"Jaeger" is a German word for hunter, and it isn't a coincidence: for these units, soldiers with hunting backgrounds were perfect. It was a traditional name for light infantry intended for reconnaissance and skirmishing, and while these used to be considered the less "honorable" types of combat, such units were "the special forces" before the concept of "the special forces".
The story of the Finnish Jaeger in particular begins with World War I. It was a German Army unit created for Finnish volunteers, who were forbidden from military training under the Russian Empire. As a risky and illegal affair, this program drew in only the boldest, most adventurous among the Finnish youth — together with former Imperial Russian Army officers they later formed the core of the Finnish Defense Forces.
By late 1930 Finland had its own jaeger units, drawing upon the experience of their predecessors but uniquely specialized for fighting on Finnish soil. These were highly mobile, highly trained forces, using bicycles and skis to quickly cover ground and outmaneuver the enemy. Even their logistics and maintenance companies were given motorization priority, so that they could keep up the pace!
During the Winter War and the Continuation War the Jaeger became known as the best infantry units of the Finnish Army – just like their predecessors, who were now staffing the nation's High Command.
In the game
The Finnish army lacked armour vechicle, but excelled at all types of Infantry troops who were eager to protect their homeland. That is why in Spirit of Liberty we will focus on the Infatry units more than in all previous Strategic Mind titles. Jaegers are Finnish elite troops, but ont the only ones. In the next episodes we will cover more of the unique Finnish Infantry units.
Also, see our previous unit posts:
Landsverk L-182
Vickers 6-ton tank
👉 Support us — add the upcoming Strategic Mind: Spirit of Liberty to your wishlist:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1474770/Strategic_Mind_Spirit_of_Liberty/
With Best Regards from Kyiv
Starni Games team