Continuation War, day by day.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by sublynx

I wonder how many of the defectors died in the prison camps.

Good question. The database only lists 7 as having died as POWs from that unit. Most likely the defectors were listed as MIA.

It's worth pointing out that Independent/Separate Battalion 21 (the unit's official name) had a very good war record overall.
It was often ordered to attack against tough enemy resistance which earned it one of its many nick names: Pärmin Pirut (Pärmi's Devils).

[sublynx]

The battalion really did fight well after the former political prisoners were put back in jail.

I guess Pärmi being a convicted killer himself made it easier for him to understand his underlings.

According to this great story about him he welcomed a murderer to his unit with the words: "I see that you are a convicted murderer. That's great. In fighting a war professionals like you are sorely needed".

[Dowly]

21 September 1941

Tarsepol, Latva and Villavaara are captured.

Finnish daily losses: 157


Wreath on top of the ruins of 'Million Bunker' (SJ5) in Summa, placed in memory of Lieutenant Uolevi Mannerhovi who died there during the Winter War.

[Dowly]

22 September 1941

British government demands Finland to withdraw her forces behind the pre-Winter War border.

Finnish MTB "Syöksy" sinks Russian minesweeper T-41/Sergey Kirov in Suursaari harbour.

Commander of the German forces in North Finland, Generaloberst von Falkenhorst, visits Mannerheim in Mikkeli.

Falkenhorst comes across as a pompous and brutish man, leaving generally negative impression on both Mannerheim and General Tuompo.

Finnish daily losses: 141


Mannerheim and Generaloberst von Falkenhorst in Mikkeli.

[Dowly]

23 September 1941

Soviet counter-attack in Latva area is repulsed by the Finnish 7.Division.

The advance towards Petroskoi reaches Petäjäselkä in the south (Det.Lagus) and Matrossa in the west (11.D).



German Luftwaffe sinks the Soviet battleship Marat near Kronstadt.

Finnish daily losses: 138


20 ITK 40 VKT

[Dowly]

24 September 1941

Detachment Lagus captures the village of Derevjannoje.

IR 50/11D. captures Polovina.



North Finland: Gebirgs-Korps Norwegen withdraw in the Petsamo area after suffering over 10 000 casualties since the start of the operation on September 7th.

Sweden's Prince Gustaf Adolf visits Mannerheim.

Finnish daily losses: 92


Graves of fallen Germans along the Alakurtti-Kantalahti road.

[Dowly]

25 September 1941

Mannerheim writes a letter to the German leadership explaining extensively and in detail the situation in Finland. The letter is in response to an earlier letter sent to Mannerheim by Wilhelm Keitel on behalf of Hitler. In this letter Wilhem Keitel implicitly recognizes the deterioration of the German forces.

Mannerheim emphasizes the difficulties produced by the war in Finland. Business and industry calls for demobilizing of older age groups from the army. However, Petroskoi and Karhumäki are going to be captured before the onset of winter, but on the Isthmus and Svir further advance will not be possible.

Finnish daily losses: 114


Lotta using an old aircraft fuel pump to pump water from a well.

[Dowly]

26 September 1941

The President decides to give Parliament a bill for the purchase of livestock to uprooted people who are in need of 50 000 cows. People with six or more cows would be required to sell some of their livestock.

Finnish daily losses: 148


German camp in Alakurtti.

Mannerheim Cross recipient(s)

Private Emil Pasanen
- For holding an enemy counter-attack of around 200 men alone during the battle of Prääžä.

Corporal Veikko Vehviläinen
- For showing bravery and resourcefulness as a squad leader in a number of battles.

[Dowly]

27 September 1941

Detachment Lagus advances to Orsega, 10km south of Petroskoi.

Prince Gustaf Adolf visits Svir.

In spite of the official policy of neutrality, the Swedish royal family follows
with interest and compassion the Finland's struggle. Prince Gustaf Adolf,
who has visited Finland often before, was received at the Karelian Army as
a guest to follow the ongoing military forays. The Prince visits Lotinapelto,
where he comes under Soviet artillery bombardment. Swedish military
attache Colonel von Stedingk points out that this is the first time for 150
years, when a member of the Swedish royal family is under enemy fire.

Finnish daily losses: 132


Lake Ladoga's guard

[Dowly]

28 September 1941

No entry for this day.

Instead, here is translation of the war diary entry of Field Post Office 1.

 

28/9 - Nothing to report.

-SPK 14467, pg.16

Finnish daily losses: 139


Kuorilahti.

[sublynx]

Nothing to report and yet 139 losses, almost as bad as during most of 1941 in the front...

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by sublynx

Nothing to report and yet 139 losses, almost as bad as during most of 1941 in the front...

I go by what's written in Jatkosota - Kronikka. Fighting was definitely going on yesterday, but the book chose not to mention it.

[Dowly]

29 September 1941

East Karelia: Group O(inonen) is ordered to halt its advance on the northern flank of VII AK due to lack of progress.

Finnish daily losses: 114


Colonel Malm, veteran of the Aunus Expedition of 1919.

[sublynx]

Originally Posted by Dowly

I go by what's written in Jatkosota - Kronikka. Fighting was definitely going on yesterday, but the book chose not to mention it.

That might be a reflection of the situation on the front as well. The advance was halting so there was no successes to report. Back at the day there probably was not much reported in the magazines or radio either. "Nothing new in the western front"

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by sublynx

That might be a reflection of the situation on the front as well. The advance was halting so there was no successes to report.

Indeed. Not too much happening other than the push to Petroskoi.