The Olonets Volunteer Army or AVA (abbr. From Fin. Aunuksen vapaaehtoinen armeija) is an army of white Finns operating on the territory of Finland and Karelia on the side of the pro-government Olonets government.
| Olonets Volunteer Army | |
|---|---|
| Years of existence | 1918 - 1922 |
| A country |  Finland |
| Subordination | Olonets government |
| Type of | Volunteer army |
| Participation in | Civil war in Finland Olonets campaign Vidlice operation |
| Commanders | |
| Famous commanders | V.S. Skobeltsyn |
History
The Olonets Volunteer Army was formed in early April 1919 in Finland. Since Finland was an integral part of Russia (with a certain status of “sovereignty”) until 1917, many of its inhabitants were active supporters of the White movement. After part of the former RIA troops and volunteers in Finland, after the revolution, volunteer detachments of "white Finns" began to form, which were later combined in particular within the Olonets Volunteer Army. Altogether, the Olonets army numbered about 2,000 bayonets. The commander of the newly formed army was Lieutenant General Skobeltsyn BC
In the initial period, the Olonets volunteer army was successful. In the spring of 1919, the white Finns captured all of South Karelia, including Vidlitsa (April 21, 1919), Olonets (April 24, 1919) and at the end of April 1919 they approached Petrozavodsk.
In June - July and September 1919, the 6th Red Army under the command of Samoilo and the landing forces of the Onega Flotilla of Pantserzhevsky (500 to Vidlitsa and 200 to Tuloksu in July 1919; and also the landing in Lizhma in September 1919) twice defeated the Olonets volunteer army, finally expelling it from Karelia only in October 1919.
In October 1919, the remnants of the Olonets Army were combined with the Troops of the Murmansk Region (the former Murmansk Volunteer Army) under the general command of General Skobeltsyn. These troops, being part of Miller’s Northern Army , continued to resist the 6th Red Army until February 1920.
In October 1921 - February 1922, the white Finns , uniting the remnants of the former Olonets Volunteer Army and creating new volunteer units in Finland, once again tried to capture the southern part of Karelia. But after temporary minor successes they suffered a final defeat, were defeated and forced to retreat to Finland, ceasing to exist.
Uniforms
A distinctive feature of the fighters of the Olonets Volunteer Army were the white AVA black armbands (abbr. From Aunuksen vapaaehtoinen armeija, Fin. Olonets Volunteer Army), which they wore on their left shoulder. However, the abbreviation had other less flattering decryptions. For example, Ammattivarkaat Aunuksessa are professional thieves in Olonets.