Maxim Machine-gun Platoon (FI704)

Maxim Machine-gun Platoon (FI704) includes four Maxim HMG Teams. Large numbers of Soviet infantry are still the greatest threat to Finnish defences. But the ever reliable Maxim HMG is still at hand to see them off. As long as the Soviets keep coming, it will keep firing. After the Finns had won their independence from Russia in 1918 they ended up with about 600 Maxim machine-guns. They were either the m/1905 (the first Russian production model) or the m/1910 (a slightly lighter improved model) all of course in Russian 7.62mm x 54R calibre. These were on the standard Sokolov-type wheeled mounts. Finnish Army designated the m/1905 and m/1910 the M/09 in line with the very similar German Maxim. The Sokolov mount was also designated M/09 and the Maxim in Finnish use became the M/09-09. Check out the Maxim Machine-gun Platoon in the online store here...

Bagration: Axis Allies In 1944 Stalin’s Red army is on the attack. While it  throws the Germans out of Byelorussia, it also goes about defeating Germany’s allies; Finland, Romania and Hungary. The Romanians hold off the first Soviet attacks, but a second massive offensive in August 1944 sees them overwelmed. They surrender and swap sides to fight alongside the Soviets. Meanwhile, the Finns also fight for their survival as the Soviets attempt to steamroll them out of the war. They fight the Soviets to a standstill and agree a peace, but are forced to to turn on the Germans. Then three massive Soviet Fronts turn on Hungary, defended by six German and Hungarian armies. The great red sledgehammer is soon swinging, as the Soviets and Romanians launch an assault toward Budapest. Axis armoured forces attempt to stop the encirclement of the city. This savage and bitter struggle will last for 100 gruelling days.

The Finns increased their number of Maxim machine-gun by purchasing them from non-Russian sources during the 1920s, including Poland and Italy. A large number of the Finnish M/09-09s were modified to M/09-21. This remounted the Maxim machine-gun on a folding tri-pod roughly similar to that used by the Germans on the sMG-34 and sMG42. The Finnish also manufactured spares for their growing arsenal of Maxim machine-guns at the Lindelöf metal workshop. They also began to standardise them from 1927 so all parts were of the same specification. The wheeled Sokolov M/09 mount (as well as the M/21 tripod mounts) remained in use during WWII, but the shield was removed to reduce the weight. More Soviet Maxims were captured during the Winter War and were also pressed into action. These were mostly a newer improved m/1910 type, but older models were also captured. Older heavier m/1905 types were usually issued to static defence troops, with the lighter M/09-09 (m/1910) and M/09-21 models being issued to mobile troops and for offensive operation where they were likely to be moved often.
You can get your unit cards in the Bagration: Finnish Unit Card Pack here...

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