Firing up saunas during the Winter War

The Soviet Union invaded Finland during the winter of 1939-1940, which is known as the Winter War. Though the Soviets had far greater numbers, Finland used its resources, even the cold, to its advantage. One of those resources was the sauna.

Service regulations prescribed saunas once a week.

Field Marshall Carl Mannerheim ordered saunas to be built in bunkers, dugouts, deserted buildings and even tents. Here camouflage was important, so those saunas looked rustic.
Soldiers marching past a sauna in the morning would light a fire in its stove so those who would camp there late that day would find it hot and ready to use. Those saunas warmed the frozen soldiers, cleaned them, rejuvenated them.

Besides that, the Finnish Army created a portable “sauna” to de-louse their soldiers’ uniforms while the men were relaxing in the sauna.

A neat solution for two distinct problems! 
 

Nikki