The 27th Jaeger Battalion Heritage Association honours and
upholds the traditions of Jaegermovement during the years 1914-1918.

The Jaeger-movement laid the foundation for Finland's independence. This active resistance movement was constituted at meeting held at the Ostrobotnia student association building in Helsinki on November 20th, 1914.

The impetus was the attempt by the Russian Empire to "Russify" the Grand Duchy af Finland, during the "years af oppression", and to destroy its autonomy. The latter period of "Russification" commenced in 1908 making the future af Finland appear ominous and when the first world war broke out, the common wish was for Russia's defeat. The final impulse to the birth of the Jaeger-movement was given when a new "Russification" programme was published in the Helsinki newspapers on November 17th and 18th, 1914, implementation of which would have meant the end of Finland's autonomy.

The first Finns arrived for military training at Camp Lockstedt in Germany on February 25th, 1915. This marked the start af a three year training period during which the number of Finnish trainees grew to a total of approximately 2000 men, starting from a small group assembled under the pretext of Pfadfinder (Boy Scout) training, and culminating into the formation af the 27th Royal Prussian Jaeger Battalion. This Battalion fought on the German eastem front before returning, as experienced fighters, onboard the s/s Arcturus to Vaasa in Finland, on February 25th, 1918. At the time the Finnish Independence War, which turned into a civil war, had already started.

The Jaegers played a central role in creating the Finnish Armed Forces and successfully served as military leaders in the wars fought by Finland. The lndependence- and Jaeger-movements originated in Helsinki which at the time was already a large and busy city, well suited for resistance activities. By the same token Helsinki was also a rather dangerous place for such work due to the fact that the Helsinki region was exceptionally heavily fortified, and well controlled by the Russian military, particularly so following the outbreak of the war.

The so called "Pfadfinder" training attracted young men, mostly students, and especially from the Helsinki area. Whilst many of the older generation strongly warned against it, these youngsters nevertheless opted for the dangerous avenue of direct action. This spirit and belief is well reflected in the words of the Jaeger March written by Heikki Nurmio ....

When hope in the hearts of our people was lost we Jaegers prevailed in our conviction