61st Infantry Regiment (Finland)

The 61st Infantry Regiment (Finnish: Jalkaväkirykmentti 61, abbreviated JR 61) was a Finnish infantry regiment that fought during the Continuation War (1941-1944). It was part of the 17th Division. The regiment is particularly known for being almost entirely composed of Swedish-speaking Finns from the coastal areas of Ostrobothnia, and was often referred to as the "Swedish Regiment" (Svenska Regementet).

JR 61 participated in heavy fighting on the Karelian Isthmus, notably in the battles around the River Syvari (Svir) and later during the Soviet Vyborg–Petrozavodsk Offensive in the summer of 1944. Despite suffering heavy casualties, the regiment distinguished itself in defensive actions and played a crucial role in holding the Finnish lines against the Soviet advance.

The regiment was disbanded after the end of the Continuation War. Its history and the contributions of Swedish-speaking Finns to the Finnish war effort are commemorated in various historical accounts and memorials. The regiment's strong sense of community and its resilience under pressure have made it a significant symbol of Finnish national unity and defense.