A group of soldiers walking along a dirt road carrying rifles during wartime in a rural area.

Jalkaväkirykmentti 44 (JR 44)

Suomi Front LHG focuses on portraying troops and support elements of JR44 in Summer 1943.

Jalkaväkirykmentti 44 (JR 44) was an infantry regiment of the Finnish Army that served throughout the Continuation War as part of the 5th Division.

The regiment was mobilised in 1941, drawing largely on reservists from southern and eastern Finland, and it entered combat during Finland’s renewed war against the Soviet Union in June 1941.

During the summer offensive of 1941, JR 44 advanced with the 5th Division as part of the Army of Karelia, moving eastward from the Finnish border into East Karelia. The regiment took part in difficult forest and lake-terrain operations, where mobility was limited and supply lines were stretched. By late 1941, the regiment had reached positions near the Lake Onega–Svir (Syväri) sector, where the Finnish advance came to a halt.

From 1942 to early 1944, JR 44 was primarily engaged in static warfare along the Svir front. This period was characterised by trench construction, patrols, artillery harassment, and limited local actions rather than major offensives. The regiment endured harsh climatic conditions, shortages of supplies, and the psychological strain typical of long static fronts. Despite these challenges, JR 44 maintained its defensive positions and contributed to holding the Finnish line during a relatively stable phase of the war.

Black and white photograph of seven soldiers standing outdoors in front of a wooden shelter with logs stacked underneath. The soldiers are dressed in military uniforms and are holding rifles.
Two men sitting under a tree near a cave or small shelter, with foliage surrounding them.
Group of soldiers seated and standing around a table outdoors, engaging in a discussion or briefing.

The situation changed dramatically in summer 1944, when the Soviet Union launched its major offensive against Finnish forces. JR 44, together with the rest of the 5th Division, was forced into a fighting retreat as Soviet pressure broke through Finnish forward positions along the Svir. The regiment conducted delaying actions while withdrawing toward western Karelia, suffering casualties but preserving cohesion and combat effectiveness. These retreat operations were among the most demanding phases of the regiment’s wartime service and required disciplined leadership and endurance under constant threat.

By the time of the armistice in September 1944, JR 44 had completed its withdrawal to positions within Finland. Like many Continuation War regiments, its wartime experience reflected the broader Finnish infantry story: rapid advance in 1941, years of attritional trench warfare, and a hard-fought retreat in 1944.