History 28/01/20 What became of the red army in Finnish captivity
we All know about the horrors of the German concentration camps, which killed 30% to 60% of the red army POWs. However, not only the Nazis, have become notorious for brutal treatment of Soviet citizens. Far left, and Finnish allies of Germany, which starved and killed tens of thousands of captured soldiers and officers of the red army.
How many soldiers were in Finnish captivity
26 June 1941 Finnish President Risto ryti declared war on the Soviet Union, while another 22 Jun 16 Finnish saboteurs tried to blow up the sluices of the white sea-Baltic canal. In early July, the enemy took the offensive on the Karelian isthmus and in southern Karelia, and on July 10 the commander of the Finnish army Carl Mannerheim swore publicly that “will not put the sword in the scabbard” until you expel Russians from the white sea and Olonets Karelia.
Despite the fierce resistance of the red army, the Finns, using the tactics of reach and maneuver, had advanced deep into Soviet territory. Part captive during the fighting of the red army were sent to concentration camps and others were used in the frontal area for demining and building roads.
the Finnish side claims that between 1941 and 1944 their army captured 64 188 of the red army, most of which came in the first year of the war. According to Soviet sources — more than 70 thousand prisoners, among whom were not only soldiers. Prisoners of war was equal civil servants, heads of enterprises, members of the Communist party, newspaper editors, police officers and the NKVD, who were also sent to concentration camps.
the First camp, the Finns opened October 24, 1941, in Petrozavodsk. In Finland there were two camp No. 1 (city of Kellie) and No. 24 (city kerimäki). In the first were red army officers and political workers, and in the second prisoners prone to running away and misconduct.
Distribution on thanalnomu basis
All the prisoners were sorted by ethnicity. Karelian, Ingrian and other Finno-Ugric peoples were held in relatively comfortable conditions. Between Helsinki and Berlin took place the exchange of prisoners. Finland received from the Germans “their nation”, and in return gave Jews and Russians. Thus, in the hands of the Nazis got 3 thousand Soviet citizens.
the Russian prisoners who dismissively called “ryussya” and the representatives of Finno-Ugric peoples were in serious conditions. Starvation, beatings, hard work was the norm. According to Professor Dmitry Frolov died in captivity 20 thousand Soviet citizens. According to Finnish sources in the concentration camps died 34% of prisoners of war. According to the historian Antti Koala 5% of them were shot. This list does not include downed by Soviet pilots, who were killed on the spot.
the Conditions
the Prisoners worked on the construction of roads, airfields, fortifications. For a breach of discipline and failure rules are applied corporal punishment. For minor offenses the prisoners were beaten with rods. In July 1941 the chief of the quartermaster division of the Finnish army, Lieutenant Colonel, Saurio and 1 chief quartermaster of the division, Colonel Haugen signed the order relating to nutritional standards of Soviet prisoners of war.
the document includes biscuits, milk, potatoes, fish, meat, sugar, tea, however, in the minimum amount. Rations “A” were expected daily rate in 1508 calories, and a diet for several months – a slow death. For the survival that does not involve exercise of a grown man needs 1700 calories a day.
Prisoners who had distinguished themselves during the work, received rations “B”. On January 25, 1942, the diet was revised and built in 1889 calories per day. In the spring of 1942, Mannerheim allowed the Soviet Union to provide food assistance from the red cross. To help survive the Soviet soldiers, this initiative could not. The amount of food parcels to each soldier was 2.5 pounds a year.
After the victory of the red army in the battle of Stalingrad, the Finnish leaders had changed its policy toward Soviet prisoners. Improved nutrition and the use of soldiers on farms has reduced the mortality to a minimum. In August 1944, Finland asked for an armistice. In October 1944, the Finns handed over prisoners of war of the Soviet Union, where, after verification by the NKVD they returned to civilian life.
Alexander Brazhnik
Source:
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