FORMATIONS (TO&E), PART 5
World War II, Cavalry
During World War 2 Finnish Army had only two large cavalry units, both of which somewhat of an elite status from the pre-war years. These regiments had originally been created during Finnish Civil War in year 1918 and were called Uudenmaan Rakuunarykmentti (Uusimaa Dragoon Regiment) and Hämeen Ratsurykmentti (Häme Cavalry Regiment). These two units were also well known for their abbreviations - URR for Uusimaa Dragoon Regiment and HRR for Häme Cavalry Regiment. Especially URR had notable prestige status in pre-war years with Mannerheim as its honorary commander etc and the both units were known for their rather lavish parade uniforms. While these units were called regiments, manpower for each of them was actually closer to size of infantry battalion. Due to this during the war they were used to form Ratsuväkiprikaati (Cavalry Brigade). This was just one of the things, which made these cavalry units rather exceptional among Finnish units of that time. For one thing they were only units of Finnish Army to be issued also with swords (cavalry sword, which was actually technically a sabre), which remained in their use until autumn of 1941. During pre-war years considerable effort had been placed in training their soldiers to use their swords and firearms also from back of a horse, but during the war they fought as mounted infantry. In other words - they used riding horses to get from one place to another, but dismounted for battle. During Winter War (1939 - 1940) both regiments served dismounted (in other words: without their horses). For Continuation War the two cavalry regiments had their horses and used them for mobility in numerous operations, but operated without their horses starting January of 1943. Cavalry Brigade created around the two cavalry regiments contained not only cavalry, but also bicycle troops in form of Jaeger Battalions 1 and 6. Cavalry also had its specific requirements for rifle, which most notably resulted to introduction of cavalry rifle M/27 - version of infantry rifle m/27 developed to fit into these requirements. It is worth noting that Finnish cavalry units had their own specialities in naming system, one of which was calling their company-level formation as Eskadroona (Squadron). During World War Cavalry Brigade and its regiments took part in many decisive battles gaining reputation being among the best units of Finnish Army.
Besides the two above-mentioned regiments, Finnish Army had also some smaller cavalry units. Most important of these were cavalry squadrons (companies) of Winter War (1939 - 1940) era Light Detachment (Kevyt Osasto). More information about these cavalry squadrons can be found on this page.
PICTURE: Finnish cavalry on a road, presumably photographed during war games of summer 1939. Notice cavalry sword hanging on side of each saddle. The uniform insignia in top right corner of photograph is that of Häme Cavalry Regiment (Hämeen Ratsurykmentti) - one of the two World War 2 era cavalry regiments of Finnish Army, (SA-kuva photo archive, photo number 47).
Cavalry/Dragoon Regiment, 1939:
Regiment Commander
Regimental HQ
Command Office
Supplies Office
HQ Squadron
Command Platoon
Signal Platoon
Supplies Platoon
1st Cavalry Squadron
2nd Cavalry Squadron
3rd Cavalry Squadron
In each Cavalry Squadron:
Squadron Commander
1st Cavarly Platoon
2nd Cavalry Platoon
Cavalry Platoon
In each Cavalry Platoon:
Command Squad
Rifle Squad
NCO + 8 men (SMG + 8 rifles)
Light machinegun Squad
In each Light machinegun Squad:
NCO + 8 men (LMG + 8 rifles)
Light machinegun Squad
Antitank Platoon
Supplies Column
Ammunition Supply Platoon
2 Food Supply Platoons
Supplies Platoon
Cavalry Brigade, 1941:
Brigade Commander
Brigade HQ
Supply Platoon
Jaeger Battalion 1
Häme Cavalry Regiment
Uudenmaa Dragoon Regiment
Riding Artillery Battery
Gun Squadron (Antitank gun Company)
Signal Squadron
Cavarly School
Marching Band
Brigade strength:
Cavalry Brigade, 1942:
Brigade Commander
Brigade HQ
Jaeger Battalion 1
Häme Cavalry Regiment
Regimental Commander
Regimental HQ
Command Office
HQ Platoon
Anti-chemical weapons Squad
Signal Squad
Supplies Office
Supplies Platoon
Ammunition Squad
Medical Squad
Veteratarian Squad
Supplies Squad
1st Squadron (typical organisation below)
Command Squad
Antitank Squad
1st Platoon
2nd Platoon
3rd Platoon
3 Cavalry Squads, in each squad:
2nd Squadron
3rd Squadron
Machinegun Squadron (aka 4th Squadron)
Command Squad
1st Machinegun Platoon (typical organisation below)
4 machineguns (7.62-mm Maxim medium machineguns)
2 platoon vehicles (horse carts with drivers)
2nd Machinegun Platoon
4 machineguns (7.62-mm Maxim medium machineguns)
2 platoon vehicles (horse carts with drivers)
Bicycle MG Platoon
Antitank Platoon
Mortar Platoon
Supply Column
Uudenmaa Dragoon Regiment (TO&E similar to Häme Cavalry Regiment)
Riding Artillery Battery
Gun Squadron
PICTURE: Riding horses and horse skiing ski troops. This was one of the techniques Finnish cavalry troops used in winter-time during World War 2. The symbol in the corner was uniform insignia for Uusimaa Dragoon Regiment (Uudenmaan Rakuunarykmentti), which the other World War 2 era Finnish cavalry regiment. (SA-kuva photo archive, photo number 79991).
Weapons of Cavalry Brigade in 15th of September 1941: