seurattavista

Seurattavista, also known as the Seurattavista Massacre, was a significant event in Finnish history that occurred on February 28, 1918. It took place in the town of Seurasaari, located in the Gulf of Finland, during the Finnish Civil War. The massacre resulted from a conflict between the Finnish White Guards, led by General Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, and the Finnish Red Guards, who were supporters of the Finnish Socialist Workers' Republic.

The event began when the White Guards, who were advancing towards Helsinki, encountered a group of Red Guards on the island of Seurasaari. The Red Guards, numbering around 200, were attempting to defend the island against the advancing White forces. The White Guards, outnumbered and facing resistance, decided to retreat. However, the Red Guards, believing the White Guards to be in full retreat, left their positions and pursued the retreating forces.

As the Red Guards pursued the White Guards, they were ambushed by a larger group of White forces. The Red Guards, caught off guard, were quickly overwhelmed. The exact number of casualties is not known, but it is estimated that around 100 Red Guards were killed in the ambush. The White Guards, who had initially retreated, then returned to the island and executed the remaining Red Guards, resulting in a total of around 200 casualties.

The Seurattavista Massacre is considered one of the darkest moments in Finnish history, as it marked a significant escalation in the violence of the Finnish Civil War. The event also highlighted the deep divisions between the pro-independence White Guards and the pro-Soviet Red Guards, which would ultimately lead to the establishment of the Republic of Finland. The massacre is commemorated annually in Finland, with ceremonies held to honor the victims and reflect on the country's history.