Finnish Waffen-ss Regiment Volunteer
I bought this lot in about 2000 in Helsinki.
Oiva Vaito Valentin Heikanen was born in Paattinen in 1921 and enlisted at Turku. He joined the Finnish Volunteer Battalion of the Waffen-SS to continue the fight against the Soviets, who had attacked Finland in the Winter War. His service is recorded in his Finnish Army service book. He had the rank of Rottenfuhrer.
Oiva Vaito Valentin Heikanen was born in Paattinen in 1921 and enlisted at Turku. He joined the Finnish Volunteer Battalion of the Waffen-SS to continue the fight against the Soviets, who had attacked Finland in the Winter War. His service is recorded in his Finnish Army service book. He had the rank of Rottenfuhrer.
After service on the East Front, the Battalion returned to Finland and the men rejoined the Finnish Army. Heikanen served with 9th Company, 52nd Jagers. After the war he was for many years, the secretary of the Finnish Waffen-ss veterans association. He died in Espoo in 1991.
His medals are the Medal of Liberty 2nd class, Winter War Medal, Continuation War Medal, Blue Cross (Reservists), 14th Division Cross (with Rukajarvi clasp), Finnish SS-Volunteers Cross (no. 460), East Front Medal, Iron Cross (2nd class).
The photo is from the book of the Finnish Waffen-ss Volunteers.
Steve
