I'm taking a break so this is my bookmark.

STEED start reading the next post when you get back. :)

Well done guys, looking forward to reading more when I return.

26 June 1941

Heinola is bombed twice during the day.

First by 14 Soviet bombers that drop about 100 bombs, the second strike consists of 6 planes. Eight people are killed.

In his radio speech, President Ryti says that Finland has been attacked by the Soviet Union.

Finnish daily losses: 9

27 June 1941

After discussing with the Army Corps commanders, Mannerheim decides to concentrate the main thrust of the offensive to the northeast side of lake Ladoga.

Soviet bombers strike Tammisaari, Loviisa and Rovaniemi.

German troops capture Minsk, most of Lithuania and western Ukraine.

Finnish daily losses: 1

28 June 1941

Mannerheim signs Karelian Army's offensive plan.

IV AK is ordered to prepare for offensive.

Finnish daily losses: 4

http://i.imgur.com/A0UI6am.jpg?1
(larger version: http://imgur.com/ZW3y2d9)

Offensive plan and its objectives.

I have returned. Thanks for the help, Hunter. :salute:

No Problem, hope you enjoyed yourself and keep up the good work :up:

EDIT: Might as well put the last entry down you had prepared for us.

***

29 June 1941

Light detachment 7 from 18.D tries to capture Enso.

The troops manage to reach the city centre without resistance during the night, but a counter-attack by the Russians in the morning pushes them out of the city.

Gebirgs-Korps Norwegen begins its attack from Petsamo towards Murmansk.

Karelian Isthmus: Major-General Taavetti Laatikainen takes command of II AK.

V AK is disbanded and its divisions join the IV AK.

Finnish daily losses: 90

I had great time until I stopped drinking after 4 days. :dead:

30 June 1941

Karelian Isthmus: Colonel Blick's 2. Division (II AK) begins its local offensive at 1900hrs from the area between lake Simpele and lake Pyhäjärvi.

The division's orders are to advance to Tyrjä - Niasjärvi - Ristilahti line.

IR 7 got its nickname 'Tyrjä Regiment' from these battles. (Personal note: My great uncle served in 14./IR7, which was an anti-tank company)

Karelian Army receives its attack orders. Time of attack remains open.

Squadron 15 is formed. Their primary job is to fly LRRPs to and from behind enemy lines.

First enemy desants are spotted in Askola and Kalvola. All three desants are captured.

Finnish daily losses: 38

http://i.imgur.com/piHMuh5l.jpg
2.Division's attack 30.6.-5.7.

1 July 1941

Finnish III AK - under German command - begins its attack at 0230hrs from Suomussalmi and Kuusamo. German 36.AK (with Finnish 6.D) cross the border in Salla area.
(see map in post #84)

Commander of VI AK Major-General Paavo Talvela writes in his journal:
"I received my orders today and after reading them, I realized how absurd they were." (Does not say why -D)

First Finnish bombing raid strikes the Suvilahti - Petroskoi (Petrozavodsk) railway.

Finnish daily losses: 115

http://i.imgur.com/hQnGjaYl.jpg
German tanks heading to the front.

2 July 1941

Russian troops in Kalastajasaarento (Rybachy Peninsula) are cut off from the mainland as the 2.D of Gebirgs-Korps Norwegen captures the village of Kutovaja.
(map)

Detachment Paatsalo's first LRRP is sent to observe traffic on the Murmansk - Tiflofka road.

Finnish daily losses: 70

3 July 1941

The attack of Gebirgs-Korps Norwegen's 3. Division reaches Litsajoki.

The advance however bogs down during the following days and the Germans have to ask the Finns for more men.

In Suomussalmi area, III AK's Group F(agernäs) captures Vuokkiniemi.

First Swedish volunteers leave Stockholm for Finland.

Finnish daily losses: 87

http://i.imgur.com/GO7xhqal.jpg
AAA firing in Helsinki.

Sorry for being late, wasnt feeling too good yesterday.

***

4 July 1941

14. Division begins its attack towards Rukajärvi.

The Division's first task is to capture Repola and then advance eastward.

Independent detachment Petsamo advances to the area near Hulkko, where the attack towards Murmansk halts.

Ind.Det.Petsamo retreats back to the border soon after.

Finnish daily losses: 126

http://i.imgur.com/7bNyslUl.jpg
Aarne "Terror of Morocco" Juutilainen, famous for commanding IR/34 in Kollaa during the Winter War.

***

5 July 1941

No entry in the book for this day.

Finnish daily losses: 119

http://i.imgur.com/acWVrGFl.jpg
Armored train in Tohmajärvi.
Finland had two armored trains; Panssarijuna 1 and Panssarijuna 2.

6 July 1941

VI AK attacks towards Värtsilä to get better starting positions for the upcoming general offensive of the Karelian Army.

Colonel Heiskanen's 11.Division manages to break through the Russian 71.Division's lines northeast of Värtsilä and advance to the isthmus between Suolampi and Salmilampi.

Finnish daily losses: 79

http://i.imgur.com/RRVmlxyl.jpg
Lieutenant-Colonel Susitaival interrogates POW in Värtsilä.

http://i.imgur.com/kRiw21el.jpg
Two ladies bathing in the sun at Lake Bodom.

7 July 1941

The Parliament start its summer break (because screw war, right?).

On the left wing of the Karelian Army, Group O(inonen) attacks over the border to get better starting positions for the upcoming general offensive.

Orders given on 3/7 state that Group O must advance to Tolvajärvi and Kuolismaa.

Group O is divided into three battlegroups; Group S, group E and group H.

After crossing the border Group E tries to capture the village of Ontrovaara, but stiff resistance repulses them back by evening.

Group S fares no better getting bogged down for several days in Peurujoki and Melaselkä.

60 Soviet planes strike Kotka.

Finnish daily losses: 164

!Graphic image!

Quote:

7 July 1941

:rotfl2:First things first..

And ladies sunbathing .. in Finnland :huh:


p.s. Hope you're feeling better.

Yep, all good now. :salute:

Dowly, my friend! Do not forget to write about the siege of Leningrad. I'm interested in your opinion on this terrible page of history of the war between the two nations.

Hey Susexx,

There won't be much on SoL, it is not terribly relevant to the Continuation War.

As for my opinion? It doesn't matter. I rather stick to the facts we have.

8 July 1941

In Berlin, Finnish national socialist Erkki Räikkönen "demands" Leningrad to Finland.

Declaration is given to the people living in the areas occupied by Finns.

It is a set of instructions on how the people should behave; people should remain where they live and continue to work as normal.

The civilians can also be called to specific work duties when needed.

Any civilian who opposes or in any way does harm to the Finnish Army is seen as a criminal and is condemned to death.

Adolf Hitler states that both Leningrad and Moscow need to be destroyed.

German 169.Division and SS-Nord attacking towards Salla break the Russian lines and the enemy retreats to the Kairala line. The Finnish 6.Division reaches the southern end of the line.

Finnish daily losses: 102

http://i.imgur.com/S0Fsn84l.jpg
Grave of a Finnish soldier at the border in Ilomantsi.
(I think it might actually be a signpost -D)

9 July 1941

In the early morning, 20 enemy bombers strike Helsinki. 21 people are killed.

Air battle over Gulf of Finland results in 8 enemy planes being shot down by Squadron 24's Brewster Buffalos.

First saboteurs of the so called 'Erna group' leave for Estonia. These saboteurs have been trained in Finland to harass Soviet troops in Estonia.

VI AK begins its main offensive at 2340hrs with objective of achieving a breakthrough in Värtsilä and east side Korpiselkä.

Major-General Talvela's VI AK was supposed to wait for the general offensive, starting on the 10th, but Talvela decided to start the attack early.

The attack bogs down quickly and VI AK cannot advance to its objectives before the general offensive begins.

Major-General Talvela is probably best described as the Patton of Finland. He was extremely stubborn, had strong views on how the Finnish Army should work, was quick to anger and generally was very hard to work with.

Good example of his personality is when the first Mannerheim Cross was awarded. Not to him, but to Ruben Lagus. Reportedly, he screamed in anger "The *bleeping* Russkie gave it to the *bleeping* Swede!".

Capable commander though. :yep:

Finnish daily losses: 149

http://i.imgur.com/AxUN9NSl.jpg
"Mascot" of a certain artillery unit.