This remarkable, utterly unique unit resulted from the decision of the British and French to formally ally with the Finns in their struggle with the Russians. This decision, taken in January 1940, would have resulted in the Allies being at war with both Russia and Germany, as well as Norway and Sweden whose territory they would have invaded. An interesting Grand Europa scenario! The decision taken, it was necessary to find troops suited for fighting in Finland. The French could provide the ski-trained Chasseurs Alpins. The British had a problem--one they solved in an utterly bizarre way. Owners of A Winter War have a genuine 1-8 counter representing this unit--however it assumes that a sensible approach would be taken in forming it. The reality was somewhat different!

In 1940 there were very few people in Britain who could ski, and since skiing was restricted to the rich and the aristocratic, even fewer were in the Army. The solution was to establish a new 5th Battalion of the Scots Guards Regiment, and call it a ski battalion. I suspect that the Scots Guards were chosen as the parent regiment because they were terribly fashionable, so that the upper crust would not find it beneath their dignity to join, and because the War Office had found out that Scotland contained mountains and, perhaps, snow.

In February 1940 volunteers were called for and duly arrived in large numbers. Remember that this was the time of the Phony War and there were a lot of very bored soldiers around. The only trouble was that over 700 of these were officers! Even when it was explained that only some 20 could keep their rank as officers, some 200 agreed to stay on as other ranks. As formed, the 5th Scots Guards contained the following fascinating mixture:

• one third ex-officers. They could ski, and were expert leaders, but had received no training in military skiing.
• one third civilians. Expert skiers, but with no training whatsoever as soldiers.
• one-third Regular Scots Guards. One company drafted (they did not volunteer), expert soldiers but most had never even seen a pair of skis.

Fortunately, before this unit could enter battle, Finland surrendered, depriving Europa gamers of the opportunity to play with its counter, but saving a significant proportion of the British officer corps from extinction in the wastes of Finland. It disbanded in March 1940, leaving no battle honours.

Order of Battle

Feb I 40: United Kingdom
New: 1x 0-(1)-(8) Skill 5 SGds

Apr I 40: United Kingdom
Disband: 1 x 0-(1)-(8) Skill 5 SGds

Add to Scorched Earth Rules

Rule 39D. Special Unit Abilities.

12. British Ski Battalion. The following rules reflect the special features of this unit.

(a) When stacked with another British unit its defense value is doubled to 2, to reflect the large number of officers present, who would much rather be leading troops than being privates.

(b) When this unit attempts to move during a snow turn, roll on the success table. If the result is F or F*, the unit may not move at all, representing the fact that the only trained soldiers present have broken their skis and are trying to repair them.

Coming some time in the future: The elite French North-West Border combat-motorised Custom Guard Battalion--the perfect defense against unaccompanied German Truck counters!