25 August 1943
Karelian Isthmus: In the Aleksandrovka area, a Finnish patrol slips through four minefields and find themselves in an enemy forward base. The patrol destroys several dugouts and inflict 40-50 casualties to the enemy before withdrawing. Two Finns are lightly wounded.
War diary of Infantry Regiment 6:
Quote:
24 August, 10PM
Patrol headed by Lt.Honkaniemi (strength 58) left for a planned prisoner snatch/sabotage mission on the right wing of our sector. Having advanced through two minefields and then reaching the objective, it was discovered the positions were unmanned.
25 August, 2.54AM
Regiment Commander Col.Ekman gave new orders to go deeper (about 500m) behind the lines and to find the enemy living area, which was known to be manned.
The patrol again advanced through two minefields before arriving at their new objective. There, by complete surprise, the patrol began their assault, during which bunkers and living dugouts were destroyed by use of bundled charges and hand grenades. A total of 11 bunkers and dugouts were destroyed, causing at least 20 casualties to the enemy. The patrol also destroyed an ammo depot and an explosives storage. One large and two smaller houses were destroyed as well, which according to a POW killed approximately 16 Russkies.
The patrol took one prisoner and returned back to own lines at 4.51AM.
Casualties: Two lightly wounded.
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Maaselkä: Five enemy bunkers and two anti-tank gun positions are destroyed by Finnish artillery and mortars in the Kivijärvi direction. Further two bunkers at Kindasjärvi are destroyed by artillery in the evening.
Finnish daily losses: 6
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26 August 1943
Marshal Mannerheim and Defense Secretary Rudolf Walden leave Mikkeli to visit East Karelia.
Finnish daily losses: 12
Lieutenant Hans Wind, a Mannerheim Cross recipient with 33½ confirmed kills.
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27 August 1943
Of the 2,000 Finnish children in Denmark, 1,000 are planned to be returned before schools start.
North Finland: 26 enemy fighters are shot down in a battle over Kalastajansaarento.
Finnish daily losses: 12
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28 August 1943
Aunus Isthmus: During the last week, 45 Finnish patrols have been sent out to the enemy side, while the enemy has sent 43.
Finnish daily losses: 11
Testing of anti-tank obstacles near Petroskoi.
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29 August 1943
No entry.
Finnish daily losses: 15
***
30 August 1943
Marshal Mannerheim returns from East Karelia.
Finnish daily losses: 15
Dummy warship "Kirow".
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31 August 1943
No entry.
Finnish daily losses: 15
Finnish losses in August: 548