History of Rail Transport in Finland - Rail Transport in The Republic of Finland (1919-1995) - Second World War

Second World War

During the Winter War the Finnish forces again used armoured trains. Two trains were fielded, both dating to the World War I era. The Armoured Train No.1 (Finnish: Ps.Juna 1 : abbr. from Panssarijuna) was used mostly to support the fighting in the Kollaa River area, found to be effective in supporting infantry. The opposing Soviet forces recognised this and it was repeatedly targeted by artillery and attacked from the air; as a result hiding places had to be found for the armoured train, and modifications made - such as smokestack extension pipes that directed the exhaust smoke under the train, to reduced the risk of it being spotted. More often than not bombardments and aerial attack damaged the track rather than the train directly. Ps.Juna 2 was used in both the Kollaa River battles and other battles around the Karelian Isthmus.

During the interim period before the Continuation War the trains were re-armed with anti-aircraft weapons to counter the constant bombing they had experienced. The Russian forces also used armoured trains, some of which were captured or destroyed. Armoured Train No.1 became a permanent exhibit at the Finnish Armour Museum (Finnish: Panssarimuseo) in Parola.

Additionally railway guns were used by both sides, the finns constructed a battery of 152mm rail mounted artillery pieces from coastal artillery guns, the Russians had access to far larger pieces of rail mounted artillery including 12" guns., one of which became known as the "ghost gun" (Finnish: aavetykki) during its shelling of Vyborg.