The 6th Jaeger Battalion Memorial – Dragoon Hill, Lappeenranta, Finland

6th Jaeger Battalion memorial at Rakuunamaki, Lappeenranta

This memorial stone commemorates the founding of the 6th Jaeger Battalion (Jääkäripataljoona 6) at Dragoon Hill (Rakuunamäki), Lappeenranta, in 1943. Although part of the Cavalry Brigade, the infantry companies used bicycles and skis instead of horses. The memorial was erected by the veterans of the battalion in 1983.

The plaque on the memorial reads:

The 6th Jaeger Battalion was founded here in 1943.
Its young Jägers fulfilled their duty without compromise in the fierce battles on the Karelian Isthmus, at the Bay of Vyborg, and in the wilderness of Ilomantsi.

The battalion’s veterans erected this memorial stone in 1983.

Bicycle and Ski-infantry

Colonel Heiro, inspects the 6th Jaeger Battalion on 22 May 1944 — Commander of the Coastal Brigade, Colonel Heiro, inspects the 6th Jaeger Battalion accompanied by the battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Peitsara, First Lieutenant Commander Göransson and Captain Ristuluoma on 22 May 1944 – courtesy SA-KUVA id. 151732

During the Continuation War, the Finnish Cavalry Brigade based at Dragoon Hill (Rakuunamäki), Lappeenranta, was formed by two Cavalry regiments; the Uusimaa Dragoon Regiment (Uudenmaan Rakuunarykmentti, URR) and the Häme Cavalry Regiment (Hämeen Ratsurykmentti, HRR), but also formed two bicycle battalions.

At the start of World War Two Jaeger Battalions (Jääkäripataljoona) already operated as bicycle-infantry that fought as ski-infantry in wintertime. From 1943 Jaeger Battalions 1 and 6 became part of the Cavalry Brigade. The 6th Jaeger Battalion was put into action at the battles of the Karelian Isthmus, the Bay of Vyborg, and in the wilderness of Ilomantsi.