The summer of 1939 is remembered in Finland as a hot, sunny and happy summer, although the political storm clouds of continental Europe had been gathering in the sky of worldwide politics. On 1 September, Hitler’s Germany invaded Poland, and before long, the Soviet Union demanded that Finland provide bases for its armies.

Finland began making preparations for the threat of war, and in July 1939, the decision was taken to place the Defence Forces’ command – the Headquarters – in Mikkeli if war broke out. This was the first chapter in Mikkeli’s history as the Headquarters Town.

Discover the Headquarters Town’s military-historical sites and the fascinating stories they have to tell with a guide and on-site.

Regional Wiki: Mannerheim’s Headquarters in Mikkeli, Air raids in the Winter War