13 October 1943
Maaselkä Group: The enemy attacks multiple sectors in Stalin's canal area.
Quote:
On the northside of town of Poventsa, in the 4th lock area, the enemy began artillery preparation at 6am, firing an estimated 500 rounds. At the same time attacked a 20-man group towards our obstacles with another 12 men staying behind as support. The former group suffered 19 casualties under our small arms and mortar fire. One enemy soldier surrendered and was taken prisoner.
At lock 5, two enemy groups attacked towards our obstacles at 5.45am. Enemy artillery began firing at 5.55am, shelling our positions for 40 minutes. By 6.20am the enemy had retreated back leaving behind an estimated ten dead.
Later at lock 5, enemy was seen preparing for new attacks at 7.30am and 10.30am. Both times our artillery dispersed the enemy groupings.
Heavy artillery fire (~5000rnds) opened up on Hussinsaari island and the bridges leading on it at 6.05am. At the same time ~150 enemies attacked from the east to the center sector on the island and ~40 to the north sector. In the center, the enemy broke through our lines advancing all the way to the western parts. Enemy advance in north reached the front of our trenches. Our 10-man reserve unit cleared the west part of the island by 8.45am, followed by a larger counter-attack at 11.25am which pushed the enemy back. The island was clear of enemies by 12.30pm. Enemy losses are estimated at 100 dead. Six prisoners were taken, one of them an officer. Our losses 14 dead, 32 wounded and 5 missing.
|
Finnish daily losses: 38
***
14 October 1943
Oberkommando der Wehrmacht Alfred Jodl visits Finland to explain the situation on the Eastern Front to Marshal Mannerheim.
Finnish daily losses: 16
Germans at one of their outmost bases at Litsa.
***
15 October 1943
Pressured by the Red Army attacks, Germany begins to evacuate Ingria.
Finnish daily losses: 21
***
16 October 1943
No entry.
Finnish daily losses: 12
Curtiss Hawk fighter over Lotinapelto.
***
17 October 1943
No entry.
Finnish daily losses: 15
Sentry at Lutto.
***
18 October 1943
22,050 Ingrians have been evacuated to Finland so far.
The Soviet Air Force attacks the city of Aunus. Five are killed and four badly wounded.
Unit of NKVD soldiers attack a local HQ at Äänisniemi. Three men and one woman are killed.
Finnish daily losses: 23
The Svir hydropower plant from air.
***
19 October 1943
No entry.
Finnish daily losses: 16