FMP - Fire Rations 1939

The minimum ammunition amounts for each weapon type were accurately specified. One fire ration (unit of fire) [tuliannos] determines the amount of ammunition each infantry soldier carried or was transported by the combat unit for its weapons. In combat ammunition supply formations of the unit or a higher ammunition store or depot formations were responsible of the continuous ammunition supply. Ammunition supply units are described on the "Supply Units" pages.

Infantry regiment had usually about 2 - 4 fire rations for all of its weapons. The actual number of transported fire rations varied depending on the weapon type. Troops carried only a small portion of the ammunition and units had had horse or motor vehicles for transporting most of their ammunition. Artillery battalion had 1.5 fire rations. In defence troops were supplied with much greater numbers of ammunition so that units had 5 - 6 fire rations for rifle calibre weapons and 1.5 - 3 fire rations for mortars and guns. When supply conditions were weak the amounts of stored fire rations could be even considerable bigger.

Divisions, brigades and higher HQs stored ammunition for the "hardest possible combat situations". Divisional ammunition field stores had usually 1 - 2 fire rations (180 - 200 tons) of ammunition for its weapons. Brigade had about 110 - 120 tons of stored ammunition. Army corps had 2 - 6 fire rations in its ammunition field depots for all weapons its units had.

During the Winter War the theoretical fire ration for the most infantry weapons except for SMG was slightly bigger than during the Continuation War. The explanation for this change was that by 1941 the fire power of the Finnish division had increased 2.5 - 3 times bigger than it had been during the Winter War. Troops became more mobile because they didn't have to carry too large amounts of ammunition with them. Smaller numbers also decreased unnecessary wasting.
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One Fire Ration for the Different Weapon Types during the Winter and Continuation War

Weapon Type / Number of Ammunition (pcs)	Winter War 1939 - 1940	Continuation War 1941 - 1944	Notes
Pistol (and Revolver)	45	25	.
SMG	350	350	.
Rifle	60	45	.
LMG	1.200	600	.
MG	2.000	1.500	1941- 5% with tracer bullets.
AT Rifle	-	100	1941- 75% AP and 25% HE ammo.
AT Gun	120	100	1941- 75% AP and 25% HE ammo.
81 mm Mortar	60	60	.
120 mm Mortar	-	30	.
75 - 76 mm Cannon / 75 - 90 mm Gun	100 -	- 100	.
107 mm Cannon / 105 - 122 mm Gun	48 -	- 60	.
122 mm Howitzer	60	-	.
150 - 152 mm Howitzer / 150 - 155 mm Gun	36 -	- 40	.
203 - 210 mm Gun	-	20	.

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Sources: TALHI, JATHI, SUOSO, PALMA1