IN WINTER WAR 1939 - 1940

Kannaksen Armeija (Kan.A)
([Karelian] Isthmus Army)

I Armeijakunta (I AK) (I Army Corps)
Formed on 25.2.1940.

II Armeijakunta (II AK) (II Army Corps)
.

III Armeijakunta (III AK) (III Army Corps)

IV Armeijakunta (IV AK) (IV Army Corps)

Ryhmä Talvela (RT) (Group Talvela)

Pohjois-Suomen Ryhmä (P-SR)
(North Finland Group)

Lapin Ryhmä (LR) (Lapland Group)
.

Col.
.

Lt.Col.
.

Col.
Col.

Col.

Col.

Maj.

Capt.
.

Maj.

E. Melin
.

B. Kraemer (25.2.40-)
.

C. Schauman
K. Julenius (20.2.40-)

W. Häkli (30.11.39-)

A. Snellman

K. Rauramo (5.2.40-)

R. Hirva ("liaison officer")
.

A. Mäki (-2.40)

Artillery Units

The basic unit of the Finnish Field Artillery was a four gun Battery [Patteri, Ptri] which consisted of two Sections [Jaos] of two guns. Sometimes battery could have less (usually two or three) or more guns (up to six). There were also various independent light Separate Batteries [Erillinen patteri, Er.Ptri]. Cavalry Brigade was supported by a horse-drawn light battery called Riding Battery [Ratsastava patteri, Rats.Ptri] equipped with four short cannons.

Light Artillery Battalion [Patteristo, Psto] had three or sometimes only two batteries. Two batteries were to be equipped with light cannons and third battery had usually light howitzers, but in fact - due to the lack of artillery pieces - many of them were were inproperly equipped, equipped with any available mixed pieces or initially completely without weapons.

Heavy artillery was organized into separate Heavy Artillery Battalions [Raskas patteristo, Rask.Psto] or Separate Heavy Batteries [Erillinen raskas patteri, Er.Rask.Ptri]. A single Super Heavy Battery 1 [Erillinen järeä patteri 1, Er.Jär.Ptri 1] was formed during the war but it was without vehicles and could not be move to the front. Separate units belonged to the Field Artillery of Supreme HQ or army corps level field artillery. They were further subordinated to the units defending the most dangerous sectors or for counter-battery duties.

Divisional Field Artillery Regiment [Kenttätykistörykmentti, KTR] equipped with light cannons and howitzers consisted of three (or sometimes only two) light artillery battalions. During Winter War there were also a few separate field artillery regiments.

Artillery Group [Tykistöryhmä, TR] was a temporary artillery detachment composed of various artillery units usually under the commander of field artillery regiment or artillery battalion depending on the size of the artillery group. Artillery units were always assigned under the command of local Artillery Commander [Tykistökomentaja]. In divisions artillery commander was the commander of field artillery regiment.
.

Side-guns

The lack of ammunition and long-range artillery led to the use of obsolescent guns without recoil system. These were used as additional "side-guns" to save primary ammunition and gun barrels. Certain artillery battalions even had separate gun crews for these guns and they formed an additional named battery (usually fourth battery).
.

Towing of Guns

Most Finnish batteries were towed by horses and only a few separate units were motorized with trucks or a few old Pavesi artillery tractors. Additional units with side-guns didn't have any vehicles of their own and had to rely on help of other units to move their guns.
.

Gun Crews

When the artillery units were rapidly expanded and new units formed in autumn 1939 also the lack of trained gun crews became obvious. Thus many infantry reservists usually of older age classes noticed to be in a new unknown arm. The so called Special Training [Ylimääräiset harjoitukset, YH] period before the war removed the most serious defects in training and mixed equipment. Anyway the variety of many completely different kind of gun models didn't make the life of artillery officers and NCOs too easy.
.

New Calculating and Fire Directing Methods

During the 1920's and 30's new simple but very effective calculating and fire directing methods were developed in Finland to direct artillery fire much faster and more accurately than ever before. This not only saved both guns and ammunition but increased dramatically the effect of the Finnish field artillery allowing to fire short concentrated salvoes of the whole field artillery battalion anywhere in the battlefield and even close to own troops. The purpose was to demoralize enemy and decrease its willingness to fight.

In practice battery was the basic firing unit. Alone the lack of ammuniton forced to do so but also weak field telephone connections and lack of radios were serious defects. More effective fire directing would have needed well working connections.

I Psto (Capt. H. Hukki,
9.2.40- Lt. M. Ahonen)
.

II Psto
(Maj. V. Idänpään-Heikkilä)
.

III Psto (Maj. K. Lauste)
.
.

11.D -> 2.D
KTR 11 -> 2 (Lt.Col. T. Haaki)

I Psto (Capt. H. Linnapuomi,
16.2.40-
Capt. B. Indrenius-Zalewski)

II Psto (Capt. J. Leimu)
.
.

III Psto (Capt. E. Kronholm)
.

6.D -> 3.D
KTR 6 -> 3 (Lt.Col. E. Heimolainen)

I Psto (Capt. U. Petäjä)
.
.

II Psto (Capt. A. Ilva)
.

III Psto (/ KTR 6) (-24.2.40
Capt. A. Valla)
.

III Psto (/ KTR 3) (24.2.40-
Maj. L. Vahe)

4.D
KTR 4 (Maj./Lt.Col. L. Klärich)

I Psto (Capt. A. Kokko)
.

II Psto (Capt. E. Vara)
.
.

III Psto (Capt. M. Parviainen)
.

5.D
KTR 5 (Lt.Col. O. Sippola)

I Psto (Capt. J. Saikku)
.
.

II Psto (Capt. A. Kervinen,
3.3.40- Capt. V. Torpo)

III Psto (Maj. A. Mäkiprosi)

10.D -> 7.D
KTR 10 -> 7 (Lt.Col./Col.
T. Sarparanta)

I Psto (Capt. T. Siltanen)
.

II Psto (Capt. A. Niemi)
.

III Psto (Capt. U. Merenheimo)
.

8.D
KTR 8 (Lt.Col. B. Kraemer,
24.2.40- Maj. G. Lucander)

I Psto (Capt. K. Öist)
.

II Psto (Capt. P. Aalto)
.

III Psto (Capt. L. Kaje)
.

9.D
- (Artillery Commander / 9.D:
22.12.39- Maj. G. Ahlholm,
10.2.40- Capt. R. Hirva)

I Psto / KTR 9 (Maj. G. Ahlholm,
19.1.40- Capt. O. Nousiainen,
10.2.40- Capt. R. Hirva)
.
.
.

II Psto / KTR 9 (?.12.39-
Capt. M. Hilkemaa)

6.Ptri / KTR 9 (-8.2.40
Lt. I. Heimo)
.

III Psto / KTR 9 (16.12.39-
Capt. V. Lehvä)
.
.
.

12.D
KTR 12 (Maj./Lt.Col. P. Palletvuori)

I Psto (Capt. J. Laurikainen)
.

II Psto (Capt. P. Turpeinen)

5.Ptri / KTR 12
(Lt. B. Krook)
.
.

III Psto (Capt. P. Suominen,
4.12.39- Capt. E. Väänänen)

13.D
KTR 13 (Lt.Col. V. Simolin)

I Psto (Capt. K. Alm)
.

II Psto (Capt. E. Hartikainen)
.

III Psto (Maj. A. Väinämö)
.
.

Group Talvela (RT)
KTR 14 (6.3.40-
Maj. K. Rauramo)

I Psto (24.2.40- Capt. A. Valla)
.

II Psto (24.2.40-
Capt. R. Penttinen)

III Psto (2.3.40- Capt. R. Wirkki)

(Separate)
KTR 15 (Without Commander)
.

1.T-D -> 21.D
T-KTR 1 -> KTR 21 (19.1.40-
Maj. B. Heimolainen)

I Psto (19.1.40-
Capt. W. Paischeff,
18.2.40- Capt. H. Hukki)

II Psto (19.1.40-
Maj. B. Heimolainen,
14.2.40- Capt. V. Tiittanen)

III Psto (28.2.40-
Capt. E. Lagerlöf)

2.T-D -> (Separate)
T-KTR 2 -> KTR 22 (?)

I Psto / KTR 22
(Capt. P. Hinnerichsen)
.
.
.
.
.

II Psto / KTR 22 (15.1.40- ?)

3.T-D -> 23.D
T-KTR 3 -> KTR 23 (?.40-
Maj. L. Harvila)

I Psto (25.1.40- Capt. T. Glantz)
.

II Psto (25.1.40-
Capt. P. Mäkinen)

III Psto (?.40- Capt. S. Nyman)

RPr. (Cavalry Brigade)
Ratsastava patteri (Rats.Ptri)
(Riding Battery)
(Capt. T. Swendelin)
.

8 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/09
.

8 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/10
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8 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/09
.

.
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8 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/10
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8 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/10
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8 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/10

.
.

8 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/09
.

8 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/09

8 - 76 K/02
4 - 76 K/22
.

(See Er.Psto 4)
.

.
.

8 - 76 K/02
4 - 76 K/23

8 - 76 K/02
1 - 122 H/09
3 - 122 H/10

8 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/10

.
.

8 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/09
.

8 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/09

12 - 76 K/02

.
.
.

8 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/10

8 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/10

8 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/10

.
.
.

8 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/10

8 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/10

8 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/10

.
.
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8 - 75 K/02
.
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(Without guns)
.

4 - 105 VH/10
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(Without guns)
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12 - 76 LK/13
.

8 - 76 LK/13

4 - 76 LK/13
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12 - 76 LK/13
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12 - 76 K/00
.

8 - 76 K/02
4 - 76 K/00

8 - 76 K/02
4 - 76 LK/13
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-
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-
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-

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-
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(Without guns)
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(Without guns)
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(Without guns)
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(Without guns)
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(Without guns)

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(Without guns)
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(Without guns)
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(Without guns)

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4 - 76 LK/13

4 - 75 K/97 *
4 - 76 K/02
3 - 122 H/09

4 - 75 K/97 *
4 - 76 K/02
3 - 122 H/10

4 - 75 K/97 *
6 - 76 K/02
.

.
.

8 - 75 K/02
4 - 76 K/02
(4 - 90 K/77)

7 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/10
(3 - 107 K/77)

8 - 75 K/02
4 - 76 K/02

.
.

4 - 76 K/02
3 - 122 H/09
(8 - 90 K/77)

4 - 76 K/02
3 - 122 H/09

(See I / KTR 22)
.
.

9 - 76 LK/13
.

.
.

10 - 76 K/02
.

6 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/09
.

7 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/09

.
.

8 - 76 K/02
1 - 122 H/09
(8 - 90 K/77)

7 - 76 K/02
3 - 122 H/09

9 - 76 K/02

.
.
.

6 - 76 K/02
3 - 122 H/10

7 - 76 K/02
3 - 122 H/10

6 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/10

.
.
.

6 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/10

6 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/10

6 - 76 K/02
4 - 122 H/10

.
.
.
.

12 - 75 K/02
.
.
.
.
.

11 - 75 K/01
.

(See I/KTR 22)
.
.

4 - 76 K/36
4 - 122 H/10-30
.
.
.

.
.

12 - 76 LK/13
(2 - 90 K/77)

8 - 76 LK/13

(See II/KTR 14)
.
.
.

12 - 76 LK/13
.

.
.

8 - 76 K/00
4 - 76 K/36

8 - 76 K/02
4 - 76 K/36

4 - 76 K/02
4 - 76 LK/13
3 - 122 H/09

.
.
.

8 - 76 K/02
4 - 76 K/22

8 - 76 LK/13
.

12 - 120 H/13 *

.
24 - 84 K/18 *
.

.
.
.

8 - 76 K/36
.
.

8 - 75 K/40 Arg
4 - 76 K/36
(4 - 90 K/77)

12 - 75 K/02 *
.

.
.

12 - 76 RK/27
(3 - 87 K/95)
.
.
.
.
.

12 - 114 H/18 *

.
.
.

11 - 114 H/18
.

12 - 114 H/18
.

12 - 75 K/02 *

.
4 - 76 LK/13

Initially Muolaa Group.
Originally Psto / 1.Pr.
(Artillery Battalion / 1st Brigade).

Initially Lipola Group.
Originally Psto / 2.Pr.
(Artillery Battalion / 2nd Brigade).

Initially Rautu Group.
Originally Psto / 3.Pr.
(Artillery Battalion / 3rd Brigade).

Unit numbers changed on
1.1.1940.

.
.
.

.
.
(107 K/77-ptrik)

.
.

Unit numbers changed on
1.1.1940.

.
.
.

.
.

Detachment Hanell, Turku, Hanko
-> Group Talvela, Tolvajärvi.
On 24.2.1940 re-named as I/KTR 14.

Er.Psto 4 was in place of III/KTR 6,
re-named as a III/KTR 3 on ?.3.1940.

.
.

.
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.
.
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.
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Unit numbers changed on
1.1.1940.
.

.
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.
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.
.

.
In practice Staff (E/KTR 9) was
never fully operational.
.

Initially two motorized batteries.
Detachment Hanell, Turku. 2nd Bty
arrived in Suomussalmi on 16.12.,
1st Bty and E/KTR 9 on 18.12.1939.
3rd Bty moved to Kuhmo on 19.12.
2nd Bty stayed at Suomussalmi.

Equipped on 3.3.1940 including new
6th Bty, without vehicles.

On 18.12.1939 at Salla.
Re-equipped in February 1940.
-> 8.2.1940- 1./KTR 22.

9th Bty -> 2nd Mortar Coy / IR 64.
Equipped on 12.1.1940 and moved
to Kuhmo. 7th Bty without guns.
New 9th Bty used one or two and
since 24.2. three howitzers.

.
.

Guns without recoil system
temporarily only.

In practice only two batteries.

Since 1.12.1939 separate battery
at Tolvajärvi. On 11.12. attached to
III/KTR 6 and on 24.2.1940 to
II/KTR 14 at Ilomantsi.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

On 24.2.1940 9./KTR 13 was
attached to II/KTR 14. New 9th
Bty was formed with howitzers.

.
Formed on 6.3.1940.
.

Former III/KTR 6.
.

Composed of 5./KTR 12 and
9./KTR 13. Two batteries only.

Formed on 2.3.1940. Training.

.
New planned unit with only two
artillery battalions. Training.

Re-named on 1.1.1940.
.
.

Re-named on 16.2.1940.
.
.

Re-named on 1.1.1940.
Operational in March 1940.
.

Formed on 28.2.1940 and equipped
in March. Training.

2.T-D was suspended on 1.1.1940.
T-KTR 2 was re-named on 1.1.1940.

Subordinated to Lapland Group at
Salla. On 24.1.1940 two batteries
equipped with 8 guns. On 4.2.1940
re-named as I/KTR 22. Re-equipped
6./KTR 9 was attached on 8.2.1940.
Moved to Bay of Vyborg by 5.3.1940
with two batteries (- 2nd Bty).

Training.

Re-named on 1.1.1940.
.
.

Formed in 1939 as III/T-KTR 2.
Equipped in March 1940.

Formed on 15.1.1940.
Equipped in March 1940.

Equipped in March 1940.

.
Initially Uusikirkko Group.

2. Erillinen patteri (2.Er.Ptri)
(2nd Separate Battery)
(Lt. I. Salo)

3. Erillinen patteri (3.Er.Ptri)
(3rd Separate Battery)
(Capt. E. Korpikoski)

4. Erillinen patteri (4.Er.Ptri)
(4th Separate Battery)
(Capt. I. Laulajainen)

5. Erillinen patteri (5.Er.Ptri)
(5th Separate Battery)
(Lt. P. Autio)

Erillinen patteristo 4 (Er.Psto 4)
(Separate Artillery Battalion 4)
(-?.3.1940 Maj. L. Vahe)

3. Erillinen raskas patteri
(3.Er.Rask.Ptri)
(3rd Separate Heavy Battery)
(?)

Raskas patteristo 1 (Rask.Psto 1)
(Heavy Artillery Battalion 1)
(Maj. H. von Konow)

Raskas patteristo 2 (Rask.Psto 2)
(Heavy Artillery Battalion 2)
(Maj. G. Lucander,
24.2.40- ?)

Raskas patteristo 3 (Rask.Psto 3)
(Heavy Artillery Battalion 3)
(?,
14.12.39- Capt. S. Gyllenbögel)

Raskas patteristo 4 (Rask.Psto 4)
(Heavy Artillery Battalion 4)
(Maj. E. Ulfsson)

Raskas patteristo 5 (Rask.Psto 5)
(Heavy Artillery Battalion 5)
(8.12.39- Capt. L. Hammarén)

Raskas patteristo 6 (Rask.Psto 6)
(Heavy Artillery Battalion 6)
(10.1.40- Maj. B. Marnila)

Raskas patteristo 7 (Rask.Psto 7)
(Heavy Artillery Battalion 7)
(5.3.40- Maj. K. Hansen [Swe])

1.Ptri / Rask.Psto 7
(1st Battery /
Heavy Artillery Battalion 7)
(12.39- Lt. E. Sandbacka,
officially Lt. S. Rahmqvist [Swe])
.
.

Raskas patteristo 8 (Rask.Psto 8)
(Heavy Artillery Battalion 8)
(?)

Raskas patteristo 9 (Rask.Psto 9)
(Heavy Artillery Battalion 9)
(?)

Järeä patteristo 1 (Jär.Psto 1)
(Super Heavy Artillery Battalion 1)
(?)

1.Ptri / Jär.Psto 1
(Capt. S. DItzinger [Swe])
.

6 - 87 K/95
.
.

4 - 76 LK/13
.
.

4 - 76 LK/13
.
.

4 - 87 K/95-R
.
.

12 - 76 LK/13
.
.

4 - 152 H/15
.
.
.

8 - 107 K/10
2 - 107 K/13
.

12 - 150 H/14 J
.
.
.

8 - 152 H/17
4 - 107 K/77-piirk.
.
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8 - 152 H/10
.
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12 - 152 K/77
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-

4 - 87 K/95
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4 - 76 LK/13
.
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4 - 76 LK/13
.
.

2 - 87 K/95-R
.
.

(See III/KTR 3)
.
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4 - 152 H/15
.
.
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12 - 105 K/13 *
.
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12 - 155 H/15 *
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.
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8 - 152 H/17
2 - 107 K/77-piirk.
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8 - 152 H/10
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12 - 152 K/77
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12 - 150 H/06
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8 - 105 K/34 *
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1 - 105 K/34
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12 - 155 H/15 *
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12 - 105 K/13 *
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(Partly equipped)
.
.

4 - 210 H/17 *

Initially Metsäpirtti Group.
Subordinated to KTR 10 / 10.D
(later KTR 7 / 7.D)

Initially Karelian Group.
.
.

North Karelian Group (P-KR).
At Lieksa. On 29.12.1939
arrived in Kuhmo.

Petsamon patteri (Petsamo
Battery). Subordinated to 10th
Separate Coy (Os. Pennanen).

Subordinated to Lipola Group
and 6./3.D. Originally Psto/4.Pr.,
-> III/KTR 3 since ?.3.1940.

Motorized. Originally known
as 3./Rask.Psto 4 (3rd Bty /
Heavy Artillery Battalion 4).
.

Subordinated to Uusikirkko
Group and 5.D. Re-equipping at
Vaasa since late February 1940.

Subordinated to 5.D. Lost 11 of
its guns on 10.2.1940. Under
re-forming and re-equipping.
.

Subordinated to 5.D. 1st and
2nd Bty were motorized with
Pavesi tractors.
.

Two batteries only because its
third battery acted separately
as 3rd Separate Heavy Battery.

(120 pud barrel version)
Formed officially on 8.12.1939.
.

Formed on 10.1.1940.
.
.

Two motorized batteries under
forming and training at Vaasa.
Combat-ready on 12.3.1940.

1st Separate Motorized Heavy
Cannon Battery was formed in
late December 1939. Equipped
with four guns on 6.1.1940. Re-
named in January 1940. Four
barrel damages between 13.2.-
2.3.1940 due to wrong powder.

Formed in March 1940. Training.
.
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Formed in March 1940. Training.
.
.

Partly without guns, equipment
and all vehicles. Training.
.

Equipped already in February
1940 but without towing vehicles.