Battle of Länkipohja

The Battle of Länkipohja (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈlæŋkiˌpohjɑ]) was a Finnish Civil War battle fought in the village of Länkipohja (now part of the Jämsä municipality) on 16 March 1918 between the Whites and the Reds. Together with the battles fought in Kuru, Ruovesi and Vilppula between 15 and 18 March, the Battle of Länkipohja was one of the first military operations related to the Battle of Tampere, which was the decisive battle of the Finnish Civil War. The battle is known for its bloody aftermath as the Whites executed 70–100 capitulated Reds. One of the executions was photographed and the images have become one of the best known pictures of the Finnish Civil War.

Battle of Länkipohja
Part of the Finnish Civil War

A White cavalryman passing the ruins of a house.
Date16 March 1918
Location
Längelmäki, Finland
61°44′09″N 24°47′44″E
Result Decisive White victory
Belligerents
Finnish Whites Finnish Reds
Commanders and leaders
K. F. Wilkman
Torsten Aminoff
Oskar Wilkman
Aarne Heikinheimo
Eino Siukola
Vihtori Hurri (WIA)
Leander Viljanen 
Strength
2,500 c. 1,000
Casualties and losses
37 killed 20–60 killed in the battle,
at least 70–100 executed
Location within Finland
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