The Russian general staff feared a German landing in Finland and an attack on Petrograd and, to increase the security of Russia, Finland had to be united with the Empire more tightly. In November 1914 a great programme of russification was published, the aim of which was the abolition of Finland’s autonomy. The programme prompted a new activism, the aim of which was the separation of Finland from Russia, if necessary by force of arms.

The activists turned to Russia’s enemy, Germany, in order to obtain military training and other support. The training of 200 Finnish university students began at Lockstedt near Hamburg in February 1915. The original four-week training period was extended and the number of volunteers gradually grew. Extensive secret enlistment was started in Finland as the result of which about 1900 men went to Germany. In May 1916 the Finnish volunteers were formed into the 27th Royal Prussian Jaeger Battalion, which was sent to gain experience of war in the Baltic provinces on Germany’s eastern front.

On December 1917 Finland proclaimed its independence. However, the attainment of independence was overshadowed by social unrest. In January 1918 the situation escalated into civil war. In February 1918 the main body of the Jaegers arrived to Finland and joined the government troops.