[Dowly]

3 July 1944

The Red Army manages a momentary breakthrough at Pyöräkangas, west of Ihantala.

Originally Posted by Mikko H. @AHF

Yesterday evening the Finnish radio intelligence captured a Soviet message (Finnish code breakers were able to read a significant portion of the Soviet signals traffic from the division level down) stating that the 63rd Guards Rifle Division (of the 30th Guards Rifle Corps), supported by the 30th Tank Brigade, attacks Ihantala after midnight today. Counter-measures are taken immediately.

Twelve Finnish artillery battalions fire at the Soviet positions in the early morning hours, as do the German Stukas and Jabos. This ends the Soviet activity for few hours.

However, some 200 enemy aircraft start bombing the Finnish positions at 6 am, and are soon joined by artillery and assault guns. At 7 am. an enemy division attacks Ihantala, but is repelled with the aid of artillery.

At 9 am. an enemy attack drives the I/IR 12 from Pyöräkangas, west of Ihantala. This potentially threatening penetration is soon contained, and preparations for a counter-attack are immediately started. Reserves are gathered, and the counter-attack, again supported by strong artillery forces, starts at noon. Capt. L. Jaale's III/IR 6 attacks from west, followed by the rest of Lt. Col. Reino Inkinen's regiment. Maj. K. Suurkari's detachment (remains of the I/IR 12, company from III/IR 12 and a jäger company) attacks from north at 12.30 pm, and Maj. J. Sammalkorpi's III/IR 35 from north-east at 2 pm. This three-pronged assault drives the enemy from Pyöräkangas by 5 pm.

For the rest of the day the Soviet forces attempt attacks at different points along the 6th Division's front, but every time the enemy formations are dispersed by Finnish artillery even before they are able to attack. Only at Tähtelä, at 6th Division's left flank, the enemy reaches the Finnish positions at 8 pm, but are immediately driven back by counter-attack.

This evening Lt. Col. Inkinen's IR 6 is withdrawn from the battle. It has fought with distinction continuously for eight days, and taken heavy losses. Also Col. Yrjö Hanste's IR 12 is withdrawn, and is replaced by IR 35.

*

On the Aunus Isthmus, Finnish troops withdraw to the Tulemajoki line.

Finnish daily losses: 306