This memorial commemorates the Long-range Reconnaissance Units’ General Headquarters of the 4th Detached Battalion (Finnish: Erillinen Pataljoona 4, abbreviated: ErP 4). The basic form of this memorial is derived from a walrus heart, which was the emblem of Detachment 4. In the center of the stone is the General Headquarters’ emblem, the Cross of Liberty, surmounted by the heraldic lion of Finland.
The text on the memorial reads translated to English:
With courage and determination, in service of the homeland 1939-1944, General headquarters’ long-range reconnaissance Units from 1943: Erillinen Pataljoona 4 (ErP 4).
Detachment Vehniäinen
Detachment Kuismanen
Detachment Marttina
Detachment Paatsalo
The monument was designed by artist Juhani Vepsäläinen and erected in 1991 by the ErP 4 Heritage Association to preserve the memory of those who served the cause of the homeland.
Finnish Special Forces
Finland developed its long-range reconnaissance patrols (LRRPs) immediately after the Winter War, training experienced soldiers and volunteers for intelligence and special operations. When the Continuation War began in June 1941, four patrol detachments were deployed behind enemy lines to conduct reconnaissance and sabotage missions, disrupt Soviet supply and communications, capture prisoners, and develop special forces tactics.
In July 1943, the detachments were reorganized as companies within Detached Battalion 4 (ErP 4) to simplify command and coordination. In 1944, a dedicated aviation unit equipped with Heinkel He 115 amphibious aircraft was established to support the patrols with insertion and extraction missions.
During the wars, the LRRPs carried out approximately 350 missions, involving more than 650 personnel. Around 84 patrolmen were killed or went missing, and two members of the Lotta Svärd organization. The patrols played an important role in the Battle of Ilomantsi in 1944, where they disrupted Soviet supply lines. Detached Battalion 4 was finally disbanded in November 1944, and its traditions and role in Finnish special operations were later continued by the Utti Jaeger Regiment.
ErP 4 Companies
During the Interim Peace before the Continuation War, the first operative units were created and named after their commanders. After the establishment of Detached Battalion 4 in July 1943, the units were reformed as companies of which the names appear on the memorial:
- 1st Company: Detachment Vehniäinen, based in Viipuri
- 2nd Company: Detachment Kuismanen, based in Joensuu
- 3rd Company: Detachment Marttina, based in Kajaani
- 4th Company: Detachment Paatsalo, based in Rovaniemi
In 1944, a training center and aviation unit were added in support of the companies:
- Flight Detachment (or Detachment Jauri), based in Mikkeli (founded 23 June 1944)
- Training Center (founded 1 July 1944)
Visit
The ErP 4 memorial is located at Utti Square, adjacent to the Utti Jaeger Regiment garrison grounds, along Highway 6 near Kouvola, Finland. You can also visit the Eagle monument and Air Force memorial and the “Utti” Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 MT-452 in its glass display, which are at the same location.
You can freely visit the memorials near the gas station and Utti Square, though walking further into the active garrison area is restricted.
