You chose one that is in amazing condition.
Nice photo , also.
Nice photo , also.
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Thank you!
It's very warming to see how you've followed my thread from the beginning
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Enjoy your photographic ability and thanks for sharing.
Any chance of the spange, ribbon and Ek2 ?
regards MarkComment
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New arrival with a beautiful hanger, the ribbon is a big love
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Order of Glory 3.Class, awarded to a anti-tank Sergeant on the Karelian Front.Comment
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These must be the best pictures of medals I ever saw in my whole life.
Just incredible. Thanks for showing.Comment
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Thank youOriginally posted by krikke1980 View Post
Here's a bar that I haven't shown before.
Ostsee Division Bar for a Bavarian who served in the Gebirgsartillerie Regiment in Finland.Comment
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That's awesome EK I , as it was awarded , for some fightings in North-East Poland (Narew is the river in Poland ).Originally posted by Dansson View PostComment
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Thank you!Originally posted by anmarlodz View Post
Finding abundant information regarding the crossing of Narew during the War is tough. Finnish and Swedish sources are naturally absent. Limited German sources, but even lesser sources in English.
Guess I'd need to start learning Polish if I'd ever wish to find out more.
The Eastern front isn't actually covered by other than a few general books as a whole. Detailed books regarding events are scarce. It's a loss it hasn't been covered in such an extent as the Western front. I guess the Soviet Union didn't really care to go in depth about an "Imperialistic War" which (assumed) is one of the main factors in scarcity of material.
I am eager to hear about "good reads" of the Eastern front 1914-1918/19.Comment
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I purchased yesterday a new computer. Beside the standard check's I uploaded new photos to see how (well) it works.
The 1870 EK1 and 1870 EK2.
Regarding all photos I've posted. I've had to make drastic re-sizing of them that they would fit the forum's frames. The resolution has suffered quite a bit from it.Comment
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Arrivals of the day.
A truly spectacular and a scarce set.
An Iron Cross 2.Class with its award document and the other awards of the same Finnish soldier.
Veikko Rainer Moilanen.
Born 8th April 1918 in Kuhmo (Finland).
Married: No
Children: None
Proffession: Store assistant
Veikko Moilanen was born 8th of April 1918 in Kuhmo during the Civil War.
Autumn 1939, Finland reacted towards the signs of aggression from the Sovietunion. Finland had
been placed under the Soviet sphere of influence in the Molotov-Ribbentropp Pact.
Disguised as an "extra-repetition training for the reserves", Finland begun to
mobilize the reserves and dig positions along the Soviet Russian border.
Veikko had yet to do his mandatory military service.
September 2nd, 1939 he was called in to serve as well and trained in an accelerated schedule.
The Winter War begun 30th November 1939 when the Soviet armies crossed the Finnish border.
Veikko's training had to be accelerated even more as the front was desperate for more men.
December 14th 1939, Veikko Moilanen reached the front at Suomusalmi trained as a rifleman and
messenger. Assigned to the 3rd Company of JR27 (Infantry Regimnent 27). Temperatures
were as low as -40 C.
December 23rd 1939, Moilanen was shot in both the left and right shoulders and rushed to a military hospital.
January 1st 1940 he was quickly sent back to the front to fight the Soviet's at the
Battle of Raate road in Suomusalmi.
The outcome of the battle hit the News headlines around the world.
The Finns with little artillery destroyed a mechanized Soviet Division,
the Finns suffering only about 1000 casualties inflicted close to 6000 casualties
on the Soviet Division and captured massive amounts of equipment and weapons.
The Battle of Suomusalmi and Battle of Raate was one of the most gruesome during the whole Winter War. (Read the links)
After the Battle of Raate 1st -7th January 1940, Moilanen was propably sent back to heal his wounds.
After recovery he went to fight on in the war that requiered all mental and physical strength
a man had to survive and fight.
During the Battle of Kuhmo he was once again wounded on February 2nd 1940,
a splinter had hit and penetrated his right elbow. After a speedy recovery he returned to the
front March 5th 1940 to fill the ranks of the now much depleted Finnish unit(s). The Finnish
lines were as thin as air. The defence was close to collapsing. March 13th 1940, a peace was signed
between Finland and the Sovietunion.
Finland succeded to defend itself and remain independent, even if the peace treaty was hard and
much land had to be turned over to the Soviets.
Moilanen had to however complete his military service after the war.
Must have been a view that Moilanen as a conscript
had both the 1st and 2nd Class Medals of Liberty (highest and second highest bravery medals for enlisted men)
from his actions in the Winter War.
The effect that war had on him was sadly one that many shared with him.
He begun to drink and was prone to violent behaviour.
During his mandatory military service after the Winter War, he sat 19 days arrest for things he
did.
After being released from the military in late 1940 he continued drinking. He received multiple
fines for being drunk in public after the war. Fines of 150 Marks, 200 Marks and 950 Marks.
The Continuation War.
Veikko Moilanen was recalled to service 10th of June 1941, and assigned to the 15th
Border Jäger Company ( 15 Rajajääkäri Komppania) as a submachine-gunner.
June 25th 1941, Finland joins Germany in Operation Barbarossa
in the War against the Sovietunion known in Finland as the Continuation War.
During the fall of 1941 Veikko Moilanen is promoted to Lance Corporal and also receives
the Medal of Liberty 2.Class 1941 (Bravery medal for enlisted men).
He took part in battles at:
Kiimasjärvi, Kolunkajärvi, Ontiasenvaara, Merajärvi, Pismajoki, Rukajärvi.
5th of May 1943 Veikko Moilanen receives a 7 month prison sentence to be served after the war.
"Being drunk, returning late from a leave and the violence towards an official (police).
7 months prison sentence (to be served after the war). By decision of the military court 5th May 1943."
Only 4 weeks later June 1st 1943, Veikko Moilanen drowned. The official documents state:
"Drowned during a fishing trip 1st June 1943 in Ontajärvi. Reason of drowning: Intoxicated of alcohol."
A month after Veikko's death his father received a letter which contained an Iron Cross 2.Class
and the award document. Veikko Moilanen had been in middle of the award process when he drowned.
He never knew he had been awarded the Iron Cross.
All awards he got during the wars:
Medal of Liberty 1.Class 1939, Medal of Liberty 2.Class 1939, Medal of Liberty 2.CLass 1941, Winter War Medal and Iron Cross 2.Class 1939.
The family I got this from couldn't find his 2.Class Medal of liberty 1941 so it's not seen in the set.
Thank you for reading.Comment
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Much appreciated Rene
Here's a diminutive picture found on the web of Veikko Rainer Moilanen from my previous post.Comment
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Awesome pics. I really like the blacklight backround.Comment
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Amazing life story. You do collect with passion. Thanks for sharingOriginally posted by Dansson View PostMuch appreciated Rene
Here's a diminutive picture found on the web of Veikko Rainer Moilanen from my previous post.Comment
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