Mannerheim Cross Knight, Corporal Eino Mallila was surrounded by the enemy in Porlampi. When his unit broke out of the encirclement, he forced captured prisoners to harness a horse, returned t ...
Mannerheim Cross Knight, Corporal Eino Mallila was surrounded by the enemy in Porlampi. When his unit broke out of the encirclement, he forced captured prisoners to harness a horse, returned to retrieve machine guns, and fought his way back through three enemy lines with his men, the weapons, and the prisoners.
The War Veterans Museum of Laihia is a specialized museum focusing on preserving the history of war veterans from Laihia and passing on this heritage to future generations.
The museum’s collections include a decoration belonging to a Mannerheim Cross Knight from Laihia, other medals, restored organizational flags, clothing and equipment, handicrafts made at the front, and items from evacuees. In addition to objects, visitors can explore wartime photographs and written materials. Some of the material is available only to researchers.
Guides serve visitors during opening hours. Groups can book guided tours on the following topics: the War of Independence / the Finnish Civil War of 1918, the Winter War (1939–1940), the Continuation War (1941–1944), the Lapland War (1944–1945), the home front, and peacekeepers.
In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum organizes temporary thematic exhibitions and events.
The Laihian sotaveteraanit (War Veterans of Laihia) association started museum activities in 2000. Maintenance of the museum was transferred to Laihian Reserviläiset on September 3, 2014. With municipal support, the museum received new premises in 2018. The following year, the The War Veterans Museum of Laihia museum’s collections and movable property were transferred to the
association on August 22, 2019.
Photos:The War Veterans Museum of Laihia (The Laihia Veterans of Our Wars Museum)
