Finland Army History - Between Wars
After the end of the Civil War, the White people began to argue about the organization of the military and foreign policy. Activists and icebreakers pressured the Senate and Svinhufvud to dismiss Mannerheim. They wanted to let the German army organize the Finnish army. The appointment of Major General Wilhelm Thessleff as Minister of War signified his acceptance of the German trend. Mannerheim and his immediate assistants requested their resignation.
German military experts arrived in Finland in June 1918. Under the leadership of Colonel Konrad von Redern they modified the military leadership to conform to the German system. At the beginning of August, the Commander-in-Chief was centralized. At the same time, the office of the Chief of the Finnish Army was established. A new defense plan was completed in November and December.
After the war, the Finns were left with a considerable amount of Russian field army fighting equipment. After the end of the First World War, Finland replenished its equipment by purchasing weapons and ammunition from European surplus stockpiles. Among other things, 32 six-tonne Renault light tanks were purchased. After the war, most of the planes remained under the control of the whites. In 1919, 32 more aircraft were purchased.
The surrender of Germany in the autumn of 1918 changed attitudes throughout Europe and also in Finland. At the end of the year, Mannerheim became a regent and commander-in-chief. Since then, with the exception of the wars, superintendence has been held by the Head of State. The defeat of Germany also marked the end of the German trend in the Finnish army. The defense plans, which were considered undersized by the Germans, were renewed in the spring of 1919. Thessleff was replaced by Rudolf Wallden as Minister of War.
Between 1918 and 1924, a long-term defense system was established for Finland. The division between red and white remained in the 1920s, which also affected the military. For political reasons, attempts were made to weaken the military from within. As a result, untrustworthy people remained as crew, and trusted ones became under-officers and officers.
In the war, patrols had been the core of the White Army, but in 1919 the military wanted to separate them. The protectionist nations also had the will to become independent. In February 1919 the National Guard was dissolved as an independent organization. The Decree on the Status and Powers of the Military Authorities was adopted in September 1919. The Supreme Command, according to it, belonged to the President of the Republic, under the command of the Chief of Army and the General Staff. The highest administrative authority was the Ministry of War.
The Military Conservation Act of 1922 defined the Finnish military system. The cadre system based on general military service was considered best suited to the situation in Finland. It meant a peacekeeping army that would train troops and regular personnel. The new military service law set a standard term of service of 12 months for regular troops and 15 months for cavalry, aviation and technical forces.
The law on the educational institutions for officers, approved by Parliament in July 1924, sought to harmonize education. According to it, instruction was given at the Reserve Officer School, the Cadet School and the Military College. Initially, education sought its model from military training in both Germany and Russia, leading to inconsistencies in training. Safeguarding independence and integrity began to crystallize as national defense goals in the 1930s. Another key principle was Finland's neutrality in conflicts between other states. At the time, it was speculated that the only sure way to prevent territorial encroachments was the enemy's belief in Finland's combat capability. The Soviet Union was seen as the biggest, practically the only, threat when planning national defense.
Finland sought security by political means. Membership of the League of Nations was seen as a guarantee of the integrity of the country. A non-aggression pact was concluded with the Soviet Union, which was to remain in force until 1945. The idea of a defense alliance with the Nordic countries was also on the agenda. However, the soldiers concluded that Finland had to be able to stop the attacks on its own.
By 1924, 168 concrete dugouts had been built on the stump. The interrupted work continued in 1932. During the fortification work that began at the beginning of the Winter War, the number of equipment increased to 221. At the same time, old dugouts were renovated. Financial resources constrained the development of material readiness. Attempts were made to compensate for material deficiencies by training in better war skills. What was new was the 1937 and 1939 military exercises, where leaders were trained to command large troops. The procurement programs launched in the early 1930s improved the armaments and equipment of the military. Domestic industry produced, among other things, Suomi submachine guns, mortars, tanks and submarines.
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