WWII pictures being de-classified in Finland today

[War Pig]

After the war the Finnish govt declared some 300 photographs as classified.

Obviously, it was for 60 years, since they are being de-classified today.

The pictures were labeled as 'too horrific' to be shown publicly. Also, the govt didn't want to annoy the Soviet Union, and wanted to protect the privacy of families concerned.

Well.. I can imagine. I would bet there are pictures of for e.g. Raatteen tie and other huge motti battles, where Russian divisions were utterly destroyed. I've heard stories of vast piles of dead Russian bodies, but haven't seen much pictures of them.. I would imagine these would be labeled as 'too horrific'...

http://www.hs.fi/kuvakoosteframe/1135223079631


It seems most of the pictures were about executions and civilian victims killed by Russian desants. Also, there are pictures of Russians and cannibalism.

[fess]

Wow, there are some pretty graphic pictures there.

[War Pig]

I think they didn't release nearly all of them.

The pics are archived in the national war archives, and afaik, are open to anyone starting from today.

There might be some pics coming out on websites etc. soon though. I'll try to keep an eye out for some additional info/pics.

[War Pig]

http://www.yle.fi/news/id47585.html

In English.

[fess]

Is there any site which has all the released images, and possibly in English too? :)

[War Pig]

I'm afraid no, not at the moment at least. All I could find thus far, was that short piece of news in English..

I'll keep an eye out for the pics though.

[War Pig]

Here's some 80 photos released. The young children were killed by Russian partisans in northern Finland.. Still a subject of debate in Finland.

Also, note the picture of human skin(?) hanging from a tree. Russian patrol was left w/o supplies, so they ate a few of their patrol members..

http://www.iltalehti.fi/osastot/kuvagalleria/data/yleinen/544/1.shtml

--> This one is about the partisan killings in northern Finland. Victims were usually unarmed women and children and elderly men. Women were usually raped..

The partisan groups would often report back to HQ, that they'd destroyed a major finnish garrison.

http://www.iltalehti.fi/osastot/kuvagalleria/data/yleinen/545/1.shtml

--> Winter War 1939 - 1940

http://www.iltalehti.fi/osastot/kuvagalleria/data/yleinen/546/1.shtml

--> Russian desants and deserters

http://www.iltalehti.fi/osastot/kuvagalleria/data/yleinen/547/1.shtml

--> Continuation War 1941 - 1945

[fess]

Thanks for the links War Pig.

[War Pig]

The links might not work anymore. You can still find the pics here:
http://www.iltalehti.fi/uutiset/200611215391382_uu.shtml

You can open the galleries from the right hand side, below where it says "Kuvagalleria".