast Guard's reinforced Åland Islands District was responsible of securing Åland Islands until the arrival of the new commanding staff called Defence [Troops] of Åland Islands (Ahvenanmaan puolustus[joukot], AP). Its troops were moved from Turku in two phases between 1. - 2.12.1939 without enemy disturbance.

Moved infantry and coastal artillery units which all belonged to Naval Forces were as follows:

- Polkupyöräpataljoona 8 (PPP 8) (Bicycle Battalion 8)
- 3. Erillinen polkupyöräkomppania (3.Er.PPK) (3rd Separate Bicycle Company)
- 2. Erillinen konekiväärikomppania (2.Er.KKK) (2nd Separate MG Company)
- Patteristo A (Psto A) (Artillery Battalion A)
- separate coastal artillery units

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On 2.12.1939 troops of Coast Guard and Artillery Battalion A were joined together as Åland Islands Sector (Ahvenanmaan lohko, ALo.). All troops were under the command of Naval Forces Staff. Coastal batteries and infantry units were located as follows:

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Troops were initially led by (Navy) Capt. S. Sundman but he was also in charge of Sea Defence of South-Western Finland and on 17.12.1939 former Commander of Turku Sector Lt.Col. L. Hannelius took the command of Defence of Åland islands.

At the end of February 1940 3.Er.PPK and 2.Er.KKK were moved to Bay of Viborg. PPP 8 was moved to Turku on 10.3. and transferred to eastern front by train. Troops could be moved away partly because Ålands Hemvärn (volunteer Home Guard of Åland Islands) took their duties. By March 1940 the strength of this volunteer unit was already 1.600 men but it had only 600 Swedish rifles.
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Continuation War 1941 - 1944

Operation "Sailing Competition"

Demilitarized Åland Islands were occupied and secured starting early on 22.6.1941 by 7th Coastal Brigade. Brigade's Delivery Company which consisted of local volunteers was mobilized during the night on 21./22.6 after receiving the message "Sailing competition begins".

57th Repulse Company and Brigade Staff arrived in the morning followed by the rest of the brigade and additional reinforcements Infantry Regiment 14 (Jalkaväkirykmentti 14, JR 14) (Commander Col. L. Hannelius) and motorized (truck carried) Light Artillery Battalion 14 (Kevyt patteristo 14, Kev.Psto 14) [12 - 76 LK/13] (Commander Capt. H. Lilius). Artillery battalion had mainly older personnel except in 1st Battery which was formed partly of underaged volunteers of Turku Civil Guard.

Batteries of Kev.Psto 14 were located as follows:

- 1st Battery at Överby village in Eckerö Island,
- 2nd Battery north from Djurvik village and
- 3rd Battery at Kungsö

All troops were under the command of Naval Forces Staff. Commander in Åland Islands until 6.7.1941 was Col. L. Hannelius. Total strength was initially about 5.200 men.

Since 6.7.1941 JR 14 (- III Battalion) was transferred away and moved to Petsamo region in Lapland and subordinated to German AOK Norwegen. III/JR 14 stayed in Åland Islands until it was moved to Hanko Peninsula on 19./20.11.1941. Kev.Psto 14 was moved away since 7.7.1941 and attached to Karelian Army (Karjalan armeija, Kar.A).
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Coastal Defence in Åland Islands

Coastal batteries of the 7th Coastal Brigade became combat-ready during July. Since 6.7.1941 all troops in Åland Islands were under the command of the defending coastal brigade. On 8.11.1941 the westernmost units of suspended 5.RPr. were attached to brigade.
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Situation on 1.12.1941

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On 1.3.1942 brigade was re-arranged and re-named as Turku Archipelago [Sea] Coastal Brigade (Saaristomeren rannikkoprikaati, Saar.RPr.) and its staff was moved to Turku. Unit defended the south-western coast of Finland and Åland Islands until the end of the Continuation War.
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Sources: TALHI, JATHI, PAUJY3, ARIRE
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