1941 - 1944

Viestitiedustelutoimisto (Tied. 2)
(Signals Intelligence Office)

Mikkeli

Päällikkö / Chief
Maj./Lt.Col.(10.41)/Col.(8.44) R. Hallamaa

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Supreme HQ Radio Battalion was formed on 18.6.1941. Signals Intelligence Office (Tied. 2) of Supreme HQ was the Battalion Staff. Initially battalion consisted of four specialized wireless intelligence signals companies of which one was motorized while Depot Company maintained and developed wireless equipment. Also several independent wireless listening and directing stations as well as a Special Detchment for opening encrypted foreign diplomat messages belonged to the battalion.

Maximum strength of the battalion was about 1.500 men and women in 1942. By May 1944 personnel had decreased to 1.000 men and women (Lottas) because original 4th Company had been attached to Separate Battalion 4 on 1.8.1943 and Air Force Radio Intelligence Company was expanded and became independent battalion. About 20% of personnel were women, usually higher trained ones. Battalion was practically unarmed because many units were armed only with pistols and a few rifles.
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Esikunta / Päämajan radiopataljoona (E/PM Rad.P)
(Staff / Supreme HQ Radio Battalion)
Maj./Lt.Col.(11.10.41) R. Hallamaa, 6.6.1944- Cmd. Pekka Visa
----- Komentoesikunta / Command Staff Mikkeli
----- Huoltoesikunta / Supply Staff Helsinki (Munkkiniemi)

Special Detachment (Special Detachment) (personnel 40 [in May 1944]) Mikkeli
Lt./Capt. Arvo Paasonen
----- Diplomaattiavaus (Diplomat Opening)
----- ----- - opening of foreign diplomat wirelss messages

1. Komppania (1.K) (1st Company) (150 -> 11.41- 10)
Lt. R. Sopanen, 11.41- Lt. G. Jalava, ?- V. Lotsari
Sääminki (Rauhanlinna), 11.41- Sortavala
----- Maaryhmä (Land Group) (6.-11.41)
----- ----- - listening of radio messages of Soviet land forces
----- Kuuntelijoiden koulutus (Training of listening operators) (11.41 - 44)

2. Komppania (2.K) (2nd Company) (120 -> 11.41- 330 -> 10.5.44- 250)
Capt. L. Pakarinen, 11.41- Capt. Y.Palko, ?- Lt.Cmd. Pekka Visa,
6.6.44- Lt.Cmd. Paavo Visa
Kauniainen, 11.41- Sortavala (Vaalijala)
----- Meriryhmä (Naval Group) 6.-11.41
----- ----- - listening of radio messages of soviet naval forces
----- Radiotiedustelukeskus (RTK) (Radio Intelligence Center) (11.41 - 44)
----- ----- - general intelligence: listening of radio messages of Soviet land and naval forces

3. Komppania (3.K) "MOTO" (3rd Company) (motorized) (230)
Lt./Capt. H. Sysimetsä, ?- Lt./Capt. T. Kylmäoja, ?- Lt./Capt. A. Nuotio
Immola, 9.9.41- Pitkäranta, 20.10.41- Äänislinna (Petrozavodsk), 1.6.42- Karhumäki, 6.44- Hammaslahti, ?.44- Sääminki
----- ----- - equipped in June and July 1941 as a motorized moving radio intelligence company,
----- ----- --initially with two Separate Listening Platoons [Erillinen kuuntelujoukkue] and
----- ----- --a Bearing Squad [Peilausryhmä]

----- I Joukkue (I J, Motti 1) (I Platoon) (25)
----- 2Lt. V. Snellman, 2Lt. T. Äyräpää, ?- Lt. M. Äyräpää
----- Karelian Isthmus, Olonets, ?.42- Karhumäki, Maaselkä, Paatene, Rukajärvi

----- II Joukkue (II J, Motti 2) (II Platoon) (25)
----- 2Lt. L. Kahrola, ?- Lt. M. Äyräpää, ?- Lt. A. Ekerodde
----- 42- Liistepohja, Paatene, Uhtua

----- III Joukkue (III J, Motti 3) (III Platoon) (?.42- 25)
----- ?.42- Lt. P. koskenvaara, ?- Lt. R. Väänänen
----- 42- Voznesenja, Syväri (Podporoze), Ilomantsi

----- Peilausryhmä (Bearing Squad) (-?.41 ?)
----- 2Lt. S. Leskinen
----- Suspended later in 1941.

4. Komppania (4.K) (4th Company) (-1.8.43 65, new 4th Coy 10.5.44- 80)
-1.8.43 Capt. M. Vihuri, 10.5.44- Lt.Cmd. A. Tunkelo
41 - 1.8.43 Mikkeli, 10.5.44- Hamina
----- Kaukopartioiden viestiyhteydet (Wireless connections of long-range patrols) (41 - 1.8.43)
----- ----- - radio connections with friendly long-range patrols, on 1.8.1943 was attached to
----- ----- --Separate Battalion 4 (Er.P 4)
----- Meriryhmä (Naval Group) (10.5.44-)
----- ----- - new 4th Company was formed from RTK for listening radio messages of
------- ----- Soviet naval forces

5. Komppania (5.K) (5th Company) (90) (7.2.42-)
Capt. V. Saarman
7.2.42- Otaniemi, ?.44- Kauniainen
Formed on 7.2.1942.
----- Diplomaattikuuntelu (Diplomat Listening)
----- ----- - listening of foreign diplomat long-wave wireless messages

6. Komppania (6.K) (6th Company) (258) (21.10.42 - 15.3.44)
Ilmavoimien radiotiedustelukomppania (IV.Rad.K) (Air Force Radio Intelligence Company)
Capt. M. Hartikainen
21.10.42- Taavetti, ?- Lahdenpohja
Subordinated to PM Rad.P between 21.10.1942 - 15.3.1944.
------ ----- - listening of radio messages of Soviet air force and naval air force,
------ ------- on 15.3.1944 expanded to independent Air Force Radio Battalion (Ilmav.Rad.P)

Varikkokomppania (Var.K) (Depot Company) (70)
Capt. R. Lautkari
Munkkiniemi (Helsinki), 6.44- Nurmijärvi

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Sources: PALAH, JATHI
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