Winter War
During the Winter War Sissi [Guerrilla]
Battalion (Sissipataljoona, SP) was a lightened
infantry battalion formed from the "additional
personnel". Unlike typical Finnish infantry
battalions sissi battalion didn't have HQ and MG
companies and its strength was only about half of the
ordinary infantry battalion. All five battalions formed
during the Winter War had partly over-aged personnel and
very weak equipment. Some of the battalions were
suspended already before the end of the Winter War and
their personnel was used in supplementing other units.
.
Sissi Battalion 1939 - 1940
Sissi Battalion 1 (Sissipataljoona1,
SP 1) which fought at Suomussalmi direction was organized
as follows:
.
Pataljoonankomentaja
/ Battalion Commander
Esikunta (E/SP) (HQ)
Adjutant,
Gas Protection Officer, Signals Officer, Supply
Officer,
Physician, Military Pastor
Komentojoukkue (Kom.J) (Command
Platoon)
.....
Komentoryhmä
(Kom.R) (Command Squad)
..... Lääkintäryhmä (Lääk.R) (Medical Squad)
..... Toimitusryhmä (Toim.R) (Delivery Squad)
1. Sissikomppania (1.SK) (1st Sissi
Company)
.....
Komentoryhmä
(Kom.R) (Command Squad)
.....
I
- III Joukkue (I - III J) (I - III
Platoon)
.....
Toimitusjoukkue
(Toim.J) (Delivery Platoon)
2. Sissikomppania (2.SK) (2nd Sissi
Company) (Similar to 1st Sissi Company.)
3. Sissikomppania (3.SK) (3rd Sissi
Company) (Similar to 1st Sissi Company.)
.
Detachment H / Sissi Battalion 5
Volunteer Detachment H (Osasto H,
Os.H) commanded by Maj.(Med.) V. Hämäläinen
was formed early in December 1939 at Kemi, North Finland.
Its strength was initially only 3 officers + 3 NCOs + 85
men = 91 men. Most volunteers were Karelians or Ingrians
who had arrived in Finland during and after the Russian
Civil War. Most men had not served in the Finnish
Army but many belonged to Civil Guard. All
officers and NCOs were Finns. On 19.12.1939 Home
Troops Staff (KotiJE) ordered to send all volunteer
soldiers born in East Karelia and Ingermanland (Ingria)
to Os.H.
Sissi Battalion 5 (Sissipataljoona
5, SP 5) was formed from the Detachment H on 23.12.1939
having two not full companies with 225 men. By the end of
1939 SP 5 had received a lot more men and its
strength was already 12 officers + 33 NCOs + 322 men =
367 men. Battalion consisted of HQ (E/SP 5),
three Rifle Companies, Signals Detachment,
Special Training Detachment (Erikoiskoulutusosasto,
Erik.Koul.Os.) and a Replacements Detachment (Täydennysosasto,
Täyd.Os.) where the over-aged men were left for home
front use. The two latter units didn't belong to the the
combat-ready battalion.
On 6.1.1940 battalion had already 13
officers + 63 NCOs + 490 men = 566 men but about half of
the soldiers didn't have proper military training which
was given at the same time unit was equipped. Members of
the Civil Guard had usually full military
equipment but others had to use what was left and found,
even their own civilian clothes under the snow suit.
Unit was initially armed with Swedish 6.5 mm
Mauser m/96 rifles for training. Before battalion left to
the front they were replaced mainly with the Mosin-Nagant
m/91 rifles while Civil Guard personnel had also
their own Finnish made weapons. Battalion was equipped
with Suomi m/31 SMGs and Lahti-Saloranta L/S-26 LMGs but
lacked Maxim MGs like also other sissi battalions. Signals
Detachment had Swedish field telephones and three
radios of which one was a so called "B radio" (for
battalion) and two amateur radios comparable to Finnish
"C radios" (for companies).
Battalion was sent to the front on 6.2.1940
and transported to Kuhmo area where it was subordinated
to 9th Division (9.D) for the rest of the war.
At that stage Sissi Battalion 5 was organized as
follows:
.
Strength (1940): 18 officers + 72 NCOs +
469 men = 559 men
.
Pataljoonankomentaja
/ Battalion Commander
Esikunta (E/SP 5) (HQ)
Pioneeriosasto (Pion.Os./SP 5) (Engineer
Detachment)
Viestiosasto (VOs./SP 5) (Signals
Detachment)
1. Kiväärikomppania (1.Kiv.K) (1st Rifle
Company)
.....
C-asema
(C-As.) (C Radio Station)
.....
Puhelinosasto
(Puh.Os.) (Telephone Detachment)
.....
I
- III Joukkue (I - III J) (I - III
Platoon)
.....
Kevyt
konekiväärijoukkue (Kev.KKJ) (LMG Platoon)
.....
Toimitusjoukkue
(Toim.J) (Delivery Platoon)
2. Kiväärikomppania (2.Kiv.K) (2nd Rifle
Company) (Similar to 1st Rifle Company.)
3. Kiväärikomppania (3.Kiv.K) (3rd Rifle
Company) (Similar to 1st Rifle Company.)
Kuormasto (Km./SP 5) (Transport
Column)
.
.
Companies of SP 5 were organized as follows:
.
Strength: 5 officers + 24 NCOs + 123 men
= 152 men
.
Komppaniapäällikkö / Company
Chief
..... Taistelulähetit / Combat
Messengers
..... Combat Messenger NCO, 2x Combat
Messenger
C-asema (C-As.) (C Radio
Station)
Signals
NCO, 3x Signals Man
Puhelinosasto (Puh.Os.) (Telephone
Detachment)
Signals
NCO, 3x Signals Man
I Joukkue (I J) (I Platoon) (1+5+32 = 38
men)
Platoon
Leader, Deputy Platoon Leader, 2x Combat Messenger
.....
1.
Kivääriryhmä (1.Kiv.R) (1st Rifle
Squad) (0+1+9 = 10 men) [Suomi m/31 SMG]
.....
2.
Kivääriryhmä (2.Kiv.R) (2nd Rifle
Squad) (Similar to 1st Rifle Squad.)
.....
3.
Kivääriryhmä (3.Kiv.R) (3rd Rifle
Squad) (Similar to 1st Rifle Squad.)
.....
Ahkioryhmä
(AhkioR) (Sledge Squad) (0+1+3 = 4)
II Joukkue (II J) (II Platoon) (Similar to I
Platoon.)
III Joukkue (III J) (III Platoon) (1+3+24 = 28
men)
Platoon
Leader, Deputy Platoon Leader, 2x Combat Messenger
.....
1.
Kivääriryhmä (1.Kiv.R) (1st Rifle
Squad) (0+1+9 = 10 men) [Suomi m/31 SMG]
.....
2.
Kivääriryhmä (2.Kiv.R) (2nd Rifle
Squad) (Similar to 1st Rifle Squad.)
.....
Ahkioryhmä
(AhkioR) (Sledge Squad) (0+1+3 = 4)
Kevyt konekiväärijoukkue (Kev.KKJ)
(Light MG Platoon) (1+2+12 = 15
men)
Platoon
Leader
.....
1.
Kevyt konekivääriryhmä (1.Kev.KKR) (1st LMG Squad)
(0+1+6
= 7 men) [L/S-26 LMG]
.....
2.
Kevyt konekivääriryhmä (2.Kev.KKR) (2nd LMG Squad)
(Similar
to 1st LMG Squad.)
Toimitusjoukkue (Toim.J) (Delivery
Platoon) (0+5+16 = 21 men)
Sergeant
Major, Clerk
.....
Lääkintäryhmä
(Lääk.R) (Medical Squad) (0+1+2 = 3 men)
.....
Medical
NCO, 2x Stretcher Bearer
.....
Ampumatarvikeryhmä
(At.R) (Ammunition Squad) (0+1+[2?] = 3
men)
.....
Ordnance
NCO, 2?x Horseman [2?x cartridge vehicle]
..... Toimitusryhmä (Toim.R) (Delivery Squad)
(0+1+[3+5?]
= 9 men)
.....
Household
NCO, Provisions Man, 2x Cook, 5?x Horseman
.....
[field
kitchen, kitchen vehicle, 2?x tent and goods vehicle,
rations vehicle]
.....
Ahkioryhmä
(AhkioR) (Sledge Squad) (0+1+3 = 4 men)
.
Sissi Battalions during the Winter
War were as follows:
Unit
Finnish Name (and Abbreviation)
(Name in English), Notes |
Battalion
Commander |
.
. |
Rank |
Name |
Sissipataljoona 1 (SP 1)
(Sissi Battalion 1)
Formed on 10.12.1939. Arrived in
Suomussalmi on 27.12.1939
and was subordinated to 9th Division (9.D)
until January 1940
after which it belonged to Detachment Kari
(Os.Kari) for the rest
of the Winter War at Raate direction.Sissipataljoona
2 (SP 2)
(Sissi Battalion 2)
Formed on 10.12.1939. Part of Detachment
P (Osasto P, Os.P).
Sissipataljoona
3 (SP 3)
(Sissi Battalion 3)
Formed on 23.12.1939.
Sissipataljoona
4 (SP 4)
(Sissi Battalion 4)
Formed on 23.12.1939.
Sissipataljoona
5 (SP 5)
(Sissi Battalion 5)
Formed on 23.12.1939 at Kemi.
Battalion fought at Kuhmo
region since February 1940 and was under the
command of
9th Division (9.D).
.
|
Capt.
.
.
.
.
.Maj.
Capt.
.
Maj.
Capt./Maj.
.
Capt.
Cav.Capt.
.
Maj.
|
S. Häkkinen (10.12.39-)
.
.
.
.
.J. Sokajärvi (10.12.39-)
Y. Saarelainen (?.40-)
.
C.-G.
Wahren (23.12.39-)
E. Sandström (?.40-)
.
W.
Vuorimaa (23.12.39- KIA)
P. Salpo (3.3.40-)
.
V.
Hämäläinen (23.12.39-)
|
.
.
Continuation War
During the Continuation War Sissi [Guerrilla]
Battalion (Sissipataljoona, SissiP) was similar to
infantry battalion. They were intended for securing and
patrolling flanks but in reality were used like other
separate battalions. Two of the battalions were suspended
already in winter 1942 and their older personnel was
disbanded and younger moved to other units. Sissi
Battalion 3 was suspended later, in June 1943, and
became I Battalion in a new 15th Brigade
(I/15.Pr.).
All Battalion HQs were used in
forming of Frontier Guard jäger battalions:
HQ / Sissi Battalion 1 ->
26.2.1942 HQ / Frontier Guard Jäger
Battalion 5
HQ / Sissi Battalion 2 ->
1.3.1942 HQ / Frontier Guard Jäger Battalion
3 (?)
HQ / Sissi Battalion 3 ->
1.8.1942 HQ / Frontier Guard Jäger Battalion
8
.
Sissi Battalion 1941 - 1943
Sissi Battalion 1
.
Full strength 21 officers + 89 NCOs + 427
men = 537 men + 3 Lottas (later)
36x horse, 501x pairs of skis, 37x ahkio (sledge)
49x pistol, 452x rifle, 36x SMG, 6x LMG
.
Pataljoonankomentaja
/ Battalion Commander
Esikunta (E/SissiP) (HQ)
1. Sissikomppania (1.SissiK) (1st Sissi
Company)
.....
Komentoryhmä
(Kom.R) (Command Squad)
.....
I
- III Joukkue (I - III J) (I - III
Platoon)
.....
Toimitusjoukkue
(Toim.J) (Delivery Platoon)
2. Sissikomppania (2.SissiK) (2nd Sissi
Company) (Similar to 1st Sissi Company.)
3. Sissikomppania (3.SissiK) (3rd Sissi
Company) (Similar to 1st Sissi Company.)
.
.
Sissi Battalion 3
.
Full strength 31 officers + 149 NCOs +
842 men = 1.022 men
99x horse, 73x bicycle, 92x pairs of skis,
113x pistol, 643x rifle, 51x sniper rifle, 215x SMG,
48x LMG, 12x 7.62 mm Maxim MG,
4x 20 mm Lahti L-39 AT rifle, 3x medium 81 mm mortar,
3x light 50 mm mortar (if available)
.
Pataljoonankomentaja
/ Battalion Commander
Esikunta (E/SissiP) (HQ)
Adjutant,
Gas Protection Officer, Signals Officer (CO HQ
Company) *, Supply Officer,
Physician, Military Pastor
+
Esikuntakomppania (EK/SissiP) (HQ Company) (9 *+ 23 + 114
= 146 men)
.....
Komentoryhmä
(Kom.R) (Command Squad)
.....
Jääkärijoukkue
(Jääk.J) (Jäger Platoon)
.....
Toimitusjoukkue
(Toim.J) (Delivery Platoon)
.....
Huoltojoukkue
(HuoltoJ) (Supply Platoon)
1. Sissikomppania (1.SissiK) (1st Sissi
Company) (5 + 28 + 172 = 205 men)
.....
Komentoryhmä
(Kom.R) (Command Squad)
.....
I
- IV Joukkue (I - IV J) (I - IV Platoon)
.....
Toimitusjoukkue
(Toim.J) (Delivery Platoon)
2. Sissikomppania (2.SissiK) (2nd Sissi
Company) (Similar to 1st Sissi Company.)
3. Sissikomppania (3.SissiK) (3rd Sissi
Company) (Similar to 1st Sissi Company.)
(4.) Konekiväärikomppania (KKK)
(MG Company) (5 + 30 + 162 =
197 men)
.....
Komentoryhmä
(Kom.R) (Command Squad)
.....
I
- III Konekiväärijoukkue (I - III KKJ) (I - III MG
Platoon) [4x Maxim MG each]
.....
Toimitusjoukkue
(Toim.J) (Delivery Platoon)
Kranaatinheitinjoukkue (Krh.J/SissiP)
(Mortar Platoon) (2 + 12 + 50 =
64 men)
[3x 81 mm mortar]
.
Sissi Battalions during the
Continuation War were as follows:
Unit
Finnish Name (and Abbreviation)
(Name in English), Notes |
Battalion
Commander |
.
. |
Rank |
Name |
Sissipataljoona 1 (SissiP 1) (6.1941 -
26.2.1942)
(Sissi Battalion 1)
Formed in June 1941 and subordinated
to a reinforced
Cavalry Brigade (Rv.Pr.). In October
1941 attached to
II Army Corps (II AK). Battalion was
suspended on
26.2.1942 and its HQ became HQ /
Frontier Jäger
Battalion 5 (Rj.P 5) in addition to some of
its parts.Sissipataljoona 2 (SissiP 2)
(6.1941 - ?.2.1942)
(Sissi Battalion 2)
Formed in June 1941. Attached to VII
Army Corps (VII AK)
and in August to I Army Corps (I AK). In
September 1941
subordinated to the Defence of Lake Ladoga
(Laat.P).
Attached to II Army Corps (II AK) in
October 1941 and
suspended in February 1942.
Sissipataljoona
3 (SissiP 3) (6.1941 - 3.6.1943)
(Sissi Battalion 3)
Formed in June 1941. Attached to III
Army Corps (III AK).
Subordinated to German troops between September
and
December 1941 and again since July 1942.
Subordinated
to 3rd Division (3.D) since February
1943 and in reserve of
the Finnish Supreme HQ (PM) between
March and June
1943. Suspended on 3.6.1943 and became I
Battalion /
15th Brigade (I/15.Pr.).
.
|
Lt.Col.
Lt.Col.
Maj.
.
.
.
.Lt.Col.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Maj./Lt.Col.
(11.9.41)
Capt.
Capt.
Maj.
Maj.
Lt.Col.
Lt.Col.
|
V. Nikoskelainen (?.6.41-)
K. Kari (30.6.41-)
V. Kivikko (7.8.41-26.2.42)
.
.
.
.V. Roininen (6.41-?.2.42)
.
.
.
.
.
.
L.
Könönen (-18.9.41 WIA)
.
V. Karhunen (23.9.41-)
J. Matinolli (acting 13.10.41-)
H. Jussila (17.10.-7.11.41 KIA)
R. Reunanen (8.11.41-)
G. Arto (7.1.42-)
I. Ahonen (26.6.42-3.6.43)
|
.
.
.
.
Sources: TALHI, KARVE5, PESEP1, NAREI1, JATHI, SUOSO [1,
6]
Additional information on SP 5 provided by JTV
|