Frontier Jäger Troops in the
Continuation War 1941 - 1942
On 26.5.1941 all Frontier Guard Troops
were re-named as Frontier Jäger Troops. All
privates and enlisted men serving in Frontier Guard
became Frontier Jägers [rajajääkäri].
.
Frontier Jäger Company
In June
1941 Frontier Jäger Troops were organized to 24
separate Frontier Jäger Companies (Rajajääkärikomppania,
Rj.K, also RajaJK). Frontier jäger company was a
reinforced infantry company with good independent
guerrilla [sissi] and patrol capability. Otherwise it was
equipped like ordinary Army units.
Companies
were numbered as follows:
running
number [1, 2, 3...] and number of local
peace-time Frontier Guard [1 - 6]
.
(for
example: second company formed by 4th Frontier
Guard -> 24.Rj.K)
.
In 1941 a typical Frontier Jäger Company was
organized as follows:
Full
strength (typical since July 1941): 8 Officers + 41
NCOs + 272 men = 321 men * **
2 - 3x truck, about 30x horse, 120x or 150x bicycle,
3x or 4x Maxim MG,
12x or 16x LMG, 20...29x SMG, 2x 20 mm AT rifle, 4x
14 mm AT rifle,
during winter troops were fully equipped with skis
.
Komppanianpäällikkö
/ Company Chief [bicycle]
Komentoryhmä (Kom.R) (Command Squad) (0+2+7 = 9) [3x
bicycle]
Radioryhmä (Rad.R) (Radio Squad) (0+1+3 = 4)
I - IV Kiväärijoukkue (I-IV.Kiv.J) (I - IV Rifle
Platoon) * (4+20+140 = 164) [4x bicycle]
-----
1.
- 4 Kivääriryhmä (1.-4.Kiv.R) (1st - 4th
Rifle Squad) (0+1+10 = 11)
Panssarintorjuntajoukkue (Pst.J) (Anti-Tank
Platoon) (1+3+31 = 35) [3x horse, 3x bicycle]
-----
Kevyt
panssarintorjuntaryhmä (Kev.Pst.R) (Light AT Squad)
[4x
14 mm Boys AT rifle]
-----
1.
- 2. Raskas panssarintorjuntaryhmä (1.-2.Rask.Pst.R)
(1st
- 2nd Heavy AT Squad)
-----
[20
mm Lahti L-39 AT rifle each]
Sulutusjoukkue
(Sul.J) (Blocking Platoon) ** (1+4+38 = 43) [4x
horse, 39x bicycle]
-----
1.
- 4. Sulutusryhmä (1.-4.Sul.R) (1st - 4th
Blocking Squad) (typical number - may vary)
Konekiväärijoukkue (KKJ) (MG Platoon) (1+6+26 = 33) [4x
horse, 4x 7.62 mm Maxim MG]
-----
1.
- 4. Konekivääriryhmä (1.-4.KKR) (1st - 4th MG
Squad)
Toimitusjoukkue (Toim.J) (Delivery Platoon) (0+5+27 = 32) [7x
horse, 3x bicycle, 2x truck]
-----
Lääkintäryhmä
(Lääk.R) (Medical Squad)
-----
Ammusryhmä
(AmmusR) (Ammunition Squad)
-----
Toimitusryhmä
(Toim.R) (Delivery Squad)
*
Certain companies had only three rifle platoons:
at least 12th, 22nd, 32nd,
42nd and 52nd Frontier Jäger Companies
had initially the strength of
7 + 38 + 239 = 284 men.
**
Engineer unit. Certain companies had two blocking
platoons:
at least 13th, 23rd, 33rd,
43rd and 53rd Frontier Jäger Companies
had initially the strength of
9 + 55 + 347 = 411 men.
.
Frontier Jäger Companies and Detachments
(1941 - 1942)
(from
south to north)
Commanding HQ
Finnish Name (and Abbreviation)
(Name in English) |
Company
Chief |
.
. |
Rank |
Name |
| Hangon
Ryhmä (HR) (Hanko Group) 11.
Rajajääkärikomppania (11.Rj.K)
(11th Frontier Jäger Company)
21.
Rajajääkärikomppania (21.Rj.K)
(21st Frontier Jäger Company)
31.
Rajajääkärikomppania (31.Rj.K)
(31st Frontier Jäger Company)
.
|
. Lt.
.
Capt.
.
Capt.
Lt.
|
. H. Karri
.
A.
Rautasalo
.
J.
Ränkipohja
T. Silvennoinen (?.41-)
|
| IV
Armeijakunta (IV AK) (IV Army Corps) 12.
Rajajääkärikomppania (12.Rj.K)
(12th Frontier Jäger Company)
Became 1st Coy / Frontier Jäger
Battalion 1 (1./Rj.P 1)
on 1.11.1941.
22.
Rajajääkärikomppania (22.Rj.K)
(22nd Frontier Jäger Company)
Became 2nd Coy / Frontier Jäger
Battalion 1 (2./Rj.P 1)
on 1.11.1941.
32.
Rajajääkärikomppania (32.Rj.K)
(32nd Frontier Jäger Company)
Subordinated initially to Detachment
Pallari (JR 25).
After temporary reorganization in July became 32nd
Frontier
Guard Detachment with two smaller companies
(Chiefs
Lt. Lehto and Lt. Suomalainen).
Since 20.8.1941 belonged
to Detachment Suoranta together with 42.Rj.K
and II/JR 25.
Became 2nd Coy / Frontier Jäger
Battalion 5 (2./Rj.P 5)
on 26.2.1942.
.
V
Armeijakunta (V AK) (V Army Corps) (-30.6.1941)
Moved on 30.6.41 and re-named as VII AK.
42.
Rajajääkärikomppania (42.Rj.K)
(42nd Frontier Jäger Company)
Moved to IV AK on
30.6.1941. Subordinated to Detachment
Pallari (JR 25 / 10.D). Since 20.8.1941
belonged to
Detachment Suoranta together with 32.Rj.K
and II/JR 25.
Became 3rd Coy / Frontier Jäger Battalion 5 (3./Rj.P
5)
on 26.2.1942
52.
Rajajääkärikomppania (52.Rj.K)
(52nd Frontier Jäger Company)
Moved to IV AK on
30.6.1941. Initially subordinated to 10.D,
since early July 1941 to 12.D.
Became 3rd Coy / Frontier Jäger
Battalion 1 (3./Rj.P 1)
on 1.11.1941.
.
|
. Capt.
Lt.
.
.
Capt.
.
Lt.
.
Capt.
Lt.
Lt.
Lt.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Lt./Capt.(-)
Lt.
Lt.
2Lt.
Lt.
.
.
Capt.
.
Lt.
|
. E. Larinen (WIA)
T. Susi (23.8.-1.11.41)
.
.
E.
Hyttinen (-8.41 WIA,
?.-1.11.41)
V. Mirhola (acting ?.8.-?.41)
.
T.
Salske (-> CO II/Kev.JR 4)
?. Saarinen (7.41-)
K. Lehto (11.41-)
Y. Kärkkäinen (?.-26.2.42)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
V.
Linnakallio (KIA)
U. Liira (acting 8.11.41-)
E. Uuttu (11.41- KIA)
T. Pukka (acting 4.1.42-)
A. Mäkinen (10.1.-26.2.42)
.
.
I.
Inomaa (-> CO II/Kev.JR
4,
?.-1.11.41)
?. Huotari (27.8.-?.41)
|
| II
Armeijakunta (II AK) (II Army Corps) 13.
Rajajääkärikomppania (13.Rj.K)
(13th Frontier Jäger Company)
Subordinated to 18.D. On 15.7.1941
became 1st Coy /
Separate Frontier Jäger Battalion (1./Er.RajaJP).
On 1.11.
1941 became 1st Coy / Frontier Jäger
Battalion 2 (1./Rj.P 2).
23.
Rajajääkärikomppania (23.Rj.K)
(23rd Frontier Jäger Company)
Subordinated to III/JR 17.
On 15.7.1941 became 2nd Coy /
Separate Frontier Jäger Battalion (2./Er.RajaJP).
On 1.11.
1941 became 2nd Coy / Frontier Jäger
Battalion 2 (2./Rj.P 2).
33.
Rajajääkärikomppania (33.Rj.K)
(33rd Frontier Jäger Company)
Subordinated to 15.D. On 15.7.1941
became 3rd Coy /
Separate Frontier Jäger Battalion (3./Er.RajaJP).
On 1.11.
1941 became 3rd Coy / Frontier Jäger
Battalion 2 (3./Rj.P 2).
53.
Rajajääkärikomppania (53.Rj.K)
(53rd Frontier Jäger Company)
Subordinated to 2.D. Formed
Detachment Avela between
30.6. - 9.7.1941 with PPK/JR 7 and 2./KTR
15. On
15.7.1941 became 4th Coy / Separate Frontier
Jäger
Battalion (4./Er.RajaJP) until 1.11.1941
after which was
moved to East Karelia on 2.11. Became later
company
of Frontier Jäger Battalion 4 (Rj.P 4).
43rd
Rajajääkärikomppania (43.Rj.K)
(43rd Frontier Jäger Company)
Moved to VII AK on
30.6.1941 and subordinated to 19.D
but returned later. Suspended at the end of
May 1942.
.
.
|
. Capt.
Lt.
Lt.
.
.
Lt.
Lt.
.
.
.
Capt.
Lt.
Lt.
.
.
Capt.
Lt.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Capt.
Lt.
.
Lt.
Lt.
|
. L.
Toiviainen
E. Simola (9.7.41-)
A. Halminen (acting 9.41,
?.-1.11.41)
.
M.
Puolakka (-?.41, 4.9.-1.11.41)
O. Ruuska (acting ?.-
4.9.41 WIA +)
.
.
Y.
Pitkänen
V. Sumu (?.41- KIA)
U. Petäjä (12.8.41-)
.
.
M.
Avela (-16.8.41)
I. Tiainen (23.8.41- ?.42)
.
.
.
.
.
.
W.
Jako (-?.41, ?.10.41-2.42)
E. Silvennoinen (?.-?.10.41,
?.-5.42)
V. Pyykkö (2.42-)
I. Saaristo (?.-?.42)
|
| VI
Armeijakunta (VI AK) (VI Army
Corps) 44. Rajajääkärikomppania (44.Rj.K)
(44th Frontier Jäger Company)
Moved from VII AK
on 30.6.1941.
.
|
. Capt.
|
. Y. Saarelainen
|
VII
Armeijakunta (VII AK) (VII Army Corps)
Former V AK, re-named
and moved to another location on
30.6.1941.14. Rajajääkärikomppania
(14.Rj.K)
(14th Frontier Jäger Company)
44.
Rajajääkärikomppania (44.Rj.K)
(44th Frontier Jäger Company)
Moved to VI AK on 30.6.1941.
.
|
.
.
.Capt.
Lt.
Capt.
|
.
.
.O. Korhonen
E. Rainola (?.41-)
Y.
Saarelainen (-30.6.41)
|
| Ryhmä
Oinonen (RO) (Group Oinonen) 24.
Rajajääkärikomppania (24.Rj.K)
(24th Frontier Jäger Company)
Became 1st Coy / Frontier Jäger
Battalion 5 (1./Rj.P 5)
on 26.2.1942
.
|
. Maj.
Lt.
Lt.
|
. V. Kivikko
A. Mäkinen (?-)
E. Siippola (?-26.2.42)
|
| 14.Divisioona
(14.D) (14th
Division) 34. Rajajääkärikomppania (34.Rj.K)
(34th Frontier Jäger Company)
15.
Rajajääkärikomppania (15.Rj.K)
(15th Frontier Jäger Company)
.
|
. Capt.
Lt.
Capt.
-
|
. A. Seitamo
J. Heinonen (?.41-)
J.
Kekkonen (WIA +)
? (7.41-)
|
| III
Armeijakunta (III AK) (III Army Corps) 25.
Rajajääkärikomppania (25.Rj.K)
(25th Frontier Jäger Company)
Belonged to Detachment Halonen (Os.H)
/ Group F.
.
.
.
.
35.
Rajajääkärikomppania (35.Rj.K) (- 7.12.1941)
(35th Frontier Jäger Company)
Belonged to Group J. On 1.7.1941
I Platoon / Rj.K 35
was subordinated to Finnish 6.D /
XXXVI AK (German).
On 7.12.1941 became 35th Frontier Jäger
Detachment
(35.RajaJOs.).
.
.
.
Detachments
of 35.Rj.K were:
- Osasto / Detachment Sylvin (Salonen)
.
- Osasto / Detachment Puupponen (Terho)
.
- Joukue / Platoon Pessi
35.
Rajajääkäriosasto (35.RajaJOs.) (7.12.1941
- 20.7.1942)
(35th Frontier Jäger Detachment)
Temporary unit formed on 7.12.1941
with HQ and two
companies (Chiefs Lt. K. Pessi and Lt. E.
Säärelä, since
20.4.42 Lt. P. Salonen and Lt. U.
Aaltonen). Became bulk
of the Frontier Jäger Battalion 8 (RajaJP
8) on 21.7.1942.
.
.
.
|
. Lt.
2Lt.
.
2Lt.
.
Capt./Maj.
(27.1.42)
Capt.
.
.
Lt.
Capt.
.
2Lt.
Lt.
Lt.
.
Lt.
Lt.
2Lt.
Capt.
Lt.
Capt.
Capt.
Capt.
.
Lt.
.
Capt.
Capt.
|
. N. Kyander (KIA)
P. Kesti (acting 1.7.-4.7.41 WIA,
?.7.-23.7.41 KIA)
N. Kärnä (acting 4.7.-?.7.41,
23.7.41-)
V. Halonen (?.7.41-17.4.42
+)
.
B.
Breitholtz (-1.7.41 -> I/JR 53)
(without Company Chief between
1.7. - ?.41)
T. Seppälä (?.41-)
T. Terho (19.8.-12.9.41 WIA,
?.9.-21.11., 7.12.41)
P. Tala (acting 12.9.41-)
P. Salonen (acting 12.9.-?.9.41)
K. Pessi (?.10.41-)
.
Br. Sylvin (1.7.41-)
P. Salonen (10.7.41-)
O. Puupponen (1.7.41-)
T. Terho (1.7.41-)
K. Pessi (1.7-14.8.41)
K.
Terho (7.12.41-)
A. Koskivirta (25.1.42-)
L. Ollitervo (1.3.-2.5.42
WIA,
?.6.-7.7.42)
U. Aaltonen (acting 2.5.-?.5.42,
7.7.-20.7.42)
C. Palmroth (acting ?.5.42-)
M. Ilveskorpi (acting 13.6.-?.6.42)
|
.
Frontier Guard Jäger
Companies Subordinated to Germans
. |
| XXXVI
Armee-Korps Rajajääkärikomppania
Säärelä (Rj.K Säärelä)
(Frontier Jäger Company Säärelä)
Temporary company formed from the I
Platoon / Rj.K 35
at the beginning of July 1941. Secured southern
flank of
Finnish 6.D. On 26.10.1941 company was
subordinated to
I/JR 53 together with its parent company
Rj.K 35.
46.
Rajajääkärikomppania (46.Rj.K)
(46th Frontier Jäger Company)
16.
Rajajääkärikomppania (16.Rj.K)
(16th Frontier Jäger Company)
26.
Rajajääkärikomppania (26.Rj.K)
(26th Frontier Jäger Company)
.
|
. Lt.
.
.
.
.
.
Lt.
.
Capt.
.
Capt.
|
. E.
Säärelä (7.41-)
.
.
.
.
.
O.
Olkku
.
M.
Keränen
.
V.
Seppälä
|
| Gebirgs-Armee-Korps
Norwegen 36. Rajajääkärikomppania
(36.Rj.K)
(36th Frontier Jäger Company)
.
|
. Capt.
Lt.
|
. M. Tiitola
P. Kiiveri (10./11.41-)
|
.
.
.
[ Frontier Jäger Troops 1942 - 1944 ]
.
.
.
Sources: PELSA1, KILPE1, NAREI1, PURAI1, KARVE2,
KOSPO, JATHI, SAAEE1
.
.
|
