Continuation War, day by day.

[Dowly]

8 September 1943

3.D/Uhtua: Two attacks by the enemy are repelled in the Malviainen road area. The second attack reached the Finnish positions, but were eventually pushed out. Enemy losses unknown, Finnish losses 2 KIA, 8 WIA.

Finnish daily losses: 16


Svir Hydroelectric plant.

***

9 September 1943

Karelian Isthmus: In the Simola direction, a small 7-man enemy patrol sneaked past Finnish obstacles during the night. At 11.20am, enemy mortars and anti-tank guns opened fire at Finnish positions. Soon after, the enemy patrol assaulted a Finnish sentry post from where they took a prisoner before withdrawing.

Finnish daily losses: 24


Two Morane fighters at Latva airfield.

***

10 September 1943

Small group of enemy bombers try to hit downtown Helsinki, but are forced to drop their bombs early due to Finnish anti-air fire.

Finnish daily losses: 18




Patrol in contact with enemy. (Rukajärvi)



***

11 September 1943

Karelian Isthmus: Finnish patrol destroys two dugouts in an enemy base in the Lempaala area. Enemy losses 10 KIA, Finnish losses 1 KIA, 8 WIA.

Finnish daily losses: 15

***

12 September 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 14

***

13 September 1943

Aunus Group/Svir: The enemy attacks Armored Division's eastern flank in early morning with a company size force supported by a strong artillery preparation. The enemy gets in the trenches from where it is cleared out by 5.30am. Finnish communication lines are severed by the artillery barrage. Casualties are unknown at this time.

14.D/Rukajärvi: Finnish forward base "Joki" near lake Kypäräisenjärvi comes under attack by a strong enemy force.

14.Division War Diary:

At 2.00am, some battalion-strong enemy unit supported by mortars, attacked forward base "Joki", about 7km southwest of lake Kypäräisenjärvi. The forward base (26 men) defended itself from the fierce attacks under enemy mortar fire until 10:00am, when the enemy withdrew as our backup units began to encircle them. Battlegroup Raevaara (3 rifle platoons) sent at 6.40am to close the isthmus between lake Kypäräisenjärvi - lake Eninjärvi had done so by 3pm, no enemy contact so far in their area. The enemy has likely stopped to rest. We've sent out patrols to look for them.

Own losses: eight KIA, 13 WIA.
Enemy losses: So far counted 65 KIA, but there are more. Plenty of wounded. Five prisoners.

Staff Sergeant Jauhiainen who was in charge of "Joki", and who was wounded at the beginning of the battle yet continued to lead his men has been awarded with the Cross of Liberty 4th Class.

Finnish daily losses: 34

***

14 September 1943

14.D/Rukajärvi: Finnish detachment sent out to pursue the enemy that attacked forward base "Joki" makes contact with them. 35 enemies are killed with no own losses in the ensuing battle.

Finnish daily losses: 12