Suomijos savanorių pulkas „Šiaurės berniukai“ („Pohjan Pojat“)
I Nepriklausomybės karai
“Ziemeļu zēni” (somu: Pohjan Pojat, igauņu: Põhja Pojad) bija Somijas brīvprātīgo pulks Latvijas un Igaunijas brīvības cīņu laikā no 1919. gada janvāra līdz aprīlim. Virspavēlnieks bija somu ģenerālis Martins Vecers (Martin Wetzer, 1868-1954), kurš vienlaicīgi bija arī Igaunijas Dienvidu frontes komandieris, savukārt pulka komandieris bija igauņu izcelsmes pulkvedis Hanss Kalms (Hans Kalm, 1889-1981). Liela daļa karavīru bija somu jēgeri, kas jau pirms tam bija piedalījušies Pirmā pasaules kara kaujās Zemgalē. Kopumā karadarbībā no janvāra līdz martam bija piedalījušies ap 3000—4000 somu brīvprātīgo karavīru.
Pulkam lieli nopelni kaujā pie Paju (igauņu: Paju lahing ) un Valkas atbrīvošanā no lieliniekiem 1919. gada 1. februārī. “Ziemeļu zēni” izcēlās arī cīņās par Alūksnes un Bejas atbrīvošanu no sarkanarmiešiem, kur krituši daudzi somu karavīri.
Pēc Latvijas Neatkarības kara četrpadsmit pulka karavīri, tostarp ģenerālis M. Vecers un pulkvedis H. Kalms, apbalvoti ar Lāčplēša Kara ordeni.
Bejas kapos apbedīti astoņi (arī septiņi? vai deviņi?) 1919. gada 22. februārī Bejas kaujā kritušie somu karavīri. 1989. gada 2. februārī kapos uzlikts balts koka krusts un koka sētiņa, bet 2000. gada 7. maijā Bejas kapos atklāja piemiņas akmeni ar uzrakstu "Šeit atdusas somu brīvprātīgo pulka Ziemeļu zēni karavīri, kuri krituši Bejas kaujā 1919. gadā."
1999. gada 17. oktobrī pie Jaunalūksnes pagasta novadpētniecības centra atklāja somu karavīriem veltītu piemiņas plāksni.
2019. gada februārī, atzīmējot 100. gadskārtu, kopš kaujas par Alūksni, pie dzelzceļa stacijas Alūksnē uzstādīja īpašu laukakmeni no Salpa līnijas (somu: Salpalinja) , kas sargāja Somijas austrumu robežu ar Krieviju.
Daugiau informacijos šaltinių
Juris Ciganovs. Somu “Ziemeļu zēnu” cīņas Latvijā. SARGS.LV, 10.01.2015.: https://www.sargs.lv/lv/starpkaru-periods/2015-01-10/somu-ziemelu-zenu-cinas-latvija#lastcomment
Somu karavīru Brāļu kapi Bejā: https://timenote.info/lv/Somu-karaviru-Bralu-kapi-Beja
Lāčplēša Kara Ordeņa kavalieri: Biogrāfiska vārdnīca. Rīga: Jāņa Sēta, 1995.
Saistītās laikalīnijas
Saistītie objekti
Memorial stone to the Finnish Volunteer Regiment "Boys of the North"
Located in Alūksne, Jāņkalna Street 52, near Alūksne Narrow Gauge Railway Station.
On February 23, 2019, to mark the centenary of the Latvian War of Independence, a special memorial was created at the initiative of the Association of Independence Fighting Traditions (Finland) to honor the fallen Finnish volunteers, with a special boulder and information board. The memorial stone to Alūksne was removed from the Salpa line in Finland, which was built in 1940-1944. to protect the eastern border of Finland. The 1,200 km long Salpa line is one of the most important lines of defense in independent Finland, as well as one of the strongest and best-preserved defenses of its kind in Europe since World War II.
The stone brought to Aluksne symbolizes the struggle for independence of two nations - the Finns and the Latvians. A group of Finnish volunteers "Northern Boys" went to help Latvians protect the freedom of the new Latvian state. On February 21, 1919, the "Northern Boys" took part in fierce battles around Alūksne (Marienburg). After a five-hour battle at Alūksne railway station, the Finns occupied Alūksne. 23 Finnish volunteers were killed and many injured in the fight.
Memorial plaque to the Finnish Jaegers in the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Liepāja
A memorial plaque dedicated to the Finnish Jaegers is located in Liepāja Holy Trinity Cathedral, Lielā iela 9.
The Finnish Jägers were a unit of the German Empire, formed by volunteers from Finland, which, under the name of the 27th Royal Prussian Jäger Battalion, took part in the First World War battles on the Eastern Front of Latvia in 1916-1917.
During World War I, the Grand Duchy of Finland was part of the Russian Empire and many Finns wanted a German victory in the war in order to promote the establishment of an independent state. On 20 November 1914, the Finnish Independence Movement was founded in Helsinki, which also planned to form the armed forces of an independent state. When the German government confirmed its readiness to train the Finns in January 1915, the recruitment of volunteers began and by the spring of 1916 almost 2,000 soldiers were stationed in Germany and were named the 27th Royal Prussian Jäger Battalion.
From June 1916 the battalion was on the Riga front, when it was moved to Liepaja until March 1917. After the February Revolution, the Russian Empire began to collapse and on 6 December 1917 the Finnish Parliament declared independence.
On 13 February 1918, the Battalion swore allegiance to Finland in the Holy Trinity Church in Liepāja. On 15 February 1918, the battalion left the port of Liepaja by ship to return home to the port of Vasa and take part in the Finnish Civil War against the Reds, who had staged a coup d'état on 27 January 1918. The well-trained and combat-experienced Jägers formed the core of the Finnish national army and a large number became commanders during the Second World War.
The battalion's flag, consecrated in Holy Trinity Church, became the first flag of independent Finland.
Museum room of the Finnish boys
This museum room is situated in Saadjärve Nature Centre in the small borough of Äksi.
It was opened in 2002 on behalf and with the support of the Finnish Boys Association, Tartu Municipal Government and the Finnish state.
It provides an overview of the battles in Finland and Estonia in which the Finnish Boys participated during World War II. Here you will see a scale model depicting the battles fought in Jõgeva and Tartu counties and the uniforms, equipment, armaments, military decorations, personal belongings and photos of the Finnish Boys. The bunker is also open to visitors.
Free admission.
Monument in the memory of Finnish jaegers-sappers
Located in Engure district, on the side of the A10 motorway near Smārde pub.
A memorial was erected on the site where the Battle of Smārde took place in the field in 1916 during the First World War. A company of Finnish Jaeger engineers (~ 200 men) took part in the battles as part of the German army. Smell's Day has become an official holiday for the Finnish Army's military engineers, which is still celebrated.
The Finnish Jaegers were a unit of the German army formed during World War I. It consisted mainly of nationally-minded Finnish volunteers who had left the territory of the Russian Empire, Finland. The Battle of Smārde was one of the most important offensive battles of the Finnish Jaegers, where a new tactic was used at that time.
A month after the incident, the Russian army attacked the German army near Smārde. Latvian combat units carried out reconnaissance around Smārde, built a supply road “Latviešu ceļš” across the bog and took part in battles. Around 300 Latvian fighters fell in the battles. Like the Finnish Jaegers in the German army, the Latvian riflemen in the Russian army were the founders of their national states and armies.
Memorial site for Finnish pilots
Located on the edge of the Lilaste-Saulkrasti highway, next to the "Viada" gas station.
The memorial site was established in 2013 at the site of the crash of the Finnish Air Force in 1943. The disaster killed four Finnish army soldiers flying from Germany to Finland. The installation, design and manufacture of the monument was entirely an initiative of the Finnish representatives. It is a tradition of Finnish war pilots to erect memorials at plane crash sites.
In 1943, Finland purchased 24 modern Junker bombers from Germany. They were designed to supplement the Finnish Air Force with modern aircraft. The factory delivered the aircraft in 1943 and, after pilot training, took them to Finland. The flight of one plane ended tragically. Due to technical defects, the pilots were forced to look for a place to make an emergency landing. The plane lost height until it caught trees, fell into the woods and caught fire. Finnish pilots were buried in the cemetery of the German army in Riga during the occupation of Germany. They were later reburied in their homeland.
It is interesting that one of the most modern airplanes manufactured in Latvia was crashed in Finland in 1938 as well. It was piloted by Latvian and Finnish army pilots - K. Lešinskis and F. Kuopameki.
Memorial stone to the Finnish Volunteer Regiment "Boys of the North"
Located in Alūksne, Jāņkalna Street 52, near Alūksne Narrow Gauge Railway Station.
On February 23, 2019, to mark the centenary of the Latvian War of Independence, a special memorial was created at the initiative of the Association of Independence Fighting Traditions (Finland) to honor the fallen Finnish volunteers, with a special boulder and information board. The memorial stone to Alūksne was removed from the Salpa line in Finland, which was built in 1940-1944. to protect the eastern border of Finland. The 1,200 km long Salpa line is one of the most important lines of defense in independent Finland, as well as one of the strongest and best-preserved defenses of its kind in Europe since World War II.
The stone brought to Aluksne symbolizes the struggle for independence of two nations - the Finns and the Latvians. A group of Finnish volunteers "Northern Boys" went to help Latvians protect the freedom of the new Latvian state. On February 21, 1919, the "Northern Boys" took part in fierce battles around Alūksne (Marienburg). After a five-hour battle at Alūksne railway station, the Finns occupied Alūksne. 23 Finnish volunteers were killed and many injured in the fight.
Monument to the Sons of the North
This monument is dedicated to the Finnish soldiers and officers of the Sons of the North Regiment who fought in the Battle of Paju. Adorned with a brown granite tablet reading "A noble endeavour will forever shine throughout the ebb and flow of time" in Estonian and Finnish, the monument is situated in Paju Manor park near the larger monument to the Battle of Paju. The Finnish government helped to organise the deployment of around 2300 Finnish volunteers in the country. For this, they were required to leave their service in the Finnish Defence Forces. Their arrival in January 1919 was a major turning point in the War of Independence.
Memorial tablet to the Sons of the North
A black granite memorial tablet bearing almost 200 names was placed on the wall of St John’s Church in Valga in 1934 in remembrance of the Finnish volunteers who fell in the Battle of Paju in the War of Independence. It was unveiled in 1934 by then Head of State Konstantin Päts. The polar bear emblem of the Sons of the North Regiment is depicted on the shield above the stone. The tablet was destroyed using pickaxes in 1940. The memorial tablet was unveiled anew on the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Paju in 1999. The first tablet was made in Finland; the second in Tartu.
Memorial stone to the Finnish Volunteer Regiment "Boys of the North"
Located in Alūksne, Jāņkalna Street 52, near Alūksne Narrow Gauge Railway Station.
On February 23, 2019, to mark the centenary of the Latvian War of Independence, a special memorial was created at the initiative of the Association of Independence Fighting Traditions (Finland) to honor the fallen Finnish volunteers, with a special boulder and information board. The memorial stone to Alūksne was removed from the Salpa line in Finland, which was built in 1940-1944. to protect the eastern border of Finland. The 1,200 km long Salpa line is one of the most important lines of defense in independent Finland, as well as one of the strongest and best-preserved defenses of its kind in Europe since World War II.
The stone brought to Aluksne symbolizes the struggle for independence of two nations - the Finns and the Latvians. A group of Finnish volunteers "Northern Boys" went to help Latvians protect the freedom of the new Latvian state. On February 21, 1919, the "Northern Boys" took part in fierce battles around Alūksne (Marienburg). After a five-hour battle at Alūksne railway station, the Finns occupied Alūksne. 23 Finnish volunteers were killed and many injured in the fight.
Collections of the Apriķi Museum and areas of activity of the Red Partisans
The Apriķi manor house houses the Apriķu Museum, whose exhibits tell about the ancient history of the region. The museum exhibits an exposition about the Finnish military figure Karl Gustav Mannerheim - 175 museum items, the interactive stand "KGMannerheim and Apriķi" (in three languages - Latvian, English and Finnish) with 6 sections - about the Apriķi manor, about KGMannerheim as a commander in the Winter War, as the freedom of Finland the leader of the battles and about his connection with the Aprikais.
The museum also displays World War II items with symbols of the German and Red Army, as well as a map - the areas of activity of the Red Partisans) and descriptions of the Red Partisans.
The Baroque ensemble of the Aprikku manor (Apprikken) building was formed by the Alokste River in the 18th century. at first. 20th century in the beginning, the owner of the manor is Carl Gustav Mannerheim, who later became the president of Finland, and is known as the author of the legendary Mannerheim line - the fortification system during the Winter War.
Susijusi istorija
Suomijos savanorių pulko „Šiaurės berniukai“ mūšis Bejoje
1919 metų vasario 23 dieną suomių savanorių pulko „Šiaurės berniukai“ žvalgybos dalinys, tikėdamasis gauti papildomų ginklų ir amunicijos, atvyko į Beja School upės daubą, kur įvyko susirėmimas su bolševikais (Babeckos mūšis). Šiame mūšyje krito 10 suomių pulko karių.
Apie Latvijos nepriklausomybės karą ir 1919 metų įvykius Alūksnėje
1919 m. kovo 27 d. 1-asis Valmieros pėstininkų pulkas kartu su Estijos gvardijos (kaitselit) Talino (tuomet Rėvelės) ir Tērbato batalionais bei trimis šarvuotaisiais traukiniais nuo Melnupės upės krantų pradėjo Latvijos išvadavimą nuo bolševikų.
Apie Latvijos nepriklausomybės karą ir 1918 metų įvykius Alūksnėje
1918 m., vokiečių kariuomenei įžengus į Alūksnę, latvių šaulių batalionai pasitraukė į Sovietų Rusiją. Iki 1918 m. gruodžio pradžios įsitvirtino vokiškas režimas ir buvo vykdomos pertvarkos. Vokietijai pasidavus kare, bolševikai grįžo į Alūksnę ir atkūrė savo valdžią. Suomijos savanoriai taip pat kovojo Latvijos nepriklausomybės kare kaip Estijos kariuomenės dalis. 1919 m. vasario 21 d. Alūksnėje, prie stoties, vyko įnirtingos kautynės tarp bolševikų ir suomių savanorių pulko „Šiaurės berniukai“.
Anšlavo Eglītio prisiminimai apie Latvijos nepriklausomybės karą ir 1919 metų įvykius Alūksnėje
1919 m. kovo 27 d. 1-asis Valmieros pėstininkų pulkas kartu su Estijos gvardijos (kaitselit) Talino (tuomet Rėvelės) ir Tērbato batalionais bei trimis šarvuotaisiais traukiniais nuo Melnupės upės krantų pradėjo Latvijos išvadavimą nuo bolševikų.
Consecration of the Finnish Jaeger flag at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Liepaja
The first flag of the Independent Finland was consecrated in 1918 in Liepaja, at the Holy Trinity Church, where the Finnish Jägers took an oath of allegiance to the legitimate government of Independent Finland before going home.