The Reds took control of altogether seven branch offices: Hämeenlinna, Kotka, Pori, Tampere, Turku, Viipuri and St Petersburg. The staff at these branches refused to cooperate with them. The Whites retained control at seven branches, one of which was Kuopio.
Before the war broke out, most of the Bank of Finland's gold reserves had been transferred to the Kuopio branch. Once the revolution broke out, a representative of the Red Guard appeared at the branch and said he had been ordered to take control of the branch. The branch manager A. O. Wallenius took out a pistol and said: 'Not before there are at least two dead bodies,' whereupon the occupiers withdrew.
The Civil Guard posted 36 men to protect the branch. The Reds surrounded Kuopio, and the Whites defended the town from the administrative buildings. The battle for Kuopio lasted one week, until on 7 February 1918 a relief force from Ostrobothnia settled the battle in favour of the Whites.
The Kuopio branch. Bank of Finland.
Civil Guard members, a man and a woman. Kuopio Cultural History Museum.
Pictures relating to the fighting in Kuopio. Kuopio Provincial Museum.
Pictures relating to the fighting in Kuopio. Kuopio Provincial Museum.