Article about: Hi guys, I´m sorting and researching the hundreds of letters and postcards in my Winter War (139-1940) collection. While doing that I thought why not at the same time post them here for you
I´m sorting and researching the hundreds of letters and postcards in my Winter War (139-1940) collection. While doing that I thought why not at the same time post them here for you to enjoy. The postcards and letters are not in any specific order.
The first one is a Christmas card with a rare "Komppanian Päällikkö" (Company commander) stamp from Juho Viljami Pajala to a schoolkid in Lavia, Niemenkylä (23.12.1939). He served in a field artillery unit E/III/KTR 10 (Kenttätykistörykmentti 10) also called "Merenheimon Patteristo" (see attached picture). The unit participated in the heavy battles of the Taipale front on the Karelian Isthmus.
Kenttäpostikonttori 9 was the military mail center of the 10. Division. It was located at Taubila manor in Pyhäjärvi (province of Viipuri). The manor was destroyed during the Second World War.
The text is very short and just giving his adress (name, unit and military mail center number).
Winter war military mail from private Nils Gustav Hoffmann to his fiancee Hilda Airio in Helsinki (13.12.1939).
"On the frontline 13.12.1939
My heartfelt greetings to all of you in the store-room. Everything is nice and calm here where we are stationed. Kalle, Ville and Nisse send their (Christmas) greetings too."
Nils served in a machinegun company in Infantry Regiment 12 and was killed in the battles near Karhula on the Karelian isthmus a few weeks later (31.12.1939) at the age of 25. He is buried in the Kirkkonummi heroes´ cemetery west of Helsinki.
Kenttäpostikonttori 7 oli was the military mail center of the 2nd army corps and situated at the Tammisuo railway station some 5 kilometer to the northeast of Viipuri.
Winter War military mail from Taisto Armas Mäki (2 December 1910 – 1 May 1979) born in Rekola in the municipality of Vantaa and serving in Infantry Regiment 11 (JR 11).
"The Carelian Isthmus 15.11.1939,
Howdy Mauri. Thank you for your letter. Here we are and all is well. Send my regards to those over there.
Taisto"
Taisto Mäki was a Finnish long-distance runner – one of the so-called "Flying Finns". He broke world records over two miles, 5000 metres and 10,000 metres – holding the records simultaneously between 1939 and 1942. Mäki was the first man to run 10,000 metres in less than 30 minutes, breaking his own world record with a time of 29:52.6 on 17 September 1939.
The Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union broke out on 30 November 1939. Like many of his fellow Flying Finns, including Gunnar Höckert and Lauri Lehtinen, Mäki was initially deployed on the Karelian Isthmus. However, along with Paavo Nurmi, he was sent on a tour of the United States in February 1940 in order to raise money for the Finnish Relief Fund. During the tour, which lasted for two months and culminated in an appearance in front of 14,000 people at Madison Square Garden, the two men raced against hand-picked American athletes.
Mäki's career was cut short by service in World War II. The conflict had also caused the cancellation of the 1940 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, and with it ending Mäki's hopes of representing his country at the Olympic Games.
Finnish Winter War (1939-1940) military mail
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