Sissi Battalions

Sissipataljoonat 1939 - 1943

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:

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).


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:

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.P

Officers in charge (known)
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
Source: Harri Anttonen