Veterans’ Memorial

Mobilization of troops in the Winter War and the Continuation War

From 1934 onwards, the regional system was responsible for the mobilization of troops. In Kainuu, the regional system was managed by the Kainuu Civil Guard District. In Kuhmo, the mobilization of the forces was the responsibility of the Kuhmo Civil Guard, which was based at the Korpilinna Civil Guard House. The house was located on the site of the current Hotel Kainuu.

In October 1939, additional reserve exercises were launched, a kind of code name for the actual mobilization. The Kuhmo Exrercise Centre was established in Kuhmo, with the task of forming and training Detached Battalion 14, an air surveillance centre and the 39th War Hospital. Detached Battalion 14 was formed from the core of the 2nd Company of the Kainuu Frontier Guard, which was responsible for border control in Kuhmo, and supplemented with reservists. The number of reservists entering the service was so high that, in addition to the above troops, it enabled the formation of Detached Company Kaasila. This unit was also known as Replacement Company Kaasila. The total strength of the troops mobilized at the Kuhmo Exercise Centre was 1,738.

In the run-up to the Continuation War, mobilization was launched on 17 June 1941. The 15th Frontier Jaeger Company and part of the troops of Infantry Regiment 31 were established in Kuhmo.

Alerting reservists

Before the Winter War, the reserve soldiers were alerted by members of the local Civil Guard. Every member was given a specific area where to give out call-up notices. The alerters were given a lift to areas that were further away, but they usually had to walk back.

Civil Guard members handed out invitations in their Civil Guard uniforms, carrying a rifle and cartridges. If the master was not present, the call note had to be left in the house as proof of visit.