- Finnish Jäger troops
=History=
The Jäger troops were volunteers from
Finland trained inGermany as Jägers (elitelight infantry ) duringWorld War I . It was one of many means by which Germany intended to weakenRussia and to cause Russia's loss of western provinces and dependencies.The recruitment of the Jäger volunteers from the Russian
Grand Duchy of Finland had to be secret, and was dominated by Germany-influenced circles, such as university students and the upper middle class. The recruitment was however in no way exclusive.The recruits were transported across Finland's western border via
Sweden to Germany, where the volunteers were formed into the RoyalPrussia n 27th Jäger Battalion. The Jäger Battalion participated in the ranks of the German Army from 1916 in the battles on the northern flank of the eastern front.After the outbreak of the
Civil War in Finland Jägers who intended to engage on the "White" (non-socialist) side in the war were released. In Finland, these 2,000 volunteers were simply called The Jägers (Finnish pl. Jääkärit).Their contribution to the White victory was crucial, not least through improving morale. Educated as
elite troops they were also fit to assume command as officers over the untrained and uneducated troops of the Civil War.Immediately after the Civil War, they were afforded the right to use the word "Jäger" in their military ranks. Many of the Jägers continued their military careers. In the 1920s a long feud between officers with Jäger-background and Finnish officers who had served in the Russian Imperial army was concluded in favor of the Jägers: Most of the commanders of army corps, divisions and regiments in the
Winter War were Jägers.The Jäger March composed byJean Sibelius to the words written by the Jäger Heikki Nurmio, was the honorary march of many army detachments.Today
At the present time,
infantry in theFinnish Army are designated as Jäger troops, specificallymechanized infantry using APCs. Mechanized infantry using IFVs are called "panssarijääkäri" or Armor Jägers. Several other variations exist, includingFinnish Navy Coastal Jaegers, Guard's Jaegers of theGuard Jaeger Regiment , in special forces (Para) Jaegers, Special Jaegers, and in theBorder Guard border jaegers and special border jaegers."Jäger" Jaeger is also the lowest basic rank in the infantry of the
Finnish Army andFinnish Navy . Also, a driver, medic or mortar man may hold the rank of Jaeger. In other troops, special ranks such as "tykkimies" "Gunner" are equivalent (seeFinnish military ranks ). The older rank of "sotamies" "Private" is no longer used in peace time educational units but remains in war time infantry use.
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