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Old 09-13-18, 11:40 PM   #511
Dowly
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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:

Quote:

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
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Old 09-14-18, 09:00 AM   #512
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dowly View Post
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.
I believe this is so far the first successful Soviet action I read about here.
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Old 09-14-18, 09:46 AM   #513
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There has been successful prisoner snatch missions by the Russians, I might have just not wrote about or they've not been mentioned in the HQ War Diary.

As I said a couple of posts back, if I needed to use the HQ War Diary I'd just pick one interesting entry (if there were any) for that day. That would mean that some of the smaller stuff (such as Russian prisoner snatch mission) might go unnoticed. This I very much did out of lazyness, not of bias (just putting that out there), the trench warfare period is rather boring. Now I do try to write about everything of interest. (excluding naval stuff which is usually reports of convoys etc.)

Having said that, overall, Russian success on the Finnish front has been quite insignificant. This can be seen by comparing the results of patrols for example: Finnish patrols appear to move much "stealthier" to get to a position from where to attack their target, destroy stuff and pull out vs. Russian patrols nearly always just attacking head on with artillery preparation and with maybe some flanking forces for distraction.

I've no knowledge of the Russian side of the war, but from reading captured radio messages (Finns were pretty good at capturing them), it seems the general mood with Russian commanders was: "failure is not an option".

If you like, I can try to find the messages and translate some of them, they are pretty interesting to read.
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Old 09-20-18, 11:10 PM   #514
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15 September 1943

14.D/Rukajärvi: The enemy forces that attacked base "Joki" retreat further north. Finnish units pursuing them lose contact.

Finnish daily losses: 15


Preparing a "miilu" (Charcoal pile)

***

16 September 1943

Aunus Group: Finnish strike team supported by artillery destroys an enemy strongpoint in the Karelka area. The enemy responds with heavy artillery (~1150rnds) and mortar (~800rnds) fire.

Navy: At 3.55pm, enemy 'Boston' type aircraft torpedoes escort ship "Uisko". The ship sinks within minutes, taking nineteen crew with it.

Finnish daily losses: 40

***

17 September 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 12


View of the front line terrain. (Maaselkä Isthmus)

***

18 September 1943

Aunus Group: At 6.10am, about 2km east of lake Keskasjärvi, enemy artillery and mortars fire a barrage on Finnish positions. At the same time, 20-man enemy group blows a hole in the obstacles and enters the trenches. Supported by mortar fire, Finnish counter-attack throws the enemy out.

Finnish daily losses: 19


Staff Sergeant Jauhianen who led the defense of forward base "Joki" in the Rukajärvi area. (see post #511/13 September)
He was wounded when a bullet struck him just below the right eye and exited from the back of his neck.

***

19 September 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 14

***

20 September 1943

Karelian Isthmus: The enemy attempts prisoner snatch in the Rajajoki area. The 25-man group crosses the Rajajoki river under cover of darkness and is supported by artillery and mortars. By 9.00am, the enemy is forced to retreat without prisoner back across the river. Enemy losses 11 KIA, 1 POW. Finnish losses 1 KIA, 2 WIA.

Finnish daily losses: 21

***

21 September 1943

Northern Finland: Soviet artillery scores a hit on a freight ship near Petsamo, sinking it.

Finnish daily losses: 12


Test firing one of three captured and repaired 305mm railway guns left in Hanko when it was evacuated by the Russians. (Wiki)
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Old 09-27-18, 11:41 PM   #515
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22 September 1943

Aunus Group: Six men are killed and six wounded during a live fire accident in Replenishment Battalion 9.

The battalion's war diary reads:

Quote:
Accident during mortar firing exercise. Explosion in the tube killed six men and wounded six more.
[..]
Investigation has concluded the cause of the explosion was double-loading.
Finnish daily losses: 12

***

23 September 1943

Soviet partisans attempt to take the Ivantsov island on Lake Onega, but Finnish counter-attack beats them back.

Finnish daily losses: 19

***

24 September 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 16


Summer cottage given to Lieutenant-General Tuompo on his 50th birthday by the Finnish Border Guard.

***

25 September 1943

14.D/Rukajärvi: Finnish detachment (3xPlt) gets into a firefight with an enemy detachment on the north side of Vilkojärvi. In the ensuing fighting 30 enemies are killed or wounded. Four Finns are wounded, three are uncounted for and on the return trip four more are wounded in a mine explosion.


Finnish daily losses: 18


Plaque on the wall of a church at Kivennapa. It roughly reads:

"On this hill sanctified by the blood and prayers of our ancestors was this room of our Lord built in 1943 by the forces of [18.] Division which in 1941 recaptured Kivennapa."

Followed by an excerpt from Finnish hymn 577:

"Our fathers here have fought
and believed and hoped.
We got the same apartment,
and the same steps we have."

***

26 September 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 20

***

27 September 1943

Aunus Group: Enemy probing attack repelled near Verhotinsuo.

Finnish daily losses: 14

***

28 September 1943

Hitler's directive 50 lays out plans to capture Suursaari island and Åland islands, if Finland signs a separate peace with the Soviet Union.

Finnish daily losses: 20
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Old 10-04-18, 11:50 PM   #516
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29 September 1943

Martta Koskinen is executed for high treason.

Finnish daily losses: 14


Colonel Willamo and Generaloberst Dietl at Rovaniemi.

30 September 1943

Karelian Isthmus: Finnish patrol intercepts an enemy patrol near Lumisuo and kills 11 of them during the ensuing close combat suffering no own losses.

Finnish daily losses: 12

Finnish losses in the war to date: 41,372

***

1 October 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 9

***

2 October 1943

Marshall Mannerheim mentions in passing during lunch at his HQ that he has sent every Soviet officer in Finnish POW camps a box of cigarettes he paid for himself.

14.D/Rukajärvi: Finnish long-range patrol destroys a car and kills 20 enemies at the Perttijärvi - Venjärvi road. The road is mined and telephone poles in the vicinity are also destroyed.

3.D/Uhtua, (Morning) An enemy detachment of unknown strength is attempting to cross the Kostamus road south of Vuokkiniemi.

3.D/Uhtua, (Evening):

Quote:
Vuokkiniemi sector: The enemy mentioned in the morning report has been joined by another enemy group and its total strength is an estimated 200 soldiers. Pursued by our troops the enemy set up a strong defensive position in a hilly terrain at grid 7200 by 9750, 6km SSE of Kostamus. Our troops flanked the enemy and after an hour of fighting had to retreat as troops ran out of ammunition. Confirmed 15 dead enemies, true numbers are likely much higher for both dead and wounded. Own losses one dead, two wounded. Actions to destroy the enemy will continue in the morning.
Finnish daily losses: 14

***

3 October 1943

3.D/Uhtua, (Evening):

Quote:
Vuokkiniemi sector: The enemy has retreated from their positions, possibly during last night. We found 180 foxholes on the hills and used medical stuff that indicates the enemy suffered dozens of casualties during the last engagement. Bodies were found buried in two graves and some were sunken in the swamp terrain. No further contact made with the enemy.
Finnish daily losses: 9

***

4 October 1943

Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #44 Second Lieutenant Viljo Suokas of Detachment Kuismanen (OsKu) dies on a long-range patrol.

HQ's 21-man long-range patrol led by Second Lieutenant Suokas leaves Kossalmi on the 26th of September towards lake Seesjärvi area. Their mission includes counting traffic at Segeza rail station, find out the exact location of a new supply center in the area, take a prisoner and destroy food and ammunition storages.

As the patrol is destroying food storages 2Lt.Suokas decides to leave one of the huts intact and take some of the food inside for his men. Russian soldier, hiding behind a stove, shoots Suokas in the stomach as he enters. The patrol rushes to Suokas' aid and begin their return trip towards an unnamed lake where they would be picked up by an airplane.

Suokas' condition however deteriorates and he succumbs to his wounds. His body is buried under a pine tree and the surrounding area is mined. The rest of the patrol returns without other losses on October 6th.

Finnish daily losses: 22


Final moments of Second Lieutenant Viljo Suokas.

***

5 October 1943

Karelian Isthmus: Enemy patrol manages to capture a Finnish sentry as prisoner in the Lappalaisenmäki area.

Finnish daily losses: 10


Lieutenant-Colonel Korvenheimo torch-fishing. (Vitele)
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Old 10-05-18, 04:47 AM   #517
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dowly View Post

28 September 1943

Hitler's directive 50 lays out plans to capture Suursaari island and Åland islands, if Finland signs a separate peace with the Soviet Union.
Anyone who wants to read it.
http://der-fuehrer.org/reden/english...ctives/50.html
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Old 10-05-18, 07:17 AM   #518
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Quote:
Originally Posted by STEED View Post
Thanks, Steed.

I rechecked my book and whoever wrote the entry about Hitler's Directive 50 is mistaken in that the planning of Tanne West and Tanne Ost began with the directive. Hitler gave the order to begin planning the operations in February of 1943 1944.

Last edited by Dowly; 10-05-18 at 10:47 AM. Reason: 1943->1944
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Old 10-12-18, 01:12 AM   #519
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6 October 1943

Germans notify Finland they are planning to evacuate Ingria withing month.

Finnish daily losses: 16

***

7 October 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 12

***

8 October 1943

Finland will allow any Ingrians that choose to come Finland to do so as long as Valpo (state police) clears them.

Finnish daily losses: 12

***

9 October 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 14

***

10 October 1943

Karelian Isthmus: 51 Finnish patrols have been active during the past ten days.

Finnish daily losses: 17

***

11 October 1943

North Finland: Finnish supply column is ambushed near Tiiksjärvi. Enemy loses six soldiers in the fighting, Finns lose five dead, four wounded and one missing.

Finnish daily losses: 10

***

12 October 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 20
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Old 10-19-18, 01:12 AM   #520
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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
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Old 10-26-18, 12:47 AM   #521
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20 October 1943

14.D/Rukajärvi: Six enemy prisoners are taken in a patrol clash near Pedralampi.

Finnish daily losses: 18


Finnish anti-tank gun firing at enemy positions. (Svir)

***

21 October 1943

Aunus Group: Enemy attempts unsuccessfully to cross River Svir in six spots.

Finnish daily losses: 18

***

22 October 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 12

***

23 October 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 12

***

24 October 1943

Karelian Isthmus: In the Mottori area, the enemy manages to sneak into Finnish trenches during the night, but is immediately pushed back.

Finnish daily losses: 18


Finnish patrol somewhere in the Lappish wilderness

***

25 October 1943

Aunus Group: Finnish positions are attacked at Sjargjärvi and Kivpuro by platoon sized enemy units. Both attacks are repulsed.

Finnish daily losses: 11

***

26 October 1943

Karelian Isthmus: Finnish patrol destroys two dug-outs and kills an estimated 15 enemy soldiers in an enemy base at Lappalaisenmäki.

Finnish daily losses: 28


First snow at Aunus.
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Old 11-02-18, 07:01 AM   #522
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27 October 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 15


Machine gun position of II/JR 22 at Svir.

***

28 October 1943

Eight Russian planes are shot down over the Gulf of Finland.

Finnish daily losses: 22


Commander of JR27 Colonel Haanterä and commander of I/JR27 Major Loimu inspecting the battalion. (Kellomäki)

***

29 October 1943

Aunus Group: Two enemy groups breach Finnish obstacles near the Svir Hydroelectric plant, but are pushed back. Finns lose six men in combat, enemy losses unknown.

Finnish daily losses: 25


Canteen worker relaxing in a cottage built by the troops.

***

30 October 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 10

***

31 October 1943

272,994 Winter War evacuees have been able to return to their homes.

Finnish daily losses: 8

Finnish losses in the war so far: 41,875

***

1 November 1943

14.D/Rukajärvi: A Company strength enemy attack in the Kompakka road area is repulsed.

Finnish daily losses: 10

***

2 November 1943

3.D/Uhtua: In the early morning, the enemy attacks Finnish forward bases on the north shore of lake Kiiskisjärvi. The northernmost forward base is lost and a following counter-attack fails to dislodge the enemy. In the evening a Finnish patrol finds the forward base unoccupied.

Finnish daily losses: 10
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Old 11-09-18, 03:00 AM   #523
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3 November 1943

Maaselkä Group: Attack by a strong enemy unit (battalion+100) northeast of Kriv repulsed.

Quote:
At 6.40 in the morning a heavy artillery and mortar fire fell on our frontlines as well as rear areas to the northeast of Kriv, along the railway. Already during the preparation the enemy began its advance towards our positions on both sides of the railway tracks in cover of a smoke screen. The enemy attacking on the east side of the tracks was stopped already in no man's land where as the western attack reached the front of our trenches. Own artillery, mortar and smallarms fire had forced the enemy back by 7.30.
According to a prisoner the attack was made by Separate Battalion 289 that had arrived to the front two days prior.
Enemy losses 50 dead or wounded, own losses one dead and three wounded.
Finnish daily losses: 22

***

4 November 1943

Karelian Isthmus: Probing attack by the enemy pushed back near Viisjoki.

Finnish daily losses: 11

***

5 November 1943

Heightened patrol activity on all fronts.

Finnish daily losses: 16


Patrol dogs "in formation". (Suomussalmi)

***

6 November 1943

North Finland: 25 enemies are killed and two taken prisoners in a patrol clash.

Finnish daily losses: 13


Major-General Lagus of the Armoured Division (PsD) at Petroskoi.

***

7 November 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 4

***

8 November 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 7

***

9 November 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 7
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Old 11-16-18, 01:47 AM   #524
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10 November 1943

Karelian Isthmus: 10-man enemy patrol succeeds in blasting a hole in Finnish obstacles on the south side of river Muratanjoki. This patrol as well as two others in the Sarakanoja and Räikkölä area are pushed back.

Air Force:
32 enemy sorties; 113 planes.
13 Finnish sorties; 37 planes.
2 enemy planes are shot down south of Seivästö. Lieutenant Perkko, flying a Brewster Buffalo, attacks Russian Yak-1 head-on which results in both aircraft going down. Lieutenant Perkko is seen parachuting to the sea and being picked up by enemy patrol boats.

Finnish daily losses: 13


Prisoner of war camp #19 in Oulu.

***

11 November 1943

Air Force:
6 enemy sorties; 12 planes.
1 Finnish sortie; 1 plane.

Finnish daily losses: 17

***

12 November 1943

Air Force:
1 enemy sortie; 1 plane.
3 Finnish sorties; 3 planes.

Finnish daily losses: 9


Make-shift nail "factory" near the frontlines.

***

13 November 1943

Air Force:
No activity.

Finnish daily losses: 8


View from Perävaara hill towards lake Kemijärvi.

***

14 November 1943

Air Force:
1 enemy sortie; 1 plane.

Finnish daily losses: 15


River vuoksi as seen from Linnamäki hill in Taipale.

***

15 November 1943

14.D/Rukajärvi: Eight enemies are killed in a firefight on the west side of Kompakka road. Three Finns are wounded.

Air Force:
1 enemy sortie; 2 planes.

Finnish daily losses: 9


Steamships "Suomi" and "Aranda" in Paldinski, Estonia waiting to ferry Ingrians and other Finnic minorities to Finland.

***

16 November 1943

Air Force:
11 enemy sorties; 13 planes.
5 Finnish sorties; 8 planes.
1 Finnish Messerschmitt is shot down east of Suursaari island, pilot (Staff Sergeant Erkinheimo) drowns in the sea.

Finnish daily losses: 15
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Old 11-23-18, 03:42 AM   #525
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17 November 1943

14.D/Rukajärvi: Small enemy patrol attempting to get into Finnish trenches in the main road sector is thrown back. Four Finns are wounded.

3.D/Uhtua: A platoon size enemy supported by artillery manages to enter Finnish trenches during the night from where it is immediately driven off by Finnish artillery, mortar and smallarms fire. Seven Finns are wounded.

Air Force:
4 enemy sorties; 4 planes
17 Finnish sorties; 38 planes
1 Finnish Curtiss fighter is lost in mid-air collision with a Finnish Blenheim over Aunus. Pilot of the fighter, Lieutenant Aalto, is killed.

Finnish daily losses: 10

***

18 November 1943

Karelian Isthmus: In the Murata road area Cavalryman Laukas of the HRR (Hämeen Ratsuväki Rykmentti/Häme Cavalry Regiment) drives away a five man enemy patrol that had snuck into Finnish trenches.

14.D/Rukajärvi: On the north side of the main road a Finnish sergeant is taken prisoner while on sentry duty.

Aunus Group is ordered to begin planning fall back positions on the lake Ladoga-lake Syskyjärvi line.

Air Force:
7 enemy sorties; 7 planes
1 Finnish sortie; 2 planes

Finnish daily losses: 9

***

19 November 1943

Karelian Isthmus: Small enemy patrol tries to take a Finnish NCO as prisoner in Valkeasaari. Other sentries manage to intervene and kill one enemy as the rest withdraw.

14.D/Rukajärvi: During early morning a sizeable enemy group attacks a Finnish sentry post which has to be abandoned after a short firefight. After destroying the sentry post the enemy group leaves.

Air Force:
40 enemy sorties; 191 planes
18 Finnish sorties; 45 planes
- Most enemy activity over Gulf of Finland and Karelian Isthmus. Steamship Pukkio was attacked by five IL-2s and three Lagg-3s to the north of Suursaari. Five sailors were wounded.
- Four planes attacked shipment south of Seivästö. Finnish AA shot down one plane.
- Near Ristisaari island German AA shot down two IL-2s.
- One enemy plane was seen going down near lake Lempaalanjärvi.
- Six aerial fights in which a total of five enemy planes were shot down by Finnish Messerschmitts

Finnish daily losses: 16


First snow has fallen on Maaselkä Isthmus. (I/JR25 Command post)

***

20 November 1943

Soviet Ambassador to Sweden Aleksandra Kollontai informs that if Finland is ready for peace talks they are welcome in Moscow. Kollontai ensures that the USSR is not interested in making Finland a province of the Soviet Union unless Finland's political situation so dictates.

Maaselkä: Three separate attacks towards the town of Poventsa and Stalin's Canal are repulsed during the day. Enemy losses are estimated at 20-26 men dead. Finns lose two men dead, one missing and 13 wounded.

14.D/Rukajärvi: Finns catch up to the group that had attacked the sentry post yesterday and encircle them. Two prisoners inform Finns they're part of Infantry Regiment 345 and the encircled detachment is approximately 300 men strong. Finns have softened the enemy detachment with artillery and mortar fire all day.

Air Force:
11 enemy sorties; 44 planes
10 Finnish sorties; 31 planes

Finnish daily losses: 21


Sentry in Kuuttilahti, Aunus.

***

21 November 1943

14.D/Rukajärvi: The softening of the encircled enemy detachment continues until 10.40am when Finns take hold of the terrain. At the same time the enemy manages to break through to the north with the help of another detachment that attacks the rear of Finnish encircling forces in that direction. The enemy has lost at least 100 men dead in the fighting. Finns lose 11 men dead, 21 wounded and one man missing.

Air Force:
10 enemy sorties; 12 planes
5 Finnish; 7 planes

Finnish daily losses: 16

***

22 November 1943

Aunus Group: Enemy attack supported by artillery in the area of Karelka is repelled. Thirteen enemy KIA are counted, Finns lose 1 officer KIA.

Air Force:
17 enemy sorties; 49 planes
3 Finnish sorties; 6 planes

Finnish daily losses: 11


Some of the fallen Soviet soldiers of the encirclement battle in Rukajärvi.

***

23 November 1943

Air Force:
No activity.

Finnish daily losses: 11
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