My British and German forces are both armoured formations so I wanted to add an infantry company as well. The choice was fairly easy, because I'm a Finn myself, I started to collect a Finnish light infantry company in addition to my armoured companies. We also have mandatory military service for all males in Finland and I did my service in a Jääkärikomppania, so I guess I'm a Jääkäri too, though I can't claim to be as skilled as these guys were during World War II.
During World War I, Finnish volunteers traveled to Germany to train as Jägers (elite light infantry). These volunteers fought on the northern flank of the Eastern Front starting in 1916. Secretly recruited primarily from university students and the upper-middle class, the ranks eventually drew men from all across Finnish society.
In 1918, shortly after Finland gained independence from the Russian Empire, a civil war broke out. Jägers wishing to fight for the "White" (non-socialist) side were released from German service. Nearly 2000 volunteers returned home to fight against the "Reds," and their professional military leadership proved critical to the White victory. Following the war, they formed the core of the new Finnish officer corps, and veterans earned the right to use the honorific title Jääkäri in their military ranks. By the time of the Winter War (1939-1940), the vast majority of army corps, division, and regimental commanders were former Jägers.
You will probably notice a symbol very similar to the Nazi German swastika on Finnish vehicles. However, the Finnish "hakaristi" has no connection to German national socialism. It originates from the family crest of Swedish Count Eric von Rosen, who donated the Finnish White Army's very first aircraft in March 1918 during the civil war. It was officially adopted by the Finnish Air Force and later used by the Army, predating the Nazi Party’s adoption of the symbol by over two years and bearing no relation to fascist ideology.
Jääkärikomppania in Flames of War:
Organization of Jääkärikomppania in Flames of War:
28/07/2026