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Dowly · 03-22-19, 11:03 AM

Here's the first part of the promised Soviet September 1942 offensive at Kriv.

***

Soviet side

On September 15 at 7.58am, anti-tank guns and regimental cannons of Lieutenant-Colonel Selihov's 1046.Infantry Regiment (1046.JR) began firing direct-fire at Finnish positions in the area of the railway leading northeast from Kriv ('ns. koillisrata' on map). After two minutes of firing, two companies split in multiple strike teams of 24 men began their advance. The strike teams captured Finnish trenches on top of the hill area and had advanced to the southern ridge by 9.00am.
Finnish counter-attack began around 9.30am with a strength of two companies. Accurate Finnish artillery barrages aimed between Soviet lines and the newly captured Finnish positions prevented 1046.IR's reserves from reaching the fighting area. By 12.12pm, the Soviet strike teams had had to retreat back to their starting positions.
Casualties for the Soviet forces were heavy, nearly 80%. Many of the wounded had to be left behind on Finnish territory. The attacking force also lost 9 LMGs, 31 SMGs and 48 rifles. According to the regimental HQ report, there were 148 casualties of which 74 were KIA and 68 WIA. Five of the dead were officers.
According to Lieutenant-Colonel Selihov's report of 23rd of September the attack failed due to low ammunition supplies and too few men committed to the offensive. The low supplies prevented artillery and mortars from dispersing the Finnish forces gathering for a counter-attack. Further, once the strike teams reached Finnish trenches, communications broke down as Finnish artillery cut communication wires to the rear. At the time when the reserve units were ready to advance to the front, Finns had already recaptured their positions.
(by Juri Kilin in "Jatkosodan Torjuntataisteluja 1942-44" ["Defensive Battles of the Continuation War 1942-44"])

Finnish side

Defending the left flank of Colonel Autti's 3rd Brigade in the railroad area was Major Eero Rinne's 2nd Battalion (II./3.Pr.). The enemy attack began at 7.55am with a strong artillery fire which ended few minutes later at 8.03am. After the short barrage, enemy units moved to attack the bases of 6th Company (Mäntykukkula, Kumpu, Kulma), from which Finns had to retreat nearly entrirely. The company commander gathered all available troops and organized a counter-attack from base "Kumpu". Artillery also fired along the no-man's-land, causing casualties to the second wave of enemies.
Major Rinner ordered his reserves (7th Company) to join the counter-attack. Just as the company was ready to head off, the order was canceled; Major Rinne was worried of a second attack that might happen further northeast, where the enemy had laid a smokescreen. This turned out to be a feint and Rinne ordered 7th Company to move out to recapture "Mäkikukkula". Parts of the base were taken by 10am, and by 12pm the positions lost by the Battalion had been taken back. In the area around the bases were 61 and in front of the bases 233 enemy dead (latter is an estimate). Rinne's Battalion lost 14 dead and 31 wounded.
(by Ari Raunio, same source)

Map:

03-22-19, 11:03 AM	#575
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Here's the first part of the promised Soviet September 1942 offensive at Kriv. *** Soviet side On September 15 at 7.58am, anti-tank guns and regimental cannons of Lieutenant-Colonel Selihov's 1046.Infantry Regiment (1046.JR) began firing direct-fire at Finnish positions in the area of the railway leading northeast from Kriv ('ns. koillisrata' on map). After two minutes of firing, two companies split in multiple strike teams of 24 men began their advance. The strike teams captured Finnish trenches on top of the hill area and had advanced to the southern ridge by 9.00am. Finnish counter-attack began around 9.30am with a strength of two companies. Accurate Finnish artillery barrages aimed between Soviet lines and the newly captured Finnish positions prevented 1046.IR's reserves from reaching the fighting area. By 12.12pm, the Soviet strike teams had had to retreat back to their starting positions. Casualties for the Soviet forces were heavy, nearly 80%. Many of the wounded had to be left behind on Finnish territory. The attacking force also lost 9 LMGs, 31 SMGs and 48 rifles. According to the regimental HQ report, there were 148 casualties of which 74 were KIA and 68 WIA. Five of the dead were officers. According to Lieutenant-Colonel Selihov's report of 23rd of September the attack failed due to low ammunition supplies and too few men committed to the offensive. The low supplies prevented artillery and mortars from dispersing the Finnish forces gathering for a counter-attack. Further, once the strike teams reached Finnish trenches, communications broke down as Finnish artillery cut communication wires to the rear. At the time when the reserve units were ready to advance to the front, Finns had already recaptured their positions. (by Juri Kilin in "Jatkosodan Torjuntataisteluja 1942-44" ["Defensive Battles of the Continuation War 1942-44"]) Finnish side Defending the left flank of Colonel Autti's 3rd Brigade in the railroad area was Major Eero Rinne's 2nd Battalion (II./3.Pr.). The enemy attack began at 7.55am with a strong artillery fire which ended few minutes later at 8.03am. After the short barrage, enemy units moved to attack the bases of 6th Company (Mäntykukkula, Kumpu, Kulma), from which Finns had to retreat nearly entrirely. The company commander gathered all available troops and organized a counter-attack from base "Kumpu". Artillery also fired along the no-man's-land, causing casualties to the second wave of enemies. Major Rinner ordered his reserves (7th Company) to join the counter-attack. Just as the company was ready to head off, the order was canceled; Major Rinne was worried of a second attack that might happen further northeast, where the enemy had laid a smokescreen. This turned out to be a feint and Rinne ordered 7th Company to move out to recapture "Mäkikukkula". Parts of the base were taken by 10am, and by 12pm the positions lost by the Battalion had been taken back. In the area around the bases were 61 and in front of the bases 233 enemy dead (latter is an estimate). Rinne's Battalion lost 14 dead and 31 wounded. (by Ari Raunio, same source) Map: