A Hundred Years since the Homecoming of the Jaegers

Undertaking military training in Germany from 1915 to 1918, the Jaegers built up the foundation for the establishing of the contemporary Finnish Defence Forces, and, in significant numbers, equalled the officers who served in command duties during the Winter and Continuation Wars as well as the Lapland War. The Finnish Defence Forces celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Homecoming of the Jaegers in Vaasa from 23 February to 24 February 2018, and in Helsinki on Monday 26 February 2018. The festivities’ programme features a review of troops, a pass in review, an equipment display as well as concerts.

The parade will include around 1,000 persons representing the Finnish Defence Forces and national defence organisations complemented by approximately 120 soldiers from the German Armed Forces. This 100th anniversary of the homecoming of the Jaegers is part of the programme of 100th Anniversary of the Finnish Defence Forces.

The review of troops will take place at the Vaasa Market Square, and the dismounted pass in review by the Vaasanpuistikko esplanade with its marching direction towards the Jaeger Statue. The troops will be reviewed and the pass in review received by Commander of the Finnish Army, Major General Petri Hulkko in front of the City of Vaasa administrative building. The field devotional will be held by the Finnish Army’s Senior Chaplain Vesa Aurén. The parade troops will be commanded by Commander of Pori Brigade, Colonel Rami Saari. The Navy Band, the Military Band of the German Federal Armed Forces as well as the Choir of Pohjanmiehet will be responsible for the music.

The Finnish Defence Forces’ troops participating in the parade will comprise battalion-level units upholding the Jaeger heritage and traditions, namely, the Häme Armoured Battalion and Jaeger Artillery Regiment from the Armoured Brigade, Satakunta Engineer and Signals Battalion from the Pori Brigade, Pohja Engineer Battalion from the Kainuu Brigade, Vaasa Coastal Jaeger Battalion from the Nyland Brigade, Lapland Jaeger Battalion from the Jaeger Brigade, Kymi Jaeger Battalion from the Karelia Brigade, and Uusimaa Jaeger Battalion from the Guard Jaeger Regiment. The participants also include both the Finnish Navy Colour Party and the Finnish Air Force Colour Party. Furthermore, in the pass in review, the first platoon marching will be dressed in the Jaeger Uniforms of the year 1918.

The representatives of the German Armed Forces participating in the parade upon invitation by Finnish Minister of Defence Jussi Niinistö include the German Guard Battalion, Wachbataillon, and the Staff Band of the German Armed Forces, Stabsmusikkorps der Bundeswehr, performing in Vaasa on 23 February 2018 and in Helsinki on 26 February 2018.

We warmly welcome you to these events – open to the public entrance free!

The parade will affect the traffic in Vaasa. The public is asked to arrive in good time using public transportation in order to avoid traffic congestion.

The events organised by the Finnish Defence Forces are part of the 100th Anniversary of the Homecoming of the Jaegers. The events are organised in cooperation between the Finnish Defence Forces, Jaeger Battalion 27 Heritage Association as well as the City of Vaasa and City of Kauhava.

Read more about the Finnish Defence Forces'  100th Anniversary at http://puolustusvoimat.fi/en/hundred

The events organised by the Finnish Defence Forces

Fri 23.2. at 12–18 and Sat 24.2. at 10–15 Equipment Display in the Old Garrison Area

Sat 24.2. at 11 Review of Troops at the Market Square

Sat 24.2. at 12 Pass in review by Vaasanpuistikko towards the Jaeger Statue

Sat 24.2. at 12.30 Air Show off the southern city bay, weather permitting

Mon 26.2. at 19–21 Concert by Stabsmusikkorps der Bundeswehr at the Temppeliaukio Church in Helsinki

Other events open to the public

Fri 23.2. at 13–16 Jaeger Seminar in the Vaasa City Hall

Fri 23.2. at 19–20.30 Concert by the Staff Band of the German Armed Forces, Stabsmusikkorps der Bundeswehr, at the Vaasa Church

Sat 24.2. at 9–9.30 Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Memorial for Fallen Soldiers

Sun at 10–11.15 Church Service at the Vaasa Church

Sun 25.2. at 12 Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Jaeger Statue in the Park of court of appeal, Hovioikeudenpuisto

Dismounted troops in the order of the pass in review

1. Commander of Parade, Commander of Pori Brigade, Colonel Rami Saari

2. Swallow-tailed State Flag (the Flag Guard by the Pori Brigade)

3. Jaeger Flag (the Flag Guard by the Armoured Brigade)

4. Häme Armoured Battalion, Armoured Brigade (1. Platoon dressed in the Jaeger Uniforms of the year 1918)

5. Jaeger artillery Regiment, Armoured Brigade

6. Satakunta Engineer and Signals Battalion, Pori Brigade

7. Pohja Engineer Battalion, Kainuu Brigade

8. Vaasa Coastal Jaeger Battalion, Nyland Brigade

9. Lapland Jaeger Battalion, Jaeger Brigade

10. Kymi Jaeger Battalion, Karelia Brigade

11. Uusimaa Jaeger Battalion, Guard Jaeger Regiment

12. Finnish Navy Colour Party (represented by the Coastal Brigade)

13. Finnish Air Force Colour Party (represented by the Air Force Academy)

14. German Guard Bataillon, Wachbataillon, German Armed Forces

15. Finnish-German Reserve Detachment

16. Massed Standards of the Jaeger Battalion 27 Heritage Association

Military Bands

The Staff Band of the German Armed Forces, Stabsmusikkorps der Bundeswehr, Berlin

The Navy Band, the Finnish Navy

Events in Vaasa