Wartime changes in uniform markings

There were numerous changes that happened in uniform markings of Finnish Army during World War 2. Large-scale official changes introduced circa 1940 – 1941 changed colored stripes used on trouser stripes and tunic collar patches, which both depended according service arm and approximate military rank. Since the reservists did not normally use trousers with stripes, their use got lot less common during the war. As mentioned in military uniform m/36 page during the war colorful collar patches saw mostly use with officers, with senior non-commissioned ranks probably being the 2^nd most common group of soldiers to use them, but during the war they lost popularity. Not only were there collar patches of correct color and design often impossible to obtain, but they were one of the details that Soviet snipers could use to spot officers among soldiers, so their popularity starting declining already early on and in summer of 1944 new uniform orders finally made official for the who army what many military units had already ordered their officers to make much earlier – remove collar patches from tunic collar and place its heraldic roses indicating exact officer rank into tips of tunic collar. This way soldiers would still able to indentify exact military rank, but officer rank would not be as obvious. With Soviet sniper activity becoming a significant factor during trench war period officers were also commonly instructed to carry a long arm and loose the map case, to make their status less obvious for the enemy.

The changes in uniform regulations effected even to color of heraldic roses made from brass used to indicate exact military rank of officer in tunic and summer tunic collar. Until year 1919 officers were in active service had used gold-colored heraldic roses, while reserve officers had used heraldic roses that were otherwise similar, but silver-colored. June of 1941 uniform regulations were changed in such manner that all military officers used the same gold-colored heraldic roses. Around that time uniform regulations also ordered that officers were not to place lion badges made from brass to epaulets of their tunics anymore, although they could continued to use them in those tunics that already had them installed.

PICTURE: Company commander Captain Lyytinen explains enemy sighting to battalion commander Captain Raassina in August of 1944. Notice how both officers have heraldic roses indicating their military rank in collar tips of summer tunic m/36. Also notice small pin-like unit badges on cross straps and that Captain Raassina have no brass lions on epaulets. (SA-kuva.fi archive, photo number 161711). CLICK THUMBNAIL TO SEE LARGER PIC (161 KB).

Another in most cases less visible, but significant wartime change in uniform markings was unit markings carried in uniforms. There had been some unit markings already during Finnish Civil War and fair number appeared during Winter War, but they did not gain massive popularity until during Continuation War. What is known maybe about thousand unit markings were introduced during Continuation War and basically all them were self-designed with-in a particular unit and more or less unauthorized. Most typically they were small pin-like badges with symbols that indicate military unit either in very straightforward or possibly in somewhat more clandestine manner such as via word-play. These small badges most commonly made from brass, copper or silver often have enamel details and were normally manufactured by goldsmiths in the home front for the soldiers. Officers routinely carried such unit badges in cross strap of their officer’s belt m/27, while soldiers normally placed them in middle of left breast pocket of their tunic or tucked the badge to their wallet. But there were also numerous more visible unit markings, which reached from fabric shoulder patches worn in tunics to colored ribbons worn in tunic epaulets or sleeves, larger metal badges and fabric patches worn on hats and unit markings painted to helmets.

 

Pekka Aarniaho: Kaluunat ja rähinäremmit. Itsenäisen Suomen virkapuvut ja arvomerkit 1918 – 1945 (Uniforms and Rank Markings of Independent Finland 1918 - 1945).

Petteri Leino: Asepuku M/36 vuosina 1936 – 1945 (Uniform m/36 in years 1936 - 1945).

Juhani U.E. Lehtonen: Sotilaselämän perinnekirja (The Tradition Book of Military Life).

Puolustusvoimien huolto 1918 – 1986 (Supply of Defense Forces 1918 - 1986) by Huoltoupseeriyhdistys.

Suomalaisen sotilaan historia ristiretkistä rauhanturvaamiseen (History of Finnish Soldier from Crusades to Peacekeeping).

Marko Palokangas: Itsenäisen Suomen sotilasarvot ja –arvomerkit / Military Ranks and Rank Badges of Independent Finland.

Article: Marko Palokangas: Sotilasarvomerkkiemme taustaa ja taivalta (Background and Development of Our Military Rank Markings), (Ase-lehti magazine vol 5/1995).

Theses: Majuri J.V. Heinonen: Mieskohtaisessa varustuksessa (hiihtovälineet ml) todetut puutteet sekä suunnitelma vaatetus- ja varustusprobleemin ratkaisemiseksi erikoisolosuhteemme huomioon ottaen. (Indepedent Soldier's Equipment. Noted shortcomings and Plan to Solve Clothing and Equipment Problem Considering Our Circumstances). (Military academy thesis from year 1950).

Theses: Kristian Värri: Itsenäisen Suomen ratsuväen varusteiden kehitys talvisotaan mennessä (Development of Equipment in Cavalry of Independent Finland before Winter War).

Military manual: Suojeluskuntajärjestön virkapukuohjesäntö (Civil Guard's Uniform Regulations), published year 1930.

Special thanks to Infantry Museum (Jalkaväkimuseo), Mikkeli.

Last updated 8th of December 2018
Webmaster: JTV [email protected]
Copyrights (pictures, text and graphics): Jaeger Platoon Website.

 

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