Military of the Grand Duchy of Finland - Definition and Overview

Between 1809 and 1917 Finland was an autonomous part of the Russian Empire as the Grand Duchy of Finland. Between 1881 and 1901 the Grand Duchy had its own army. Before that several other military units had also been formed.

Napoleonic wars

During the war with Napoleon in 1812 six jaeger battalions were formed in Finland. These were disbanded in 1830.

A training battalion formed in 1827 was renamed Henkikaartin Suomen Tarkk'ampujapataljoona (Guards Sharpshooter battalion) which was more familiarily known as the Guard of Finland (Suomen kaarti). It stayed as a unit of the imperial Russian army until 1905 when it was disbanded. The Cadet school in Hamnina was founded in 1812 and continued until 1903. A Suomen Krenatööritarkk'ampujapataljoona (Grenadier Sharpshooter Battalion) was founded in 1846, but later disbanded 1860.

Crimean war

During the Crimean War nine battalions were formed in Finland. The soldiers were drafted using the old Ruotulaitos method, a remnant from the old Swedish system. The battalions were disbanded in 1867.

The conscription act of 1878

During the 1860s conscription was seen as an effective way to maintain an army. In 1878 a law was passed by the Emperor Alexander II calling for a general conscription in Finland. The result was a army that was separated from the Russian army. The army was to consist of only Finnish citizens and was to be led by the Governor-General of Finland. The maximum number of men in the army was set to 5600 and it was to consist of .

The battalions were founded in 1880-1881 and were full in 1883.

• Henkivartioväen 3. Tarkk'ampujapataljoona (Helsinki)
• Suomen 1. Uudenmaan Tarkk'ampujapataljoona (Helsinki)
• Suomen 2. Turun Tarkk'ampujapataljoona (Turku)
• Suomen 3. Vaasan Tarkk'ampujapataljoona (Vaasa)
• Suomen 4. Oulun Tarkk'ampujapataljoona (Oulu)
• Suomen 5. Kuopion Tarkk'ampujapataljoona (Kuopio)
• Suomen 6. Mikkelin Tarkk'ampujapataljoona (Mikkeli)
• Suomen 7. Hämeenlinnan Tarkk'ampujapataljoona (Hämeenlinna)
• Suomen 8. Viipurin Tarkk'ampujapataljoona (Viipuri)
• Suomen Rakuunarykmentti (Lappeenranta) (1890)
• Suomen Kadettikoulu (Hamina)

One battalion consisted of four companies. The Dragoon Regiment consisted of six squadrons (eskadroona). 32 reserve companies were formed in 1883.

See also

• Finnish Army
• Finnish Army (1939)

Sources

• J.E.O. Screen, Suomalaiset tarkk'ampujat - Suomen vanha sotaväki 1881 - 1901 (ISBN 952-9872119)
• J.E.O. Screen, The Finnish Army, 1881 - 1901 - Training the Rifle Battalions (ISBN 951-7100353)