As a Swede, it hurts me that our cowardly government didn't help Finland more than they did during this hard time. I wasn't even born yet but I still think they should have helped our Nordic brothers and sisters. Let's hope that our renewed military alliance and stronger bond today will last for a very long time! Long live Finland!

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey Hex1c, welcome to the Channel and thanks for watching the Videos. A lot of Countries could have done more to help to be honest but you have to give it to the Finns they put up one hell of a fight.

@hex1c

7 ай бұрын

@@anza77 Haha really? I never knew that. That's pretty fked. What do you think about that as a Finn?

@JTRetroReactions

6 ай бұрын

Hey mate - as a Swede would you mind sharing with me some great Swedish Movies to check out - I would appreciate it! Thanks

@Rasmanni

5 ай бұрын

jätte bra min bror ! finski här !

@markoluodelahti2874

5 ай бұрын

many swedens was helping, theres alot stories about sweden heroes

Yes, this movie is based on Väinö Linna's novel of the same name, which was published in 1954. The author Linna was himself involved in the war, so the novel is based on his own experiences. The novel and the film are therefore historically very truthful about this war 1941-1944, which in Finland is called the Continuation War.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks again Tomit - really helpful and interesting. I appreciate you sharing that with me.

@mattimatkalainen

7 ай бұрын

Not quite right. This movie is based on the original book Sotaromaani (Warnovel). The Unknown soldier-book is the sencored version where the publisher had the author to leave out some parts for being too anti-sovjet and shoving the female Lotta-soldiers in a bad light.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Matti for sharing that - I appreciate it! Can I ask was the Anti-Soviet worry because of the Soviet attempted undermining of the Finnish political arena at the time or that it may annoy the Soviets so much they could attack again?

@mattimatkalainen

7 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions 1950´s - 1970´s you could say that basicly Finland was an unofficial part of Sovjet. Sovjet had so much influence on our foreign politics and surely domestic too.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks mate for answering that question - much appreciated!

In reality, Rokka's role model, Viljami Pylkäs, killed 83 enemy soldiers in a similar situation. The author of "The Unknown Soldier", Väinö Linna thought that 50 was a more plausible number. Väinö Linna and Viljami Pylkäs served in the same machine gun platoon as corporals and squad leaders.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks mate. Some of the previous commentors mentioned the 83 figure as well. That's an insane kill count for one guy and I can understand why both the author and the director of this from felt it would not be believed if portrayed. But as they say life sometimes is stranger than fiction

@retrieveri

7 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions My grandfather knew personally the author Väinö Linna. He was in neighbour regiment and fought as far as in Sver (Syväri) river bridgehead. Later he was in a bad place and got wounded in Äyräpää bridgehead. Only after he was over 80 years old he started to talk about the war. He passed away at the age of 92, still carrying shrapnels in his hip.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey Retieveri - Welcome to the Channel and thanks for your comment. That's really cool to hear and thanks for sharing. Sorry that your Grandad passed but I have noticed that with older People as the years have gone by - when they sense the end is coming they tend to talk about things that they feel it's important to share - so I am glad you got hear his experiences first hand.

@Exiletheheretic

7 ай бұрын

When I watched the movie I first thought that they had over done it with Rokka. Too much Hollywood for the otherwise very realistic movie. Then I read about the real guy that Linna had based him of and realized they did't over do it. They actually toned the guy down for the movie. He for example somehow managed to destroy enemy artillery piece and take the squad using it as war prisoners. All alone.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey Exile, thanks for the comment and welcome to the Channel. As you have been your good self, several other commentors have shared with me this interesting information - that the real Guy Rokka was based on had so many amazing feats that the Director felt he could not portray them as no one would believe them! He must have been one hell of a Soldier!

The rifles are Mosin-Nagant and Finnish variants. Submachine gun is Suomi KP/-31 with 36- or 50-round box and 71-round drum. Machine gun is either Maxim M/1910, Maxim M/09-21 or Maxim M/32-33. Similar machine gun models were used by the Soviet Union and often the machine guns used by the Finns were war booty. Finland also had Lahti-Saloranta M/26 light-machine gun. Other spoils of war weapons that the Finns used a lot are - Rifles/SVT-38 & SVT-40. Submachine guns PPD-34, PPD-38, PPD-40, PPS-42, PPS-43 & PPSh-41. Machine guns Degtyaryov light-machine gun & DS-39. Finland got so many Degtyaryov´s as spoils of war, that it was put into official use to replace Lahti-Saloranta M/26.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks M - I appreciate you sharing that information - very helpful.

@danielviljanen5832

7 ай бұрын

They also used the Lahti L-39 AT rifle, 20 mm (pansaritorjunta ase)

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Cheers Daniel - much appreciated mate.

@454FatJack

7 ай бұрын

36 stick 9mm is post WW 2.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks mate. I didn't know that.

I'm Finnish, and I've honestly never been able to watch this movie. My grandfather was just old enough to fight in the continuation war, but because of his age he had a relatively safe station. It's hard to imagine what he would have gone through on the front, if he'd even survived. That personal connection is why Finns have such a strong sense of duty to protecting our country. Most of the veterans have passed away by now, but we know what our grandparents sacrificed.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey Vanyadolly - Welcome to the Channel. Thanks for sharing that post and your perspectiev - it was very informative. I have learned a lot about your history and this particular war over the past few days and it has been both really interesting and inspiring to be honest. Hopefully you were able to watch the video?

@jontti9530

7 ай бұрын

Both my grandfather and his brother were in the continuation war. My grandfather survived the war without a scratch whilst his brother fell at a place called Okanmäki in Early August 1941 during an assault on Soviet positions. Sacrifices that people like them made during the wars, is what gives me the sense that i owe the future generations the same effort if we were to find ourselves in a similar situation again. I think this is how many in Finland feel.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey Jontti thanks for sharing your families stories - that was great to hear and you should be very proud. I think most of us in Ireland, well Gen Xs and Boomers anyways, feel the same way. I'm actually not so sure anymore about the younger generations. They appear to be more willing to adapt alien cultures and values at the expense of our own and I am not sure why that is. I could be wrong - just the way I see things going here.

@arivaisanen4561

7 ай бұрын

I have seen the original movie sinne 1960's once a year at least - which means appr. 50 times. The newest version is the best; I have seen it some 10 times already.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks mate for letting me know - some People seem to hate this version but I loved it!

As a Finn, this movie (the narrative of an unknown soldier) is based on a book by Väinö Linna, who tried to describe the sisu / hopefulness of the soldiers, who faced the USSR's mighty force. The author was also recognised for speaking out how insane any form of war is, although the story is not considered to be totally pacifistic. The movie, which you are referring is the third "generation" of its kind. The first one is from 1955 and the second one is from 1985. The third, ie this one, is the latest (2017) which has a rather modern flavour in it in order to be more interesting towards the younger audience. In Finland we usually watch this movie (any version will do) during our independence day, which is on the 6th of December.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing that information - I appreciate it!

@ezkis

7 ай бұрын

❤ todella ymmärretysti selitetty kansainvälisesti😊. Itse olen huono kirjoittamaan englanniksi.

In Finland we still have universal military service for men so many if not all of the actors have gone through military service and therefore have understanding of basic military skills and settings.

@JTRetroReactions

6 ай бұрын

Thanks Sirkku88 - again understood - but I will still give credit to the Director for the following reason - Saving Private Ryan used the Irish Army as extras and had many US Army advisors as well - I know I was in it - but the issue was that the Director wouldn't listen to any of the military advice by in large as he was more focused on drama and action rather then reality. An example, I gave here before was the MG40s firing non stop at the landings - wouldn't happen - they would all have over heated and jammed - anyways the director ignored it - but in this movie the Director didn't which is a massive plus for me.

Lots of questions so I'll only answer a few that I can still remember being asked. Mannerheim's "rank" at this point was Marshal of Finland. He's the only one who had ever held that title and he was the commander of the Finnish army in that role. He would become president for a few years after the war but at this point he held no political power. As many others have mentioned, the Finnish army was indeed severely underequipped. It was after all a young, poor and sparsely populated nation. The little artillery that existed was WW1 era or earlier, tanks were practically non-existent and the majority was captured materiel turned against the Soviets and later in the war some STUGs bought from the Germans. Anti-tank weaponry was equally lacking, smaller caliber Swedish bofors guns that were incapable of dealing with modern Soviet armor, satchel charges and mines. Only by the time we get to 1944 did some better things like panzerfausts and panzerschrecks arrive. The airforce was in a similar state. A hundred or so airworthy aircraft that were for the most part already considered obsolete, while outnumbered 10:1 by the Soviet aircraft on a good day. Later in the war some BF109s were bought from Germany. Small arms were as everything else, mostly old Soviet (or rather, imperial Russian) stock. The machineguns are maxims, the rifles are mosins and the submachineguns were either captured from the Soviets or the Finnish made Suomi submachinegun which is still famous as one of, if not the best of its era. As numbers were lacking, some of the disparity had to be made up for through quality instead. The ratios that both the Finnish airforce and the tank forces scored against their Soviet counterparts in this war are stunning. The Finnish STUGs for example that only took part in the desperate battles in 1944 managed to knock out over 80 Soviet tanks while losing 6 of their own number if I recall correctly. The Finnish airforce had the highest scoring non-German ace in history among its ranks and the highest ace to pilot ratio of any airforce of the war. While the Finnish airforce never had over 150 fighters in service at any single point of the war, they managed to shoot down over 1800 Soviet aircraft in WW2. The only problem was the Soviets still always had thousands upon thousands more. As for the advance into Soviet Karelia, it's a somewhat debated subject and as Finns we're obviously biased, but the officially accepted narrative is that it was as you say, to establish a buffer zone and have some bargaining chips in an eventual negotiation with the Soviets. The Finnish war goal was never the destruction of the USSR, as evidenced by the rather lackluster participation in German offensive goals and the outright refusal from the Finnish side to attack Leningrad, which despite being within range for 3 years was never hit with a single shell from the Finnish side. The line that the Finns advanced to was also flanked by large lakes and rivers, significantly shortening the line that had to be defended compared to the old border line. In regard to conscription, Finland had and still has mandatory male conscription. When war broke out, practically the entire male population already consisted of trained reservists so they were simply called to their units as required. The numbers fluctuated throughout the war depending on the action on the front, obviously the economy at home needed to be kept running as well but the men in arms peaked at around 500,000 out of the population of 4 million. The movie is based on a book written by a veteran of the war a decade after the war ended. It's not directly based on real events or people, but it is inspired by real life individuals and things that did happen. I don't think I've heard or seen any references to this being framed as a "religious" war or a conflict against the godless Soviets anywhere so I don't think that was a thing. Finns are not taking religion too seriously and while it was more important back in those days, it was unlikely to have any major role then either. The Soviets were more "hated" for their political ideology instead, for the genocides committed against Finnish peoples, for their involvement in the Finnish civil war attempting to overthrow the Finnish government and of course, for the invasion of the country. But conflict between Russia and Finland (the territory of Finland and the people, the nation did not exist) goes back for a thousand years with constant invasions and atrocities. As far as I know there were no executions of Soviet commissars or political officers either, it wasn't like Germany's war of extermination. While there was little love for the Soviets, they were treated fairly well. Though there were significant amounts of deaths in PoW camps during one year where Finland itself experienced famine and the PoWs weren't a high priority to get the food. Soviet spies, saboteurs and especially partisans were however shown no mercy. The latter staged plenty of attacks across the Finnish border during the war years, where they attacked Finnish civilian villages raping and murdering every person they could find regardless of age before running back across the border to repeat having "destroyed a Finnish garrison of troops" to their command. Obviously, all of the above should be taken with a grain of salt. It is the truth as I know it, as objectively as I know it, but it will always be colored by the lens I'm looking at the history through.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey Jimmy. Welcome to the channel and thanks for all of that information. That was really interesting and I appreciate it! It makes a change from all the Z's I'm getting disliking the video and spanning the channel cause how could Russia do, any wrong Most are American. You won't see them as I've hid their comments as I won't give trash like that a platform. I mean saying Finn's were Nazis, is Russian clay etc. Complete nonsense! I wish I could ban them like in Odysee. Anyways I diverge, thanks again for the really interesting and objective and fair post.

@balticwater

7 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions The "Finns are nazis" narrative has become very popular in Russia in the last year, but that's expected. We decided to join NATO after they showed their old imperialist colors again, at least that's how we see it. To the Russian state, that obviously makes us an enemy and their propaganda has gone into high gear with smear campaigns. It's working too as propaganda in Russia always seems to do. There are plenty of Finnish monuments and war graves in former Finnish Karelia and now they are being destroyed and desecrated by our lovely neighbors who can't even leave the dead alone because "they were nazis". It disgusts me, but what can we do apart from hope that one day the Russian people will wake up and take charge of their own future rather than be subject to authoritarians who have seen them as expendable pawns for centuries.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

I'm glad you joined NATO and we in Ireland are in the same EU Battle Group as you guys so we are tied together from now on and having experienced similar histories that makes sense. Russia and China are the only two true Imperial powers left in the sense they want territory and not soft power. Anyone who believes otherwise has no understanding of history. The fools in the West who fall for and promote their propaganda are signs of the times. They get their history from Tik tok and their 'research' laughably called so from KZread videos. Ill informed and useful idiots for professional Alphabet agencies of foreign powers.

@heikkiturpeinen2496

7 ай бұрын

Are you sure that Finland never had more than 150 airplanes in service. Brewsters (44 planes total) and Me 109 (159 planes) and Curtiss Hawk(44) were used at the same time. Also Fokker D21 (97 planes total), though not used as a first line fighter, but reconnaisance and ground attack. I understand that the number of useable aircraft at any point in time is lower than the total. But still, 150 doesn’t add up, in my mind. Do you have a source for this? Thanks!

@balticwater

7 ай бұрын

@@heikkiturpeinen2496 I wouldn't bet my life on it, but it's the information I found. Spent a little time trying to find the source again but I can't remember where I pulled it from. I did specify fighter aircraft though, with recon and bombers the number was certainly larger. However I don't think the fighter number is far off when you consider the amount of fighter squadrons that existed. With only so many pilots, there could also only be so many fighters in use.

Nice to see this film being appreciated outside of Finland. :) My family is also Karelian, half of them from the territories stolen by Russia. My grandfather was just about old enough to help the military during the Winter War (he was 17) and then fought in the Continuation War. He was in Svir (Syväri in Finnish) like the characters at one point in the film are. My grandmother’s brother and cousin sadly lost their lives in the war. For me the film is difficult to watch because Karelia has always been a big part of my identity. It a terrible thing to long for a place you’ve never been to and for a home you’ve never had because it was taken from your grandparents. The loss of Karelia and other territories didn’t hurt just the people who had to leave them behind, but also the coming generations. Many, many Finns carry generational trauma to varying degrees. The war in Ukraine is in many ways so similar to what happened to Finland and that’s why so many of us in Finland care so deeply. I’m so happy that unlike us, Ukraine has the support of so many nations behind them. I hope from the bottom of my heart that Ukraine will reclaim all its territories and won’t have to suffer the faith we did. It’s not just land. It’s people. It’s culture. It’s history. Giving anything to Russia will just encourage them to commit more atrocities in the future. This is what Russia has been for hundreds of years. It’s time for this to end. I truly hope this war will be the end of Russia as a nation as it is. Russia losing this war will feel like a small justice to us Karelians as well.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey Silveirias thanks for your comment and welcome to the channel. Thanks also for sharing that part of your Family's traumatic history - I appreciate it as it gives a lot more context. I also don't disagree with anything you said and if you had seen the amount of Z's I have banned from here from making Russia Strong and Entitled comments - mainly American for some reason you would understand how much I support your view.

@Silveirias

7 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions I'm sorry to hear you're getting Zs in your comment section. 😞

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Unfortunately they tend to flock around any video that shows Russia up in any bad light at all.

@jjjjjttttttttt

4 ай бұрын

No its not. We all finnish dont think so. Actually like on this movie we attacked in Russia with germans. Winter war was different. Finnish usually dont understund or dont want understund what is the truth to continue war.

@Silveirias

4 ай бұрын

@@jjjjjttttttttt No it's not what? I do in fact now the difference between the Winter War and the Continuation War. Latter would never have needed to happen had the Russians not attacked first and had they not kept terrorising Finland during the Interim Peace.

Ireland and Finland have a common history in that we have always been oppressed. But not anymore..

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Exactly my friend. Plus we are in the same EU Battle Group now as well so we are tied together militarily from now on which I'm proud of

@jipasd

Ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions A relative of mine has an experience from Ireland when it was useful to be a Finn.

@k.m7883

Ай бұрын

True, i've always had my sympathies for the irish people knowing the history and being treated as a lesser human by their neighbor country

The Finnish armed forces weren't nearly as well equipped as they needed to be when the Red Army attacked. They had to scrounge weapons from where ever they could get them. Buy, barter or beg -- whatever it took to get weapons. Before Churchill invited an otherwise unwilling Stalin into the war (by using the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact as enticement), Finland did receive shipments of weapons from Britain, like the Hawker Hurricane and the Bristol Blenheim (via RAF they also got American Brewster Buffalos). But when Soviet entered the war, Finland became the enemy -- mostly for accepting the hand presented by Germany (although Mannerheim merely used Hitler as a mean to a goal, otherwise he saw the little corporal as a clown). Although the sub machine guns used mostly were the Suomi KP/ 31, and the rifles were Moisin Nagant 1891 (ironically provided by Russia), front line troops did use whatever small arms they got their hands on from fallen Red Army soldiers (one thing sought after was the rifle bolts, as they worked better than the Finnish ones in the mud and freezing conditions, or the Degtyaryov machine gun). The anti-tank rifle seen was probably the Lahti M-39, a 20mm rifle nicknamed the "elephant gun". It was an otherwise powerful weapon -- in optimal conditions. In the field it had problems. Finland did have an air force, but it was almost stretched beyond its limits and the German Luftwaffe became a saving grace. Apart from Luftwaffe detachments, Finland was able to buy a number of ME-109 fighters, with which aces like Warrant Officer Eino Ilmari Juutilainen and Captain Hans Wind did make a good deal of damage to the Soviet invading force.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Ion. Welcome to the channel and thanks for the very informative post. Your good self and countless other commenters have been very kind in sharing a lot of historical information and facts with me about this War and the history of Finland in general which has been great to learn.

A Finnish nobleman and officer called Jan Anders Jägerhorn was one of the early advocates for Finnish independence way back in the late 1700s. He actually ended up being imprisoned in the tower of London for his aid towards Irish independence and Lord Fitzgerald. During a visit to Finland, Desmond O'Malley unveiled a plaque in his honour.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for that Sairan, I never knew about that connection between the Finnish and Irish independence movements so that was really great to hear. I'm going to read up more on that now!

@lars-gunnarronnkvist5116

7 ай бұрын

Thank you. Intresting👍

@sulosky

5 ай бұрын

Nobody asked.

@SairanBurghausen

4 ай бұрын

@@sulosky I'm sorry to hear that your parents always shot you down when you brought up your pessions. The uploader as an irishman enjoyed hearing, as I don't really give a shit about your wants and needs, very similarly to your parents.

12.30 "it seems the Finnish army is actually extremely under equipped." That's why Finland befriended with the Germans in 1941. To get guns and other military equipment because we didn't have any during the Winter war 1939-1940 (except Molotov cocktails, rifles and some machine-guns and 116 airplanes :).

@JTRetroReactions

6 ай бұрын

Hey Sirkku88 - I totally get it mate - we even buddied up to Germans in WW1 for the exact same reason - lack of weapons needed to fight against the British. We also buddied up to Napoleon and the Spanish in their hey days back in the 16th and 19th Centuries.

The story is such a certral part of Finnish cultural heritage that films have been made repeatedly of it. Edvin Laine's original filmatization is always on the TV during Finnish independence day and there is also a 1980s version by Rauno Mollberg. This most recent version was released as a longer miniseries too.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey Sluxi - thanks for the comment and welcome to the Channel. I can see how this would work as a mini series - in fact it was in my head during commentary, even though I did not verbalise it that it reminded me of Generation War - following the story of a group of people going through War both on the Home Front and the Battlefield and in fact I said to my wife, whom I watched it again with after my YT review, that it would work as a mini series so good to hear that I was not that far of the mark then - thanks for sharing.

Not sure if anybody mentioned this in the comments since I didn't go through them all, but did you notice in the movie that when Finnish army was moving deeper to Soviet union all movement is from left to right and when retrieving starts then movement is from right to left. Director wanted to film it so on purpose.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Koponjon for the comment and welcome to the Channel. One other person was kind enough to point this out to me as you were your good self. I must admit I did not notice or catch this during my reaction but on reflection I can see it since it has been pointed out to me. Good filming techniques by the Director there. Thanks again.

The Finnish army had both field chaplains and field rabbis during WWII.

@JTRetroReactions

6 ай бұрын

Thanks mate. I appreciate you sharing that. Also please note the audio issue is fixed in part 2. Long story on what caused the audio issue in this part and why I can't fix it

@timoterava7108

6 ай бұрын

There couldn't have been very many field rabbis, because there were "only" c. 350 (out of total Jewish population of c. 2,000) Jewish soldiers in the Finnish DF 1939-45. In total 23 (6.5%) of them were killed during the WW2 - proportionally more than twice as many as on average.

They are actually using a Finnish machine gun named Maxim m32/33, its a modification made by aimo lahti from ww1's Maxim m1910, not a Vickers

@JTRetroReactions

6 ай бұрын

Thanks mate - a few people like your good self have pointed that out to me since doing the reaction. I have read up on those weapons since - fantastic guns for their time.

23:10 It was actually quite awkward when Hitler arrived to the Marshall Mannerheim's birthday without being invited. Even though Germany was seen as an ally, Hitler was a Persona non Grata for most Finnish leaders. Mannerheim was the supreme commander, but he did not have any position outside the military. He became the president in 1944, when president Ryti resigned.

@JTRetroReactions

6 ай бұрын

Thanks Paanikki for that great information - none of which I was fully aware of before - much appreciated!

@artemusp.folgelmeyer4821

2 ай бұрын

I read that Mannerheim purposely smoked a cigar in Hitler's presence with the full knowledge that Hitler hated smoking.

Aiming the torso was really a good advice at that time. Aiming in battle conditions is hard especially with the sights they used then. Caliber on guns was quite large so there was enought hitting power so the key thing was to hit and not miss the shot. Soldiers didn't have any armor or plate carriers at that time so hitting the torso 100% sure stopped that enemy from attacking AND drew 2-3 other soldiers to evac. So, with one shot you took out 3 to 4 enemies. Wounded really slow down the enemy. In many cases even more than KIA's. This is still relevant even today. Other thing that is also still relevant is that it is a tough spot to shoot to kill. Aiming and looking someone to the eye through the sight and then taking the shot. It is mentally so much easier to shoot torso. Remember also that in the movie this speech was made for the soldiers before their very first combat. Facts proof that in the first combat many even well trained soldiers are just unable to shoot a sigle shot or at least aim and shoot.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Jukka for the comment and welcome to the Channel. Thanks for sharing that information as well. I would still debate the point though and to be honest this probably comes down to different Military training and tactics - Personally I would aim for the chest - someone is not moving after taking a bullet to the lung and heart. It is also a same size target. The tactic of creating wounded for distraction is also well known in modern times and we were always told leave the wounded to the Medics that is not your job. I would also say that even in the Wars against the Soviets it was a questionable tactic as the Soviets and their successors are not exactly known for the care of Troops and their Lives. It was highly likely that if you stopped moving forward to assist a wounded Comrade, that you would have a Commissar or Barrier Troops to shoot you, yourself. Anyways, just my thoughts - thanks again for the information.

@jukkasinda2073

7 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions Yes, I’m not saying that it should be hit to the stomach but to torso. I think the reason why they speak about belt buckle is that it is somethg you see easily and more of a figure of speech.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Fair enough Jukka - I take your point mate - thanks for the comment.

@jukkasinda2073

7 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions And yes, great videos and good thoughts on both (part1&2).

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks mate - I appreciate you saying that!

4:50 the rifle that the Finnish were using had a small issue with the aiming irons when they came out of factory. They overshot a little over their aiming iron, that's why they taught them to aim for the belt and that's also where a fun little war cry came out: "Tulta munille!", quite literally means "aim for their balls!", again which was to correct the aiming issue. I hope I helped you guys understand this and taught you something!

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey Gr1fix - thanks for the information and welcome to the Channel. Thanks for the clarification - as you may have seen there has been a lot of debate over that issue in the thread. Some have also mentioned that the belt was worn higher in those days as well so between that and the zeroing issue of the weapons you were essentially ending up with a chest shot.

@alhei525

7 ай бұрын

That's total myth bullshit " tulta munille" is just something of equilevant of "get some" in english, literally " fire at or shoot at their balls" The improved mosing nagant style of rifles were one of the most accurate rifles of the era with much improved and accurate sights compared to the original mosing nagant that it in's original comfiguration didn't have that problem you mentioned.

@alhei525

7 ай бұрын

Even the bloody russian mosing nagants didn't have that problem

@topivaltanen4432

7 ай бұрын

@@alhei525 Exactly,Even 80s in army we were adviced shoot stomach because its not often deadly shot immediately.Two enemy soldiers are needed to take wounded away so you can get three enemys out of battle with one shot.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Problem is though that the Soviets did and do not really care for their wounded and you were as likely to have a Commissar or Barrier Troops shoot you as the enemy for helping the wounded so I don't believe that Theory would work in practice in this War. But I am speculating. Also, I did notice that Koskela only gave that order once which was at the start of the War and we never heard it after so I was wondering if there was a reason for that.

The Finnish guy with a bow who reminded of you about the British guy, the one you couldn't remember...well he's name was John Malcolm Thorpe Fleming Churchill, nicknamed "Fighting Jack Churchill" and "Mad Jack", he fought in the Second World War with a longbow, a basket-hilted Scottish broadsword, and a bagpipe. If I remember right, he got captured by Jerries, but they saved his life, because the Germans thought that he was actually a relative of Winston Churchill - given his surname, but of course he wasn't.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks mate - this guy was hilarious - obviously a bit crazy too but had the luck of the Devil to carry on the way he did and not get seriously injured or killed. He also was upset when the war was over and he wasn't going to be able to go into Battle any more

@JTRetroReactions

5 ай бұрын

Thanks mate - some other commenters mentioned this Guy to me before - he was the guy who John Wayne played in the Green Berets Movie if I am correct?

Finns got small air force. But there was german air force helping with 70 planes. Also finns got one tank divisions with stug 3 assault guns. 1200 finns was voluntered to 5th ss wiking and was there 41-43. When soviet summer offensive started tank divisions lauched counter attacks and was sent to hot spots. Most scoring tank ace was börje brotell with 11 destroyed tank + 4 damaged (summmer 44). He was former ss veteran and 43 returned back to finland. Tank division lost 8 tanks and destroyed 88 during summer 44

@JTRetroReactions

5 ай бұрын

Thanks lokki for watching the video, the comment and for sharing that information with me - I appreciate it! I read up on the Finnish Air Aces after doing this reaction - they were pretty impressive.

Yes, they mobilized a very large percentage of the reservists. The strength of the field army was 560 000 men at its strongest in the summer of 1944 out of a total population of about 3.7 million.

@JTRetroReactions

5 ай бұрын

Thanks again mate - very helpful information

Both of my grandfathers were in the war, even in the winter war, one was a machine gunner and the other was a radio operator and truck driver. They went all the way to Petrozavodsk, they both came back.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Gekko for sharing both of your Grandfathers experiences. I appreciate it and I glad they both got to come back alive. Did they share their stories with you in later life?

@koff41

7 ай бұрын

Hyvä!

Fun Fact: this movie holds the world record for most high explosives used in a single shot. Take that hollywood ;) Fun fact: Finland had the most advanced artillery tactics in WW2. It always surprised me learning about this, but its true!

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks again for sharing mate - Necessity is the mother of all invention as we say in English and given your size and the size of the Nation that was invading you - you really had no choice and fair play to you guys - you did it! Respect!

The film "Gorky Park" was actually filmed in Finland, Helsinki standing in for Moscow. Just like the Finnish Lapland stood in for Siberia in Doctor Zhivago.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey Kuriver - welcome to the channel and thanks for the comment. I never knew that so thanks for sharing - I appreciate it!

@yoretabio4537

7 ай бұрын

Yes, but to be precise Dr Zhivago was filmed near Joensuu on the ice of Lake Pyhäselkä.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Many thanks mate

The Finnish army has always relied on light infantry. It's the only way to fight in a country where 80% is forest and 20% is swamp. In the offensive phase of the Continuation War, when intelligence discovered the enemy's defensive positions. Such light infantry could travel 30-40 km in the forests so that the enemy could be surrounded.

@JTRetroReactions

6 ай бұрын

True I suppose but the Soviets seemed to be using Tanks and artillery but then again that doesn't mean it was the correct thing to do

@mursuheikkinen4673

5 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions In Central Europe, the battlefield could accommodate 100 tanks side by side. In the border area between Finland and the Soviet Union, tanks fought in small groups. Because they couldn't get off the built roads

@JTRetroReactions

5 ай бұрын

Thanks mate for the additional information - much appreciated! Have a good day!

The weapons used by finland in ww2 were for the most part a m/28 ”pystykorva” rifle, m/39 ”ukkopekka” rifle, a ”suomi kp 31” smg (which the ppsh 41 was based on) maxim m/1905, m/1910, m/09-21, m/32-33 as the machine gun, lahti-saloranta m/26 light machine gun, lahti l/39 anti tank rifle (mainly in the winter war) and luger p-08, mauset c96 and lahti l-35 pistols. And yes finland barely had any tanks, aircraft or mechanical personel with the infantry the trucks were only for supply and troop transport from friendly territory to the frontline

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey allu thanks for the comment and welcome to the Channel. That was interesting information you shared, so I appreciate it. Enjoy your Sunday.

Yes, creating a buffer zone was precisely the reason for taking more than the territory previously annexed by the Soviet Union.

@JTRetroReactions

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Markku - I appreciate you confirming that

The Finnish submachine gun is a KP/31 "Suomi". Some call it the best SMG of WW2. In any case it's fair to say it's up there with the best. Forgotten Weapons has great material on it. It's quite heavy, but it also brought unprecedented firepower WITH combat accurate automatic fire. Basically only crew served weapons could come close to matching that performance, so the weight was not considered bad at all. The actual drawback was manufacturing process and cost. One Cadillac does not replace 10 Ladas, so to say.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks mate for sharing that information - I appreciate it!

My house was bombed in the winter war back in 1939. But thanks to brave Finnish soldiers who fought in the war we are free and we can live a normal life!

@JTRetroReactions

5 ай бұрын

Thanks idkggss for watching the video, for your comment and for sharing that piece of history around your house - much appreciated! And of course respect to the bravery of the Finnish Soldiers of that time

Grandpa was stationed in Lappland as a "Gebirgsjäger" during the Continuation War and the Lappland War. He served under General Dietl.

Good movie! In Finland its a tradition to watch the original from 1955 on independens day. When it was realesed in cinemas veterans could watch it for free.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Brnolf - welcome to the Channel. A few others have mentioned that to me and it seems that every one has a different view on which of the 3 versions of the Movie is the best. Some like the 1955 version - some the 80s version and more the modern version. I have only seem the modern version so cannot comment on that. Which do you think is the best?

@MikkoRantalainen

7 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions The 1955 version is the traditional version that's a bit more like stage acting shot on film whereas this modern version tries to be more realistic version. I personally much prefer the version you're viewing here but for those people that have tradition to watch the 1955 version every year, they'll be continuing their tradition for sure.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Mikko for sharing that. I suppose we also prefer what we saw or heard first - like movies we grew up with as a Kid - I will also prefer the Originals even though the remakes can be superior in terms of quality and effects. Those originals will also have a special place in my heart due to the wonder and awe they gave me as a Kid so I presume it is the same with the other two versions of this movie.

It's not just the director that says "don't use full-auto, use burst". It's because of the actors military training. Finland is conscript country.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

I understand what you are saying and I don't disagree but the point I was making was the the Director has ultimate say and therefore the credit goes to him. For example look at Saving Private Ryan - they had military advisors on their team - I know I was an extra on that Movie as it was shot in Ireland, the Director still over ruled them on things like the MG40s wouldn't shoot non-stop etc. So credit does go to the Director as he made the right call. That maybe because he also served in the Finnish army but it doesn't take away from the point I making

@JTRetroReactions

5 ай бұрын

Exactly X-Wing - actors and even writers have very little say on a Movie once the Director gets going. Producers can influence to an extent but ultimately it's all the Director from the minute shooting starts.

You were thinking about 'Mad' Jack Churchill. Went ashore on D-day with his sword drawn, carrying a bow and a bagpipe.

@JTRetroReactions

6 ай бұрын

That's him alright. I read loads about him but the name just would not come to me in the reaction. He was also very upset when the war ended as he would have no more battles to fight

You are right that a hit to the waist is often not a fatal wound, but still very painful. A hit often causes a lot of screaming in the victim, which causes psychological damage in the enemy and may tie up several men to tend to the wounded.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Yes with a normal army - but we are talking about the Soviets here who were not exactly known for their good treatment of wounded men and who regularly had Commisars and Barrier Troops to shoot those retreating which included those carrying wounded men back. Unfortunate but true

@DenH-yo4bp

7 ай бұрын

​@@JTRetroReactionsYes, but aiming to head is most likely missing the target in the heat of the battle. Aim to the biggest target is the best. I dare to say that all 3 advices were spot on to give to regular troops. It's not realistic to think that it would be one bullet and perfect hit to head or spine. Only direct hit to central nervous system guarantees that target is 100% sure out. And when you look at terrain and what kind of warfare, you would learn fast to aim biggest mass instead trying some unrealistic perfect hit. I as most here commenting have military training too. If you have good visibility, weapon and time, for sure aim to the head. But in this kind of battle, you need to go with certain realities.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

I never said to aim to the head. You aim for the chest as a collapsed lung or a bullet through the heart is going to make sure no one moves again. I linked to a reddit post earlier in this thread where some one made a similar comment. There are plenty of stories on there about Afghan War Veterans getting shot in the Abdomen - they all talk about it feeling like a fly swatter and being able to move and fire etc. The only issue came when they went to move their legs and the blood loss, shock etc. impacted them. Plus I have personally witnessed people moving after taking 7.62 to the abdomen. In addition he did not say to aim for the Central Nervous System, spine etc. - he said to aim for the waist.

@DenH-yo4bp

7 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions Yes, it can be discussed a bit, but keeping it simple in there is the key. And waistline is kind of middle in the body. Hit a bit low or high and it's still almost certain killshot after some time. So it's good point to put overall aim in the forest.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Ok but surely the chest is even better then - aim too high you get the Head - aim too low you get the abodmen. If you aim for the waist - aim to high you get the chest - aim too low - you get the legs or miss altogether - a solider can still shot with a leg wound.

4:47 I was told to to aim for the belt buckle in the army too. The justification given was that so grievously wounded men would tie up enemy resources and lower morale, but probably it was just to make us aim for the center mass, not to try for fancy headshots and miss with our conscript skills. 8:15 Yes, Mannerheim's plan was to create a buffer zone and "three isthmus front" along 2 big lakes and the sea to have less land border. However, that was pretty much for nothing when the war was decided on the Karelian Isthmus between Leningrad and Finland just like it was in the Winter War. 10:00 Yes, it's the Finnish M1932 Maxim machine gun. The movie and book follows a machine gun company. In the book it was even noted that it's a pretty dated weapon at that point. And as people have already pointed out, the SMG is the Suomi M31. The drum magazine is the most iconic look for it, but it had stick magazines as well. Also seen in 13:05 is the 20 mm Lahti L-39 AT rifle. Inadequate against the likes of T-34 or KV-1, but I think we see a T-26 keeping a respectful distance in that scene. 23:15 Mannerheim was the supreme commander of the armies. After the war he was also the interim president for a while until a new one could be elected. He's a great figure in the Finnish history. Also led the White army in the civil war of 1918. Also in that point of the movie we see the transition to the static period of the war. The Continuation War can be divided in 3 stages: The advance in mostly 1941, the stationary trench warfare of 42-44 and the defence in 1944.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey Kissamiess, thanks for the comment and welcome to the Channel. Thank you for answering my questions in commentary - I appreciate it. That has been interesting and helpful. Cheers.

@Jaggaraz218

7 ай бұрын

I've read somewhere that firefights in Finnish woods usually happened at such short distances that the battle zeroing of 150m was too much so their guns would fire up, this is also where "fire at their balls" comes from, since if you aimed at the balls, the bullet would most likely hit the center of mass

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Jaggaraz - some other people have made this observation to me as well. Some have also said that the correct translation is to aim for the Belt and that the Belt was worn much higher on uniforms at that time so it was around the lower chest. Both explanations make sense and perhaps both are true. I honestly do not have enough information to state one way or another.

It's notable that some of the characters in this film also appear in a trilogy of novels written by Väinö Linna set in the Finnish Civil War in 1918, Täällä Pohjantähden alla (Under the North Star). One of main characters of Unknown Soldier is the platoon commander second lieutenant Vilho Koskela whose family took part in the civil war on the side of the Reds. One of his uncles was executed after the war when Vilho was a child himself. Koskela's father was pardoned despite being one of the local leading figures in his village on the Red side and he becomes an independent farmer following the land reform of 1918 after the Civil War. The class status of him and of his family changes from rural working class to rural small bourgeois. Vilho Koskela, becomes a reserve officer in the Army due to his leadership qualities. In the month or two leading up to the Winter War, Vilho is mobilized along with his brothers and he becomes the commander of a machine gun platoon. The author Väinö Linna served as a squad leader in this very regiment the company depicted in this novel from 1941 to 1943. In 1943, he was transferred to a training unit in the home front. The novel The Unknown Soldier, of which there is an another, larger version containing a lot of material redacted from the final draft published in 1954, has often been praised as providing sociological insights into a small military unit. Linna's regiment was Infantry Regiment 8 whose maneuvers and battles you can read about here: sotapolku.fi/sotapolut/jalkavkirykmentti-8/ Those who can't read Finnish may find the map interesting nonetheless.

@JTRetroReactions

5 ай бұрын

Thanks again mate - I appreciate that! I actually have a copy of the Novel now that the Unknown Soldier was based upon and I am currently reading through it, although many People have warned me that the translations may not be up to scratch. I'm currently editing my reaction to Talvisota so that will be out soon, barring no copyright issues.

I am from east Finland near Lapland --- all were conscripted and there were conscript officers up to the rank of captain.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching the video mate and for sharing that information. I appreciate it

My grandfather was in that war, driving a t-34 tank. I have his medals, and all of his papers and three stuffed calendars, where he wrote down what was going down every day.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey mate welcome to the Channel and thanks for sharing that information. Did you ever think about publishing it as a Book?

@user-gd7ok1fl9z

7 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions that would be awesome, but its a tough job to read his miniature text and decode his handwriting.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

I hear you mate - if anyone tried to decipher my handwriting they would be lost - sometimes I cannot read it myself. I used to work in tech before I had to retire so my suggestion would be to run it through an OCR - Optical Character Recognition Programme - ChatGPT can do this - you would have to scan them into OCR readable documents first - that should help a lot with the transcription. Failing that you could go a professional transcriber. There was also a gentleman, on the comments to Part 1 of this Video Series who published his Grandads memories - perhaps you could reach out to him to get his advice through the comments?

The continuation war was about Finland trying to recapture it's lost territories, pushing further in to russia was just an attempt to have more leveridge during peace talks.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment and welcome to the Channel. Some others have indeed said this but others have also agreed it was to create a buffer zone. To be honest I don't have enough knowledge to comment either way

@Silveirias

7 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions It’s both. There were some individuals who wanted to seriously conquer land, too, but this was never an official policy and anyone who tries to say Finland was genuinely trying to expand its territory to create a “Greater Finland” is probably a tankie.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks mate for sharing that additional information. As I said, I really don't have enough knowledge to comment either way at the moment but I have ordered both this Novel and a couple of other books on the Winter and Continuation Wars to educate myself.

Finland complied with the Geneva Convention, which determines how prisoners of war are treated

@JTRetroReactions

6 ай бұрын

Thanks for letting me know and for watching the videos. I appreciate it

In independent Finland, there has been general conscription for 100 years. 600,000 Finnish soldiers participated in the continuation war. Of which 90% were soldiers called up from the reserve.

@JTRetroReactions

6 ай бұрын

Thanks again for sharing. Much appreciated

Thank you Jay for the very good and professional commentary!

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey Wellness - thanks for the comment and welcome to the Channel. I appreciate you saying that so thank you - I'm a relative newcomer to all of the KZread stuff so that has been very helpful in encouraging me to continue. I appreciate it!

Those guys, like 'sotamies Rokka' were the backbone of our heroic forces who pushed back the russian invaders. They were arrogant, they did not obey the rookie leaders, because they knew better. They know how to fight a war - a winning war. And we have learned a lot about that. For example, nowadays, when we are in the army, practicing how to hit the enemy where it hurts the most - everyone is heard. There are no titles in the battlefield. I don't call anyone as a "Sir" and nobody calls me a "Sir". No matter how high they are in the hierarchy. We are in the same boat - and all of us make sure that this boat floats. No matter what. So no titles. Just decisions.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

I agree - it's the same in all Armies to be honest and I talk a good bit about that in my reaction to Episode 1 of North and South where the two main characters are in Westpoint and suffering at the hands of a bad Training Officer - a Good NCO is worth their weight in Gold as it is usually earned by years of experience and officers straight out of officer school are great at rules and fantasy strategy but have no practical application which can be dangerous - they need time to be bloodied and the smart ones rely on their NCOs to take the lead whilst they get up to speed. The whole Sir thing would only apply in special forces in the Irish Army - regular Army would be quite strict on protocol.

The "tommy gun" is actually a Finnish made "Suomi konepistooli", Finnish Machinepistol. The design was invented in Finland and was not a copy of the American gun. The drum magazine of course makes it look like the MP the Yanks used, but do not let it fool you. The gun was amazing in dealing death to the reds.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey Simo, welcome to the Channel and thanks for the comment. Many people have been kind enough, as you have your good self, to point that out to me. I didn't even hear of the Suomi before doing this reaction but I have read up on it since. It was an amazing weapon and the PPSH is in fact a rip off, of the Suomi.

@XtreeM_FaiL

7 ай бұрын

KP-31 is based on MP-18.

@phm19880

7 ай бұрын

​​@@JTRetroReactionsgreat reaction. Thank you sir. You earn a subscriber😊. Man who design the Suomi machine gun, was Aimo Lahti. I was in my military service in 2003( I am second lieutenant of reserve), Aimo Lahtis grandsons son was under my command. He even look kinda like A.Lahti.😅. Finnish soldiers like to call Suomi machinegun a "trench whip" (juoksuhautapiiska, i dont know i translate it right) because it was very handy in close combat trench fighting. Americans try to get Lahti working in USA to design weapons, in 1932, and they offer 3 million finnish marks. He still refuse, with good reasons, to say it short. Also i have heard that in interview of head of the USA NSA organization, when asked that who is/was the best gun designer ever, he answered: Colt and Lahti. But i have never fact check this, that is it true or not. Keep it going and continue your work. Respect from Finland

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing that Xtreem - much appreciated!

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Phm - I appreciate the Sub and the kind comments. Thanks also for sharing that historical information which was fascinating to read - I appreciate it!

My oldest uncle died towards the end of the war. My father told that when his body was brought to his home village, my other uncle, who had also been in the war, went to open his coffin. The whole area around the church smelled like a rotting corpse for a long time.

@JTRetroReactions

6 ай бұрын

Hey mate - thanks for watching the video and welcome to the Channel. Thanks for sharing that story - that is rough man - particularly on your Father - may your Uncle rest in peace and be remembered for his bravery and sacrifice!

@mika-antero

6 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions My father remembered for the rest of his life how his mother cried when the military police took the older brothers from home to go to war. Both were under twenty years old.

@JTRetroReactions

6 ай бұрын

That's tough mate on your Father and Grandmother. Had to be done I suppose but it had real life effects which are often forgotten in the pages of history - that's why I liked that this Movie included the Homefront and the image of Koskela's Mother just left with three pictures and three medals at the end.

Finland still has conscription, so for example most of the actors have at least some military training. It may help with the realism. The rifles used were domestically produced M/27 derived from Mosin Nagant M/91.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks mate for sharing that information and welcome to the channel.

my great grandfather fought in raatteentie which was one of the most horrifying places in winter war. He made out there alive cause im here typing this comment. never met him in person but i have couple of photos before war when he was sent there. proud to be finnish.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey Jorkka, welcome to the Channel and thanks for sharing your story. The more I have learned about the Finnish struggles through helpful commentors like yourself the more I see the commonality in between the Irish and Finnish stories. In fact one Commentor was kind enough to share a bit of history of the link between the Finnish and Irish independence movements which I never knew about before.

in fact it is novel by Väinö Linna "sota romaani" war novel later known as "the Unknown Soldier" based in true events. later made in 3 movies.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks again for the information. I've been trying to find an English version on Amazon. Is this the best of the three movies or?

@Gibbetoo

7 ай бұрын

this would be best one of them, most recent one so special effects are in another level.@@JTRetroReactions

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks - good to know. I suppose I was just wondering if it was like 'All Quite on the Western Front' where I think the original is still the best for me even though the version on Netflix had better special effects - but good to know I reacted to the best one - thanks again!

@sampohonkala4195

7 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions They are all different and quite good. The oldest is more like a theater play taking place outdoors, very honest to the novel. The second is partly shot by handheld cameras and is in a way very realistic and more chaotic I think. This is the latest and has a good balance, I would call it the best. I went to see it with my daughter - who was thinking she might volunteer in the army. When Russia invaded Ukraine, her mother said that surely you are not volunteering now as things are getting that rough. She replied that if she had had any doubts before, now she will go for sure. NCO in the Finnish navy, took part in the NATO Baltops 23 in German waters, a conscript some three months left of her training. Hard to say if the film had any part in this, but it is possible.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey Sampohonkala thanks for the comment and welcome to the Channel! Thanks for all the information on the Films as well. I, as mentioned below, am trying to get my hands on an English version of the Novel but proving harder than I first thought. I really like this Movie and it's very realistic and the fact that Rokka is based on a real Character is all the more impressive. 83 Russians I believe he took out on that flanking move which is all the more impressive! Interesting about your Daughter. One of the things that prompted me way back in the Day to join the Irish Army was watching Films about War in general and the Irish War of Independence. It just made me think, better to be prepared than not - plus if I was a Volunteer and ever did have to join up, being at minimum an NCO would guarentee you Officer status in a time of War. So perhaps your Daughter was thinking along the same lines - just guessing. I think it's a good think for young people anyways and I wish we had national conscription here - I believe it provides structure and discipline, particularly for young people - a lot of whom do not get that at home now either.

I believe that those Finnish boys used guns of their own design and manufacturing. That one with the rounded magazine was probably Suomi KP/-31 (designed by extremely talented Aimo Lahti who was also responsible for designing Lahti-Saloranta M/26 light MG, Maxim M/32-33 MG (also seen in the film), Lahti L-35 pistol and even Lahti L-39 anti-tank rifle. He also designed anti aircraft weapons) and soviets copied their design from those for their PPSh and early PPD.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Rotionu - that was very informative and helpful - much appreciated!

@Rotionu

7 ай бұрын

Glad to help. @@JTRetroReactions

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks mate!

@XtreeM_FaiL

7 ай бұрын

Only thing ruskies copied was the KP's drum magazine.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks mate - I honestly don't have enough information or knowledge on the subject to state one way or another so happy to take your word for it.

The gun with the drum mag is called suomi-konepistooli (suomi-submachinegun) and the mp-40 looking guns are the same gun but with different mag.

@JTRetroReactions

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Nikkel for watching the videos and for the information you shared in the comment. I hadn't heard of that weapon before doing this reaction but I have looked it up since - great weapon for its time.

@nikkelssonn6388

5 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions yeah it is got a chance to hold it aswell when i was doing my military service

@JTRetroReactions

5 ай бұрын

Did you manage to fire it - I know some of the other commentators mentioned on here who did fire it said that it had very little recoil as the gas was released through the barrel - but I was worried that would make it prone to jamming by not enough gas going back to rechamber the rounds - not sure if that was a concern or not - just the first thing that came to mind when I heard about the design.

@nikkelssonn6388

5 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions i didnt fire it but ive seen other people fire it and seems like it has little to no recoil

@JTRetroReactions

5 ай бұрын

That's what the People who did fire it mentioned in the comments alright - as I said - great weapon for its time

10:09 The Machineguns were Maxims, the drum magged and the MP40/tommy gun (with a coffin mag) were KP-31's, the lee enfields were Finnish Mosins.

@JTRetroReactions

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching the video mate. The KP I wasn't familiar with prior to the reaction, but the maxims and mosins I should have known. Just one of those mistakes that sometimes happens when you're on the spot in a reaction. Have a good weekend

10:05 Maybe someone answered this already. The MG used in this scene is the Maxim machineguns, which was the primary machine gun of Finnish forces at the time. They were many and cheap to buy after WW1. The SMG is not a PPSH, common mistake. The SMG's used are Finnish made Suomi KP-31 SMG's, Designed by Aimo Lahti and manufactured by Tikkakoski. No PPSH's or Thompsons around in Finland at this time.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Jontti for the comment and welcome to the Channel. Thanks for sharing that information as you and many of your Country men and women were kind enough to do. I appreciate it as my knowledge of the weapons used in this conflict at the time I made the reaction was not great - so all of this information has been really helpful!

@Deuzen_FIN

7 ай бұрын

The PPSh-41 was in fact the Soviets' attempt at replicating the Suomi KP/31 after they saw its effectiveness in the Winter War.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Deuzen - I only found that out recently after researching the Sumoi. Imitation is the best form of flattery as we say in English.

Thank you for reviewing the national classic movie of The Unknown Soldier! It's has been played on national television annually on our independence day the 6th of December

@JTRetroReactions

6 ай бұрын

You're welcome and thank you for watching the videos. I appreciate it. Keep an eye out for Talvisota which I'll be releasing soon as well. Enjoy your weekend.

Damn, first time seeing an actual reaction video on KZread. Great job!

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Taaha - I appreciate you saying that mate and thanks for watching the Videos. Hopefully you'll enjoy my reaction to Talvisota as much when it comes out in the next couple of weeks. Cheers.

A man with taste. Refreshing to see somebody reacting to this movie instead of more hollywood drivel like Saving Private Ryan which makes war look like a glorified shooting gallery. Ok perhaps that was little harsh but it really annoys me to see people hype SPR as "best war movie ever!!!!". I was a part-time worker in a small town movie theater in Finland when this movie came out and it was the first time I saw the theater fully packed. Even got to keep the movie poster afterwards.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks mate. Welcome to the Channel and I appreciate the comment. I really loved this movie and I'm trying to find an English translation of the book. SPR is good but overrated - I agree. Thanks for watching and hopefully you'll stick around for part 2 tomorrow. Also if I got anything wrong in my commentary feel free to correct me.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Fun fact I forgot to mention. I was in SPR ha ha. As an extra. They used the Irish army as extras for the D Day scenes

Finn here! So the short one first; Winter war is seen as part of Finnish epic as a heroic defense of our country. Continuation war not so much, I don't know how people felt about it during the effort, but it isn't a very popular war now. The movie itself is based on Väinö Linna's novel "The Unknown Soldier" and is a work of fiction that was inspired by real events and people. The book is also seen as part of finnish epic by finns. Also like everyone already said, Antero Rokka is the common favorite character as he embodies the spirit of winter war and the heroic part of Finnish mentality. He might not want to be seen or heard from. He doesn't care for medals or citations. He is there to get the job done.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment Pyllymysli and for the perspective you shared in your comment. I really enjoyed the Movie as I have said here many times. I also liked to hear that Rokka was based on a real person with some Artistic licence as he reminded me of some my old NCOs. Those characteristics you describe above make the best Soldiers - always without doubt. Those who want glory like the Lieutenant in the movie, or how want to be heros or sometimes just genuine psychopaths are to be avoided at all costs. They tend to either chicken out or go gung ho and get the wrong people killed.

@Pyllymysli

7 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions A tidbit! The war reprisals the soviet union demanded from Finland after continuation war were massive, and Finland really didn't have the muscles to pay those off. So Finland industrialized and got heavily into tech. Main Finnish exports (not counting lumber) are still tech products and the struggle with war reprisals is a corner stone towards that development so..... Thanks? Finland is also (to my knowledge) the only country that has paid their war reprisals in full. The last train left sometime in the 80's I think. I can't remember the date.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. As we say in English necessity is the mother of all inventions. Fair Play to you guys for paying it off! From what I understand Germany is still paying its WW1 reparations and the UK defaulted on their debt owed to the US from WW2 and never paid it back. Technically the UK today is bankrupt if that debt was called in. I'm Irish so don't care but that's what Peter Hitchens says who is a UK reporter.

@eddie-qz5fv

7 ай бұрын

Last train left at 1952. @@Pyllymysli

@timoterava7108

7 ай бұрын

​@@JTRetroReactions That young 2nd Lieutenant was not a mental case or trying to be a hero. He was just inexperienced and Rokka warned him not to try to be a hero.

The prelude of the war in 1941 was more than just a will to recapture lost land. After Winter War Finland lost much of its best arable land in Karelia and was going to see serious shortage of food. As a part of peace treaty, Soviet Union was supposed to deliver grain to Finland. You may have already guessed it, that condition was never met. During the interim peace (as we call it here) Stalin put heavy pressure on Finland, around 250 border guards were abducted to Soviet Union and only a few ever came back. Civilian airliner Kaleva got shot down by soviets after departing Tallinn on June 1940. Baltic Sea was pretty much closed and the only life line was the harbor of Petsamo in Lapland, and the capacity of that was less than adequate. Weapons were not available from anywhere, because everybody was filling their own stocks. Now here comes the Germany. As part of partnership Finland was able to get grain and weapons from there, and the presence of German troops was somewhat a deterrent against soviets, even though they formally were still allies. From these premises it was easy to consider taking the old areas back.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks MS for sharing that information which was helpful. Not all agree with this viewpoint - I do - but there are others on this thread - see above, which think Finland was used and abused and Russia did nothing. I disagree with that stance, coming from a Nation that has had a similar experience as Finland at the hands of Colonial powers.

Great that you made a video about this movie! Regarding your uncertainty about aiming for the waist. Keep in mind that a belt buckle on a WWII military uniform was at or above the belly button (that’s what they mean by waist here). A hit anywhere from belt buckle (belly button) to the top of the torso is acceptable. Therefore a belt-buckle point of aim means you can use the same point of aim on a target from 0m to 300m without adjusting for range and have a positive effect on the target. Simple and soldier-proof.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Kmasse for the comment and information and also welcome to the channel. Yes many others have been kind enough to point this out as you have your good self and also gave information about the zeroing of the weapons etc.

About the scene where you were worried about the finnish army not having engineering equipment when crossing the swamp: they were conducting an flanking maneuvre across and vast swampy area during night. They were to surprise the enemy so they had to move quickly and quietly. That's why they did not have time to build pontoons overs the swamp or cause noise by doing so. All talking and smoking was prohibited inorder to not make noise or lights. They wore white pieces of cloth attached to their backs to see their comrades in the pitch dark. Flares or flashlights were out the question.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey John - thanks for watching the video - okay - what you explained there makes sense then - That maneuver was not explained in the version of the Movie I watched so I was missing that part - thanks for sharing.

@johnislander7956

7 ай бұрын

Yes that might not be explained in the movie but it is explained in the book. There was this crossroads which was vital for the russians who were withdrawing and evacuating their heavy equipment further east. The Finns aimed to cut the road. The main force of the division was to follow the enemy along the road but the battalion, in which the machine gun company belonged to, was to flank the enemy by traversing through an swampy area during the night. They would then reach the crossroads by morning and hold it. That's why they are met by the russians who counterattack them because they are desperately trying to get back control of the road @@JTRetroReactions

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

That makes a lot more sense now! Thanks again for clarifying that mate!

All men who had done their compulsory military service were ordered to fight Those above a certain age stayed in home troops. The army is based on conscripts and a small portion are permanent staff. The war fare was very much guerilla tacticts fought in enormous forests. The enemy was huge. The army is still based on conscripts. All men above 18 are conscripts and women can now do military service as a volunteer. Mannerheim was the commander of the whole army. Finnish army lacked weapons and the air force was small but the will to fight to keep independence was great. Women ran factories and farms and made bullets and weapons. Everybody took part in the war effort. Life was very hard because there was lack of food and practically everything. The only country to help was Germany. Sweden offered some humanitarian help. My father fought in the Winter War and the Continuous War spending the best years of his young adulthood fighting in the dense and enormous forests of Karelia. My mun looked after cattle and made bullets in a small factory. (You asked about Maxim Gorgi. He is a famous Russian writer.)

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Liisa - very helpful. I was reading up on that recently and I know individual countries did not help that much at all but I did see that you got a lot of foreign volunteers including, basing this of wikipedia so it may not be true, but according to that the Actor Christopher Lee - famous for Dracula in the Hammer Horror Movies and Sauriman in Lord of the Rings. It was a fantastic resistance by Finland in the Winter War given the size of the opponent and I understand allying with Germany to regain your territory etc. in the Continuation War - the enemy of my enemy is my friend as I mentioned in commentary.

None of the small arms were British-made but you're right in that there were many types of them.

@JTRetroReactions

5 ай бұрын

Hey mate - yes you are right. I do no research prior to doing these reactions so I went with what I was familiar with in terms of weapons - in fairness I was familar with the Mosin so I should have gotten that one but I wasn't familiar with the Suomi - but thanks to helpful commentators like yourself I have read up on those weapons since - so it was good to learn that and is one of the bonuses of doing these types of reactions

The smg is always (at least most of the time) the M/31 / Suomi KP/-31, a Finnish submachine gun. Can be used with a drum or stick magazine. Those were not available to all troops, though. And machine guns were mostly Maxims or Vickers indeed. Lahti L/39 was the anti tank rifle used, 20mm calibre.

@JTRetroReactions

Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching mate and for the information - much appreciated!

Talking about unnecessary gear, my father was fighting in the front line from -39 (Winter war) to -43 (Continuity war), wounded two times and finally sent back home with a shrapnel in his left arm. He told stories about how they were sometimes sent to the battle with only a rifle and a shoulder bag (leipälaukku, bread bag) full of cartridges. They were said that the unnecessary gear only makes them slow to run and anyway they will need other stuff only if they survive from the battle.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey Paul, welcome to the channel and thanks for sharing your Fathers story. Essentially what your Father said is true - all you really need are ammo, rifle, rations, water and potentially a map and compass - talking infantry here - not mortar squads or machine squads. A change of socks and clothes can be useful too if you have the luxury of carrying them. Same goes for a blanket or poncho - but again if you have the luxury of carrying them - the more you carry - the slower you are in moving - so it depends on the situation.

The point of shooting to the waist is to neutralise more than one soldier from combat. The badly wounded, and the person needed to evacuate the said person from combat. Also, the screaming of the wounded would afffect morale. This was an actual guideline for soldiers during time period. I'm a Finn btw. Served in UNIFIL mission with Irish battalion in Lebanon back in 2012.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Routa and welcome to the Channel. A few people have mentioned to me that this was the guidance but I would still prefer to aim for the chest for two reasons a) A collapsed lung or heart shot is definitely putting someone out of action with no chance to fire their weapon again and b) The Soviets did not care much for their wounded troops and as you are aware would have Commissars or Barrier Troops trying to shoot you if you did. Just my view thought. What did you think of the Leb? I was there in the early 90s and it was pretty rough back then with the IDF/Christian Milita and Hezbollah all trying to do their thing and us stuck in the middle. Lost a few guys back then too. Thank God, I believe things had become quieter in recent years but I just heard two days ago, that Irish Guys over there now had to evacuate their families due to the recent Israeli trouble. Hopefully the Irish lads you served with did us proud. I know the Irish service guys I speak with always speak highly of the Finns as I know we train a lot together being part of the same EU Battle Group

@ollirantala808

7 ай бұрын

also reason to aim low is to get more hits becaus old rifels wasnt accurate so many shots got too hihg@@JTRetroReactions

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks mate for the comment. Someone else made that point as well and if that is the case then there's a fair point there. Someone else also pointed out that the translation is actually aim for the belt and belts at that time were worn just at the start of the chest area which also makes more sense as well.

In 1939, my grandfather was 19 years old. He fought on the Raate road. He said that sometimes it was even scary. 1941-1944 fought in several places on the eastern front. ( movie e.g Rukajärventie ) After the war, he did not touch weapon, but always told stories about the war.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey Pekka - welcome to the channel and thanks for sharing your grandfathers story - I appreciate it! I will be reacting to Rukajarventie at some stage - I just have to get Talvisota done first as that won the Poll. I am glad that your Grandfather was able to share his stories with you - many are not - so it was good that you were able to hear that history from him.

The idea behind gutshot is that it disables the soldier for a long time and thus also forces enemy to spend their resources on their wounded. Wars are also won through economy and it also creates more stress to enemy logistics.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey Duhni thanks for the comment and welcome to the Channel. There have been many debates and different viewpoints on that throughout this thread. While you are correct in that sending wounded Soldiers back can demoralise a civilian population, economy etc. You can also do that with a collapsed lung where the injured person has no chance of firing back at you again. That can and does happen with an abdomen wound.

@duhni4551

7 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions Yeps, that is true too. But the point of aim rarely is the point that you hit, specially with moving target shooting you back. Center makes a larger target and it is easier to shoot faster with bolt action rifles like that too when you don't have to aim that much. There are tons of aspects to concider about it but the idea is that if you hit, you either kill or at least disable the enemy for good.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Agreed mate. Thanks for contributing to the conversation.

Finnish didn't had commisar rule. However mutual aid agreement did allow German's to question PoW's Finnish had taken for for "commisars and other reich enemies". Not sure how much German's bothered to do that. One intresting Tid Bit in Syväri there was Sholkan shul, or Field Synagogue, where Finnish Jewish servicemen gathered to celebrate. It was very close to German units but mostly German's came to look over and wonder the thing. There were'nt any recorded incidents between Finnish Jewish service men and German troops in the area.

@JTRetroReactions

5 ай бұрын

Thanks again mate - interesting to read that and I know another commenter on the Unknown Soldier reaction also mentioned about Finland having Jewish Servicemen. Have a good day!

Light machine gun is Suomi-konepistooli. Most infantry weapons are mosing-nagant. Model 39finnish. There was no lee-enfields in finnish army, and ppsh was only what they took from russians.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Tom - I appreciate you sharing the information. Welcome to the Channel by the way

Ty for this. both of my grandpas were in service in that time, may they rest in peace. 😐ty

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks James for watching the Videos and welcome to the Channel - I'm glad you enjoyed it!

As far as I know, there was no uniform policy of executing all the political commissars. It was not an ideological war on our part. It was all about territory.

@JTRetroReactions

5 ай бұрын

Thanks - I know others have mentioned that as well - again as someone with no knowledge of the conflict other then the bare historical bones that it took place, when it took place and who was involved - it was interesting to find out - I suppose the question arose for me due to the alliance with the Germans - which I know was an alliance of convenience rather then political and the portrayal of religion in the Movie - it did raise the question for me, if Communism was also an issue but as you and others have pointed out it wasn't

The subtitles translate it wrong at 7:03 , He clearly sees the other guy looting, but doesn't say it, instead joking "Let's not evacuate him", an enemy soldier and a dead one at that.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

I always wonder about English Translations - I speak a bit of German and notice the English Translations of Downfall and Generation War were not great either - but I suppose most of the time we never know enough to spot it - thanks for catching that and clearing it up for me. Welcome to the Channel and thanks for watching

the "aim for the waist" advice was used because often the Finnish guns would shoot lower than anticipated so they aimed for their waists

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Elvin for the comment, the information and for watching the videos. I appreciate it!

@japekki666

7 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions and another reason for that is its biggest part of the body...you will hit it there mostlikely much better than aiming to the head..

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

I agree and that's why I made my comment on the video. I was always thought chest shots to disable an opponent while waist shots means you can still have an opponent shoot at you

@ElvinAltAccount

7 ай бұрын

finnish soldiers also used the term "tulta munnile" wich means shoot their balls@@JTRetroReactions

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Elvin - I appreciate you sharing that ha ha!

Great reaction, thanks!

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Teemur - I appreciate you saying that. I get a lot of abuse that you won't see in the comments as I have hidden the users - 99% Z supporters and 1 Lunatic who swears I called it an action movie and did not respect it. So I appreciate it when I get good comments like this. Have a good evening.

12:42 Did you know that someone stopped one soviet tank with a branch/log? He struck the branch between the caterpillar tracks and the bearings which made it pop the treads. Then it was a stalemate for a while, but then this dude just threw a grenade into the tank. If there is a will, there is a way, and that we Finns call "Sisu", if annoyed enough we can go through solid rock.

11:26 "tommy gun" is actually Finn designed KP-31. In this picture you can see both model of magasines used, although the drum magasine is most commonly used. It is a mass-locked weapon that shoots 9 mm parabellium at theoretical rate of 700-900 rounds per minute.

@JTRetroReactions

6 ай бұрын

Hey Jaska and welcome to the Channel - thanks for watching the video and for sharing that information. I wasn't familiar with the Sumoi or KP-31 before doing this video but I have read up on it since. Seems like they were excellent weapons

That movie based to book of veteran Väinö Linna who was one of Machine Gun Company. The veterans liked its first version in fifties, even it`s style was very light and romantic. This version is more realistic. No living veterans any more to justified it.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey Jarik welcome to the Channel and thanks for the comment. I have been trying to get my hands on an English version of the Book as I really want to read it - it's been harder than I thought. Some people on here have shared that they like the 1955 version better, some the 1980's version and some this one. I guess it's probably a lot to do with style of the Director and screen writers - what they decided to cut and keep in each of this Movies but I don't know - I am just guessing. I do agree that this Movie is very realistic which is why I love it - it doesn't give any romantic version of War because there is no romantic view of war - it's just carnage.

Movie is based on real events and it is very accurate. The guy who wrote the book was in continuation war himself and his novel tells the story of a finnish machine gun company. Character Rokka is based on Viljam Pylkäs who was with the author in the same company. His heroic actions are much bigger than in the movie because original director of the older version of the movie thought that no one will believe it. Im talking about the scene where he alone killed russian ski patrol. He really did that but there were more kills than what we see in the movie. That wasnt his only heroic act, i read about Viljam and how he defended automatic rifle nest alone, killing again very much russians. This is a great movie, i love how people are watching it all over the world.

@JTRetroReactions

4 ай бұрын

Hey mate - thanks for watching the video and please note that the sound quality improves in part 2 - long story on why I can't fix the sound quality in part 1. Anyways thanks for all of that information. I have just finished reading the book that the movie was based upon and I enjoyed it. I was also happy to find out that Rokka was real as he reminded me a lot of some real life NCOs I dealt with in the past. Yeah - 81 kills I believe he got on that flanking ambush - that is some kill tally for one guy so I can understand why the directors thought it wouldn't be believed. Rukajarven Tie is also on the way soon if you're interested - I had hoped to get it out this Friday but it's caught in a false copyright claim so it may be next weekend instead.

Don't know if you got the answers already but yeah, this is based on a book written by a member of the company. Names and characters have been changed/morphed from reality but otherwise it is a true story.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Gyderian - many people like your good self have been kind enough to share that information with me and lots of other history around the Continuation War which has been fascinating to learn. Welcome to the Channel and thanks for watching

@gyderian9435

7 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions ah thats nice. And thanks to you aswell, I've been searching for a "foreigner" reaction to this movie for a long time as it is not so well known outside of Finland 😁 only couple of mentions in youtube

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

No worries mate. Most reactors are American and don't usually do Euro Cinema as it's in another language. I'll be doing a load of Euro and rest of world cinema. There's plenty doing all the Hollywood stuff. Loved the movie so I'm glad I reacted to it

The Finnish army had sights of the rifles adjusted to hit about 20 cm above the point where you aim. The idea is to put the iron sights below the target so you can have a better view to the target when sights are not blocking half the view. And if you want to go for headshot, you aim for the throat.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Mikko - some have shared that view which makes sense to me. Others have stated that the correct translation should have been aim for the Belt and that the Belt on uniforms was worn much higher in those days so in fact that was aiming for the lower chest area. Both viewpoints seem reasonable to me and explain the comment made by Koskela. But I don't have enough knowledge to say if one view is more correct then another or if in fact both views are correct.

@sugibudder

7 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions And the version i have heard is that the fully automatic guns kicked so much that your second bullet would hit the chest, but if you aimed for the chest your next bullet would already go over the target.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Others have said the same which also makes sense. Perhaps the different versions are due to the different weapons being used as well? I know one Gentleman here who fired the Summit on a range said it barely kicked at all as the Gas was expelled upwards out of the barrel. Again I don't have enough knowledge on this subject to know one way or the other

@454FatJack

7 ай бұрын

Or maybe not so true -20cm😊

There is one thing that is rarely mentioned about Rokka and the suggested punishment; the punishment would have been entirely outside the official rules. AFAIK, the proper punishment would have been "more guard duty" and if the whole thing would have been gone to Court Martial, the _commanding officer_ might had had to answer certain questions....

@JTRetroReactions

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching the video. That's interesting to hear. So the commanding officer was in the wrong. If I remember correctly I think I said in my commentary that he was also wrong to be distraction Rokka as the sentry just to get a salute

That first explosion was so cool when watching at movietheather when this came out

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey nuuskis thanks for watching the video and for the comment. I would have loved to see this Movie in a Cinema - unfortunately when I do reactions I am restricted to a laptop but I have watched it on my big screen since - still not the same though

Good information here is given to you of the war already. i would just like to add that Finland nowadays have many many families who have karelian roots, so from the area that was forced to give to Soviet Union.. Half of my family tree is karelian - so these things touch many of us even today. Few soldiers and lotta's obviously still alive too. These movies are shown in Finland on every Independence day.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks SK for the comment and welcome to the Channel. Thank you for sharing that information! Thanks to you and the kindness of many of your fellow country men and women I have learned a lot over these past few days of the history of not only this War but also Finland in general which has been great.

@timoterava7108

7 ай бұрын

C. 20% of Finns today have roots in the lost Finnish Karelia.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

That is quite a sizeable proportion of your Population. I have read on other forums - not here - that similar to Northern Ireland over here - today People may have hesitations over taking Karelia back - even if it was offered due to the sizeable Russian Population. We would have the same issues with NI due to the sizeable British planted population - we would be inheriting a hostile minority even though the majority would want reunification.

@SK-nw4ig

7 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions true. And current situation under consideration, it looks like even visiting my ancestral lands us off the table.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Very true and which is unfortunate!

Every Finnish man do obligatory military service all the actors thus they know what they do. In Finnish terrain tanks are not that useful, they get easily destroyed.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks the One and Only and welcome to the Channel. I understand that but in a situation where you are facing Tanks and only appear to have inadequate Anti Tank Rifles, Anti Tank Mines and Satchel Charges and are without Artillery support, Air support and Tanks - that is a tough situation. Of course I am only referring to the Movie here and not real life or real events.

@mattiv.2602

5 ай бұрын

Almost. There is, however, a possibility for alternative service which about 10% of the conscripts are using.

you are good man ! greetings from Finland.

@JTRetroReactions

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Rasmanni for watching the video and for your kind comments which I appreciate! Have a good day!

ppsh 40, mp-40 and tommy gun were actually Suomi KP's and the rifle was a m/39 pystykorva

@JTRetroReactions

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Tzeda for sharing that information. I wasn't familiar with either of those two weapons prior to doing this reaction but I have read up on them since. The Suomi was a really great weapon for it's time. Thanks for watching the videos and consider checking out the Talvisota reaction I will be releasing tonight. Cheers.

@Tzeda_

5 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions No propblem. I'm looking forward for that video😁

@JTRetroReactions

5 ай бұрын

Cheers mate - Part 1 of the reaction premieres tonight and Part 2 will be released later this weekend. In honour of Finnish Independence Day which is coming up = I will be releasing the full length reactions for both parts which are normally Patreon only - anyways - let me know what you think when you check them out - have a good weekend!

@Tzeda_

5 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions you too

Hey for any Nordic Country Viewers - I am dealing with an Illegal and Fraudulent Copyright Claim by a Distributor SF Studios SE on part 2 of this Video - in the interim, if you wish to view Part 2, please use one of the below alternatives: Odysee: odysee.com/@JaysRetroReactions:0/The-Unknown-Soldier-Movie-Reaction-%28Part-2%29--war---warmovies--action--finland:5?r=CWhQ9WGGD25o7DSHks22vopnWSukx1Tb Rumble: rumble.com/v3m12lv-the-unknown-soldier-movie-reaction-part-2-war-warmovies-action-finland.html BitChute: www.bitchute.com/video/jCNzd4cjgBM/

@lyrigageforge3259

7 ай бұрын

The gun used at that time had bit of habit to change where the shot went so they would not be hitting exactly where aimed even if the enemy stood still. So instructions to aim low for that reason. If I don't remember wrong that's the reason. As for going over old border - yes. It is easy to get stuck to the war time 'talk' about 'greater Finland' - lol - but reality is that the command likely wasn't fooled with what it would mean eventually to attempt and have the buffer zone. It isn't like we did not know how wars with Russians go - as you may get pretty far at first, but eventually, likely after a winter, they will push out back and hard. Well that's how it used to be. So having space more is a thing. And while hind sight is 20-20 - I wonder if we would not have lost a lot more ground, if we had stayed only at the old borders, because they would still have attacked to push back. However, on Karelian isthmus we did NOT pass the old border - meaning that we were not part of the encirclement of St. Petersburg (Leningrad) - I literally checked the capabilities of our cannons back then and the distance. We would not have been able to even shoot into the city, not even with the best cannon. So we didn't exactly take part to the encirclement even though the Germans were trying to insist on it - reason - general Mannerheim did not want to, knowing that after war it would cause worse issues for the country should the war be lost. Honestly this is about continuation war, after winter war - and yes, even then we had issues with having enough equipment. But it wasn't as simple as to just try to take the lost lands back. Not saying that it wasn't part reason. But the winter war spoils, things found on the Russian soldiers - say like parade gear and propaganda videos aimed for Finns - literally had shown that they intended to take the country over, but that had not succeeded. Plus the fact that the country was suffering all sorts of shortages. And there was NO WAY to get more trade or anything because we could not get ships out from our shores and past the strait near Denmark or well past the Germans per say - so there was no way of getting things. People were starting to go hungry and that's the reason why people who got take prisoner would die where held to some extent too, during the war, cause not eating enough makes prone to fall ill. Anyhow, my point here is that the Finnish command would have known that while Germans may get far, the Russians are very highly likely to start pushing back (cause they use winter to wear the enemy down) - and so there was very huge likelihood that eventually that will happen and Germany will not win. Plus knowing what the Russians intended before - well more accurately their leader. So it was literally expected that Russia will also attack us again. And the first shots of this continuation war was not fired by Finns, but Russians actually, just little bit of trivia. All though by then attack was already planned and going to happen. Anyhow, we needed food and military equipment really badly after winter war and the Germans made an offer to help with those - if we join the attack. So this war had more reasons than just lost lands. And I can't really go into all detailed - but when you got food on stamps, and you get only small portions - well you know how things are with war... And the very real possibility that the Russians will attack again, perhaps even while pushing on Germans - they got a lot of population for 'cannon fodder' - so it really is very realistic to also think about things like creating that buffer zone. At the least they would not have been too foolish to imagine that the Russians would not push back. Look it isn't just the director, but he is a Finn too and we have national conscription. Well basically for men, these days women can join out of free will. And you got the option to do military or civil service - or well to go to jail. But the willingness to serve in Finland aka to fight for our country with arms in hand is like 83% last time measured (when we joined recently NATO). My point is that - this movie is based on a book written by a veteran from that war. AND the actors as well as director would most certainly have had their basic military training at the least - never mind having likely had military itself helping out to make it given the explosions and shit. And you should check our our 'battle camera' clips online, the Finnish boys make a lot of Tube content using such materials (as a side note). Anyhow, I never went to army because I was too old when it came possible for us women and even I know how to 'roll a trench' - it is in the book too, and in the old movie. This movie has been remade - I mean this movie is a remake of earlier version (versions). But the original Unknown Soldier has a lot more of the humor from the book, which makes it better in my opinion. And yea - I think that can be found online too.

@hannuvallin6155

7 ай бұрын

It might not be illegal, not sure how copyright works internationally but Finland doesn't have a "fair use"-clause like US does (and apparently Ireland doesn't have it either).

@SimoExMachina2

7 ай бұрын

That sucks. Sorry to hear that, mate. Thanks for the alternative links, chap. Cheers!

@Yoni123

7 ай бұрын

You need a better mic

@squidcaps4308

7 ай бұрын

Not illegal of fraudulent. They might be wrong but they are not trying to fraud OR are doing anything illegal but working inside the platform, using their rules and procedures. Also, your audio sucks ass.

The Finnish army was severely under equipped. You were correct in guessing that a lot of the equipment was from world war one. A lot of it being English weapons not in use anymore. Even the very few planes were English ones from world war one. The Russian territories in the film were all historically inhabited by Finnic peoples. Many of the inhabitants, although Russian, were genetically and culturally Finnic.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey Ballonbulge and welcome to the channel. Thanks for the comment which was very interesting. May I ask was there any desire from the ethnic Finnish peoples in Russian territory to rebel and join the Finnish Army? The reason I ask is that there was one scene which didn't make my edit cuts where a drunk Koskela starts a fight with another Finnish officer who he accuses of being Russian and speaks Russian to him to insult him. I'm guessing he was maybe one of those ethnic Finn's born in Russian territory then.

@balloonbulge

7 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions There were some who joined Finland, but the vast majority were badly subjugated. They did rebel in the early 20's after Finnish independence. A lot of them were sent to other parts of Russia, like Siberia, or the victims of genocide. The history goes back to the founding of Russia. Russia, Ukraine etc. Were all historically inhabited by Finnic tribes for millenia. Slavic tribes began inhabiting after the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire. These tribes fought, and Russia was founded to bring peace. Modern genetic research confirms that the first tzar of Russia, Rurik, was Finnish. More and more people entered the territories and with time more finnic peoples were assimilated, killed or forcibly converted orthodox and took Russian names. Sorry for the long-winded response but there is a lot of historical context, much I have left out. Oh yeah, I subscribed to your channel, too.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the subscription mate. I appreciate it! Thanks also for that information. I'm very interested in history so I love hearing about stuff like this. Are there any good books you could recommend on Finnish history or the region in general? I'm more familiar with Irish, British, French, Greek and Roman history. My knowledge of Nordic and eastern regions isn't as great other than the basics.

@timoterava7108

7 ай бұрын

​@@JTRetroReactions The case of 2nd Ltn/1st Ltn Koskela is somewhat complicated. His drunken behavior was based on his background. The author Väinö Linna was a very left-wing socialist. That's why his heroes too were left-wing and many officers were often portrayed badly. The bitter Finnish Liberation/Independece/Civil War of 1918 - agitated by the red soviets - left Finland divided between the treacherous reds and the lawful, victorious Whites. Only the Winter War 1939-40 united the country again. Before the wars the conscripts of the "red" families were not usually trained as officers. Koskela's father had been a red platoon leader in the War of 1918, and both of his uncles had been executed as traitors at the end of that war. Surprisingly Koskela had still been a NCO in the Winter War and was trained as an officer after that. There were not too many like him. In Summer 1942 , after ONE year of Continuation War, the front was quiet and the Mannerheim's (the Supreme Commander of the Finnish armed forces) 75th birthday was a major (=wet) event. The other officers all had more or less "White" backgrounds. When that one young (drunken) officer was singing "trendy" Horst Wessel (a Nazi song, although the officer - or the other officers - himself was not a Nazi), very drunken Koskela realised their differencies and got angry. He then responded with the few russian words he knew - and with his fist.

@heikkiturpeinen2496

7 ай бұрын

There were no ww1 planes in any airforce of the ww2, those would have rotted away in 20 years. In the Continuation War, the mainstay of Finnish Air Force were decent airplanes, from all over the world. Some bought from nations before continuation war, some from the Germans as they captured Allied planes. US: Brewster Buffalo (44), Curtiss Hawk (44) UK: Bristol Blenheim (97) Italy: Fiat G50 (35) France: Morane 406 (87) Netherlands: Fokker D21 (97) Even a dozen Hurricanes mk1. Also captured Soviet bombers and fighters were used. As the war progressed, the planes lost their edge against Soviets, who introduced very capable aircraft designs after their airforce was destroyed, mostly in their fields, in the initial phase of Barbarossa. Later in -43, Finns purchased refurbished Me 109 G-variants (159) and light bomber Ju-88’s (24). So, the number and performance of Finnish Air Force equipment was OK. The tactics and pilot training was excellent. Starting from the 1930’s, Finnish pilot training concentrated in accurate shooting and energy tactics, compared to for example French and Russian schools, which emphasized aerobatics. The problem was the diversity of different types. The unsung heroes are really the mechanics, who kept planes flying.

Finland did not have any tanks in Winter War. There was like 30 something, but they were all unarmed and had no radios. So basically all tanks Finland had in the Continuation War were captured Russian ones.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Royal Mela for the comment and welcome to the Channel. Thanks for sharing that information as well - very interesting.

The book this film is based on is the kind of book that is very hard to put down once you start reading. And this seems to go for foreigners, too. Although a lot must get lost in translation, because the soldiers all talk in different dialects that are, in a way, impossible to translate. The author, Väinö Linna, wrote down authentic quotes of the soldiers he fought with and then used them in the book. It's supposed to be an anti-war book, but ... somehow you end up feeling for and even admiring the "unknown soldier", So, is it anti-war after all?

@JTRetroReactions

6 ай бұрын

Thanks Tomp - I actually have a copy of the book ordered and on the way as I really want to read it but as you said some people have said the translations are not great so I hope it does not ruin it.

The heavy machine gun is not vickers, but maxim. Basically almost the same. The "ppsh" is actually Suomi-konepistooli, which is originally a Finnish gun. Soviet union copied it from us. Also the guys have lahti-assault gun and "emma" which are captured russian mg's during winter war. They were found on enemy tanks and infantry in masses and it has a pretty reliable rate of fire, even though it has a top loaded drum -type magazines. The SMG (Suomi konepistooli) mostly used stick type of magazines as they were more reliable.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey VeX thanks for the comment and welcome to the Channel. Many people including your good self have been kind enough to share that information with me so I appreciate that! Thanks.

@heikkiturpeinen2496

7 ай бұрын

Great information, thanks. Just to correct slightly, although Maxim was a heavy machine gun to carry, being water cooled and having a huge pod, it wasn’t a heavy machine gun. It used rifle caliber bullets (7,62mm), not 12,7mm (50cal) ammunition. Interestingly, they are still using Maxims in Ukraine, on both sides. I guess in trenches and bunkers it doesn’t matter how heavy it is, and being water cooled is an advantage sometimes. Also Mosin Nagants have been spotted.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

You're right on the Maxims and Mosins still being in use in Ukraine - I belive the DPR and LPR Troops were given the Mosins - I know 4Chan K/Weapons board had a whole meme going on about it. I hope that the Maxims today don't suffer from the issues the Vickers had with the water cooler not being able to keep pace with the firing rates so Soldiers had to urinate on them to keep them cool.

@VeXu666

7 ай бұрын

@@heikkiturpeinen2496 yes the gun uses 7,62mm caliber, it's still around 27kg so it was "heavy" to drag. If Finn's would've had mg34's in similar number's, maybe Finn's would have stopped russian advance faster before reaching the border during massive soviet counter attack.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

It's amazing actually and the Ukraine War has really highlighted this how small advances in technology can really equalise opposing forces despite size differentials.

Hey all, I hope you are enjoying your weekend! I really loved this Movie and in my opinion it it one of the best War Movies I have seen! Let me know your thoughts in the Movie and the reaction in the comments below. Also. please remember to like, comment and subscribe as it really helps out the Channel. I had to do a fair bit of commentary in this video to get around copyright so please understand that this is a requirement to get videos posted at all. Also, these videos are not meant to be a substitute for the original so please check out the full Movie as well. Cheers, Jay

@Gibbetoo

7 ай бұрын

this isn't '39 Winter war, this is about Continuation War '40-44. my Grandfathers were there. this is fiction based in true company, based Väinö Linna novel Unknown Soldier or "War Novel".

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks - I realise it was post the Winter War but I just spoke about it to give the background to this war as the two were interlinked. Thanks for the additional information about it being from a Book - I must look up the English Translation as I loved the Movie so I would really like to see the Book and see what was cut out for the movie. Did your Grandfathers ever talk about the War? My Grand Uncles were in Galipolli in WW1 and never spoke about it - they just did not want to relive that part of their lives in any way.

@Gibbetoo

7 ай бұрын

my grandfathers were quite quiet what had happened and i wasn't in age to ask those questions.@@JTRetroReactions

@Gibbetoo

7 ай бұрын

meaning i didn't care.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

I hear you - my grand uncles had died as well before I was old enough to have an interest in what they went through - but as I mentioned, I know from older relatives they never wanted to talk about what happened anyways

About the commissars: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einsatzkommando_Finnland Also: From the original book manuscript was redacted as follows: 1/3 was "obscenities and swearing in dialogue" another large group was "Critique of High command and officers of Finnish army, and war itself" rest was "non essential explanations" etc. other actual proper editing.(individual lines about Soviet Union also.) Author himself was worried that books antiwar message would be toned too much down.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks mate for sharing all of that information. Very interesting and I appreciate it. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

In the 1955 version there are real war veterans acting.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks mate for sharing that and welcome to the channel. A few others have mentioned this as well and is one of the reasons I believe some people prefer the 1955 version

machine pistol is Suomi KP-31, looks like PPsh.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Ah ok - thanks for that - I didn't realise it was a different weapon. It seems like a lot of mixed weapons were used in that War if the Movie depicts it accurately.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

By the way feel free to correct me on any errors you hear or see me making - My knowledge of this conflict is not great so I would be interested to learn - thanks.

@jkausti6737

7 ай бұрын

Yeah, they are using both box mags and drums. And the rifle are not Lee-Enfields but Mosin-Nagants (improved Finnish versions). Also the machine guns are Maxims, Vickers' are pretty much modified Maxims so they are quite similar.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Hey JK welcome to the channel and thanks for the comment. I should have guessed that they were Mosins to be honest - Lee Enfields are just in my head because many years ago when I was in the Irish reserves I got to shoot one - so my mistake. Thanks for the information on the Maxims as well - much appreciated!

Russians had a habit crossing frozen lakes, and what was portrayed really happened. Russians in their brown clothing stood out like black silhuettes in a winter moonlight against white background. Real life Rokka was Viljam Pylkäs, and he stopped Russian platoon . Most likely not all were dead, but would be due very low temperature. Also Suomi KP was a very precice milled thing, and very accurate. I have shoot with it in the army.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks MMH r sharing that. A few other people told me that he got 83 in that ambush which is amazing for one Guy

@mhh7544

7 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions I think Viljam is the only one who knows the truth. Nevertheless, he stopped Russian advance .

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Agreed mhh but it is still amazing that one Guy was able to stop and take out an entire Flanking movement regardless of the numbers!

@mhh7544

7 ай бұрын

@@JTRetroReactions We dont know how many loaded drum magazines he carried . One drum took 70 9mm parabellum The other guy was a rifleman, loading a drum magazine in fire fight is not an easy task, let alone if you never have done it before .

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Very true. Have a nice weekend mate

the weapon is a kp-31, not a ppsh, this weapon was invented in finland and the rifles are mosin nagant

@JTRetroReactions

6 ай бұрын

Thanks again for sharing. I should have realised the Mosins so that was my error, but I was not familiar with the sumoi prior to this reaction but I've read up on it since

8:20 The region which the karelians inhabited/inhabit is most of the modern karelian republic, outside of the old borders of finland. The objective of finnish nationalism of that time was to liberate and unite them into the finnish state.

@JTRetroReactions

7 ай бұрын

Thanks mate for your comment and for watching the videos. I also appreciate you sharing that additional information. Enjoy your Sunday.

Tuntematon Sotilas movie is based on a book, written in 1954, writer Väinö Linna. It's based of his own experience of the continuation war. We have 3 versions of that movie. One is direcected by Edvin Laine in 1955. This movie is the best version of it. The second filmed version of it is directed by Rauni Molberg 1985 and the last version directed on 2017 by Aku Louhimies. I personally don't give the rigths for the versions after Edvin Laine, that's more close and realistic chapter regarding those days, not so many years go away from the real thing. I'm not going to watch myself that third version of it, because it's said and done. Finnish film industry is not so good nowdays,never been, but we have the "hits" like you have the U2.

@realfinngloballove8428

3 ай бұрын

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unknown_Soldier_(1955_film)

@realfinngloballove8428

3 ай бұрын

I think this 1955 version is a huge "hit" movie, kind of a way in globally, many directors have taken some influences about it, if I'm not totally wrong.

@realfinngloballove8428

3 ай бұрын

Finnish YLE(main broadcasting national company) plays this movie every independence day 6.12 on our tv. So If you are in Finland in 6.12, put the tv on and you see it year after a year. Hope still world without the wars. We need peace and love. Not the wars and all the veterans might think the same way.

@JTRetroReactions

3 ай бұрын

Thanks mate for all of that information. I've never seen the older versions but I must say I did think the 2017 was realistic and well done. I intend to react to the other versions of I can get my hands on copies with English subs