Continuation War, day by day. [Archive] - Page 3

Dowly

08-30-18, 11:22 PM

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:

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.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

***

26 August 1943

Marshal Mannerheim and Defense Secretary Rudolf Walden leave Mikkeli to visit East Karelia.

Finnish daily losses: 12

http://i.imgur.com/fH0J42mm.jpg (https://imgur.com/fH0J42m)
Lieutenant Hans Wind, a Mannerheim Cross recipient with 33½ confirmed kills.

***

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

***

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

http://i.imgur.com/ISAhnJXm.jpg (https://imgur.com/ISAhnJX)
Testing of anti-tank obstacles near Petroskoi.

***

29 August 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 15

***

30 August 1943

Marshal Mannerheim returns from East Karelia.

Finnish daily losses: 15

http://i.imgur.com/iAsAsu4m.jpg (https://imgur.com/iAsAsu4)
Dummy warship "Kirow".

***

31 August 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 15

Finnish losses in August: 548

Schroeder

08-31-18, 02:54 AM

Keep it up.:salute:

Dowly

08-31-18, 07:13 AM

Keep it up.:salute:
If you insist. :hmph:

EDIT: Since I found it, the last entry has been updated with IR 6's report on the 25th August patrol.

Dowly

09-07-18, 02:08 AM

1 September 1943

Karelian Isthmus: Finnish patrol attacks enemy positions in the Ohta road area during the night. After eliminating four sentries, they destroy one living dugout and an ammunition depot, killing at least 15 enemies. The patrol suffers no losses.

II./Infantry Regiment 7 war diary:

At 3.20am patrol led by Lt.Könönen (1+7+36) headed out to destroy an enemy forward base in the Kuvajanmetsä forest and capture a prisoner. The strike team numbered 18 men, and the rest of the patrol was split in two backup teams.
(5.15am) After crossing the various obstacles the enemy had set up in the area, the patrol found themselves to the rear of the intended objective, next to an ammunition depot. The sentry who was guarding the depot rang the alarm before he could be eliminated along with two others who rushed to the scene.
Next the patrol advanced further inside the base, coming up to a living dugout. Enemy soldiers, dressed only in their jackets and helmets ran out of the dugout. Corporal [name unreadable] threw a bundled charge inside, resulting in the dugout to collapse completely burying anyone still inside. The aforementioned ammunition depot was destroyed at this time as well. One more enemy was killed in the trenches who refused to be captured by Cpl.Niinimäki.
After completing their mission, the patrol returned by 5.35am with no own losses.
Finnish daily losses: 10

***

2 September 1943

Karelian Isthmus: The enemy crossed the Viisjoki river during the morning and attacked a Finnish base in the area, where ten of them managed to get inside the base. After eight of them had been killed, the rest withdrew.

Finnish daily losses: 17

***

3 September 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 14

***

4 September 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 11

***

5 September 1943

Soviet bombers try to hit Helsinki, but are forced to drop their bombs prematurely due to Finnish anti-air fire.

Finnish daily losses: 16

http://i.imgur.com/WbAVJcrm.jpg (https://imgur.com/WbAVJcr)
Knife sheath of a soldier from Coastal Battalion 1 showing the battles he fought in.

***

6 September 1943

Aunus Group: Finnish strike force attacks an enemy base at Verhotinsuo. Five dugouts and 20 bunkers are destroyed, inflicting ~40 men losses to the enemy.

Finnish daily losses: 16

***

7 September 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 13

Dowly

09-13-18, 11:40 PM

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

http://i.imgur.com/tyuVtGzm.jpg (https://imgur.com/tyuVtGz)
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

http://i.imgur.com/7ZJcIKIm.jpg (https://imgur.com/7ZJcIKI)
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

http://i.imgur.com/tqAtT6Tm.jpg (https://imgur.com/tqAtT6T)

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

Schroeder

09-14-18, 09:00 AM

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.:o

Dowly

09-14-18, 09:46 AM

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.

Dowly

09-20-18, 11:10 PM

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

http://i.imgur.com/JErJ2BJm.jpg (https://imgur.com/JErJ2BJ)
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

http://i.imgur.com/rrtKYOQm.jpg (https://imgur.com/rrtKYOQ)
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

http://i.imgur.com/VR1pgEfm.jpg (https://imgur.com/VR1pgEf)
Staff Sergeant Jauhianen who led the defense of forward base "Joki" in the Rukajärvi area. (see post #511 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2568632&postcount=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

http://i.imgur.com/ofsvWhcm.jpg (https://imgur.com/ofsvWhc)
Test firing one of three captured and repaired 305mm railway guns left in Hanko when it was evacuated by the Russians. (Wiki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obukhovskii_12%22/52_Pattern_1907_gun#1938_Railway_gun_TM-3-12))

Dowly

09-27-18, 11:41 PM

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:

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

http://i.imgur.com/PjvWtzhm.jpg (https://imgur.com/PjvWtzh)
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

http://i.imgur.com/FmcFZcVm.jpg (https://imgur.com/FmcFZcV)
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

Dowly

10-04-18, 11:50 PM

29 September 1943

Martta Koskinen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martta_Koskinen) is executed for high treason.

Finnish daily losses: 14

http://i.imgur.com/UhsVpeCm.jpg (https://imgur.com/UhsVpeC)
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):

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):

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

http://i.imgur.com/Q9kBgz4m.jpg (https://imgur.com/Q9kBgz4)
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

http://i.imgur.com/1TYVduSm.jpg (https://imgur.com/1TYVduS)
Lieutenant-Colonel Korvenheimo torch-fishing. (Vitele)

STEED

10-05-18, 04:47 AM

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/wardirectives/50.html

Dowly

10-05-18, 07:17 AM

Anyone who wants to read it.
http://der-fuehrer.org/reden/english/wardirectives/50.html
Thanks, Steed. :up:

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.

Dowly

10-12-18, 01:12 AM

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

Dowly

10-19-18, 01:12 AM

13 October 1943

Maaselkä Group: The enemy attacks multiple sectors in Stalin's canal area.

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.

https://i.imgur.com/qGqZuO6.jpg
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

http://i.imgur.com/QAGtYtfm.jpg (https://imgur.com/QAGtYtf)
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

http://i.imgur.com/VH4tCmsm.jpg (https://imgur.com/VH4tCms)
Curtiss Hawk fighter over Lotinapelto.

***

17 October 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 15

http://i.imgur.com/ucO2SWtm.jpg (https://imgur.com/ucO2SWt)
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

http://i.imgur.com/7JJ8TDHm.jpg (https://imgur.com/7JJ8TDH)
The Svir hydropower plant from air.

***

19 October 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 16

Dowly

10-26-18, 12:47 AM

20 October 1943

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

Finnish daily losses: 18

http://i.imgur.com/yi2g7p3m.jpg (https://imgur.com/yi2g7p3)
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

http://i.imgur.com/RWYM0QFm.jpg (https://imgur.com/RWYM0QF)
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

http://i.imgur.com/X8B3DKKm.jpg (https://imgur.com/X8B3DKK)
First snow at Aunus.

Dowly

11-02-18, 07:01 AM

27 October 1943

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 15

http://i.imgur.com/SHQI41am.jpg (https://imgur.com/SHQI41a)
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

http://i.imgur.com/9wixvECm.jpg (https://imgur.com/9wixvEC)
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

http://i.imgur.com/oq9Mn78m.jpg (https://imgur.com/oq9Mn78)
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

Dowly

11-09-18, 03:00 AM

3 November 1943

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

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

http://i.imgur.com/2HLXz8am.jpg (https://imgur.com/2HLXz8a)
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

http://i.imgur.com/dLiGQCBm.jpg (https://imgur.com/dLiGQCB)
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

Dowly

11-16-18, 01:47 AM

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

http://i.imgur.com/yuNda4tm.jpg (https://imgur.com/yuNda4t)
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

http://i.imgur.com/nqMNUA7m.jpg (https://imgur.com/nqMNUA7)
Make-shift nail "factory" near the frontlines.

***

13 November 1943

Air Force:
No activity.

Finnish daily losses: 8

http://i.imgur.com/PRWbgURm.jpg (https://imgur.com/PRWbgUR)
View from Perävaara hill towards lake Kemijärvi.

***

14 November 1943

Air Force:
1 enemy sortie; 1 plane.

Finnish daily losses: 15

http://i.imgur.com/cGtHLZem.jpg (https://imgur.com/cGtHLZe)
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

http://i.imgur.com/Nlcikidm.jpg (https://imgur.com/Nlcikid)
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

Dowly

11-23-18, 03:42 AM

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

http://i.imgur.com/8hVn32Vm.jpg (https://imgur.com/8hVn32V)
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

http://i.imgur.com/t7HkSpcm.jpg (https://imgur.com/t7HkSpc)
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

http://i.imgur.com/u7a40JJm.jpg (https://imgur.com/u7a40JJ)
Some of the fallen Soviet soldiers of the encirclement battle in Rukajärvi.

***

23 November 1943

Air Force:
No activity.

Finnish daily losses: 11

Dowly

11-30-18, 01:10 AM

24 November 1943

Air Force:
6 enemy sorties; 7 planes
2 Finnish sorties; 3 planes

Finnish daily losses: 6

http://i.imgur.com/eIx0Gupm.jpg (https://imgur.com/eIx0Gup)
I/JR 25 command post near Karhumäki, Maaselkä Isthmus.
From left: Captain Saariaho, Major Toropainen, Captains Launikari and Tahka

***

25 November 1943

3.D/Uhtua: At 7am the enemy began heavy artillery and mortar barrage on base "Horseshoe", firing ~500 rounds in the first five minutes followed by another 500 during the next 30 minutes. About 15 minutes from the start of the barrage, enemy forces advanced at two points into Finnish positions. The situation was quickly resolved with counter-attacks which dislodged the enemy forces. Soviet losses were an estimated 40 dead, Finns lose two men dead and 16 wounded.

Air Force:
23 enemy sorties; 38 planes
7 Finnish sorties; 13 planes

Finnish daily losses: 22

http://i.imgur.com/kn2ytcnm.jpg (https://imgur.com/kn2ytcn)
German barrage balloon over Jäniskoski power plant.

***

26 November 1943

Air Force:
8 enemy sorties; 10 planes
3 Finnish sorties; 5 planes

Finnish daily losses: 8

***

27 November 1943

Air Force:
8 enemy sorties; 8 planes
3 Finnish sorties; 5 planes

Finnish daily losses: 20

***

28 November 1943

Air Force:
7 enemy sorties; 7 planes

Finnish daily losses: 10

***

29 November 1943

3.D/Uhtua: Enemy attack at the Malviainen road repelled in the evening.

Finns responds to Soviet queries of peace talks by stating they are ready to negotiate new borders based on the pre-Winter War situation.

Air Force:
1 enemy sortie; 3 planes
3 Finnish sorties; 4 planes

Finnish daily losses: 21

***

30 November 1943

Aunus Group: Soviet artillery and mortar fires at a Finnish supply depot in the Gjilno(?) area. Ammunition and food storages are destroyed along with stables and two field kitchens. Three Finns die and seven are wounded.

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

Finnish daily losses: 21

Finnish losses in the war so far: 42,263

Dowly

12-01-18, 01:47 PM

Hola senor and senors with titties.

I got a early christmas present in the form of a book: Jatkosodan torjuntataisteluja 1942-1944 (Defensive battles of the Continuation War 1942-1944).

It tells about the defensive battles of 1942 to 1944 (duh) from alternating Soviet and Finnish views. (Finnish mostly by Ari Raunio, a Finnish historian; Soviet side by professor of St.Petersburg University Juri Kilin).

My question is: is there interest in me posting translations (and maps) from those 1942 battles afterwards? It's six months 'til Summer '44 so I might have time to write some proper stuff on the 1942 battles (IIRC, there's 3 Soviet offensives) afterwards.

Let me know, I can't decide.

sublynx

12-01-18, 02:46 PM

Schroeder

12-01-18, 03:14 PM

You don't need to go into too much detail but to see things from the Soviet perspective would be interesting.

Dowly

12-05-18, 01:55 PM

You don't need to go into too much detail but to see things from the Soviet perspective would be interesting.Yeah, I can do that for the September 1942 Kriv offensive. :yep:

Dowly

12-07-18, 11:14 AM

1 December 1943

Air Force:
7 enemy sorties; 8 planes
5 Finnish sorties; 7 planes

Finnish daily losses: 9

http://i.imgur.com/0GnScigm.jpg (https://imgur.com/0GnScig)
Terrain in front of Base "Kukko". (Rukajärvi)

***

2 December 1943

Air Force:
2 enemy sorties; 3 planes
1 Finnish sortie; 2 planes
- Two Soviet planes shot down by Germans in North Finland.

Finnish daily losses: 8

***

3 December 1943

Air Force:
1 enemy sortie; 1 plane
4 Finnish sorties; 7 planes

Finnish daily losses: 17

***

4 December 1943

14.D/Rukajärvi: 20-man Soviet strike team attacks Finnish sentry post in the Ontajärvi sector. Four Finns are wounded when a hand grenade is thrown in to their dugout and the sentry is killed in a firefight.

Air Force:
3 enemy sorties; 3 planes

Finnish daily losses: 14

***

5 December 1943

Air Force:
5 enemy sorties; 6 planes
11 Finnish sorties; 23 planes

Finnish daily losses: 11

http://i.imgur.com/0GDI50Lm.jpg (https://imgur.com/0GDI50L)
Handcrafted ship by Sergeant Asikainen.

***

6 December 1943

Finland celebrates its 26th Independence Day.

Air Force:
4 enemy sorties; 8 planes
8 Finnish sorties; 15 planes

Finnish daily losses: 8

http://i.imgur.com/w2lcXWzm.jpg (https://imgur.com/w2lcXWz)
Jäger preparing to head out on a patrol behind enemy lines. (Rukajärvi)

***

7 December 1943

Aunus Group: Small enemy attack in the Koromyslova area repelled. Soviet losses at least 10 dead, Finnish losses 3 dead and 4 wounded.

Air Force:
18 enemy sorties; 32 planes
5 Finnish sorties; 12 planes

Finnish daily losses: 12

Schroeder

12-07-18, 11:54 AM

http://i.imgur.com/w2lcXWzm.jpg (https://imgur.com/w2lcXWz)
Jäger preparing to head out on a patrol behind enemy lines. (Rukajärvi)

I find it funny that you call your troops Jäger in Finnish. It's the same term in German (for several branches) and literally means hunter(s).

Dowly

12-07-18, 12:03 PM

I find it funny that you call your troops Jäger in Finnish. It's the same term in German (for several branches) and literally means hunter(s).
Well, we had the whole Jäger Movement (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%A4ger_Movement) thing. :yep:

Schroeder

12-08-18, 03:46 AM

Well, we had the whole Jäger Movement (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%A4ger_Movement) thing. :yep:
Never heard of it.:doh:

Dowly

12-14-18, 06:33 AM

8 December 1943

Aunus Group: "In the northwest side of lake Gangjärvi, our patrol entered enemy's living area, taking by surprise a 16-man group who were practising shooting. All but one of the group were killed, the survivor was taken prisoner. Before leaving, the patrol destroyed a living dugout and a log bunker. No own losses."

Air Force:
45 enemy sorties; 75 planes
11 Finnish sorties; 17 planes

Finnish daily losses: 18

***

9 December 1943

Air Force:
19 enemy sorties; 48 planes
7 Finnish sorties; 11 planes

Finnish daily losses: 10

***

10 December 1943

14.D/Rukajärvi: Enemy prisoner who took part in the encirclement battle on 21 November says their losses in the battle were 162 dead.

Air Force:
6 enemy sorties; 23 planes
5 Finnish sorties; 6 planes

Finnish daily losses: 11

http://i.imgur.com/GUHcZu1m.jpg (https://imgur.com/GUHcZu1)
Preparing a pig for Christmas table. (Rukajärvi)

***

11 December 1943

3.D/Uhtua: "During the night an enemy group of unknown strength attacked our sentry post from behind on the Mutalampi - Ruokojärvi isthmus. The enemy withrew with losses after a short firefight, leaving behind 7 dead. Own losses 2 wounded."

Maaselkä Group: "In the lake Kindasjärvi area, a six men enemy unit snuck through our obstacles and in front of our trenches during the dark. At dawn, they entered our trenches after wounding a sentry with a satchel charge. Under our small arms fire, the enemy patrol quicly withdrew taking with them the wounded sentry."

Air Force:
63 enemy sorties; 107 planes
26 Finnish sorties; 45
One enemy plane shot down by AA over Karelian Isthmus.

Finnish daily losses: 15

http://i.imgur.com/m8U0q2km.jpg (https://imgur.com/m8U0q2k)
Jäger patrol moving through the white wilderness. (Rukajärvi)

***

12 December 1943

Air Force:
17 enemy sorties; 41 enemy planes
15 Finnish sorties; 31 planes
One enemy DC-3 shot down by two Finnish Brewsters over Luulajärvi.

Finnish daily losses: 16

***

13 December 1943

Karelian Isthmus: "To the east of Kapujärvi, our patrol destroyed small enemy base. Five living dugouts were destroyed and an estimated 40 enemies were killed. Own losses 2 dead (incl. patrol leader 2nd Lieutenant Ryynänen) and 6 wounded."

Air Force:
4 enemy sorties; 7 planes
6 Finnish sorties; 11 planes

Finnish daily losses: 22

***

14 December 1943

Karelian Isthmus: "At 8.40am around 200 enemies attacked one of our bases near the Vaskisavotta road, reaching our trenches. The enemy was thrown back by an immediate counter-attack, fought in close quarters. By 9.15am, the base was fully cleared of enemies. Enemy lost an estimated 60 men dead. Own losses 3 dead and 16 wounded."

Air Force:
31 enemy sorties; 41 planes
11 Finnish sorties; 19 planes

Finnish daily losses: 14

Dowly

12-21-18, 03:18 AM

15 December 1943

Karelian Isthmus: "In the morning, around 600 shells were fired on our base at the mouth of Rajajoki river. At the same time movement was observed on the enemy side which was quickly dispersed by our artillery. Between 8.15am and 9.00am a heavy artillery barrage landed on the Valkeasaari road terrain after which approx. company size enemy attacked our positions under smokescreen. The enemy advance was stopped already before our obstacles and they began a slow withdraw that lasted until 12.30pm. Based on cries and medical staff, we inflicted heavy losses to them. Our artillery was an important part of stopping the attack. Our losses were 3 dead and 8 wounded.

At 8.30am our strike team (3 x platoon) advanced, under artillery cover, into enemy positions in the Harvasuo area. After the obstacles were breached, our troops assaulted and cleared an area 500m wide and 400m deep destroying 11 dugouts and the men inside them. Enemy casualties are estimated at 35 dead, we also took two prisoners (from IR62). Own losses were 6 dead and 21 wounded."

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

Finnish daily losses: 19

***

16 December 1943

Air Force:
2 enemy sorties; 2 planes
3 Finnish sorties; 7 planes

Finnish daily losses: 20

http://i.imgur.com/3YKXjJFm.jpg (https://imgur.com/3YKXjJF)
Pfc. Horttana showing a Lynx he shot earlier. (Vitele)

***

17 December 1943

Air Force:
67 enemy sorties; 84 planes
12 Finnish sorties; 29 planes
- 1 Finnish VL Pyry plane lost in a training accident. Pilot (Cpl. Simonen) killed.

Finnish daily losses: 7

***

18 December 1943

Air Force:
4 enemy sorties; 4 planes
3 Finnish sorties; 4 planes

Finnish daily losses: 10

***

19 December 1943

Air Force:
13 enemy sorties; 15 planes
2 Finnish sorties; 6 planes

Finnish daily losses: 15

http://i.imgur.com/0E7P6Ybm.jpg (https://imgur.com/0E7P6Yb)
A finnish soldier returning to base after finding a suitable tree for Christmas. (Valkeasaari)

***

20 December 1943

Karelian Isthmus: During the past ten days, 75 Finnish patrols have been sent to the no man's land/enemy side.

Air Force:
1 Finnish sortie; 1 plane

Finnish daily losses: 9

***

21 December 1943

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

Finnish daily losses: 16

Dowly

12-30-18, 07:57 AM

(wont be here tomorrow so here goes)

***

22 December 1943

Air Force:
1 Finnish sortie; 1 plane

Finnish daily losses: 16

***

23 December 1943

Air Force:
4 enemy sorties; 4 planes
2 Finnish sorties; 5 planes

Finnish daily losses: 11

http://i.imgur.com/pF1lLiYm.jpg (https://imgur.com/pF1lLiY)
Choir singing in a dug-out. (JR 60/Maaselkä)

***

24 December 1943

Maaselkä Group: "Today at 12.35pm attacked enemy, whose strength we have not been able to assess, suddenly against one of our bases in the southern end of lake Jolmajärvi. Thirteen men from the base managed to break through from the encirclement. The enemy withdrew once the fight had ended. Patrol sent to the base found four of ours dead, seven wounded. Eleven men are still missing. Our combat patrol is in pursuit."

14.D/Rukajärvi: "Two horse led carriages on their way to deliver Christmas presents to our southernmost base at lake Ontajärvi were ambushed by a 20-man enemy patrol. Two men were killed and one man and two Lottas are missing, presumed taken prisoner. Our patrols are in pursuit."

Air Force:
No activity

Finnish daily losses: 25

http://i.imgur.com/MAB8UtEm.jpg (https://imgur.com/MAB8UtE)
Battalion commander visiting the outermost positions of base "Koivu".

***

25 December 1943

Air Force:
5 enemy sorties; 5 planes

Finnish daily losses: 21

http://i.imgur.com/1H3RZ0Rm.jpg (https://imgur.com/1H3RZ0R)
Christmas time in a dug-out. (Uhtua area)

***

26 December 1943

45 soldiers from II/JR 5 are jailed for the night after a fight breaks out during Boxing Day celebrations in Karhumäki. (Alcohol was involved)

Air Force:
No activity.

Finnish daily losses: 11

***

27 December 1943

Air Force:
5 enemy sorties; 7 planes
- One enemy plane downed by AA on the Karelian Isthmus; pilot captured.
3 Finnish sorties; 4 planes

Finnish daily losses: 10

***

28 December 1943

Air Force:
46 enemy sorties; 84 planes
- Enemy has bombed rear areas on Karelian and Maaselkä Isthmuses, and in Rukajärvi.
13 Finnish sorties; 31 planes

Finnish daily losses: 19

***

29 December 1943

Air Force:
7 enemy sorties; 28 planes
20 Finnish sorties; 50 planes
- One Finnish Junkers 88 lost.

Finnish daily losses: 11

***

30 December 1943

Air Force:
6 enemy sorties; 9 planes
2 Finnish sorties; 3 planes

Finnish daily losses: 15

http://i.imgur.com/G6FdqDRm.jpg (https://imgur.com/G6FdqDR)
Sentry standing guard in Ohta.

***

31 December 1943

3.D/Uhtua: "Own 150-man combat patrol made contact with a 260-man enemy unit in grid 7550/9955 where it had dug in. The enemy was pushed to river Kostamus, which it crossed by swimming. Enemy losses ~20 dead and two POW. Own losses 5 dead and 3 wounded."

Air Force:
2 enemy sorties; 2 planes
8 Finnish sorties; 16 planes

Finnish daily losses: 20

Finnish losses in December: 440

Finnish losses in 1943: 6,169

Finnish losses in the war so far: 42,703

***

For anyone interested, here are the weekly thread views from late September to end of 2018:
https://i.imgur.com/iwS2skx.png

And thus ends 1943/2018. Happy New Year!

STEED

12-30-18, 09:49 AM

Thanks Dowly for another great year of the continuation war. :yeah:

I take it next year this one ends and the new one starts, really looking forward to the final battle that changed Stalin's mind to invade Finland and the Lapland war.

Well done. :)

sublynx

12-31-18, 02:57 AM

Dowly

01-04-19, 11:33 AM

I take it next year this one ends and the new one starts, really looking forward to the final battle that changed Stalin's mind to invade Finland and the Lapland war.
Yeah... I should probably start writing those Summer 1944 entries soon.. :doh:

***

1 January 1944

Aunus Group: "About 3km to the west of Miroskin(sp?) at the mouth of Palandapuro river enemy started a heavy barrage in the morning at our positions. At the same time a enemy combat patrol managed to partially enter our trenches from which it was quickly thrown out."

Air Force:
4 enemy sorties; 6 planes
3 Finnish sorties; 4 planes

Finnish daily losses: 14

***

2 January 1944

Air Force:
4 enemy sorties; 6 planes
3 Finnish sorties; 5 planes

Finnish daily losses: 8

***

3 January 1944

Air Force:
1 enemy sortie; 1 plane

Finnish daily losses: 16

***

4 January 1944

Men born from 1 January to 30 June 1926 are called into service.

Air Force:
No activity.

Finnish daily losses: 8

http://i.imgur.com/U9aQ5L0m.jpg (https://imgur.com/U9aQ5L0)
View of no-man's-land in Ohta.

Dowly

01-11-19, 01:41 AM

5 January 1944

Air Force:
22 enemy sorties; 24 planes
- 14 planes bombed the Rukajärvi area. In the direction of Lutto, two fighters strafed a field guard post resulting in deaths of 1 soldier and 1 Lotta.
3 Finnish sorties; 10 planes

Finnish daily losses: 16

***

6 January 1944

Air Force:
1 Finnish sortie; 1 plane

Finnish daily losses: 10

***

7 January 1944

Aunus Group: During the first week of 1944, 33 Finnish patrols have been operating behind enemy lines.

Air Force:
1 Finnish sortie; 1 plane

Finnish daily losses: 12

http://i.imgur.com/or0GkgAm.jpg (https://imgur.com/or0GkgA)
Camouflaged Dornier Do 17 at Mensuvaara airfield.

***

8 January 1944

Karelian Isthmus: "In the direction of Pien-Kivi, enemy patrol snuck in our trenches taking a sentry as prisoner before being forced to withdraw. Our losses 1 captured, 2 dead and 2 wounded."

Air Force:
51 enemy sorties; 122 planes
25 enemy sorties; 54 planes

Finnish daily losses: 16

***

9 January 1944

Air Force:
1 enemy sortie; 1 plane
2 Finnish sorties; 5 planes

Finnish daily losses: 6

***

10 January 1944

Air Force:
3 enemy sorties; 4 planes
3 Finnish sorties; 5 planes

Finnish daily losses: 11

***

11 January 1944

Air Force:
10 enemy sorties; 30 planes
4 Finnish sorties; 4 planes

Finnish daily losses: 10

Dowly

01-18-19, 03:26 AM

12 January 1944

Air Force:
23 enemy sorties; 48 planes
6 Finnish sorties; 14 planes

Finnish daily losses: 7

***

13 January 1944

Air Force:
31 enemy sorties; 52 planes
- Individual bombings around Rukajärvi during the night.
10 Finnish sorties; 22 planes

Finnish daily losses: 13

***

14 January 1944

14.D/Rukajärvi: "At 7.00am attacked an enemy patrol from both north and south against base "Arina" encircling it. Our reinforcement have in turn encircled the southern enemy unit. Fighting is ongoing."

Air Force:
9 enemy sorties; 13 planes
9 Finnish sorties; 15 planes

Finnish daily losses: 13

***

15 January 1944

14.D/Rukajärvi: "Fighting at base "Arina" ended late last night as the enemy managed to withdraw from the area. So far we've counted 21 enemy dead and have taken one prisoner who told they were part of the 32.Separate Ski Brigade under Colonel Gorohov. Our own casualties are 1 dead and 8 eight wounded."

Aunus Group: During the last week, there has been 70 Finnish and 23 Soviet patrols in the area.

Air Force:
10 enemy sorties; 17 planes
5 Finnish sorties; 6 planes

Finnish daily losses: 13

http://i.imgur.com/KwVEsg3m.jpg (https://imgur.com/KwVEsg3)
Jäger patrol somewhere in the Rukajärvi wilderness.

***

16 January 1944

Maaselkä Group: "Last night between 17.45 and 19.45 our combat patrol entered a enemy base on the south side of the town of Maaselkä. Their mission was to take a prisoner and if possible, destroy the base. In this task the patrol was successful. Fourteen enemies were either killed or wounded in the attack, two living dug-outs were destroyed and one prisoner was taken. The patrol returned with 2 LMGs and 1 SMG, and without own casualties."

3.D/Uhtua: "Elements of a strong enemy unit (~300 men) have crossed Lake Röhöjärvi at Mikkiniemi during the night. At 9.00 in the morning one of our patrols came in contact with an enemy unit of unknown strength in grid 6650/2300, losing 2 men dead and 7 wounded. At the same time in grid 6500/2450 our 80-man patrol came in contact with another strong enemy unit and was forced to withdraw after a fierce firefight (no losses). After the contact, the enemy withdrew east through the Mustalampi - Oululampi isthmus. One unit (170 men) is in pursuit of the enemy, while another detachment (133 men) tries to cut off the enemy's route back east in the Haapajärvi area. The enemy unit has left a lot of blood trails behind, indicating they suffered a considerable amount of wounded during the fight."

Air Force:
19 enemy sorties; 22 planes
17 Finnish sorties; 35 planes

Finnish daily losses: 14

***

17 January 1944

3.D/Uhtua: "Both of our detachments have made contact with the enemy in the area of Lake Kunevojärvi. The fighting lasted for five hours, some of it fought in close quarters, before our troops were forced to withdraw under overwhelming firepower. The enemy unit, now confirmed to be at least 600 men, withdrew east. Enemy casualties are estimated in the dozens. Our losses are 8 dead and 27 wounded."

Air Force:
11 enemy sorties; 26 planes
6 Finnish sorties; 11 planes

Finnish daily losses: 23

***

18 January 1944

Air Force:
4 enemy sorties; 12 planes
6 Finnish sorties; 12 planes
- One Finnish Fokker lost in an accident. Pilot 2nd Lieutenant Sutinen was killed.

Finnish daily losses: 13

Dowly

01-25-19, 01:49 AM

19 January 1944

Karelian Isthmus: "Enemy artillery opened up at 14.37 with a heavy preparatory fire on our positions west of Muratta road. Infantry attack against one of our outposts followed at 15.45. The outpost was lost, counter actions to retake it are in progress. Own casualties have not been counted at this time."

Air Force:
9 enemy sorties; 29 planes
1 Finnish sortie; 2 planes

Finnish daily losses: 31

***

20 January 1944

Karelian Isthmus: "The attack yesterday against our outpost in the Muratta road area was conducted by two enemy platoons reinforced by smaller groups once they had taken the outpost. Own counter-attack began at 17.45, and by 19.45 about 40 of ours were inside the outpost. Enemy counter-attack that followed soon after was repulsed and by 01.07 the outpost was clear of enemies. Inside the outpost we've counted 15 enemy dead and have taken one wounded POW who died later. He was from Infantry Regiment 98. We estimate to have caused a total of 40-50 KIA to the enemy. Our unverified losses are 12 dead, 22 wounded and 3 missing. Platoon leader Lieutenant Sakama is among the fallen."

3.D/Uhtua: "Enemy attack repulsed in Suonimajärvi area."

Air Force:
No activity.

Finnish daily losses: 13

http://i.imgur.com/Eg0g66em.jpg (https://imgur.com/Eg0g66e)
Commander of base "Arina" Lieutenant Leo Rimpinen. (Rukajärvi)

***

21 January 1944

Air Force:
No activity.

Finnish daily losses: 13

***

22 January 1944

Air Force:
4 enemy sorties; 9 planes
2 Finnish sorties; 5 planes

Finnish daily losses: 13

***

23 January 1944

Aunus Group: "2km east of Keskasjärvi our patrol slipped into an enemy base and began to assault the trenches. The patrol soon had to withdraw due to strong enemy counter-attack. Estimated inflicted enemy casualties 30, 15 of which are confirmed. Two of ours were wounded."

Air Force:
3 enemy sorties; 5 planes

Finnish daily losses: 14

http://i.imgur.com/5RImcDcm.jpg (https://imgur.com/5RImcDc)
Singer Gaby Ross (rn. Dolly Bursche) entertaining troops in Sirkiänsaari.

***

24 January 1944

Air Force:
1 enemy sortie; 2 planes

Finnish daily losses: 8

http://i.imgur.com/Wlpkiuam.jpg (https://imgur.com/Wlpkiua)
Small and large "Arsa" ice mines (https://www.jaegerplatoon.net/landmines2.htm). (Rajajoki)

***

25 January 1944

Aunus Group: "Enemy attack in the Karelka direction repulsed, inflicting at least 15 casualties to the enemy."

Air Force:
10 enemy sorties; 10 planes
1 Finnish sortie; 1 plane

Finnish daily losses: 17

http://i.imgur.com/492dUxYm.jpg (https://imgur.com/492dUxY)
PE-2 acquired from Germany at Malmi airfield.

Dowly

01-31-19, 05:16 AM

26 January 1944

Air Force:
6 enemy sorties; 9 planes
2 Finnish sorties; 2 planes

Finnish daily losses: 20

***

27 January 1944

14.D/Rukajärvi: "At 3.30 in the night attacked approximately company sized enemy unit against our positions on the west shore of lake Ezhjärvi. The attack was repelled with no own losses. Enemy lost at least five dead and one wounded who was taken prisoner."

Air Force:
4 Finnish sorties; 9 planes

Finnish daily losses: 16

***

28 January 1944

Karelian Isthmus: "In the Loikkarinnotko area our patrol (3+4+28, ldr Ltn.Hämäläinen) got into enemy positions by surprise. Number of prepared positions were destroyed as the patrol assaulted the trenches killing at least 13 enemies. Two dug-outs were also destroyed and two enemies taken prisoner. Own losses 1 dead, 3 wounded."

Air Force:
1 enemy sortie; 1 plane

Finnish daily losses: 10

***

29 January 1944

Air Force:
3 enemy sorties; 4 planes
3 Finnish sorties; 3 planes

Finnish daily losses: 15

http://i.imgur.com/R5qeXLFm.jpg (https://imgur.com/R5qeXLF)
Arado flying over Malmi airfield.

***

30 January 1944

Air Force:
2 enemy sorties; 3 planes
1 Finnish sortie; 3 planes

Finnish daily losses: 13

http://i.imgur.com/PjGup4Em.jpg (https://imgur.com/PjGup4E)
Captured T34.(Petroskoi)

***

31 January 1944

Air Force:
8 enemy sorties; 13 planes
9 Finnish sorties; 18 planes

Finnish daily losses: 13

Finnish losses in January: 419

Finnish losses in the war to date: 43,122

Obltn Strand

01-31-19, 07:17 AM

Nice pics of Malmi airport. I have to visit and see how much it has changed...

No, onko vetoomukset säilyttämisen puolesta allekirjoitettu?

Dowly

01-31-19, 07:32 AM

No, onko vetoomukset säilyttämisen puolesta allekirjoitettu?
Enpäs ollut tietoinen koko asiasta. :doh: Täytyy käydä allekirjoittamassa! :salute:

Dowly

02-05-19, 02:16 PM

Post #245 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2450534&postcount=245) (21 Nov.) updated with colorized version of Lieutenant Remes + summary of him in the wars.

Schroeder

02-06-19, 12:11 PM

Post #245 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2450534&postcount=245) (21 Nov.) updated with colorized version of Lieutenant Remes + summary of him in the wars.
Did you colorize that? Impressive! I wouldn't even know how to do that.:doh:

Dowly

02-06-19, 12:36 PM

It didn't colorize itself. :O:

Schroeder

02-06-19, 01:47 PM

It didn't colorize itself. :O:
So who did you pay to do it?:O:

Dowly

02-06-19, 02:48 PM

So who did you pay to do it?:O:
Obama.

Schroeder

02-06-19, 03:07 PM

Obama.
Thanks Obama....

Dowly

02-06-19, 03:22 PM

:rotfl2::up:

Dowly

02-08-19, 03:38 AM

1 February 1944

Air Force:
20 enemy sorties; 115 planes
2 Finnish sorties; 4 planes

Finnish daily losses: 15

***

2 February 1944

Maaselkä Group: "On the northeast end of lake Hiisjärvi, a enemy patrol managed to slip through our lines to artillery observer positions where it killed one man and wounded several others. The enemy withdrew with one prisoner."

Air Force:
13 enemy sorties; 15 planes
10 Finnish sorties; 19 planes

Finnish daily losses: 17

http://i.imgur.com/uk3sWeAm.jpg (https://imgur.com/uk3sWeA)
Base "Turistikukkula" at night. (Uhtua/IR 11 sector)

***

3 February 1944

Air Force:
7 enemy sorties; 13 planes
4 Finnish sorties; 5 planes
- A lone PE-2 was shot down by two Finnish Messerschmitts over Kallbådagrund.

Finnish daily losses: 15

***

4 February 1944

Air Force:
1 Finnish sortie; 1 plane

Finnish daily losses: 12

***

5 February 1944

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

Finnish daily losses: 24

***

6 February 1944

"Peace bombings" against Helsinki.

Soviet Air Force heavily bombs Helsinki to try force Finland to peace talks. 103 people are killed and nearly 300 are wounded.

Air Force:
155 enemy sorties; 367 planes
11 Finnish sorties; 23 planes
- One confirmed Yak-7B shot down over Siestarjoki in a dogfight between 4 Messerschmitts and 5-10 Yak-7Bs.

Finnish daily losses: 28

http://i.imgur.com/pzkOxxjm.jpg (https://imgur.com/pzkOxxj)
Finnish Messerschmitt over Malmi airfield.

***

7 February 1944

Karelian Isthmus: "Near the northern end of lake Kapujärvi our strike team assaulted enemy positions where it destroyed two dug outs and at least 10 enemies, and took two prisoners with them. Own losses 1 dead, 3 wounded."

Air Force:
27 enemy sorties; 76 planes
11 Finnish sorties; 29 planes

Finnish daily losses: 21

http://i.imgur.com/MC7qrpfm.jpg (https://imgur.com/MC7qrpf)
Helsinki during the night of 6/7 February.

***

8 February 1944

The United States strongly suggests that Finland enters peace talks and tries to get out of the war.

German HQ accepts Mannerheim's request that German troops would take front responsibility in the Uhtua area. Finnish Third Division is to be pulled back in 2-3 weeks.

Air Force:
12 enemy sorties; 24 planes
12 Finnish sorties; 30 planes

Finnish daily losses: 9

***

In related news, the research by Finnish National Archives into whether Finnish SS troops committed war crimes is to be released later today. I shall post it either here or in a new thread (depends of the results of the research).

Dowly

02-09-19, 12:51 AM

Post #543 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2588309&postcount=543) updated with colorized photo of Lieutenant Rimpinen.

Schroeder

02-09-19, 04:30 AM

Post #543 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2588309&postcount=543) updated with colorized photo of Lieutenant Rimpinen.
Now I get why Obama was the first president of color.:D

Dowly

02-09-19, 04:48 AM

Now I get why Obama was the first president of color.:DWell d'uh! :)

Dowly

02-15-19, 02:47 AM

9 February 1944

After a long debate, Finland decides to send J.K. Paasikivi to Stockholm to learn more about Soviet Union's peace proposal.

Due to heightened enemy air activity, schools are closed in Viipuri.

Finnish daily losses: 15

***

10 February 1944

About 150 enemy planes hit Kotka. Seven people are killed.

Finnish daily losses: 16

***

11 February 1944

Aunus Group: "At 07.00 our strike team attacked a enemy base SE of Lake Sotjärvi. Three bunkers, one living dug-out and 25 enemies we destroyed, two of which were officers. Two prisoners were taken who told they were from 4./IR 1226. During the operation, enemy launched a counter-attack which was repulsed. Our losses 13 wounded."

Finnish daily losses: 15

***

12 February 1944

J.K. Paasikivi arrives at Stockholm.

14.D/Rukajärvi: "Our platoon size patrol was ambushed at 09.30 near Nuokkijärvi by a strong enemy unit (~200 men). One officer, two NCOs and ten men are missing."

Finnish daily losses: 21

***

13 February 1944

Maaselkä Group: "Our patrol was ambushed around 12.30 near Lake Jolmajärvi. Captain Mikkonen and three other men were left mortally wounded on the field. Sixth Division's Jäeger Company is missin one NCO and two men."

14.D/Rukajärvi: "One officer and one NCO have returned from yesterday's patrol. Another patrol found one NCO and 5 men, all wounded, around the area. Five men still missing."

Finnish daily losses: 19

***

14 February 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 9

***

15 February 1944

Karelian Isthmus: "Two attacks against our bases near Ohta road and in the Loikkarinnotko area repulsed."

Finnish daily losses: 20

Dowly

02-21-19, 10:39 PM

16 February 1944

J.K. Paasikivi meets Soviet Ambassador Aleksandra Kollontai in Stockholm.
The prerequisites for opening peace talks are as follows: 1940 Moscow Treaty stays in effect, Finland has to sever ties with Germany and all Germans in Finland have to be interned. Question of war reparations and Petsamo are negotiable.

Hitler orders Åland Islands and Suursaari to be manned in case Finland makes separate peace. (Tanne West, Tanne Ost)

Second large scale aerial bombing rocks Helsinki. Twenty-five are killed in the bombings by approximately 420 Soviet planes.

Karelian Isthmus: "In yesterday's attacks at Ohta road and Loikkarinnotko area, the enemy lost at least 45 dead."

Finnish daily losses: 14

http://i.imgur.com/o6Uoewdm.jpg (https://imgur.com/o6Uoewd)
Sauna warming up in Kollaa.

***

17 February 1944

Maaselkä Group: "At 10.57 enemy artillery opened fire on our positions west of Maaselkä station. During the bombardment, a company size unit advanced towards the trenches, but were quickly thrown back with smallarms fire. Enemy casualties at least 30 dead."

Finnish daily losses: 20

http://i.imgur.com/iSxT91Cm.jpg (https://imgur.com/iSxT91C)
Building on fire in Helsinki following last night's bombings. (Erottajankatu 2)

***

18 February 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 15

***

19 February 1944

Maaselkä Group is renamed to II Army Corps from 24.2. onwards.

Schools are closed in cities on the Southern coast of Finland.

Germany makes clear that Finland's separate peace would be seen as a 'betrayal'.

Finnish daily losses: 18

http://i.imgur.com/Gy3gu0tm.jpg (https://imgur.com/Gy3gu0t)
Motor sled. (Petroskoi)

***

20 February 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 18

***

21 February 1944

Over 40 planes bomb Oulu. Four are killed and 20 wounded.

Finnish daily losses: 12

***

22 February 1944

Over 100 planes try to bomb Turku, but due to anti-aircraft fire and bad weather only 15 bombs fall on the city.

Finnish daily losses: 27

Schroeder

02-22-19, 04:58 AM

16 February 1944

Second large scale aerial bombing rocks Helsinki. Twenty-five are killed in the bombings by approximately 420 Soviet planes.

25 fatalities in a 420 plane air raid? Either the soviets didn't know how to release their bombs on target or you must have had a very good air raid protection system for your civilians.:o

Dowly

02-22-19, 05:13 AM

25 fatalities in a 420 plane air raid? Either the soviets didn't know how to release their bombs on target or you must have had a very good air raid protection system for your civilians.:o

While Helsinki and many other European cities endured bombing raids throughout the Second World War, the Finnish capital fared better than many of them thanks to the efficiency of its anti-aircraft and deception measures. Only 5% of the bombs fell within the city, and some of these fell in uninhabited park areas causing no damage. Some 2,000 bombers participated in the three great raids on the city and dropped some 2,600 tons of bombs. Of the 146 who died, six were soldiers; 356 were wounded. 109 buildings were destroyed. 300 were damaged by shrapnel and 111 were set on fire. The Soviet Air Force lost 25 aircraft.

After the war, the Allied Control Commission led by Soviet General Andrei Zhdanov came to Helsinki. Zhdanov was perplexed by the limited damage the city had sustained. The Soviet leadership thought that they had destroyed the city completely and that it was these bombings that had forced the Finns to the peace table.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Helsinki_in_World_War_II

The following about Finnish response is also an interesting bit I wasn't aware of:
The Finnish Air Force responded to the air raids with series of night infiltration bombings of ADD airfields near Leningrad. Finnish bombers – Junkers Ju 88s, Bristol Blenheims, and Dornier Do 17s - either tailed or in some cases even joined formation with returning Soviet bombers over the Gulf of Finland and followed these to their bases. Once most Soviet bombers had landed the Finnish bombers approached to bomb both the landed and still landing Soviet bombers and then escaped in the ensuing confusion. The first major night infiltration bombing took place on 9 March 1944 and they lasted until May 1944. Soviet casualties from these raids could not be estimated reliably.

Schroeder

02-22-19, 08:25 AM

Thanks.:salute:

I believe the Luftwaffe also used that tactic with either captured enemy aircraft or just their own bombers. I believe to recall at least one event where a German He 177 heavy bomber followed allied bombers to their base and then either struck itself or called in their position. But I'm not 100% sure of that anymore.:hmmm:

Dowly

02-22-19, 10:17 AM

I believe the Luftwaffe also used that tactic with either captured enemy aircraft or just their own bombers. I believe to recall at least one event where a German He 177 heavy bomber followed allied bombers to their base and then either struck itself or called in their position. But I'm not 100% sure of that anymore.:hmmm:If you find something about it, throw me a link! :yep:

Schroeder

02-22-19, 02:07 PM

If you find something about it, throw me a link! :yep:
So far I only found something about captured bombers. It's in German though. Here is the link:
http://www.luftarchiv.de/index.htm?/beute/usa/

About half way through that article you get to:
"Nachdem ausreichend Daten über die einzelnen Flugzeugmuster ermittelt worden waren, sollen Beutebomber von Zeit zu Zeit in gegnerische Formationen eingeschleust worden sein, um auf diese Weise mehr Informationen über Aufbau, Bewegungsabläufe und Schwachstellen der verschiedenen alliierten Flugformationen zu erlangen. Solche Annäherungen wurden von der USAAF seit April 1943 registriert. Im Laufe der nächsten fünf Monate sollen insgesamt 25 Fälle von amerikanischer Seite an der West- und Südfront festgestellt worden sein. Die verdächtigen Maschinen hätten stets den gleichen Schutzanstrich und die farbigen Markierungen getragen wie die regulären USAAF Bomber. Normalerweise wären diese Flugzeuge allein geflogen, auch wenn vereinzelt Zweier - und Dreier - Gruppen beobachtet worden wären. Die Meldung über eine Formation sogar aus insgesamt neun dieser Bomber, die am 26. Juli 1943 gemeldet worden war, wurde später dahingehend korrigiert, dass es sich nur um eine Maschine in einer Neuner - Formation gehandelt habe. Neben der Beobachtung des einzelnen Bomberverbandes und seiner Bewegung wurden diese Beutebomber teilweise auch zur Heranführung der Abfangjäger genutzt. Die Jäger der Luftwaffe, die einen solchen begleiteten Bomberverband angriffen, mussten über das Vorhandensein und die Position eines eigenen Flugzeuge informiert gewesen sein und griffen diese Maschinen nicht an. Ein Umstand der es den anderen USAAF Besatzungen ermöglichte, die als Shadows (Schatten) bezeichneten Maschinen zu identifizieren. Waren die deutschen Maschinen den alliierten Bomberverbänden zunächst nur in einiger Entfernung gefolgt, so kamen sie den Verbänden im Laufe der Zeit immer näher. Teilweise sollen sie sich sogar in den beobachteten Verband eingegliedert haben. Normalerweise blieben sie nur bis zur Kanalküste bei oder in dem beobachteten Verband. Einige sollen aber bis zu den Landeplätzen in England mitgeflogen und dann erst umgekehrt sein."

Google translate version with some sporadic corrections of mine (I'm lazy:O:):

After sufficient data had been obtained on the individual aircraft, captured bombers from time to time were used to infiltrate opposing formations in order to gain more information about the structure, movements and vulnerabilities of the various Allied flight formations. Such approaches were registered by the USAAF since April 1943. Over the next five months, a total of 25 cases have been reported by the US on the western and southern fronts. The suspicious planes had always worn the same protective paint and color markings as the regular USAAF bombers. Normally, these planes would have flown alone, although sporadic groups of two and three were observed. The news of a formation even out of a total of nine of these bombers, which had been reported on 26 July 1943, was later corrected to the effect that it was only a machine in a nine - formation. In addition to the observation of the individual bomber units and its movement, these captured bombers were also sometimes used to guide in interceptors. The Luftwaffe fighters who attacked such an escorted bomber band had to be informed of the presence and location of their own aircraft and did not attack those aircraft. A circumstance that allowed the other USAAF crews to identify those aircraft that they called Shadows. While the German planes had only followed the Allied bomber formations at some distance, they gradually moved closer to the units over time. Partly, they are said to have even integrated into the observed formations. Normally they only stayed with them until reaching the channel coast. Some are said however to have stayed until the landing airfields in England were reached and only then returned.

Dowly

02-23-19, 05:23 AM

Danke. :up:

Georg Lassen

02-23-19, 05:34 AM

Antiaircraft defense plans

The quite low number of casualties and destroyed buildings can in a great extent be accounted for the well-planned air-defense and the newly acquired radar installations. The commander for the Helsinki air defense was Lt. Col. Pekka Jokipaltio (1901-1977). The operative commander was Capt. Aake Pesonen (1914-1987).

The improvement of Helsinki air defence begun already in 1941. It was intensified in 1942, at the time when the Soviet strategic air forces (ADD, Авиация дальнего действия), directly under Stalin's command and led by Air Marshall Aleksandr Golovanov (1904-1975), had begun their bombing missions on Finnish cities.

The defensive tactics aimed at preventing the advancing bombers to drop their loads on the city area. For this purpose Capt. Pentti Paatero planned a set of defensive rings around Helsinki.

They all had the geographical center of the downtown city as the center point. At each evenly numbered distance in kilometers, up to 14 km from the center point, each ring was divided into 1-1.5 km wide arcs.

The barriers (columns) thus formed were given descriptive numbers.

Each column was then subdivided into slices of 200 m up to a height of 7,5 km.

For each one of these slices all relevant gunnery data was precalculated. A lot of mathematicians (Leo Sario, Pentti Laasonen, Kari Karhunen, Olli Lokki and others) and artillery experts were gathered to make these calculations. Later the German radars (then called Funkmässgerät), of which the Finns learned in 1942 and finally got in 1943, were playing a pivotal role in this.

In combat

In a combat situation, all batteries were simultaneously listening to the Air Defence HQ's telephone commands. When the target barrier (number, height) was given, each battery picked up their values from the books and, as the result of their concentrated barrage fires, a fire wall could be created in front of the bombers closing that barrier in the sky.

The sound locators listening the sky on Hogland Island gave the early warnings. The two far-range radars (known by a lady's name "Raija", very similar to the corresponding Germ. cover name Freya) disclosed the positions of approaching planes from a distance of 100 km and in combat situations more accurate positions were measured with four fire ranging radars ("Irja", Germ. Dora), which were transmitted to the command center.

During the first and most disastrous air raid, the German liaison officer Capt. Kurt Rheindorff directly called Reichs Marshall Herman Göring and requested fighter support. The request was accepted and in four days, before the second strike, a contingent of 12 Messerschmitt night fighters and their crews arrived at Malmi airport. This substantially helped the city defence.

The effect of growing experience, improving barrier fire and the effect of night fighters can be seen in maps showing a bomber or formation radar measured flight paths. Turning away meant also dropping the bombs outside the city. First raid (https://histdoc.net/lauttasaari/pic/1944-02-06_airraid.jpg) (6 Febr.), third raid (https://histdoc.net/lauttasaari/pic/1944-02-26_airraid.jpg) (26 Febr.) (Source: The 60th Anniversary Exhibition at the Helsinki Aviation Museum)
https://histdoc.net/lauttasaari/pic/1944-02-26_airraid.jpg

https://histdoc.net/lauttasaari/airraid.html

Schroeder

02-23-19, 06:11 AM

Kiitos.:salute:

Georg Lassen

02-23-19, 06:28 AM

Kiitos.:salute:

Bitte schön. :salute:

Something that article did not mention is that for the last two raids the early warning was increased to hours in advance by Finnish SIGINT.

The night fighters where from I/JG 302, Bf-109 G6s.

Dowly

02-23-19, 08:42 AM

Thanks for the added info, the map especially is very interesting. :salute:

Georg Lassen

02-27-19, 06:39 AM

Last Finnish fighter ace Jaakko Hillo has passed away 22.2 at the age of 97 and joined the eternal flight.

Hillo scored 8 victories in the Continuation War flying mainly Curtiss Hawk 75 fighters.

After the war he flew for Aero/Finnair from where he retired.

Article in Finnish.

https://siivet.fi/ajankohtaista/viimeinen-assa-nousi-viimeiselle-lennolleen/

http://oi65.tinypic.com/vs01vd.jpg

https://siivet.fi/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/jaakkohillo_viimeinenassa_uut201902_1.jpg

https://siivet.fi/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/jaakkohillo_viimeinenassa_uut201902_4-1024x913.jpg

Dowly

02-28-19, 01:28 AM

23 February 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 9

***

24 February 1944

Mannerheim orders wartime blackout.

Finnish daily losses: 13

***

25 February 1944

Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter reveals J.K.Paasikivi's presence in Stockholm and the discussed prerequisites for Finnish-Soviet peace talks.

Finnish daily losses: 22

***

26 February 1944

Third bombing of Helsinki begins at 18.45 and lasts until 5.10 in the morning (27th). During the raid, over 500 Soviet planes make as many as 1,000 sorties against the city. Of the estimated 9,000 bombs dropped, only 350 fall in the city thanks to anti-air fire and German night fighters. Eighteen people are killed.

Oulu too is bombed by at least ten planes. One civilian is killed.

Finnish daily losses: 24

***

27 February 1944

Navy: Damages done by the Helsinki bombing: Patrol boats 8, 9, 11 damaged; Steamship 'Patria' sunk; MTBs 'Häijy' and 'Hurja 5' damaged.

Finnish daily losses: 27

http://i.imgur.com/0NFu5wnm.jpg (https://imgur.com/0NFu5wn)
University of Helsinki on fire following the bombing raid.

http://i.imgur.com/A2PrcNum.jpg (https://imgur.com/A2PrcNu)
Combat Engineers' bunker assault exercise. (Petroskoi area)

***

28 February 1944

Oulu is bombed again. Dozens of buildings are destroyed, but no lives are lost.

Finnish daily losses: 28

Finnish losses in February: 503

Finnish losses in the war: 43,625

http://i.imgur.com/KjNLmZFm.jpg (https://imgur.com/KjNLmZF)
Katajanokka, Helsinki.

Dowly

03-08-19, 04:57 AM

1 March 1944

The recent bombings of Finnish cities accelerate child transports to Sweden. So far over 4,800 children have been transported to Sweden from the affected cities.

Finnish daily losses: 15

http://i.imgur.com/EIAkb0Km.jpg (https://imgur.com/EIAkb0K)
Infantry Regiment 53 assembled on the ice of Lake Eldankajärvi.

***

2 March 1944

II AK (Maaselkä): "In the Leppäjoki direction the enemy began a strong artillery preparation at 0.40 with artillery, mortars and direct fire guns. Approximately company size force attacked soon after, breaching into our positions in two areas. Our artillery, mortars and smallarms fire forced the enemy out of our trenches immediately, leaving behind five dead. Own losses 2 dead, 6 wounded."

Finnish daily losses: 12

***

3 March 1944

Mannerheim orders hastened fortification work to commence at the Viipuri - Kuparsaari - Taipale line on the Karelian Isthmus.

Starting 4th March, Karelian Group is split in two; III AK & IV AK.

Finnish daily losses: 11

***

4 March 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 14

***

5 March 1944

IV AK (Karelian Isthmus): "Enemy attack by a small ten man unit in snow camouflage near base "Sevastopoli" repulsed. Own losses 1 dead, 1 wounded."

14.D/Rukajärvi: "Our patrol ambushed a 40-man enemy patrol north of Lake Ontajärvi. Enemy casualties estimated at 30, no own losses."

Finnish daily losses: 14

***

6 March 1944

Five Me-109s of Squadron 34 led by Major Eino Luukkanen shoot down 8 of 39 Soviet planes near Kotka. Four of these are Pe-2 bombers, the other four La-5 fighters.

Aunus Group: "Svir sector: Two 50-man detachments attacked enemy positions in the Kalats and the brick factory areas. Both attempts were unsuccessful. Each group got over the river undetected, but on return trip both detachments came under fire. Own losses 10 dead, 40 wounded."

Finnish daily losses: 27

***

7 March 1944

Finland seeks to continue peace talks, but some of the prerequisites are seen as too steep. Especially interning all Germans in Finland and demilitarizing the Finnish army are seen as impossible to achieve.

Finnish daily losses: 27

***

8 March 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 14

http://i.imgur.com/kKCDorzm.jpg (https://imgur.com/kKCDorz)
Spotlight illuminates the night sky in Helsinki.

Dowly

03-15-19, 01:06 AM

9 March 1944

Twenty-one Finnish bombers infiltrate a returning Soviet formation and bomb three airfields near Leningrad. The enemy anti-air is too slow to respond and the Finnish planes return without losses.

Finnish daily losses: 21

http://i.imgur.com/hLMwhdFm.jpg (https://imgur.com/hLMwhdF)
Marshal Mannerheim at former President Svinhufvud's funeral.

***

10 March 1944

The Soviet Union gives Finland an ultimatum; Finland has to agree to the terms for starting peace talks before March 18th.

Aunus Group: "In the coastal area of Lake Ladoga, a small enemy detachment managed to assault part of our trench. Own losses 2 dead, 5 wounded and 2 missing. Enemy lost at least 4 dead."

Finnish daily losses: 12

***

11 March 1944

Aunus Group: "In the morning our strike unit assaulted enemy positions near lake Gangjärvi, clearing 250 meters of trenches and destroying 3 dug-outs, one concrete bunker and a AT-gun position. Enemy losses 20 dead, 4 captured (1 dead later). Own losses 3 wounded."

Finnish daily losses: 11

***

12 March 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 16

http://i.imgur.com/zulo2Uzm.jpg (https://imgur.com/zulo2Uz)
A 105mm Bofors field gun (Fin. 150K/36). The caption mentions this was a one of a kind prototype that was acquired from Sweden during the Winter War.

***

13 March 1944

Aunus Group: "On the southwest side of lake Dolgjärvi, during the night our strike unit got into enemy positions under artillery and mortar support. In 40 minutes, they cleared 350 meters of trenches, destroyed six prepared fighting positions and with a satchel charge destroyed a living dug-out with 15-20 people inside. Patrol returned without losses."

Finnish daily losses: 16

***

14 March 1944

IV AK (Karelian Isthmus): "Platoon size enemy attack repelled at Rajajoki. Own losses 1 dead, 3 wounded, 1 missing."

Finnish daily losses: 13

***

15 March 1944

Aunus Group: "In the area of lake Vaskusjärvi, our patrol managed to get into the enemy's mortar position where they destroyed two living dug-outs and killed at least 25 men. Patrol returned without losses."

Finnish daily losses: 23

http://i.imgur.com/lZgflTEm.jpg (https://imgur.com/lZgflTE)
Wartime drawing by Alexander Lindeberg depicting a Finnish air raid on a Soviet airfield.

Dowly

03-22-19, 04:42 AM

16 March 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 15

***

17 March 1944

Finland requests more information of possible peace terms from the Soviet Union.

Germany warns Finland about the consequences of a separate peace.

Finnish daily losses: 32

***

18 March 1944

Ten Soviet planes are downed by Finnish fighters in the Hamina-Someri area.

Finnish daily losses: 22

***

19 March 1944

The Soviet Union informs that it is willing to receive a Finnish delegation in Moscow.

Finnish daily losses: 18

***

20 March 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 9

***

21 March 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 21

***

22 March 1944

German forces take front responsibility in Uhtua as Finnish 3rd Division is moved as HQ's reserve on the Karelian Isthmus.

Finnish daily losses: 27

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:
http://i.imgur.com/2MIpscsm.jpg (https://imgur.com/2MIpscs)

Dowly

03-29-19, 04:09 AM

23 March 1944

II AK (Maaselkä): "In grid 5070/3700, our patrol found a large base that had been abandoned for some reason. The patrol destroyed 70 firing positions, 36 living dugouts and a sauna."

Finnish daily losses: 16

http://i.imgur.com/4aQ0HW8m.jpg (https://imgur.com/4aQ0HW8)
Sturdy front line dugout with seven layers of logs as roof. (Rukajärvi)

***

24 March 1944

10,000 Finnish children have been evacuated to Sweden since the Helsinki bombings began.

Finnish daily losses: 7

***

25 March 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 25

http://i.imgur.com/N5wcrgLm.jpg (https://imgur.com/N5wcrgL)
Finnish patrolmen in Suurlahti. Note how all their equipment has been also painted white.

***

26 March 1944

J.K.Paasikivi and former Foreign Minister Carl Enckell leave for Moscow.

Finnish daily losses: 13

***

27 March 1944

Battlegroup Kaleva leaves Lieksa to destroy a partisan base in White Karelia.

At the end of March, Separate Battalion 4, the headquarters unit responsible for long-range operations, gathered a large group of men from different units. Major Into Kuismanen, head of Detachment Kuismanen, commanded the 16 officers, 72 subordinates and 101 men. The task of this detachment, now named Battlegroup Kaleva, was to destroy the village of Suopassalmi and the air surveillance station of Suopasvaara in White Karelia. Suopassalmi was one of the bases for Soviet partisan activity in the area.
On the way to the Russian positions, Detachment Raipala was detached from the main force, whose task was to hit the Suopasvaara air surveillance station as the main force continued to Suopassalmi. When skiing towards Suopassalm, Kuismanen drew attention to the lack of enemy skiing tracks. The detachment was allowed to ski to the observation positions in peace. In the village of Suopassalmi, it seemed silent, only soldiers carrying on ordinary everyday tasks were rarely seen. However, in the forest next to the village seemed to be a dugout area. Thus, it was decided to attack from several directions so that some of the troops would bind the inhabitants of the dugouts in battle and the rest would hit the village.
The attack on the village of Suopassalmi went according to plan. Those who attacked the dugout area tied the enemies there to battle while the rest attacked and destroyed the village. The buildings were already burning in high flames when the soldiers from the dugouts got to the village. The Soviet forces did not have enough time to organize themselves, and therefore resistance was fragmented. Three Finns were wounded in the battle, one of whom was captured. His interrogation minutes were later found. During the interviews he had revealed that, for example, on a long-distance patrol in January, the Finns had been ordered to take prisoners. If he had skis, he was to be taken back, otherwise questioned and executed. The practice seems to have been the same on both sides.
After the successful attack, Kaleva's main force left for home. Meanwhile, the separated Detacment Raipala had continued to Suopasvaara's air surveillance station. The men were just approaching their destination and preparing to attack when the sky in the direction of Suopussalmi village turned red. Hopes for a surprise attack were forgotten. When observing the objective, it was noticed that there were trenches around the air monitoring tower. It would be very difficult to capture them without some kind of surprise attack, so Lieutenant Aulis Vehniäinen developed a plot. He would infiltrate with another Russian speaking man in the base and open the gates to others.
Vehniäinen and his comrades approached the base. When they were about 60 meters away, the sentry told them to stop and asked for a password. It was known to the Finns and so the men got in through the gate. Soon, the sentry saw the submachine gunners following the clever pair, and the situation was suddenly clear. Finns opened fire towards the sentry. At that point, the tower and the positions around it were about 30 meters away. At the foot of the tower, machineguns began to fire. The battle had begun. Private Vainio was able to throw a satchel charge at the base of the tower, and the house on which it was sitting on collapsed in half. There were also trenches dug around the adjacent house, from which fire was opened. Corporal Lauri Saari rushed in with his satchel charges and threw the explosives into the enemy's trench, falling to a submachine gun's burst himself. Vehniäinen also was mortally hit. At the same time, Russian soldiers were starting to encircle the Finns. The Finns had to break away.
Detachment Raipala arrived at their field guard on March 31. After a couple of hours, the rest of Kaleva arrived there. Detachment Raipala had suffered the loss of a total of four killed and one seriously injured.

Source: Enkenberg, 'Suomi toisessa maailmansodassa - Päivä päivältä'.
Google translation /w corrections.

Finnish daily losses: 20

***

28 March 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 17

***

29 March 1944

Molotov lists Soviet Union's peace terms to the Finnish delegation in Moscow.
- Petsamo will be given to the Soviet Union without compensation.
- Finnish forces are to withdraw to the 1940 borders by the end of April.
- The strength of Finnish army is to be halved by end of May.
- Complete demobilization of the Finnish army is to be concluded by end of June.
- $600 million in war reparations.

Finnish daily losses: 22

Dowly

04-05-19, 02:51 AM

30 March 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 20

***

31 March 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 16

Finnish losses in March: 537

Finnish losses in the war: 44,181

***

1 April 1944

14.D/Rukajärvi: "Our long-range patrol has completely destroyed a 10-man enemy patrol north of Tunkua and killed another 15 men from a larger enemy patrol south of lake Kompakanjärvi. No own losses."

Finnish daily losses: 17

***

2 April 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 10

***

3 April 1944

Germany halts food imports to Finland.

Germany had learned that Finland had sent negotiators to Moscow, and Ribbentrop ordered the suspension of food imports to Finland. Germany also used the situation in Hungary to press Finland to withdraw from peace talks with the Soviet Union. It had occupied Hungary for quite similar reasons just a little earlier. Erfurth, a German liaison officer at the Finnish headquarters, told Heinrichs, Head of the Finnish General Staff: "Do you think the German Empire can follow as a spectator when you leave your seat in one of the most important fortresses of Fortress Europe?"
Finnish bombers hit Kähy airfield near Leningrad.

Finnish bombers again came near Leningrad, this time Kähy airfield was bombed by 34 planes. The field had been photographed earlier and it was found that the number of planes there increased. It was counted there were at least 57 Li-2 bombers on the field.
The Finns dropped 26 tons of bombs at Kähy, which destroyed at least 14 enemy bombers and burned several structures. All Finnish planes returned despite the enemy's anti-aircraft fire.
Finnish daily losses: 19

***

4 April 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 18

***

5 April 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 20

Schroeder

04-05-19, 10:07 AM

Didn't even know the LI2 was used as a bomber.:salute:

Dowly

04-05-19, 10:39 AM

Didn't even know the LI2 was used as a bomber.:salute:I thought I had been abandoned! :lost:
But yes, same here. Never knew it was used as a light bomber. I had to double check since that was -mostly- google translation, but it indeed was used as one. :yep:

As an aside, I'd hope google would make Finnish-English translation engine better. It really sucks with anything military related. For example, the finnish word taisteluhauta [lit. combat grave; = trench] is constantly translated as a tomb of some sort. Another one that is often used is tykistökeskitys [Artillery concentration/barrage] and it very often is not translated anywhere near, eventhough the singular word translates correctly (somewhat) in google translate. But the best one has to be kasapanos [Bundled charge/satchel charge] which google translates to pot/casserole etc. :haha:I can work with it for longer texts, but it does take a lot of time to correct it all. :hmmm:

Ah well.

Schroeder

04-05-19, 03:15 PM

I thought I had been abandoned! :lost:
Nope, I read your entries every week. I just don't comment on all of them.:yep:

Catfish

04-05-19, 03:44 PM

I thought I had been abandoned! :lost:

Not yet :03:

Dowly

04-06-19, 05:22 AM

Of course it's the verdammten Germans. :O:

Dowly

04-06-19, 06:39 AM

Soviet side of the second part of the Kriv offensive of September 1942(Finnish side probably later)

In the area of the 289th Infantry Division in the north end of Krivjärvi, three 1048th infantry regiment companies started their attack at 8am. The Finnish troops were surprised and their resistance was low and they had to abandon their positions. The companies took over the Finnish positions in the area and reached their targets within about an hour. The Third Company of the Regiment was at the northwestern end of the hills and the second and fifth companies at the southeast end. According to the Battle Report, the casualties of the troops at this point was only two dead and three wounded. There were 27 enemy bodies found in the captured area.
During the evening, the enemy's repeated squad and platoon strength counterattacks were repelled. On 16 September at 2am, Finnish artillery fired a very strong concentration in the captured area. It is estimated that there were 20 mortars and 40 field guns firing. The enemy was estimated to have shot 3600 artillery grenades and the same amount of mortar ammunition.
After the artillery concentration, Finns started counter-attack with two companies. The fifth company had to partially withdraw to its starting positions. In the northwest, the third company lost a small part of its area. Major General Tommola arrived at this time at the 1048th Infantry Regiment and took the lead. The Fifth Company, Ninth Company and one company from 1044th Infantry Regiment, supported by artillery and rocket launchers, began their attack at 5am. Previously lost positions once captured from the enemy in the southeast were recovered.
The Finns then shot the area with an estimated 18 mortars, 52 cannons and an armored train. The enemy had 66 tubes for every front line kilometer. The total number of munitions used by Finns on September 16 was about 10,500. The firing caused severe losses to the troops grouped into the conquered hillside. The next night, they continued to repulse attacks by small enemy units.
On 17 September, Major General Tommola decided to recapture the areas lost by the third company. Lieutenant Colonel Sklovski's 1044th Infantry Regiment's Second Battalion replaced the exhausted 1048th infantry regiment troops in the captured Finnish positions during the night of 17-18 September. The battalion captured the Finnish positions in the hills area on September 19, at 5 am. The Finnish army's artillery concentration began at 8.45 in the north end of Krivjärvi. At 11 o'clock, the attack of two reinforced enemy companies began. In the north-western part of the hills area, the troops held their position, but in the south-eastern area, the Finnish troops seized the western slope of the hill.
Major General Tommola's 289th Infantry Division switched to defence on September 19 at 22:00. Later in the HQ report, Krivjärvi's northern end operation was considered a success. However, it came with a heavy price. The division's total losses were 873 men; 220 dead and 653 wounded. Of the fallen, 22 were officers. The heaviest losses were in the infantry regiments that attacked in the northern end of Krivjärvi, of which 1044th losses were 325 men and 1048th 333 men.
As a general rule, the enemy's losses were estimated to be greater than own. According to the report, the enemy's losses were 1460 men*. In the battles, two men of the Finnish 3rd Brigade were taken prisoner of war. Three machine guns, three rifles, three rifles, six submachine guns, one mortar and two radio transmitters were captured during the operation. Own equipment losses were one machine gun, eleven rifles, 147 rifles 49 machine guns and one destroyed 120mm cannon.
(by Juri Kilin in "Jatkosodan Torjuntataisteluja 1942-44" ["Defensive Battles of the Continuation War 1942-44"])
Google translation w/ corrections. (and yes, the writing is as confusing in the book as it is here)

*Finnish losses (KIA) between 15th and 19th September 1942 were 209 men/women. This includes all fronts and all causes of death.

Map:
http://i.imgur.com/FG0MPl4m.jpg (https://imgur.com/FG0MPl4)

Schroeder

04-06-19, 07:12 AM

The numbers seem legit. After all Finland is huge with a large population. No wonder they could absorb so many losses and had so many guns and shells...:doh:

Dowly

04-06-19, 07:16 AM

The numbers seem legit. After all Finland is huge with a large population. No wonder they could absorb so many losses and had so many guns and shells...:doh:
At the time Finland had around 3,5 million people. By the end of the war, the strength of the Finnish army was around 650 000 men. (Strongest it had ever been at the time)
The Finnish casualties (KIA) numbers I took from the database, which is very accurate.

It kinda blows my mind still to think how many men Finland could put on the field today. That is if poop hits the fan and absolutely everyone who gone through conscription needs to be called that are still within the age range (I think the upper limit is 50 something). Our total reserve is almost a million men today, that's nearly 1/5 of our population. :doh:

Dowly

04-12-19, 02:22 AM

6 April 1944

Viipuri is bombed by Soviet planes.

Finnish daily losses: 13

http://i.imgur.com/FaL3WJom.jpg (https://imgur.com/FaL3WJo)
Patrol relaxing in the Sun before heading out. (Kuosku)

***

7 April 1944

Germans finish planning of Operation Birke (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Birke).

Finnish daily losses: 20

***

8 April 1944

II AK (Maaselkä): "In the direction of river Leppäjoki, 7 enemy bunkers were completely destroyed by our artillery strikes, and approximately 70 meter of trench was broken in process."

Finnish daily losses: 12

http://i.imgur.com/19iur8Mm.jpg (https://imgur.com/19iur8M)
Father and his four sons, all of whom are pilots. (Jyväskylä)

***

9 April 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 17

***

10 April 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 14

***

11 April 1944

First shipment of Panzerfausts(1,700) and Panzerschrecks(300) arrive from Germany.

Finnish daily losses: 21

***

12 April 1944

Finnish parliament decides to not accept Soviet Union's peace terms.

Finnish daily losses: 9

Dowly

04-19-19, 08:36 AM

13 April 1944

Aunus Group: "There was increased enemy patrol activity throughout the night. Small attacks at our outposts in the area of Bardovskaja."

Finnish daily losses: 14

http://i.imgur.com/LUgaGSGm.jpg (https://imgur.com/LUgaGSG)
Finnish sentries in Kaljala area.

***

14 April 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 21

http://i.imgur.com/5PspieHm.jpg (https://imgur.com/5PspieH)
Lieutenant-Colonel Alpo Marttinen, commander of the Swedish speaking Infantry Regiment 61. (Shemensk sector, Svir)

***

15 April 1944

The Finnish Government responds to the Soviet Union and rejects the conditions of peace, because accepting them would undermine the conditions of Finland's existence and would 'encumber it with loads that would far exceed the limits of its endurance'.

Sweden agrees to take in the over 200 Estonian children currently in Finland.

Finnish daily losses: 27

http://i.imgur.com/LtD1woFm.jpg (https://imgur.com/LtD1woF)
Blenheim (BL-182) that went off the runway due to strong crosswind. (Valkeakoski)

***

16 April 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 13

***

17 April 1944

Twenty-six, mostly Estonian volunteers, are killed in an explosion accident in Jalkala.

Finnish daily losses: 43

***

18 April 1944

Hitler ceases weapon exports to Finland.

Finnish daily losses: 20

***

19 April 1944

Flight Regiment 4's Blenheims drop 36 tons of bombs on the Mergino airfield south of Svir.

Finnish daily losses: 19

Dowly

04-26-19, 02:34 AM

20 April 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 16

http://i.imgur.com/nKBVcFTm.jpg (https://imgur.com/nKBVcFT)
Finnish 'Blinding bottle M/44' tested. (Enso)

Idea of special incendiary bottle designed specifically to create as much as smoke as possible had existed already during developing of molotov cocktail, but at that time there had been no resources available for this development work. Hence this special version of molotov cocktails was not introduced until years later during Continuation War. Unlike bottle used in molotov cocktail blinding bottle had its own special bottle shaped specifically to give better grip for throwing. This special bottle also had bottom design similar to ones used in Champaigne bottles and inside bottle in middle of bottom was place for glass ampoule filled with self-igniting (acid-like) material. Factory Riihimäen Lasi Oy (Riihimäki Glass Factory Ltd) manufactured the bottles for this purpose. Method used with this weapon was simply to throw the bottle against front hull of enemy tank, after this the black smoke produced by burning liquid would momentarily engulf front of the tank in thick smore make destroying the tank with other weapons much easier, since the tank crew was no longer able to observe what was happening outside. The blinding bottles were delivered in cardboard carrying boxes, which each contained 3 bottles. Larger transport boxes each contained 5 carrying boxes (in other words: 15 bottles per transport box). The self-igniting ampoules were transported in separate boxes, which each contained 20 ampoules.

From: https://www.jaegerplatoon.net/OTHER_AT_WEAPONS1.htm

***

21 April 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 21

http://i.imgur.com/my9IC4Am.jpg (https://imgur.com/my9IC4A)
Lieutenant Pauli Niemi reading his map during a break from patrolling. (Savukoski)

***

22 April 1944

Mannerheim calls on the Finnish commanders to be ready for a possible Soviet attack.

Finnish daily losses: 12

***

23 April 1944

The Finnish Government makes public a report on the peace negotiations.

Finnish daily losses: 15

http://i.imgur.com/AYNIjz9m.jpg (https://imgur.com/AYNIjz9)
Enemy bunker as seen from Finnish positions at Valkeasaari.

***

24 April 1944

9,500 men are moved from the Finnish army for agricultural work until 16 June.

Finnish daily losses: 15

http://i.imgur.com/2gkFeH6m.jpg (https://imgur.com/2gkFeH6)
Hunting seals on Lake Ladoga.

***

25 April 1944

First parachute courses begin at Utti for HQ's LRRP detachments.

Finnish daily losses: 12

***

26 April 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 16

Schroeder

04-26-19, 02:44 PM

20 April 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 16

http://i.imgur.com/nKBVcFTm.jpg (https://imgur.com/nKBVcFT)
Finnish 'Blinding bottle M/44' tested. (Enso)

Interesting concept.:yep:

Catfish

04-26-19, 03:57 PM

[...]

15 April 1944

The Finnish Government responds to the Soviet Union and rejects the conditions of peace, because accepting them would undermine the conditions of Finland's existence and would 'encumber it with loads that would far exceed the limits of its endurance'.

I remember i read something about a certain treaty, that gave the Soviet Union some finnish territory every year during the cold war.
It was a novel (Desmond Bagley? Leon Uris?) but it seemed like it really happened :hmmm:

Dowly

04-30-19, 12:37 PM

Interesting concept.:yep:Quite. Though, if you're that close, a Molotov might work better. :hmmm:

I remember i read something about a certain treaty, that gave the Soviet Union some finnish territory every year during the cold war.
It was a novel (Desmond Bagley? Leon Uris?) but it seemed like it really happened :hmmm:Can't say I'm too knowledgeable about our Cold War period, but I've never heard of such treaty. Finland did lease the Porkkala area for 50 years, so maybe you're thinking about that?

Dowly

05-03-19, 06:41 AM

27 April 1944

General Henrichs visits Berchtesgaden.

Finnish daily losses: 19

http://i.imgur.com/hRcBhKSm.jpg (https://imgur.com/hRcBhKS)
NCOs of the 6th Separate Battalion ('Ingrian Battalion') ready for inspection. (East Karelia)

***

28 April 1944

Stavka confirms plans for a Summer offensive on the Finnish front.

Finnish daily losses: 9

***

29 April 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 19

***

30 April 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 29

Finnish losses in April: 530

Finnish losses in the war: 44,711

***

1 May 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 17

***

2 May 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 11

***

3 May 1944

Commander of the Leningrad Front, General Leonid Govorov, finishes his plans for the Karelian offensive. The plan calls for a concentrated push supported by heavy artillery fire and a breakthrough towards Viipuri.

Finnish daily losses: 18

Dowly

05-10-19, 12:54 AM

4 May 1944

Aunus Group: "During the night a total of eight prisoner capture attempts by the enemy were thrown back. Similarly, our own attempt to take a prisoner on the north side of Lake Orgjärvi was unsuccessful, the patrol lost one dead, 11 wounded and two missing."

Finnish daily losses: 20

***

5 May 1944

The Soviet 21st Army begins training for the Summer offensive.

Finnish daily losses: 10

http://i.imgur.com/UGpb0Qtm.jpg (https://imgur.com/UGpb0Qt)
Squadron leader and Knight of the Mannerheim Cross Major Jorma Karhunen showing off his catch; a 11kg pike. (Suulajärvi/Fighter Squadron 24)

***

6 May 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 7

***

7 May 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 16

***

8 May 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 15

***

9 May 1944

III AK (Karelian Isthmus): "Platoon strength attack by the enemy repelled in the Vaskela area. The attack was supported by an hour long artillery preparation."

Finnish daily losses: 22

***

10 May 1944

The commander-in-chief, worried about the sluggishness of the fortification work on the Isthmus, sends a rigorous letter to the commanders of his troops. Although Mannerheim does not believe there'll be a large attack by the enemy in the near future, he nevertheless attaches great importance to fortifying the Isthmus. Mannerheim criticizes commanders for failing to prepare and leaving their soldiers without the best possible protection.
"From all my commanders, I insist on the uncompromising strength and unconditional sense of responsibility that our positions will be strong enough to withstand large-scale attacks of the enemy."

Finnish daily losses: 31

Dowly

05-17-19, 12:54 AM

11 May 1944

Radio traffic of the Soviet 23.Army, which has been on the Isthmus since September 1941, ceases.

Finnish daily losses: 12

***

12 May 1944

Mannerheim writes Hitler to assure the weapons sent from Germany will stay in Finnish hands. Hitler, however, declines to resume weapons transports.

Finnish daily losses: 18

http://i.imgur.com/g8kYUEWm.jpg (https://imgur.com/g8kYUEW)
Damaged Me-109s of Staff Sergeant Ahokas and Lieutenant Salovaara after a collision on the airfield. (Suulajärvi)

***

13 May 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 21

***

14 May 1944

2,500 children have been moved from population centers to rural areas so far.

106 Jewish refugees that had come to Finland from various European nations are permitted to travel to Sweden.

Finnish daily losses: 26

***

15 May 1944

281,869 people have so far returned to the recaptured territories in Karelia.

Finnish daily losses: 20

http://i.imgur.com/7tFijpdm.jpg (https://imgur.com/7tFijpd)
Lieutenant Antti Kesti, man of five wars. (Rukajärvi)
WW1 on the side of Germany (27th Jäger Battalion), Finnish Civil War, Estonian War of Independence, Winter War and Continuation War.

***

16 May 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 23

http://i.imgur.com/97bZv3Dm.jpg (https://imgur.com/97bZv3D)
Major Elovaara and his adjutant Lieutenant Jukamo in front of II/IR 6 command post. (Valkeasaari)

***

17 May 1944

Soviet planes attack Hamina at 11.00. Finnish AA and Fighter Squadron 34's Messerchmitts down 12 planes.

Finnish daily losses: 24

http://i.imgur.com/zPvGr89m.jpg (https://imgur.com/zPvGr89)
The narrow trenches of Rajajoki area.

Schroeder

05-17-19, 11:34 AM

http://i.imgur.com/7tFijpdm.jpg (https://imgur.com/7tFijpd)
Lieutenant Antti Kesti, man of five wars. (Rukajärvi)
WW1 on the side of Germany (27th Jäger Battalion), Finnish Civil War, Estonian War of Independence, Winter War and Continuation War.

:doh:

Guess some people can't get enough. :hmmm:

Catfish

05-17-19, 12:46 PM

^ Siehe »Weltreise auf deutsche Art« :03:

Dowly

05-24-19, 02:36 AM

18 May 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 19

***

19 May 1944

Finnish bombers struck the Mergino airfield in the Svir direction. Due to poor visibility caused by heavy AA fire, damages could not be assessed.

Finnish daily losses: 26

***

20 May 1944

Forty-two Finnish bombers hit storage areas around Alehovitsna which caused a number of secondary explosions and fires.

Finnish daily losses: 20

***

21 May 1944

Major-General Jussi Sihvo's 10th Division takes front responsibility in the Valkeasaari sector on the Western Karelian Isthmus.

Finnish daily losses: 13

http://i.imgur.com/u3ZTdI4m.jpg (https://imgur.com/u3ZTdI4)
View from a machine gun position. (Siiranmäki)

***

22 May 1944

Soviet 21.Army begins transporting artillery and tanks to the Isthmus.

Finnish fighters spot a 500 truck column on the Soviet side of the border.

Finnish daily losses: 13

***

23 May 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 14

***

24 May 1944

Finnish intelligence estimates that the enemy is ready for a large scale offensive within two weeks. Field commanders are notified of this, but soon after the memo is recalled and a new, more ambiguous one is sent to the commanders instead.

Lieutenant-General Airo, by whose orders the memo is changed, believes that even if there was to be a larger offensive, Finnish positions would hold.

Finnish daily losses: 29

http://i.imgur.com/hzjaDoUm.jpg (https://imgur.com/hzjaDoU)
Patrol in the Tsirkka-Kemijoki area where Spring has yet to arrive.

Dowly

05-31-19, 06:57 AM

25 May 1944

Finnish LRRP units make first so called "matti's" on the Isthmus. These are supply caches prepared for LRRP units who, in case of an large offensive, will be moving or staying behind enemy lines.

Finnish HQ orders the Air Forces to conduct large scale photo reconnaissance on the Isthmus.

Finnish daily losses: 22

http://i.imgur.com/NRlQ5Hgm.jpg (https://imgur.com/NRlQ5Hg)
Anti-tank obstacles in Poventsa area.

***

26 May 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 22

***

27 May 1944

Flight Regiment 4 begins photographing the Isthmus.

Finnish daily losses: 14

***

28 May 1944

Soviet POW, Sergeant Burlov, informs Finns about the 21.Army's concentration of troops on the Isthmus front.

Finnish daily losses: 28

***

29 May 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 18

***

30 May 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 15

***

31 May 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 18

Finnish losses in May: 582

Finnish losses in the war so far: 45,293

http://i.imgur.com/xWmSszOm.jpg (https://imgur.com/xWmSszO)
Finnish and Soviet positions in the beginning of June.
(Source: Nenye, Munter, Wirtanen, Birks (2016) Finland at War: The Continuation and Lapland Wars 1941-1945)

Dowly

06-08-19, 04:37 AM

1 June 1944

III AK (Eastern Karelian Isthmus): "Two enemy platoons attacked against our positions north of lake Kapujärvi after a strong artillery preparation. Elements of the attacking infantry reached our positions from where they were quickly thrown out."

Finnish daily losses: 18

***

2 June 1944

Enemy situation report #338: "Information about 21. and 23. Army being moved to the Isthmus have proven to be incorrect. Enemy's fortification works continue."

Finnish daily losses: 20

***

3 June 1944

III AK (Eastern Isthmus): "Enemy group beaten back from our obstacles at Vaskela."

Finnish daily losses: 28

***

4 June 1944

Soviet 21st Army begins transporting troops to the Isthmus front.

Marshal Mannerheim turns 77.

Finnish daily losses: 16

http://i.imgur.com/zX6sa8cm.jpg (https://imgur.com/zX6sa8c)
Lieutenant-General Lagus' troops present their new StuG III G's to President Ryti and Marshal Mannerheim. (Enso)

***

5 June 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 23

***

6 June 1944

Enemy situation report #342: "Rise in enemy activity is to be expected due to Allied landings in France."

Finnish daily losses: 14

http://i.imgur.com/bswkb0dm.jpg (https://imgur.com/bswkb0d)
Estonian volunteer anti-tank company. (Huuhanmäki)

***

7 June 1944

Molotov sees no reason to continue peace talks with Finland.

Soviet 21st Army's move to the Isthmus front is completed.

Finnish daily losses: 26

***

8 June 1944

Finnish commanders believe the enemy is going to launch a larger attack in July at the earliest.

Finnish daily losses: 32

Dowly

06-08-19, 11:21 PM

9 June 1944

The Soviet preparatory attack begins on the western Karelian Isthmus.

The Leningrad Front and the armies subordinated to it (21.A, 23.A) had six Infantry Army Corps (109.AK, 97.AK, 115.AK, 98.AK, 110.AK, 108.AK) and one Guards Army Corps (30.Ka.AK) on the Karelian Isthmus. The Army Corps totalled around 20 Divisions, most of which were Infantry Divisions, three were Guards Rifle Divisions. The strength of the Infantry Divisions were 5,000 to 6,000 men each while the Guards Rifle Divisions had up to 10,000 men in them.
The attacking force at this first phase included the 109.AK, 30.Ka.AK and the 97.AK. Two Army Corps (109.AK, 30.Ka.AK) were to attack Finnish 10th Division's sector which had two Infantry Regiments (JR 1, JR 58) defending the mainline. Infantry Regiment 1 was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Tauno Viljanen, JR 58 by Lieutenant-Colonel Eero Juva. The strength of the 10th Division on 30th of May was 11,851 men.
The third Soviet Army Corps (97.AK) was to attack the neighbouring sector held by Finnish 2nd Division, which comprised of two Infantry Regiments (JR 7, JR 49) and Separate Battalion 12 (Er.P.12). Infantry Regiment 7 was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Adolf Ehrnrooth, JR 49 by Colonel Ragnar Wahlbeck. Strength of the 2nd Division was 12,878 men.

At 6 o'clock in the morning, over 200 bombers of the Soviet 13th Air Army started to bomb Finnish positions between Lempaala and the Gulf of Finland. After the bombers came over 150 ground-attack planes to strafe the Finnish positions. The Soviet artillery joined in at 8 o'clock, hammering the Finns for 10 hours straight with the aim of destroying over 200 predetermined targets. Over the course of the day, the Soviet artillery fired over 76,000 rounds, 17,000 of them in the first five minutes landed on the 15km wide 10th Division's sector. Infantry Regiment 1 gets the worst of it and as casualties rise the commander can barely keep his men from retreating in panic.
As the barrage thins out, enemy infantry supported by tanks attack Finnish positions along the Lempaala - Gulf of Finland line. Most of the attacks are unsuccesful, but by evening two forward bases ("Sormenkärki" and "Mottori") are lost in 10th Division's sector.
Lieutenant-General Taavetti Laatikainen, commander of the IV.AK, still doesn't believe in a larger Soviet offensive, but orders his reserve battalions to prepare to move to the main line. At the front, the situation is seen differently; the entire 10th Division is tied up in fighting and has already committed all its reserves.

http://i.imgur.com/6lDQyMil.jpg (https://imgur.com/6lDQyMi)

*

Finns shoot down 24 Soviet planes with no own losses.

Finnish daily losses: 248

http://i.imgur.com/o2AH3JRl.jpg (https://imgur.com/o2AH3JR)
Photo of 10th Division's living area shows some of the damage done by the artillery bombardment. (Valkjärvi)

Schroeder

06-09-19, 03:14 AM

I think the allied must have had a jedi among them. He went to Hitler on the 6th and to Laatikainen on the 9th and told them: This isn't the invasion you're looking for.:doh:

Dowly

06-10-19, 05:06 AM

10 June 1944

The general offensive of the Leningrad Front begins on the western Isthmus.

Morning on the western Isthmus begins at 4.58 with even heavier artillery bombardment than on the previous day. Over 3,000 artillery pieces and about 300 aircraft maul the Finnish positions; in key areas over 200 guns are firing for every one kilometer.
IV.AK's positions are bombarded continuously for two and half hours to a depth of 2 kilometers. Huge clouds of smoke and dust are kicked up by the shelling that destroys most fortified positions and communication lines still intact. The men and their weapons are buried as the trenches dug in the sandy soil collapse, and those who are wounded are left behind with no possibility to help them.
At 7.20 infantry and tanks of 30.Ka.AK begin their attack in the Valkeasaari sector. The defending JR 1 has three battalions against 18 Soviet battalions and over 100 tanks. Thirty minutes after the attack had started Lieutenant-Colonel Viljanen messages that the front has collapsed. The men flee in panic and attempts to regroup are difficult since most officers are either dead or wounded. By afternoon, the enemy had made a 20km wide and 15km deep breakthrough in 10th Division's sector.
Marshal Mannerheim orders IV.AK to do a fighting retreat to the Vammelsuu - Taipale line (VT-line) and reinforces it with the 3rd Division and the Cavalry Brigade (Rv.Pr.). Major-General Ruben Lagus' Armoured Division (Ps.D) is also ordered out of reserve and move from Viipuri area to the VT-line.

http://i.imgur.com/7mUbvaFl.jpg (https://imgur.com/7mUbvaF)

*

Finns shoot down 36 Soviet planes.

*

The 3rd Brigade in Salla and the 4th Division in Svir are ordered to move to the Isthmus.

Finnish daily losses: 799

Sailor Steve

06-10-19, 11:53 AM

Just posted to let you know I'm still avidly following this thread.

I've always found it fascinating that people (and nations) do what seem to be bad things for good reasons, and vice versa. I once was part of a discussion in which one person was arguing how bad he thought the Finns were for siding with the Germans during the war. I asked him what other choice he thought they had. The Soviets were threatening to overrun their country, and since the Soviets were the "good" guys because they were helping fight the "bad" guys (and the Nazis were indeed bad), the mere act of accepting help from the Germans meant that the Finns were taking the "bad" side.

I think taking that help from the Germans was the best thing Finland could have done at the time.

And thanks again for keeping this thread going. :sunny:

Dowly

06-10-19, 03:07 PM

@Schroeder: Yup, a lot of criticism has been leveled against Finnish military leadership over the years for not seeing the signs of an immediate offensive.

I've always found it fascinating that people (and nations) do what seem to be bad things for good reasons, and vice versa. I once was part of a discussion in which one person was arguing how bad he thought the Finns were for siding with the Germans during the war. I asked him what other choice he thought they had. The Soviets were threatening to overrun their country, and since the Soviets were the "good" guys because they were helping fight the "bad" guys (and the Nazis were indeed bad), the mere act of accepting help from the Germans meant that the Finns were taking the "bad" side.

I think taking that help from the Germans was the best thing Finland could have done at the time.
I've had the 'pleasure' to discuss with similar minded people over the years. I think the main reason for thinking like that is the unfortunate lack of written material available in really any other languages than Finnish and Swedish and what there is often glosses over much of the political side of the war, so they might not understand the reasoning of Finnish leadership to side with Germany. :hmmm:

I agree that Finland's best bet and really the only reasonable bet was to side with Germany after the Winter War, the pressure from the Soviet Union during the interim peace and lastly, having watched what happened to the Baltic states in 1940.

And thanks again for keeping this thread going. :sunny::salute:

Dowly

06-11-19, 12:47 AM

11 June 1944

Jaeger Brigade's counter-attack fails.

Major-General Sihvo's badly beaten 10th Division arrives at the VT-line during the evening and is immediately directed to the rear for rest to prevent panic from spreading among the reserve units. On the left flank of IV Corps, Major-General Martola's 2nd Division is still withdrawing to the Metsäkylä - Kekrola - Lappalaisenmäki line.
To find out the strength and intentions of the enemy forces, Finnish HQ sends Armoured Division's Jaeger Brigade (JPr.) to advance southwards from Kivennapa until contact. With no indirect fire or tank support, the Jaeger Brigade reaches the village of Polviselkä where they come in contact with tanks of the 30.Ka.AK, some of which the Jaegers manage to destroy. The pressure against the Finns however increases in the evening and the Jaeger Brigade is given permission to do a fighting retreat back to the VT-line. The 3,000 strong brigade suffers over 200 casualties during their mission.

*

Finland requests Germany to resume weapons transports.

Finnish daily losses: 172

http://i.imgur.com/RLS436Ol.jpg (https://imgur.com/RLS436O)
During retreat to Kivennapa, Major Loimu stops near Polviselkä to give orders to his troops.

http://i.imgur.com/Ql7ed8Yl.jpg (https://imgur.com/Ql7ed8Y)
Retreating troops. (Valkjärvi-Kivennapa)

http://i.imgur.com/H4MwbSAl.jpg (https://imgur.com/H4MwbSA)
Visibly shell-shocked pair makes their way to the rear. (Valkjärvi-Kivennapa)

Dowly

06-11-19, 11:39 PM

12 June 1944

The 21.Army attempts to capture parts of the VT-line.

The 21st Army Headquarters issued an order on June 12 at 2.20 that 30.Ka.AK and 109.AK had to secure within the day bridgeheads for the main army's attack. 30.Ka.AK was to capture Kivennapa and 109.AK Kuuterselkä, Sahakylä and Metsäkylä.
In the direction of Vammelsuu, attack of two Infantry Regiments of 109.D is stopped by strong Finnish resistance. The division's units suffer severe losses in Finnish counter-attacks and artillery concentrations.
In the morning, the attack on Kuuterselkä is joined by 1.Armored Brigade (1.Ps.Pr.) which has orders to advance from Kuuterselkä to Mustamäki in west, from there the attack is to be continue on Vammeljärvi and further north-west along the road.
However, the attack of the 1.Ps.Pr. stops immediately in the morning on the VT-line at Kuuterselkä. The attack is renewed during the day together with an attack by one infantry regiment, but Lieutenant-General Alfjorov soon calls off the attack as it bogs down.

http://i.imgur.com/R5LLRrgl.jpg (https://imgur.com/R5LLRrg)

*

Lieutenant-Colonel Ehrnrooth's Infantry Regiment 7 retreats to Siiranmäki and sets up for defense.

*

The Armoured Division is subordinated to IV AK in case the VT-line breaks.

*

Hitler agrees to resume weapons transports to Finland.

*

The 17th Division and the 20th Brigade are ordered to move from Aunus to the Isthmus.

*

Finnish AA downs 15 Soviet planes.

Finnish daily losses: 120

Dowly

06-13-19, 12:56 AM

13 June 1944

Regrouping of IV AK's units at the VT-line finishes.

*

The Armored Division is split in two Battlegroups (TstOs); TstOs Puroma at Ahijärvi and TstOs Björkman at Pamppala.

*

More troops are assigned to fortify the Viipuri-Kuparsaari-Taipale line (VKT-line) from reinforcement battalions.

*

2nd Division counters multiple breakthrough attempts at Siiranmäki.

Soviet artillery fires a fierce artillery concentration on the Siiranmäki sector at 12.45. At the same time, infantry begins advancing in the direction of Saarenmaa-Palojärvi. The attack is concentrated on the seam of Fortification Battalion 4 (Lin.P 4) and Detachment Malinen (Os.M) where the terrain prevents efficient sighting and firing. However, Finns manage to fight off the attack.
The attack is renewed in short order and is able to push into Lin.P 4's right seam, but this attempt too is pushed back with a counter-attack by two Finnish platoons.
Another attack is being prepared in the afternoon on the west side of the road leading from Kekrola to Siiranmäki. The enemy has ten tanks available to support this attempt. Four Artillery Battalions of Artillery Group Aalto (Tyk.R Aalto) fire a heavy concentration on the enemy, stopping the attack before it has started.
Again, a new attack in the direction of Kekrola-Siiranmäki road takes place less than an hour after the previously failed attempt. The attack is preceded by strong artillery preparation and is supported by 14 tanks. Under the leadership of Captain Kiiskinen, the Third Company of the First Battalion of Infantry Regiment 7 is able to withstand the attack. Heavy anti-tank guns in the battalion's area destroy three Soviet tanks, the rest withdraw from the battle.
At 17.00, the strongest attack so far is launched against Siiranmäki sector. For the first time in the area, besides artillery, rocket launchers also participate in the artillery preparation. In addition, 25 tanks support the attempt with direct fire from the Suurselkä ridge about one kilometer away. The focus of the attack is on the eastern side of the Siiranmäki crossroads in Seppälä.
The situation is occasionally very unclear in the defense area of the 2./JR 7, which is responsible for the defense of Siiranmäki, due to lack of radios and ground connections being cut by artillery. The use of runners is also very difficult under fire. Finnish artillery and mortars once again play a key role in pushing back the attack. Major part of the First Battalion of Infantry Regiment 7, led by Majuri Kuvaja, takes part in the battle for defending the main area of Siiranmäki.
In the evening, at about 20.00, the enemy attacks again in the area of Second Company of Major Kuvaja's Battalion. Now, the enemy is striving for surprise, without artillery preparation, from the east on both sides of the Vehmainen road. The enemy reaches the Finnish obstacles, but is destroyed there mainly with infantry fire. Most of the attackers are so intoxicated that they are unable to properly take cover from Finnish fire. The Finns also destroy one of the heavy tanks used in support of the attack. Last attack of the day is made with small numbers at 21:00 in the direction of Saarenmaa. The attack is fought off without difficulty.

Finnish daily losses: 100

http://i.imgur.com/vk8m4sol.jpg (https://imgur.com/vk8m4so)
Situation on the 2nd Division's area.

http://i.imgur.com/ZVaEj9ll.jpg (https://imgur.com/ZVaEj9l)
3rd Division's situation.
(Dashed arrows are planned offensives)

Dowly

06-13-19, 11:44 PM

14 June 1944

Breakthroughs at Kuuterselkä and Sahakylä.

In the morning, enemy infantry supported by tanks breaks into the VT-line at Kuuterselkä from south. The battalion commanded by Major Keravuori (II/JR 53) withdraws at approximately 9.00 to the support line at the center of Kuuterselkä village. Major Heino's battalion (I/JR 48), which was in third division's reserve, is sent to Kuuterselkä, but the Finnish troops have to retreat towards Liikola by noon.
In the direction of Sahakylä, I/JR 53 commanded by Major Jahnukainen loses its positions immediately at 8.00. Most of the lost positions are recaptured with a counter-attack by an ad-hoc detachment made out of HQ and supply troops. However, one base remains in enemy hands.
With a renewed attack, the enemy troops once again takes the positions at Sahakylä. Lieutenant-Colonel Peitsara's Jäger Battalion 6 (JP 6), which is in the reserve of IV AK, is sent to reinforce the area. One of its companies, together with Major Jahnukainen's troops, re-recaptures the positions. Subsequently, JP 6 is transferred to the Sykiälä-Mustamäki area. At noon Major Jahnukainen's battalion begins to withdraw from the VT-line. Jahnukainen justifies his decision by the events taking place at Kuuterselkä.

The Jaeger Brigade counter-attacks.

The IV AK immediately began to plan the use of the Armored Division for a counterattack, following the breakthrough at Kuuterselkä. In the discussions between the Headquarters and the IV AK, it is decided to use only a part of the division for the task. In the afternoon, the Jaeger brigade in the Pamppala area is reinforced with a battalion of Assault Guns and ordered to recapture Kuuterselkä and afterwards the positions at the VT-line.
Major General Lagus orders Jaeger Battalion 2 (JP 2) led by Major Lammetmaa to take point in the advance southwards towards Kuuterselkä. JP 2 arrives at the positions of Major Heino's battalion (I/JR 48) on the north side of Kuuterselkä at 17.00. JP 2, reinforced with two assault guns, begins its attack on both sides of the road toward Kuuterselkä. By evening, the battalion has advanced to the southern end of Onkijärvi.

http://i.imgur.com/ULRhIMJm.jpg (https://imgur.com/ULRhIMJ)
Soviet 109.AK's attack in Sahakylä-Kuuterselkä area.

*

Soviet Breakthrough contained at Siiranmäki.

At 8.00 am, a very powerful enemy artillery fire began in the Siiranmäki sector, joined by several ground fighters. After an hour, the enemy's attacks began throughout the sector. The focus of the attack was initially on Detachment Malinen's (Os.M) area. The enemy made a breakthrough, but it was contained and beaten back by JR 7's Jaeger Platoon and the Third Battalion (III/JR 7).
However, the enemy reaches a new breakthrough to the east of Palomäki. Lieutenant Colonel Ehrnrooth orders Major Elovaara's II/JR 6 to attack the enemy flank from west with a company size force. Captain Vetre leads his company against the breakthrough and they force the enemy back, killing them nearly to the last man. Finnish estimated there to be the bodies of at least 200 Soviet soldiers on the battlefield.
In the afternoon, the focus of the attack switched to the east side of Kekrola-Siiranmäki road, where the enemy got into 2./JR 7's positions by the Seppälä house some 2km east of the Siiranmäki junction. Two KV tanks parked themselves to guard the gap and with their support the breakthrough grew to 600m wide and 300m deep.
Local counter-attacks failed, mainly due to the lack of efficient anti-tank weapons. Both company commanders that took part in the counter-attacks, Captain Kiiskinen (3./JR 7) and Lieutenant Walden (2./JR 7), were wounded. Walden would shortly after die as a heavy mortar grenade landed directly at the first aid station.
The attack continued to north towards Kuvaja's I/JR 7 and west towards Siiranmäki junction. Lieutenant-Colonel Varko's II/JR 49 launched a counter-attack from north towards the breach at 16.00. They had to attack head-on towards the enemy as the U-shaped line didn't allow for a flanking maneuver.
After an hour, most positions had been recaptured, but the narrow gap at the Seppälä house couldn't be plugged. The road had been left open, so Finns could use it, but now it proved to be an insurmountable obstacle for the Finnish counter-attack as the KV tanks were still operational and watching the road.
By 17.30, more heavy tanks had arrived at the breach, four of them drove through the gap and took positions on the Siiranmäki ridge. Three hours later, another ten heavy tanks arrived. Lacking personal anti-tank weaponry, Lieutenant-Colonel Varko's counter-attack had to be abandoned.
The situation got better in the evening when JR 49's anti-tank company received Panzerfausts and Panzerschrecks. Finnish Panzerschreck patrols destroyed six KV tanks, other anti-tank patrols one KV and three T-34s. Private Eero Seppänen, 19, destroyed three heavy tanks during the evening and three more on the next day with a Panzerschreck. He would be awarded the Mannerheim Cross in July. By the end of the day, four enemy tanks still remained in Siiranmäki.
Varko's counter-attack was renewed and by 23.00 the breach was closed for a short while, before the enemy managed to reopen it. The four tanks behind Finnish lines were destroyed by 01.00.
During the night, three more attempts were made to close the breach, but none of them were successful.

http://i.imgur.com/7pZlw7um.jpg (https://imgur.com/7pZlw7u)
2nd Division's situation.

http://i.imgur.com/RbM9CEXm.jpg (https://imgur.com/RbM9CEX)
Enemy's breakthrough at Siiranmäki.

*

President Ryti offers Mannerheim the position of Prime Minister. He declines.

Finnish daily losses: 430

http://i.imgur.com/FGoENZ5m.jpg (https://imgur.com/FGoENZ5)
Wounded soldier given first aid. (Vammeljärvi)

Schroeder

06-15-19, 01:39 AM

Dowly has been sent out on a patrol behind enemy lines to find and capture hidden stashes of booze ammunition and capture nice young female officers to share the booze and have a good time with for intense interrogation. So it has fallen to me to post today's update:

15 June 1944

Jaeger Brigade's counter-attack continues at Kuuterselkä.

Colonel Puroma's Jaeger Brigade's (JPr.) attack began on 14th of June at 22.30 and was supported by a flight of 11 bombers and Artillery Group Nuolimaa's short artillery preparation.
Major Leppänen's Jaeger Platoon 4 attacked with Captain Kvikant's Assault Gun Company (1./Ryn.Tyk.P) along the Liikola-Kuuterselkä road. On the west side of the road advanced Major Hynninen's JP 3. Lammetmaa's JP 2 stayed in reserve, but was quickly called in to reinforce JP 4 as the battle progressed. Elements of these two battalions reached the VT-line to the east of Kuuterselkä in the early hours of 15th.
Kvikant's 1st Assault Gun Company opened the road to the clearings north of Kuuterselkä, destroying a number of enemy tanks as they advanced. At 1.00, Kvikant's company was relieved by Captain Kumlin's third company (3./Ryn.Tyk.P), which started it's attack at 3.00. On the west side of the road, JP 3 and one of the assault guns reached the support line (Tukilinja), but a strong enemy counter-attack forced them to withdraw just an hour later.
By 6.30, JP 3 had been reinforced with elements from JP 5 and Pioneer Battalion 2 and was able to recapture most of their lost positions on the support line. Kumlin's company was called back after losing five of their six assault guns, the area was reinforced by few StuG's from the Second Company.
Order came at 10.50 from IV AK for the Armoured Division's troops to disengage and withdraw to the Suulajärvi-Onkijärvi line due to the breakthrough at Sahakylä to the west.
The Jaeger Brigade's casualties in the counter-attack of 14th-15th were 624 men. In their 'baptism of fire' the Assault Gun Battalion destroyed 17 enemy tanks with a loss of 5 of their own.

http://i.imgur.com/nTxHzhNm.jpg (https://imgur.com/nTxHzhN)
Jaeger Brigade's counter-attack at Kuuterselkä.

*

Soviet attempts to widen the breach at Siiranmäki is stopped by Finnish counter-attacks. (Soviet POV)

Order for the day's objectives was given in the morning at 281. Division's headquarters; the attack was to widen the breakthrough to the Vuottaa-Kauksamo road and then advance west. 1066.JR, supported by 46th Separate Guards Heavy Tank Breakthrough Regiment (46.Er.Ka.Rs.Ps.Lm.R) and 938. Assault Gun Regiment (938.Ryn.Tyk.R) was ordered to capture the Vuottaa junction. 1064.JR would follow up the advancing forces.
1066.JR's attack was planned to start at 7.30 after a short artillery preparation, but was immediately stopped by a Finnish counter-attack at 7.20.
The Division's units were grouped for a new attack by 15.00, this time with two infantry regiments; 1066.JR on the right and 1064.JR on left. The attack was to commence at 15.55, after a 45 minute artillery preparation.
Finnish counter-attack came at 15.10, just before the Soviet artillery was about to begin their preparation fire. This counter action was thrown back in close combat. On the left wing, 1064.JR suffered heavy losses under Finnish artillery fire already at their staging area and couldn't begin their attack at all. 1066.JR managed to advance about 300 meters and capture two trenches from the Finns.
Another counter-attack launched by the Finns at 17.15 at first pushed the 1066.JR back, but they could soon recover their positions.
Battalion from 1066.JR had advanced another 200 meters by 18.50. The 1066.JR had fought off seven Finnish attacks by nightfall. On the left wing, 1064.JR dug in for the night with two KV-1 tanks on the northwest slopes of Siiranmäki and at the junction. According to 281.Division's report, it had suffered 408 casualties during the day.
Attempts elsewhere had not been any more successful; 483.JR had began their attack at 7.40 on the right flank of 281.D, but after advancing 200-300 meters increasing Finnish resistance had halted them.
Finns made several counter-attacks in the Siiranmäki junction area against the 483.JR, which by nightfall had only managed to advance a couple of hundred meters. The regiment's living force had been depleted and their objective became unachievable. 483.JR had lost 230 men according to unconfirmed reports.
All attacks on the left wing, in 381.D's area were also unsuccessful.

http://i.imgur.com/eP5DCNRm.jpg (https://imgur.com/eP5DCNR)
98.AK's attack in Siiranmäki sector.

http://i.imgur.com/YMQJE7Km.jpg (https://imgur.com/YMQJE7K)
Finnish counter-attacks at Siiranmäki.

*

Evacuation of the entire Karelian Isthmus begins.

Finnish daily losses: 419

http://i.imgur.com/wPFhl1um.jpg (https://imgur.com/wPFhl1u)
Exhausted Finnish soldier (Probably one of Puroma's Jaegers) searching for his unit. He had got behind enemy lines during a counter-attack, was captured and then escaped during the night. (Liikola, north of Kuuterselkä)

http://i.imgur.com/WdQbYpkm.jpg (https://imgur.com/WdQbYpk)
Knocked out Soviet tank burning in Palokangas.

sublynx

06-15-19, 02:19 PM

Nice that the battle continues on despite losses. I'm sure Dowly will make it back safely!

By the way 14th to 15th June 1944 was a pretty important day for me, as my grandfather was wounded lightly during an air raid against the train that was carrying JR 25 (Infantry Regiment 25, from the 4th Division) to the front. Because of the wound he spent the regiments worst days of the war in hospital, and when he got back to his unit his platoon was led by a Private First Class. All the higher ups had been killed or wounded and a platoon of 30 something was now 8 men. This was another blessing as the unit was almost incapable of any serious fighting anymore and the mini-platoon had been given a task of defending a swamp, so no tank attacks. Grandpa was lucky there and that is why I am now happily sipping a shot of whisky lying on my sofa :)

Dowly

06-19-19, 12:32 PM

Thanks Schroeder. :up:

Sorry about the delay, I needed some R&R after that patrol. Unfortunately, this week might be a bit slow on updates, Midsummer and all that here.

*********************

16 June 1944

Detachment Ehrnrooth defeats two weak attacks at Siiranmäki. The 2nd Division has achieved a defensive victory in their sector and thus prevented the enemy from getting in the rear of III AK which is holding out on the eastern Isthmus. Finnish casualties at Siiranmäki were 873 men, of them 164 KIA, 760 WIA and 49 MIA. The Red Army in turn had lost 3,784 men, 887 of them dead.

*

Finnish troops in Maaselkä and Svir are ordered to begin withdrawing to the 1939 border.

*

Lieutenant-General Oesch, commander of the troops on the Isthmus, gives order to abandon the VT-line and do a fighting retreat to the Viipuri-Kuparsaari-Taipale line (VKT-line).

*

German weapon deliveries resume; nearly 11,000 Panzerfausts arrive within the first ten days.

Finnish daily losses: 256

http://i.imgur.com/nQ6oQDrm.jpg (https://imgur.com/nQ6oQDr)
Situation on the central & eastern Isthmus.

http://i.imgur.com/Z425eKSm.jpg (https://imgur.com/Z425eKS)
Captain Nykänen with two of his men. The trio had had to make their way back from behind enemy lines earlier. (Uusikirkko)

***

17 June 1944

Major-General Vihma's 6th Division begins to withdraw from Maaselkä isthmus.

IV AK's troops withdraw to the Muolaanjärvi line on the western isthmus.

Gefechtsverband Kuhlmey arrives at Immola with 32 Ju-87 Stukas, 30 FW-190s and a small number of Me-109s.

Finnish daily losses: 255

http://i.imgur.com/GiQooiwm.jpg (https://imgur.com/GiQooiw)
Knocked out 'Iosif Stalin' at Summa.

***

18 June 1944

Finnish delaying actions towards the VKT-line continue; 4th Division and 3rd Brigade withstand Soviet attacks at old Winter War battlefield at Summa-Leipäsuo.

15th Division (III AK) begins to withdraw to the north side River Vuoksi on the eastern isthmus.

Finnish daily losses: 192

http://i.imgur.com/Xw0inb1m.jpg (https://imgur.com/Xw0inb1)
Soviet planes over Summa.

***

19 June 1944

Detachment Kuhlmey downs 24 Soviet planes during their first day of combat sorties, losing three of theirs.

Aunus Group begins to withdraw from the south side of River Svir.

Soviet naval infantry occupies the island of Narvi on the eastern Gulf of Finland.

Finnish daily losses: 319

Dowly

06-20-19, 05:29 AM

20 June 1944

Finns lose Viipuri nearly without a fight. The defense of the city has given to Colonel Kemppi's 20th Brigade who have been mostly in the rear doing fortification works and building roads.
Troops from the 10th Division and the Cavalry Brigade are allowed to withdraw through the city, and they tell the defenders horror stories of what lies ahead.
The enemy's attack begins at noon from east towards Ristimäki where Major Bäckman's Second Battalion is in defense. A rumour begins to circulate among the Finns that a withdrawal order has been give and some troops begin to leave their positions. The panic soon spreads to the whole of Second Battalion. Colonel Kemppi tries to plug the gap with his reserves, but without intact communication lines leading the defense becomes impossible.
Last Finnish troops, Colonel Kemppi among them, leave the city at 16.45 across the Linnasaari bridge towards Tienhaara.

*

II AK withdraws to the Liistepohja positions in Maaselkä.

*

Mannerheim appeals to his commanders to hold the VKT-line at all cost.

http://i.imgur.com/ZHi0e0Wm.jpg (https://imgur.com/ZHi0e0W)
Soviet 21st Army's attacks on the western isthmus.

http://i.imgur.com/tYlNcham.jpg (https://imgur.com/tYlNcha)
Withdrawal of Aunus Group from the south side of Svir.

Finnish daily losses: 350

http://i.imgur.com/c73QXhLm.jpg (https://imgur.com/c73QXhL)
Colonel Kemppi

Dowly

06-21-19, 04:48 AM

21 June 1944

Soviet 7th Army begins its offensive across River Svir. Finnish positions around Lotinapelto and Ohtajärvi can't hold, and the order is given for all 5th Division troops to begin withdrawing to the Enemajoki-Karjala line. Eighth Division is ordered to withdraw from the south side of the river.

http://i.imgur.com/W6oWghZm.jpg (https://imgur.com/W6oWghZ)
7th Army's attack across Svir.

*

STAVKA orders the Karelian offensive to reach the Imatra-Lappeenranta line on the Finnish border by 28 June.

http://i.imgur.com/QLC8iMjm.jpg (https://imgur.com/QLC8iMj)
Situation on the Karelian Isthmus.

Finnish daily losses: 322

Schroeder

06-21-19, 09:35 AM

It's getting ugly...:-?

Dowly

06-21-19, 10:46 AM

It's getting ugly...:-?
What do we say to Soviet occupation?
(It's uh... Game of Thrones joke)

(Another map added to last update)

Dowly

06-22-19, 02:32 AM

22 June 1944

The Red Army launches a series of probing attacks against the Vuosalmi bridgehead at Äyräpää.

Finns lose their outermost outposts in the Tali area.

Joachim von Ribbentrop comes to Finland.

Generaloberst Dietl visits Hitler and airs his concerns about the situation in Finland.

Finnish daily losses: 438

http://i.imgur.com/InxalDRm.jpg (https://imgur.com/InxalDR)
Soviet IL-2. (Kuujärvi)

Dowly

06-23-19, 07:26 AM

23 June 1944

Soviet Naval Infantry lands in the rear of Aunus Group at Tuulos. Most Finnish troops are tied up at the PSS-line and what counter-attacks can be organized are unsuccessful in throwing the enemy back into Lake Ladoga.

http://i.imgur.com/u6VIhprm.jpg (https://imgur.com/u6VIhpr)

*

Soviet 32nd Army begins their offensive on the Maaselkä Isthmus against Finns in the Karhumäki-Osterjärvi-Liistepohja area. By evening, Finns are forced to withdraw from Karhumäki.

*

German 303.Assault Gun Brigade arrives to Finland from Estonia and is sent immediately to Tali-Ihantala area.

*

The Soviet Union demands an unconditional surrender from Finland.

Finnish daily losses: 525

http://i.imgur.com/JH5y789m.jpg (https://imgur.com/JH5y789)
Lagus' StuGs waiting for order to move out. (Tienhaara, NW of Viipuri)

Dowly

06-24-19, 04:41 AM

24 June 1944

Renewed counter-attacks against the enemy's beachead at Tuulos are repelled. Meanwhile, the PSS-line comes under attack and its right flank breaks in 15th Brigade's sector. In the evening, Major-General Blick (VI AK) orders the PSS-line to be abandoned.

http://i.imgur.com/XMVSbvem.jpg (https://imgur.com/XMVSbve)

*

Finnish troops begin to withdraw from Maaselkä area.

*

German 122. Division is transported to Finland.

Finnish daily losses: 392

http://i.imgur.com/D3obCdWm.jpg (https://imgur.com/D3obCdW)
Fighting northeast of Viipuri 20 - 24 June.

http://i.imgur.com/aSyB992m.jpg (https://imgur.com/aSyB992)
Some of the troops guarding the beachhead at Tuulos.

Dowly

06-25-19, 02:02 AM

25 June 1944

The Battle of Tali-Ihantala begins.

After the Soviet failure to continue their offensive west from Viipuri, the Red Army concentrates its forces north-east of the city. There, around the village of Tali, terrain is more suitable for tanks, and strategic roads run north and north-west. North of Tali there are the Portinhoikka crossroads, where the road runs north through Ihantala towards Imatra, and north-west through Juustila towards Lappeenranta. In military history this day goes down as the first day of the Battle of Tali-Ihantala.

At this point Commander of the Isthmus Forces Lt. Gen. Karl Oesch had three army corps under his command. From west to east they were Maj. Gen. Antero Svensson's V Army Corps (recently transferred from the Olonets Isthmus) which defended the western shore of the Bay of Viipuri south and west of Viipuri, Lt. Gen. Taavetti Laatikainen's IV Army Corps, which held the VKT-line from north-east of Viipuri until River Vuoksi, and Lt. Gen. Hjalmar Siilasvuo's III Army Corps which had so far escaped relatively lightly and held the VKT-line along the River Vuoksi until the southern shore of Lake Ladoga.

On the right flank of Gen. Laatikainen's IV Army Corps was Col. Lauri Haanterä's 3rd Brigade (subordinated to the 18th Division), which, just north-east of Viipuri, defended the isthmus between Suomenvedenpohja (the northernmost extremity of Bay of Viipuri) and Lake Kärstilänjärvi. On 21 and 22 June the 3rd Brigade was subjected to Soviet assaults that forced it to give some ground.

The isthmus between lakes Kärstilänjärvi and Leitimonjärvi was defended by Maj. Gen. Paavo Paalu's 18th Division, with Col. Väinö Forsberg's Infantry Regiment 48 holding the front-line near the village of Tali. IR 48 had also been subjected to furious Soviet assaults on 21 and 22 June and lost some ground, but had been able to recover some of the lost terrain by counter-attacks. East of IR 48 was Maj. E. Larinen's Separate Battalion 28, which held the front-line north of Lake Repolanjärvi just west of the divide between the 18th and 4th divisions.

East of lake Repolanjärvi was Maj. Gen. Aleksanteri Autti's 4th Division, and on the IV Army Corps left flank was Maj. Gen. Aaro Pajari's 3rd Division.

The 18th Division (reinforced by the 3rd Brigade) was in a perilous situation. It had suffered great losses, on the average its units had less than half of their strength left. But it had managed to buy time for reinforcements to arrive. Maj. Gen. Kaarlo Heiskanen's 11th Division had just arrived, and Maj. Gen. Einar Vihma's 6th Division was on its way, together with elements of Maj. Gen. Ruben Lagus's Armored Division, reinforced with Hauptmann Friedrich Scherer's German Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 303.

Reinforcements arrived not a minute too early. Marshal Leonid Govorov's Leningrad Front was about to start its main effort at Tali to finally break through the Finnish defences.

Marshal Govorov had three armies against Finns. On his left flank, west of Viipuri, was forming Lt. Gen. Ivan Korovnikov's 59th Army, recently arrived from Estonia. On the coming days it would start its offensive to cross the Bay of Viipuri. On Govorov's right flank, along the southern shore of Lake Ladoga, was Lt. Gen. Aleksandr Cherepanov's 23rd Army with three rifle corps.

But the main effort was to be made on a 10 km-wide front (from Viipuri to Lake Repolanjärvi) by Col. Gen. Dmitrii Gusev's formidable 21st Army in the middle of Govorov's front. It had 14 rifle divisions in four rifle corps in front-line, supported by numerous tank brigades and tank and assault gun regiments. Maj. Gen. Nikolai Simonyak's elite 30th Guards Rifle Corps would again be the spearhead of the assault. The 30th Guards Rifle Corps had spent more than a week resting and refitting since the Battle of Kivennapa, and its 45th, 63rd and 64th guards rifle divisions were again ready for action, with the 268th Rifle Division in reserve. It was supported by 27th, 30th and 260th Tank Brigades. The other rifle corps to see action were the 97th, 108th (which had also had rest) and 109th, with the 110th Rifle Corps in reserve.

On 25 June, at 6.30 am the Soviet artillery began to fire at the 3rd Brigade's positions, lasting for one and half hours. At 8 am. the Soviet 358th and 314th rifle divisions began their assault, causing severe losses to the 3rd Brigade and forcing it back. Despite the losses the 3rd Brigade was able to consolidate and hold its new positions.

But the main Soviet blow came at Tali against the 18th Division, between lakes Kärstilänjärvi (in west) and Leitimonjärvi (in east), delivered by the 30th Guards Rifle Corps. At 6.30 am the Soviet harassing fire transformed into a tremendous artillery preparation lasting for one and half hours. At 8 am. the the tanks and Shturmoviks began their job, followed by infantry ten minutes later. They belonged to the 45th Guards Rifle Division. Finns had the III Battalion of Infantry Regiment 13 in the front-line, and it took severe losses and was forced to withdraw through IR 48's positions further back. Finnish artillery fired on the advancing Soviet forces, but didn't noticeably slow them down. However, the Soviet assault stopped around 9 am. just before the line where the I and II battalions of the IR 48 held line. Only small infantry groups probed the Finnish positions.

The reason was that the Soviet assault had met unexpected success east of Lake Leitimonjärvi, at the isthmus between lakes Leitimonjärvi and Repolanjärvi defended by Separate Battalion 28 and the III battalion of the IR 48. The Soviet artillery had begun to fire at 6.30 am. like in other sectors, but the 63rd Guards Rifle Division started its assault at 7.45 am. Finnish forces fought desperately, and received support from artillery, but the Red Army advanced regardless of losses, and soon the defenders were forced to withdraw to avoid encirclement. Separate Battalion 28 was shattered and its men retreated in chaos. Its commander didn't regain control until around Ihantala, several kilometers to north. Commander of the III/IR 48, Maj. T. Erwe, managed to gather a small force of his men to form a delaying position halfway to Ihantala. There it repelled the first Soviet probes around 9 am, but was soon forced to withdraw north. III/IR 48 was also reformed around Ihantala.

The Red Army had a clear way east of Lake Leitimonjärvi to reach the back of the I and II/IR 48. The Soviets exploited this hole in the Finnish defences fully. Gen. Paalu's 18th Division had no reserves to plug the hole, but Gen. Laatikainen subordinated battalions from the army corps reserve to him. However, in the chaotic situation the Finnish counter-attacks were badly coordinated, and failed. But the Soviet advance towards Ihantala was, for the time being, stopped. The result of this Soviet success was an elongated salient deep in the Finnish positions that was nicknamed panssarimakkara, 'the tank sausage' by Finnish troops for its shape.

West of Lake Leitimonjärvi a Soviet force of about 20 tanks managed to get past the Finnish defences around noon without meeting resistance (there had been a mix-up with orders). They reached the Portinhoikka crossroads, and divided there, one force going north towards Ihantala, another north-west towards Juustila. Local commander, Lt. Col. Reino Inkinen, took prompt action. He formed AT-squads from engineers, armed with satchel charges. They managed to destroy two tanks around Portinhoikka. Finnish assault guns were alerted and stopped the force advancing towards Ihantala, destroying three tanks in the process. Lt. Col. Inkinen began to prepare a counter-attack to regain the important crossroads. II/IR 6, supported by assault guns, regained the territory near Portinhoikka, but the enemy forces holding the crossroads were too strong to be dislodged.

The Armored Division was ordered to attack and drive the enemy from the crossroads. Maj. Heikki Mikkola, commander of the I battalion of the Panzer Brigade, started a counter-attack with the heavy company of his battalion from the direction of Juustila. With five tanks, one T-34-76, one KV-1, two T-28's and one T-50, it drove the enemy from the Portinhoikka crossroads, destroying four T-34-85's and ISU-152's. This was indeed nothing short of miraculous, given that not one of the Finnish tanks had a main gun that could penetrate the front armor of the Soviet tanks! [Later note: other sources indicate that the majority of the Soviet tanks were destroyed by Lt. Col. Inkinen's engineers, not by Maj. Mikkola's tanks, thus explaining the 'miracle'.] By 7 pm. the Portinhoikka crossroads were back in Finnish hands and a number of Soviet tanks, T-34-85s and ISU-152's, were captured intact. By that time the two battalions of the IR 48 had been forced to retreat from their positions west of Lake Leitimonjärvi.

The Armored Division continued its counter-attack. At 8 pm. the reinforced Jäger Battalion 3 started to advance towards Tali, supported by the 18th Division's artillery. It reached Linnavuori (roughly where the two battalions of the IR 48 had held the line earlier that day) by midnight, but was stopped by Soviet tanks. It prepared to continue its offensive towards Tali in the early hours of 26 June. Around the same time Jäger Battalion 2 prepared to attack north of Lake Leitimonjärvi to cut the Soviet 'sausage' at its base and encircle the Soviet formations that had advanced from the hole in the Finnish defences.

http://i.imgur.com/NvnyVJEm.jpg (https://imgur.com/NvnyVJE)

Finnish daily losses: 448

Dowly

06-26-19, 02:23 AM

26 June 1944

Finnish counter-attack comes to a halt in Tali-Ihantala.

After midnight commander of the Finnish IV Army Corps Lt. Gen. Taavetti Laatikainen reshapes the command structure around Tali by subordinating Maj. Gen. Paavo Paalu's 18th Division to Maj. Gen. Ruben Lagus's Armored Division. However, Gen. Lagus protests that he lacks the means to coordinate such a force, and isn't well enough acquainted with the 18th Division's situation. Gen. Laatikainen modifies the order, stating that the 18th Division shall act in cooperation with the Armored Division. The Finnish lines of command at Tali remain confused, and it influences adversely the fighting today.

In the early morning hours, the Armored Division continues its counter-attack towards Tali west of Lake Leitimonjärvi. These operations were directed by commander of the Jäger Brigade Col. Albert Puroma. Jäger Battalion 3, reinforced by assault guns, reaches around 2 am. the approximate level where the III/IR 13 had been in defence the previous morning. It destroys or captures eight enemy tanks on its way. Later Soviet counter-attack forces it to retreat back to the level it had reached by previous midnight. Between 8 and 9 am. Jäger Battalions 4 and 5, reinforced by elements from Maj. Eric Åkerman's Assault Gun Battalion, settle into defence on the isthmus between lakes Kärstilänjärvi and Leitimonjärvi, while Jäger Battalion 3 withdraws to reserve around Portinhoikka.

But the most ambitious counter-attack is the attempt to encircle the Soviet forces in the 'sausage' east of Lake Leitimonjärvi by cutting it at the base. If succesful, two Soviet divisions (the 46th Guards Rifle and 286th Rifle) would be encircled in a large pocket north of Lake Leitimonjärvi.

Maj. Erkki Kaukolahti's Jäger Battalion 2 starts its attack at 2 am. from west towards Talinmylly, while III/IR 48 attacks from north, and Separate Battalion 14 from east. At best Jäger Battalion 2 and Separate Battalion 14 are only 1 km from each other, but ultimately the counter-attack is stopped in morning by fierce Soviet resistance. The Finnish attacks were uncoordinated and ultimately too weak to attain the ambitious goal, and no reinforcements were available.

At 3.40 pm. commander of the Panzer Brigade Col. Sven Björkman is appointed CO of a battle group formed out of II/IR 13, Separate Battalion 14, III/48 and Maj. Martti Avela's recently arrived Border Jäger Battalion 2. The mission: to reach Talinmylly, and from there advance south-east along the north-eastern shore of Lake Leitimonjärvi to Marjamäki on the isthmus between lakes Leitimonjärvi and Repolanjärvi. Attack was to be supported by a platoon of T-26 tanks, five StuG IIIg assault guns and an AT-detachment.

Battle Group Björkman starts from Ihantala towards Talinmylly at 5.15 pm. However, the attack is soon aborted because of developments elsewhere.

In afternoon the Red Army begins to attack on both sides of Lake Leitimonjärvi, trying to recapture the Portinhoikka crossroads and reach the road from Portihoikka to Ihantala. Around 3.30 pm. an enemy battalion manages to surprise Jäger Battalion 5 by attacking its rear from north of Lake Leitimonjärvi and drive it from its positions. Jäger Battalion 3 counter-attacks at 6 pm. and recaptures the lost positions.

More to north, a Soviet force reaches the Portinhoikka-Ihantala road later in the evening, cutting the road behind the Finns in Portinhoikka. Maj. Heikki Mikkola organizes a hasty force from an engineer company and one T-34-76 and six T-26 tanks that succesfully clear the road of enemy. But another Soviet force reaches the road at Nurmela, and remains there.

During today's fierce battles, Finns are supported by artillery fire that is growing in accuracy and effect. Thanks to the pioneer work of General of Artillery Vilho Nenonen, Finland had one of the most effective artillery fire-control systems of the day, and it is beginning to show. As reinforcements reached Ihantala, Finnish artillery was to become a truly destructive force in the later phases of the battle. Also the Red Air Force didn't have an undisputed control of the skies. Finnish fighters of Lt. Col. Gustaf Magnusson's Flight Regiment 3 claim 25 Soviet aircraft shot down, and bombers of Lt. Col. Olavi Sarko's Flight Regiment 4 are active bombing Soviet concentrations, together with Oberstleutnant Kurt Kuhlmey's German Stukas and Jabos of Gefechtsverband Kuhlmey.

But Maj. Gen. Paavo Paalu's 18th Division is reaching the end of its tether. Its units, less than half-strength at the beginning of the battle, have worn further in today's fighting. This evening and next night, 18th Division is relieved by Maj. Gen. Kaarlo Heiskanen's fresh 11th Division. The 18th Division (minus its artillery, signals, supply and engineer units, which all stay on the battlefield) is taken to rear to rest and refit. Its commander also changes. Commander of the IV Army Corps Lt. Gen. Taavetti Laatikainen blames Gen. Paalu for today's failures, and Paalu is replaced by Col. Otto-Gustaf Snellman. With hindsight one can observe that today's failures were largely due the strength and determination of the Soviet forces, and it didn't help that Gen. Laatikainen chose to conduct the battle from his remote HQ without visiting the battlefield.

http://i.imgur.com/oOwLNJqm.jpg (https://imgur.com/oOwLNJq)

*

President Ryti gives his personal guarantee to Hitler that Finland will not seek separate peace.

Finnish daily losses: 430

http://i.imgur.com/zvc8i2lm.jpg (https://imgur.com/zvc8i2l)
Major-General Paalu, commander of the 18th Division.

Dowly

06-27-19, 02:19 AM

27 June 1944

Reinforced Armored Division renews its counter-attack in Tali-Ihantala.

Maj. Gen. Ruben Lagus's Armored Division continues its efforts to cut off the Soviet salient east of Lake Leitimonjärvi. Plan is to attack with Col. Albert Puroma's Jäger Brigade from west and Col. Sven Björkman's Battle Group Björkman from east, while Col. Väinö Forsberg's battle group (IR 48's I and II battalions together with III/IR 13
) attacks from north.

The Soviet salient contains four rifle divisions (63rd Guards, 64th Guards, 45th Guards and 268th) together with one tank brigade and several independent tank and assault gun regiments. All of them, however, have suffered heavy losses.

Nor are the attackers at the top of their powers. Col. Puroma's jäger battalions have about fourth of their strenght left, and Col. Forsberg's forces are also badly worn.

Early in morning Col. Martti Aho's [**] IR 50 (of 11th Division) relieves the Jäger Brigade from the isthmus between lakes Kärstilänjärvi and Leitimonjärvi, and the Brigade is readied for attack. Mission is to advance to Talinmylly and then reach the old defence-line at the south-eastern end of Lake Leitimonjärvi. On Brigade's right flank, north of Lake Leitimonjärvi, attacks Maj. Eero Leppänen's battle group (Jäger battalions 4 and 5). North of Leppänen's force attacks Jäger Battalion 2, and Jäger Battalion 3 is the Brigade reserve.

North of the Jäger Brigade attacks II/IR 6, while Detachment Penttinen (an engineer company, parts of a panzer and assault gun battalion) together with III/IR 6 was to hold the line along the Portinhoikka-Ihantala road. The two battalions of Col. Forsberg's IR 48 together with the III/IR 13, supported by elements of German Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 303 were to clear the Portinhoikka-Ihantala road of the enemy from the direction of Ihantala, and then continue their offensive south.

Col. Björkman's detachment's Border Jäger Battalion 2, II/IR 13 and Separate Battalion 14 were to attack from east and link with the Jäger Brigade around Talinmylly.

Col. Puroma's jägers began their offensive at 3 pm. after seven artillery battalions had fired a preparation. Initally they advanced without problems, but then Maj. Leppänen's battle group met a strong enemy force that stopped its advance for few hours. Maj. Leppänen was mortally wounded [***], and replaced by Maj. Jouko Hynninen. The battle group continued its offensive, and around 6 pm. reached Aniskala, about half-way to its final objective. There Battle Group Hynninen's offensive was stopped by fierce enemy resistance. On Hynninen's left flank Jäger Battalion 2 was also stopped short of its objective.

In Ihantala, Col. Forsberg's battle group, supported by German assault guns, succesfully cleared the Portinhoikka-Ihantala road, but the already depleted forces suffered heavy losses in the process, especially the III/IR 13. The German assault guns were forced to leave after running out of ammo [****]. Col. Forsberg informed Gen. Lagus that his men were unable to conduct offensive operations. Gen. Lagus ordered him to proceed as per his earlier orders: to advance towards Jäger Brigade's advancing men from north. Lagus reinforced Forsberg's men with an engineer company and an assault gun platoon. They were able to reach their first objective around midnight, but were forced to return to their starting positions after running out of ammo. Col. Forsberg's battlegroup had spent what strength it had left clearing the road of enemy.

East of the Soviet salient Col. Björkman's forces attacked in afternoon. Especially Maj. Martti Avela's Border Jäger Battalion 2 met success, but its commander was wounded and replaced by Capt. U. Petäjä. At best they were only a kilometer from Col. Puroma's men who were advancing from west. But again fierce Soviet resistance frustrated the Finnish hopes of closing the pocket. The Soviet forces in the salient were still able to bring in reinforcements. Time was running out, but the Armored Division was going to try one more time on the next night.

The Finnish and German air units were busy trying to cut the bridges the Red Army engineers had built at Tali. These bridges were of vital importance for the Soviet offensive, and no matter how often they were destroyed, the engineers, oblivious to all dangers, always rebuilt them.
This unit also contained a company of Swedish volunteers, who distinguished themselves in today's battles.

[**] Col. Martti Aho was to become one of only four men who received the Mannerheim Cross, 2nd Class, twice.

[***] Maj. Eero Leppänen, who had already distinguished himself in numerous engagements, was awarded a posthumous Mannerheim Cross, 2nd Class.

[****] Germans didn't inform Finns why they left the battle. This caused bad blood among the Finnish units they had been supporting, who thought the Germans were running from battle.

http://i.imgur.com/KTjS2Vom.jpg (https://imgur.com/KTjS2Vo)

*

Finnish troops withdraw from the Uuraansaari island on the Gulf of Viipuri.

http://i.imgur.com/dvVy75dm.jpg (https://imgur.com/dvVy75d)
Aunus Group's situation.

Finnish daily losses: 455

http://i.imgur.com/ekCk1Hlm.jpg (https://imgur.com/ekCk1Hl)
Medic giving first aid to a soldier from I/JR 2. (Aunus isthmus)

EDIT: Footage from around this time as published by the Finnish Army at the time. Around half of it is showing evacuees, the other half seems to be from the Isthmus.
https://www.elonet.fi/fi/elokuva/611630
(may or may not work outside of Finland, I don't know)

Schroeder

06-27-19, 10:48 AM

https://www.elonet.fi/fi/elokuva/611630
(may or may not work outside of Finland, I don't know)
Works in Germany.:salute:

Dowly

06-27-19, 11:22 AM

Works in Germany.:salute:Good to know. :up:

Buddahaid

06-27-19, 03:32 PM

Works in California.

Sailor Steve

06-27-19, 03:48 PM

Works in Utah.

And it was fascinating to watch. :up:

Dowly

06-28-19, 01:56 AM

Works in California.

Works in Utah.

Gotcha! :up:

And it was fascinating to watch. :up:There's plenty more from Winter War to Continuation War:
https://www.elonet.fi/fi/haku#/puolustusvoimain%20katsaus
(Obviously, all in Finnish)

***

28 June 1944

Last attempt is made to encircle the Soviet divisions at Tali.

Col. Albert Puroma's Jäger Brigade starts at 12.45 am. one more attempt to cut from west the Soviet salient east of Lake Leitimonjärvi. After an artillery bombardment fired by eight artillery battalions Jäger Brigade advances a short distance, but the attack bogs down in fierce Soviet resistance. At 4 am. the attacking force withdraws back to its starting positions.

During the early morning hours Lt. Col. E. Polón's IR 30 (minus its I battalion which remained in the 11th Division's reserve) of the 11th Division arrives to the Jäger Brigade's rear and is subordinated to the Armored Division. During its march the IR 30 has taken serious losses from the Soviet artillery and aerial attacks. Maj. Gen. Ruben Lagus now decides to use his reserve, Maj. V. Sarta's I/IR 50, in a final attempt to isolate the Soviet salient. Four artillery battalions fire a preparation, and the attack commences at 8.45 am, but manages to reach only the same level Jäger Brigade's attack had reached earlier the same morning. The I/IR 50 is ordered back to its starting positions. This was the last attempt to close the salient from west.

During the day the Armored Division is subjected to constant and intense artillery fire and aerial bombardment. This afternoon the division's command post is hit, and among others chief of the operations section Lt. Col. Paavo Rasi is killed. The Armored Division, particularly its Jäger Brigade, is reaching the end of its endurance. It is rightly considered a crack formation, and has been used as a fire brigade during the long withdrawal accross the Isthmus. It has spent its strength in numerous counter-attacks in the last three weeks, and its units have only 10-20 % of their strength left. It's a testimony to their spirit that the morale remained high despite the severe losses they had suffered.

On the eastern side of the Soviet salient Col. Sven Björkman's forces try to reach the Jäger Brigade in the early morning hours. Capt. Petäjä's Border Jäger Battalion 2 is again at the front of the attack, but cannot overcome the Soviet resistance. Capt. Petäjä is wounded. The gap between Col. Björkman's detachment in east and Col. Puroma's Jäger Brigade in west is less than one kilometer wide, but that's the closest Finns come to closing it. Their strength is spent, and there's no fresh reserves present.

Now it's again the time for the Red Army to attack.

Col. Björkman's men east and Col. Väinö Forsberg's men north of the salient are subjected to a fierce artillery and aerial bombardment, and the Soviet forces, supported by tanks, attack around 11 am. Col. Björkman's men are forced back, but prevent the enemy from achieving a breakthrough. In Col. Forsberg's sector the situation soon becomes critical. Forsberg's forces have suffered heavy losses in yesterday's counter-attacks, and are now unable to resist long. The enemy achieves a breakthrough, and is around noon only a kilometer from Ihantala. The situation is exteremely dangerous, but again the reinforcements arrive in the nick of time. Maj. Gen. Einar Vihma's 6th Division is reaching Ihantala.

At 12.30 pm. commander of the IV Army Corps Lt. Gen. Laatikainen subordinates Col. Yrjö Hanste's IR 12 (6th Division) to Gen. Lagus for a counter-attack south from Ihantala. The attack starts at 6.30 pm. IR 12 is able to push the enemy back and stabilize the situation by midnight. But the enemy has broken out from the salient, and the Jäger Brigade, IR 50 and IR 30 are in danger of being isolated.

This day and tomorrow are the most critical in the Battle of Tali-Ihantala. There's no more attempts to isolate the Soviet salient and recapture the old positions at the VKT-line around Tali. It's now the question of withdrawing the forces to a new line around Ihantala and stopping the enemy there. The task would be much more difficult without the support given by artillery and air forces, especially the bombers of Flight Regiment 4 (now commanded by Lt. Col. Birger Gabrielsson) and Obstlt. Kuhlmey's Stukas and Fw 190's. Finnish fighter and AA-units claim 49 enemy aircraft shot down today around Tali-Ihantala.

http://i.imgur.com/S3WrlPrm.jpg (https://imgur.com/S3WrlPr)

*

Last Finnish unit, 7./IR 7, leaves Petroskoi at 00.10.

*

Finnish fighter aces CWO Ilmari Juutilainen and Capt. Hans Wind both receive their second Mannerheim Crosses.

Finnish daily losses: 759

http://i.imgur.com/vzdD65Xm.jpg (https://imgur.com/vzdD65X)
Ju-87 Stukas returning from a mission. (Immola)

Jimbuna

06-28-19, 05:50 AM

Translates and works fine in the UK.

sublynx

06-28-19, 10:30 AM

Thanks for the films! I didn't know the Finnish news reels were online :Kaleun_Salute:

Dowly

06-28-19, 10:37 AM

Translates and works fine in the UK.Yeah, seems the site is available outside of Finland. :up:

Thanks for the films! I didn't know the Finnish news reels were online :Kaleun_Salute:
No problemo, forgot all about it myself too. Problem is the films aren't dated, but I did recognize some places from SA-kuva from the last two weeks so could say the film I posted was from the Soviet offensive of the last two weeks.

Dowly

06-29-19, 02:36 AM

29 June 1944

Finnish troops begin to withdraw to Ihantala, north of Tali.

This morning Commander of the Isthmus Forces Lt. Gen. Karl Lennart Oesch, after consulting commander of the IV Army Corps Lt. Gen. Taavetti Laatikainen, orders the IV Army Corps to straighten its line by withdrawing its right flank to a new line at the level of Ihantala. Maj. Gen. Ruben Lagus's Armored Division shall be withdrawn from battle to form the Isthmus Forces reserve, and Maj. Gen. Kaarlo Heiskanen's 11th Division will be transferred to Maj. Gen. Antero Svensson's V Army Corps as soon as Maj. Gen. Einar Vihma's 6th Division can replace it. This evening IV Army Corps front is also narrowed by transferring Col. Lauri Haanterä's 3rd Brigade on its right flank to the V Army Corps.

Since the Soviet forces broke free from the salient east of Lake Leitimonjärvi, Col. Albert Puroma's Jäger Brigade, Col. Martti Aho's IR 50 and Lt. Col. E. Polón's IR 30 have been in danger of being isolated. Now their task is to disengage from battle and withdraw to the new line. However, the Soviet forces press on, and Finns have to conduct a fighting withdrawal.

After midnight the enemy tanks reach the Portinhoikka crossroads, but once again Maj. Heikki Mikkola pushes them back with a prompt counter-attack. Soviets stage another attempt at 7 am, but are slowed down by fierce resistance by the I and II battalions of the IR 50 supported by StuG IIIg assault guns of the Armored Division. Finally the enemy is stopped a kilometer short of the crossroads. But IR 50's position is becoming endangered as the enemy forces are reaching its rear. The orders to withdraw to a new line reaches the IR 50 at noon. All through the afternoon and evening the two battalions slowly withdraw under heavy artillery fire, fighting back and slowing the enemy advance. Col. Aho is wounded, and replaced by Maj. I. Kaila. At one point III/IR 50 has to fight its way out from encirclement, but by evening both battalions have reached the new line. The Portinhoikka crossroads has to left to the enemy.

North of Lake Leitimonjärvi the Jäger Brigade, I/IR 50 and IR 30 (minus one battalion) still man the positions they had reached after the attempts to cut the Soviet salient yesterday. They also receive the order to withdraw around noon, but not all the units receive it on time. There are serious problems with communicating the orders to the battalions. Finally some units have to fight their way out from encirclement, carrying their dead and wounded.

The newly arrived 6th Division continues this morning its offensive from Ihantala south along the Portinhoikka-Ihantala road. It's able to conquer some ground, but is stopped by enemy artillery and air forces. At 12.30 pm. Col. Yrjö Hanste's IR 12 tries again. It's supported by artillery, air forces and German StuG's of the Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 303. The aim is to reach the point where a road branches north-west towards Vakkila. By 2 pm. Hanste's regiment has advanced near its goal, but taken heavy losses from the enemy artillery. It's forced to withdraw. The regiment repels several attacks by enemy tanks, destroying a number with the newly arrived German AT-weapons, Panzerfausts and Panzerschrecks.

East of the Soviet salient Col. Sven Björkman's forces are subjected to a furious Soviet assault early in the morning. The Border Jäger Battalion 2 repels several attacks, even after the III/IR 48 on its right flank retreats at 10 am. It valiantly fights on alone for ten hours, holding the enemy and destroying several tanks. But the border jägers can't hold on alone for ever, and are forced to withdraw at 8 pm.

This results in a dangerous gap in the Finnish defences east of Lake Ihantalanjärvi (which lies east of the village of Ihantala, which is just about to become the focus of the battle). As soon as he is informed of this danger, Gen. Vihma sends his reserves to plug the gap, and the neighbouring Maj. Gen. Aleksanteri Autti's 4th Division also reacts by sending troops (this fighting took place just west of the boundary between the 6th and 4th divisions). By midnight the situation is just barely under control.

Today is the most critical day of the Battle of Tali-Ihantala. The IV Army Corps is able to shorten its line under heavy pressure, but this feat succeeds just barely, and many units have to fight their way out of encirclement. But another critical phase has just begun: after the 6th Division has arrived, no more reinforcements are coming. The Red Army was pressing on all along the Isthmus and elsewhere in the Fenno-Soviet front. This manner they prevented Finns from transferring more divisions to Ihantala, and probed for weak spots that could possibly be exploited. The Finnish forces now present have to be enough to stop the Soviet offensive. The line around Ihantala has to be held.

http://i.imgur.com/QP5omuqm.jpg (https://imgur.com/QP5omuq)
Situation between Gulf of Viipuri and River Vuoksi.

Finnish daily losses: 582

Dowly

06-30-19, 04:09 AM

30 June 1944

Fighting around Tali ends, battle of Ihantala begins.

Lt. Col. Reino Inkinen's IR 6 is manning a delaying line north of the Portinhoikka crossroads, while the Jäger Brigade, IR 50 and IR 30 withdraw north. The Armored Division is withdrawn from battle, but the other units regroup to a new delaying line, to give time for Maj. Gen. Einar Vihma's reinforced 6th Division to man the new defence line west of Lake Ihantalajärvi. In morning the Group Vihma (the 6th Division reinforced with the remains of the IR 48 ) has established itself on the new line, and the IR 6 withdraws from the battle.

The enemy follows the withdrawing forces and in afternoon manages to break into IR 48's positions at Tähtelä, but is beaten back by Col. S. Laaksonen's IR 35 (of the 6th Division) by midnight.

Col. Yrjö Hanste's reinforced IR 12 is manning a delaying line south of Ihantala, and is subjected to a strong enemy attack in early morning. After running out of AT-weapons, IR 12 withdraws to the new defence line at 7 am. However, the bridge south of the village of Ihantala is left intact after the engineers assigned with blowing it are killed. IR 12 settles into defence while subjected to heavy artillery fire.

In evening the enemy attacks the IR 12 at Ihantala after a furious artillery preparation. They manage to break in the regiment's positions, but the enemy infantry is destroyed by artillery and mortars, and the tanks with Panzerfausts and Panzerschrecks. In all, the Finnish ground forces destroy today 24 enemy tanks around Ihantala.

This day is considered the last of the Tali-phase of the battle. Lt. Gen. Taavetti Laatikainen's IV Army Corps has succesfully straightened its right flank and manned the new line west of Ihantala. For once, the terrain is favourable to the defender, and the Finnish infantry is receiving large numbers of German infantry AT-weapons. The Finnish artillery is reaching the top of its powers. Finnish Army has more than 20 artillery battalions concentrated near the battlefield, and the advanced fire-control system is showing what it can achieve. In the air the Finnish Air Force, reinforced by Obstlt. Kuhlmey's German Stukas and Fw 190's, provides air cover and ground support. This is a true combined-arms battle.

The Soviet forces, on the other hand, while still receiving reinforcements, are suffering losses at an even higher rate. The troops are tired and operating at the end of a long supply line.

http://i.imgur.com/ZnKVsyRm.jpg (https://imgur.com/ZnKVsyR)

*

After learning of President Ryti's guarantee to Hitler concerning separate peace, the United States severes ties with Finland.

Finnish daily losses: 361

Finnish losses in June: 8,519

Finnish losses in the war so far: 53,812

http://i.imgur.com/mR7jtdlm.jpg (https://imgur.com/mR7jtdl)
Finnish tank hunters walk by a destroyed Soviet tank in the Ihantala area.
From right: Sergeant Heino Nikulassi (6./IR 12), Sergeant Kaarlo Niemelä (8./IR 12) and Jäger Eino Heikkilä.
Sergeant Nikulassi died on the following day at Ihantala.

Dowly

07-01-19, 12:01 PM

1 July 1944

Ihantala:

This day is the first of the Ihantala-phase of the Battle of Tali-Ihantala. The Finnish IV Army Corps (Lt. Gen. Taavetti Laatikainen) has succesfully straightened its right flank and settled down into defence. The new line is practically unfortified, but the rugged and rocky terrain favours the defender.

Commander of the Finnish 6th Division, Maj. Gen. Einar Vihma gives orders to the forces under his command. Right flank between Hoikkala and Vakkila is to be defended by Col. S. Laaksonen's detachment (II/IR 35, IR 48 minus its III battalion, and I/IR 30), and left flank between Pyöräkangas and Lake Ihantalanjärvi by Col. Yrjö Hanste's detachment (IR 12, Separate Battalion 16 and 16th Mortar Company). Gen. Vihma's reserves are comprised of IR 30 (minus its I battalion) and III/IR 35. AT-defence is provided by the 9th, 11th and 23rd AT-gun companies, 1st Separate AT-detachment and German Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 303.

The Soviet main effort is made at Ihantala. According to a Soviet officer captured a few days later, their aim is to reach the border of 1940 and then advance towards Helsinki, the Finnish capital. Early this morning the Soviet forces, supported by tanks, ground-attack aircraft and artillery, attack the Finnish II/IR 12 which holds the Village of Ihantala. The attack is repelled with the aid of artillery and mortar fire.

Another attempt is staged in mid-morning. The Soviets forces, supported by some 20 tanks and artillery, again attack the II/IR 12. However, as the Soviet attack commences, a stroke of good luck comes to help the Finns. The bridge across a stream running south from the Lake Ihantalanjärvi was left intact yesterday, when the engineers assigned with blowing it up were all killed. A Finnish artillery officer, Capt. Urho Karhula, decides to try to destroy the bridge this morning with one heavy artillery piece. He starts directing the fire, and finally a hit is scored, which also detonates the charges left in the bridge. Three enemy tanks are knocked out in the explosion, and seven are left stranded between the Finnish positions and the destroyed bridge, while the Finnish artillery and infantry fire drives the enemy infantry away.

After these unsuccesful attempts the Soviets try to penetrate the Finnish defences at Vakkila, west of Ihantala. At 1 pm the Soviet air forces bomb the 6th Division's positions, and immediately afterwards the Soviet artillery fires a furious barrage at the Finnish positions around Vakkila. But the attack is aborted soon after its start when the Finnish artillery and mortars disperse the advancing Soviet formations. Obstlt. Kurt Kuhlmey's German aircraft bomb the advancing Soviets, destroying several tanks.

At 6 pm. the Red Army once again attacks Ihantala, supported this time by some 30 tanks, but is again repelled. An hour later the Soviet forces attack west of Ihantala in several waves, but suffer heavy losses in Finnish infantry and artillery fire. At 9 pm. the Soviet aircraft bomb the positions of the I/IR 12 around Pyöräkangas, and are soon joined by the Soviet artillery. The Soviet ground forces start forming for an attack after 10 pm, but are dispersed by Finnish artillery, and the attack is aborted.

Gen. Vihma's forces have today succesfully repelled the Soviet attempts to break through all along their front. Finns claim 19 Soviet tanks destroyed around Ihantala.

http://i.imgur.com/q7GCYCNm.jpg (https://imgur.com/q7GCYCN)

*

Soviet troops try to capture Teikarinsaari island on Gulf of Viipuri. The attacking Third Battalion of IR 185 is nearly completely wiped out as Finns launch counter-attacks from three directions against the enemy.

Finnish daily losses: 394

http://i.imgur.com/FWx4SWLm.jpg (https://imgur.com/FWx4SWL)
Teikarinsaari.

Dowly

07-02-19, 08:12 AM

2 July 1944

Quiet day at Ihantala.

A day of relative quiet at the Finnish 6th Division's front. While the Soviet artillery is active all day, the only Soviet attacks come at the right flank, around Tähtelä. One attempt is repelled early in the night, and another, more serious, commences at 3.30 pm. This time the Soviet forces, supported by tanks, are able to penetrate the Finnish positions, but are beaten back by reserves. Finnish artillery is again crucial in repelling the Soviet attacks.

But this evening the Red Air Force manages to launch a surprise attack at the Finnish airfield in Immola, where the German Stukas and Fw 190's of Gefechtsverband Kuhlmey are based. The attack, starting at 7.59 pm, destroys 9 German aircraft and damages 24. This succesful Soviet operation greatly weakens the German air forces supporting Finns.

*

Aunus Group gets permission to withdraw to the Salmi-Tulemajärvi level.

*

21st Brigade is encircled for a moment in the Porajärvi-Karhumäki area, but by using forest the Brigade manages to slip out.

Finnish daily losses: 216

http://i.imgur.com/Np0YaYPm.jpg (https://imgur.com/Np0YaYP)
German StuG north of Viipuri.

http://i.imgur.com/1X3htCBm.jpg (https://imgur.com/1X3htCB)
Men from IR 200, most of whom Estonian volunteers, looking towards Viipuri.

Dowly

07-03-19, 08:05 AM

3 July 1944

The Red Army manages a momentary breakthrough at Pyöräkangas, west of Ihantala.

Yesterday evening the Finnish radio intelligence captured a Soviet message (Finnish code breakers were able to read a significant portion of the Soviet signals traffic from the division level down) stating that the 63rd Guards Rifle Division (of the 30th Guards Rifle Corps), supported by the 30th Tank Brigade, attacks Ihantala after midnight today. Counter-measures are taken immediately.

Twelve Finnish artillery battalions fire at the Soviet positions in the early morning hours, as do the German Stukas and Jabos. This ends the Soviet activity for few hours.

However, some 200 enemy aircraft start bombing the Finnish positions at 6 am, and are soon joined by artillery and assault guns. At 7 am. an enemy division attacks Ihantala, but is repelled with the aid of artillery.

At 9 am. an enemy attack drives the I/IR 12 from Pyöräkangas, west of Ihantala. This potentially threatening penetration is soon contained, and preparations for a counter-attack are immediately started. Reserves are gathered, and the counter-attack, again supported by strong artillery forces, starts at noon. Capt. L. Jaale's III/IR 6 attacks from west, followed by the rest of Lt. Col. Reino Inkinen's regiment. Maj. K. Suurkari's detachment (remains of the I/IR 12, company from III/IR 12 and a jäger company) attacks from north at 12.30 pm, and Maj. J. Sammalkorpi's III/IR 35 from north-east at 2 pm. This three-pronged assault drives the enemy from Pyöräkangas by 5 pm.

For the rest of the day the Soviet forces attempt attacks at different points along the 6th Division's front, but every time the enemy formations are dispersed by Finnish artillery even before they are able to attack. Only at Tähtelä, at 6th Division's left flank, the enemy reaches the Finnish positions at 8 pm, but are immediately driven back by counter-attack.

This evening Lt. Col. Inkinen's IR 6 is withdrawn from the battle. It has fought with distinction continuously for eight days, and taken heavy losses. Also Col. Yrjö Hanste's IR 12 is withdrawn, and is replaced by IR 35.

http://i.imgur.com/RD9VfeDm.jpg (https://imgur.com/RD9VfeD)

*

On the Aunus Isthmus, Finnish troops withdraw to the Tulemajoki line.

Finnish daily losses: 306

Dowly

07-04-19, 10:59 AM

4 July 1944

The Battle of Äyräpää-Vuosalmi begins.

In the morning, Lieutenant Colonel Anisimov's 98. Army Corps started their attack against Finnish positions on the ridges of Kylä-Paakkola and Äyräpää. Their objective was to take the ridges and capture a bridgehead on the Vuosalmi side of River Vuoksi.
Anisimov had two infantry divisions to use in the attack; Colonel Isakov's 281st on the left and Major General Jakusov's 381st on the right. Major General Panitskin's 92nd Division was in reserve, to be used to cross the river.
On the Finnish side, the defence of the ridges fell on troops of Major General Martola's 2nd Division, which was in turn part of the III Army Corps, commanded by Lieutenant General Siilasvuo.
The area had been split in two sectors. On the left, Detachment E and on the right, Detachment W. Detachment E was led by the commander of IR 7 Lieutenant Colonel Ehrnrooth, and Detachment W by Colonel Wahlback of IR 49. Divisional artillery at this point of the battle consisted of six Artillery Battalions, split in two Artillery Groups (Tyk.R S & Tyk.R A).
Both Detachments had around a Battalion each defending the ridges on the south side of the river; reinforced III/IR 49 on the Kylä-Paakkola ridge and I/IR7 on the Äyräpää ridge.

The Soviet attack to capture these two strongpoints began at 5 am. First came a artillery preparation that lasted for an hour, followed by 200 bombers and ground-attack planes.
This preparation was aimed at the entire depth of 2nd Division's area. Commander of Detachment W, Colonel Wahlback was killed as his HQ was hit, and was replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Vänttinen the next day. In the front line, 2nd Division's officers suffered heavy casualties during this initial stage of the attack.
The main thrust of the attack was on both sides of the seam of the Finnish Detachments. Supported by tanks, enemy infantry began advancing as the bombardment stopped and soon breached the line at Äyräpää, getting all the way to the shore of River Vuoksi. Detachment E pushed the enemy out of these positions with a series of counter-attacks.
Another attempt was made in the evening to capture the ridges, but Finnish artillery and mortars dispersed the enemy groupings before the attack could begin.
Finnish artillery and mortars had supported the defenders by firing over 15,000 rounds during the day.
Casualties for the Finns exceeded 500 men on the first day of the battle, 85 of them dead and 439 wounded. The Soviet 98. Army Corps had lost 931 men; 187 dead, 744 wounded.

http://i.imgur.com/eMzFksFm.jpg (https://imgur.com/eMzFksF)

*

Finns lose Suonionsaari and Ravansaari islands on the Gulf of Viipuri.

*

VI Army Corps is ordered to withdraw to the 1939 borders in Eastern Karelia as their positions at Tulemajoki are breached.

*

Ihantala:

Another day of relative quiet at Ihantala. Two Soviet attacks are repulsed at Tähtelä this morning, but later on the day Finnish radio intelligence captures a message stating that the Soviets are going to attack at 8 pm, supported by tanks and aircraft. Accordingly Finnish artillery and aircraft bomb the Soviet positions in the evening, and the attack is postponed. After 10 pm. the Soviet forces are observed forming for an attack. The Finnish artillery fires on them, and the attack is again aborted. This ends the Soviet offensive activity for this day at Ihantala.

At 7.28 pm. the Soviet aircraft try to repeat their success the day before yesterday by attacking again the Finnish airfield in Immola where Obstlt. Kurt Kuhlmey's German Stukas and Jabos are based. This time the defenders are ready, and only few bombs fall on the target. Losses are negligible.

http://i.imgur.com/pH5gRnUm.jpg (https://imgur.com/pH5gRnU)

Finnish daily losses: 596

http://i.imgur.com/Bwot34am.jpg (https://imgur.com/Bwot34a)
Wounded soldiers from Ravansaari island, waiting to be picked up to a first aid station.

***

Probably taking the rest of the week off.

Dowly

07-05-19, 02:24 AM

5 July 1944

Äyräpää-Vuosalmi

Assessing the losses his troops had suffered the day before, Major General Martola (2.D) is ready to withdraw his forces to the north side of the River, but newly acquired information from a captured Soviet officer indicated the enemy had also suffered greatly. Lieutenant Colonel Ehrnrooth (IR7) was also confident that he could hold the Äyräpää ridge, if he was given a fresh battalion to replace his First and Third Battalions. Maj. Gen. Martola agreed, and subordinated Major Kuusinen's Separate Battalion 25 (Er.P 25) to Ehrnrooth. The battalion was quickly ferried across the river under mortar fire.
At 18.00, the enemy started a powerful artillery preparation, aimed at Mansikkamäki, Lauttalahdenmäki and Kaskimäki. As the preparation proceeded, and even before the enemy infantry had began to advance, the men of Er.P 25 dropped their weapons and fled in large numbers on boats or by swimming to the northern shores of Vuoksi, many of them drowning in the powerful current. Patrols were sent immediately to capture the men who reached the northern side. Captain Raassina arranged the local reserves of Harju sector, the II/IR7, on the far ridge for defense.
At 19:30, the enemy broke into Lauttalahdenmäki (around the seam of the two Finnish detachments). Two understrength companies led by Cpt. Raassina tried to recover the lost positions, and at 20:30, one of the I/IR49's companies attacked from the north to the enemy's flank, and 6./IR7 from the south to the same enemy's wedge. Fierce enemy resistance, however, prevented the two flankers from completing the encirclement. In the direction of Kirkonmäki, the enemy lay a long and dense smoke curtain for distraction purposes. 10./IR7, half of 11./IR7, one company from Er.P 12, and the regiment's Jägers and pioneers were commanded to rush to the bridgehead, but the enemy sustained an unbroken volley of fire on the river and almost all available boats were destroyed. Only the regiment's pioneer team managed to get to the bridgehead, where it lay mines to prevent the enemy's tanks from reaching the battalion's command post.
At 23:00, enemy's artillery fire grew significantly and fresh Soviet troops were brought in to secure the breach left by Er.P 25. All IR49's counter-attacks to plug the breach were stopped by enemy's heavy tanks. The breach was slowly getting larger as the enemy kept pushing back the weak troops guarding the cap. After midnight, communications were lost with Raassina's Second Battalion and shortly after uncertain information circulated that the enemy had reached the shore of the river on both sides of Capt. Raassina's command post. The enemy had nearly reached the shore, but Raassina had gathered every man he had nearby and first defended against numerous attacks and then counter-attacked and cleared the so-called "Command ridge". By 02:00, the situation had got critical; the breach was now almost 2km wide and couldn't be closed, and II/IR7 had now been encircled in two 'mottis'. Capt. Raassina led his men out from the eastern encirclement to outpost "Harju" on Kirkonmäki hill (Church hill). Cpt. Savolainen's 40-men group, in the western 'motti', continued fighting for some time, until the situation forced them to save themselves by swimming over the ~200m wide river. Half of the men made it to the northern shore, the rest were either killed or captured.

*

Teikarinsaari and Melansaari islands are lost on Gulf of Viipuri

Finnish daily losses: 614

Schroeder

07-06-19, 01:59 AM

Since Dowly has been sent out on patrol once more you'll have to settle with getting today's report from me again:

6 July 1944

Äyräpää-Vuosalmi

At 03:30 Capt. Raassina received orders to abandon the church ruins on Kirkonmäki and withdraw fighting after heavy equipment and the wounded had been evacuated to safety. Another order came at 03:50 from III AK saying that the church must be held at all cost, because IV/19th Brigade (IV/19.Pr.) was about to start an counter-attack southeast from IR49's positions on the right flank.
During the night, the ridge areas held by the enemy were level-bombed from air. At 08:00, Major Kuusinen (ErP25) took over the defense of the every shrinking bridgehead. During morning, enemy was amassing troops behind the Kattilasuo bog for an attack, but this attempt was foiled by Finnish artillery. Two tanks were destroyed and one disabled. At noon, enemy broke into Finnish positions at Alatalo from where it was quickly thrown back by 2nd Lieutnant Helavuori's half platoon. Harjula was attacked three times by enemy groups of varying sizes, but all attempts were unsuccessful. Enemy concentrations were bombed three times by German Stukas during the day, and it was observed that more and more new troops were arriving in the Äyräpää area.
As night fell, the last remaining troops of II/IR7, some 20 men, were replaced by almost 200 captured and re-equipped 'swimmers' from ErP25.
I/IR7 took defensive positions at the Vuoksi rear line, Lumiala's company of Er.P12 and 32.Kss.K (Gas Protection Company) were subordinated to them. The new I/IR7 commander Capt. Simola fell already in the morning of the 6th and Capt. Kuparinen was posted as his successor. Replacements were received during the day and they were distributed to the I and II Battalions. I/IR7's battle strength in the morning of 7 July comprised 11+51+414 and II/IR7 7+44+425, most of whom were replacements.

*

Ihantala:

Soviet artillery began a massive barrage on the Finnish positions in morning. Despite this the infantry and tank attack formations were succesfully destroyed by Finnish counter-barrage. Artllery battle went on for the whole day, until the Soviets were able to mount another attack at 6 pm. They broke succesfully through positions of I/IR 35, which was forced back, and were able to capture some ground around the strategically important Pyöräkangas. Col. Yrjö Hanste alerted his reserves, and orders I/IR 12 to attack from west, Separate Battalion 16 from east and I/IR 35 from north. The Finnish counter-attack, supported by more than 13 artillery battalions, started at midnight, and the lost positions at Pyöräkangas were recaptured by 3 am. on 7 July.

Finnish daily losses: 370

http://i.imgur.com/D5tCBwkm.jpg (https://imgur.com/D5tCBwk)
Separate Battalion 16 men marching towards the front for a counter-attack.

http://i.imgur.com/xf3AVfPm.jpg (https://imgur.com/xf3AVfP)
Same as above.

http://i.imgur.com/WFpJUFLm.jpg (https://imgur.com/WFpJUFL)
"A hero emerges from beneath the mounds." said Lieutenant Luukko's messenger as he crawled out of his dugout after an artillery strike.

Dowly

07-09-19, 02:45 PM

Thanks Schroeder! :salute:

Not sure how much or with what schedule I can post this week, hurt my hand/wrist during the weekend so writing is a tad painful at the moment.:shifty:

***

7 July 1944

Äyräpää-Vuosalmi:

At 13.20, the enemy began a powerful artillery preparation and its infantry was grouped to attack the entire bridgehead with a focus on Harjula. As previously, the men of ErP25 fled in some places without firing a shot. Major Kuusinen withdrew to Vasikkasaari at around 14.00 and the troops followed him as a disorderly horde. Capt. Talvitie tried to organize last resistance on Kirkkomäki, but failed to curb the panic. Fragmented resistance continued in the ruins of the church until 15.33, when the remaining 30 men surrendered. The remaining bridgehead was subjected to a fierce artillery bombardment by the Finns. At 15.46, most of the defenders of Mustasaari retreated and signs of panic began to show in Vasikkasaari. Harsh countermeasures, however, soon led to the consolidation of the Saarilohko defense.
On this day, Private M.Tikkanen (24) of 14./IR7 disappears defending the area southeast of Kirkkomäki. He was my great-uncle.

*

Major-General Martola (2.D) takes command of VI AK and is replaced by Major-General Blick.

*

Soviet attack to capture Hapenensaari island on Gulf of Viipuri is fought back.

*

Aunus Group is ordered to withdraw to the Pitkäranta-Loimola line (U-line).

Finnish daily losses: 338

http://i.imgur.com/ZX5gJOGm.jpg (https://imgur.com/ZX5gJOG)
Crew of 'Bubi', with seven kill marks painted on the barrel. (Ihantala area)

http://i.imgur.com/e8LtuTem.jpg (https://imgur.com/e8LtuTe)
Panoramic view of the damaged Äyräpää church taken in 1941. River Vuoksi can be seen to the right of the church (the thick light colored line is the opposite shore).

Dowly

07-10-19, 08:22 AM

8 July 1944

The Äyräpää bridgehead is lost. Only II/IR57 and parts of III/IR49 are on the south side of the river in Kylä-Paakkola area, unable to launch counter-attacks against the lost bridgehead. By the next day, these troops also withdraw to the Vuosalmi side of Vuoksi.
The fighting over the ~300m deep bridgehead has been costly for both sides; of the 6,000-7,000 Finns that took part in the fighting, over half became casualties, 423 of them dead. According to Soviet 98 AK's records, they lost 5,300 men, of which over 1,000 dead.

Finnish daily losses: 258

Schroeder

07-10-19, 09:56 AM

Thanks Schroeder! :salute:

No problem.:yep:

On this day, Private M.Tikkanen (24) of 14./IR7 disappears defending the area southeast of Kirkkomäki. He was my great-uncle.
I'm sorry to hear that.:-?

Dowly

07-10-19, 12:14 PM

9 July 1944 (1/2)

German 122. Infantry Division repels last Soviet attacks across Gulf of Viipuri.
Only one boat carrying a battalion from IR/143 reaches Harjuniemi, where the remaining 30 men are either killed or captured. Finnish and German artillery caused the battalion losses up to 150 men before they could reach their objective.
IR/622 attacking Niemilautta, Koivusaari and Eessaari didn't fare much better. The ship carrying troops to Niemilautta was hit and sunk by artillery and the detachment landing on Eessaari was destroyed. Only Koivusaari fell to the enemy.
During the day IR/622 lost nearly 70% of its strength, some 380 men.

http://i.imgur.com/DdGC5P6m.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/DdGC5P6.jpg)

*

Battle of Tali-Ihantala ends in Finnish defensive victory.

A quiet day at Ihantala. Enemy artillery is still active today and tomorrow, but there are no more serious Soviet attempts to achieve a breakthrough. Border Jäger Battalion 2 and the 36th AT-gun Company are transferred to Vuosalmi (east of Ihantala at the sector of Lt. Gen. Hjalmar Siilasvuo's III Army Corps), where the Red Army is now trying to break the Finnish line after its failure at Ihantala.

This day is considered to be the last of the Battle of Tali-Ihantala. It has ended in a Finnish defensive victory. Tali-Ihantala was the most serious Soviet attempt to break the Finnish line, and the greatest battle in the Scandinavian military history. The VKT-line, the third and last Finnish line of defence, had budged but not broken.

At Tali-Ihantala several factors favoured Finns. Soviet formations, while still receiving substantial reinforcements, were operating at the end of long lines of supply. On the other hand the Finnish lines of supply were relatively short, and the worst deficiences in the equipment were being remedied. Germans had supplied Finns with amounts of the new infantry AT-weapons, Panzerfausts and Panzerschrecks, and Finns soon found out that these weapons were ideal for the Finnish terrain. (The first delivery was received already in April 1944, but in one of those moments of utter stupidity some staff officer decided that secrecy was the prime consideration and these weapons were stored.) The relatively short range of these weapons was not a major drawback, because in the rugged Finnish terrain (especially so at Ihantala) the infantry could fight the tanks at very short ranges. Also the Finnish AA-defences had been strenghtened.

The Finnish morale, after being shaken by the early Soviet successes, had by now been firmed by the awarness that there was no more room for retreat. If the line here is not held, the Red Army can break into the inner parts of Finland, and there's no telling how or if they can be stopped. The Finnish troops fought courageously, and it was, at least partially, courage born out of desperation. The Panzerfausts and Panzerschrecks also gave new confidence to the troops. They finally had means to deal with the Soviet tanks, and the artillery and the air forces (German Gefechtsverband Kuhlmey merits a special mention) were giving efficient support. Finnish code-breakers were able to warn of the Soviet attacks by their successes in reading the tank forces codes.

A major factor in the Finnish victory, as is evident in these postings, was the artillery. At the closing stages of the battle the Finnish Army had more than 20 artillery battalions present, and they were used to a devastating effect. Often the artillery alone was enough to disperse the enemy troops formed for an attack. Thanks to the pioneer work of General of Artillery Vilho Nenonen the Finnish artillery had one of the most efficient artillery fire-control systems of the day. It made possibe for one forward observer to rapidly call the fire of several artillery battalions.

On the other hand the Soviet commanders were in a hurry. Viipuri had been captured on 20 June as planned, but after that the Soviet offensives had been repulsed. The main effort was made at Tali-Ihantala, but it soon became clear that the going was a lot tougher than expected. The commanders were lagging behind the timetable, and they were aware that if they aren't able to break the Finnish line, the point of main effort would be switched elsewhere. Consequently the Soviet attacks in the latter stages of the battle were hastily planned and ill-executed.

Finnish losses at Tali-Ihantala between 25 June and 9 July were 1101 KIA, 6264 WIA and 1096 MIA. Soviet losses in the same period are estimated at 5000 KIA and 14 000 WIA. Finns and Germans claimed almost 300 aircraft shot down during the battle. I haven't seen any figures how many tanks the Red Army lost at Tali-Ihantala; they lost some 600 tanks in Karelian Isthmus in summer 1944, many of them at Tali-Ihantala.

http://i.imgur.com/k5cXozim.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/k5cXozi.jpg)
Pfc. Kokkonen, StuG gunner with 7 confirmed kills under his belt from Tali and Portanhoikka.

Dowly

07-11-19, 05:22 AM

9 July 1944 (2/2)

Soviet forces cross River Vuoksi to Vuosalmi.

By 9 July Major-General Blick's 2nd Division had regrouped to defend the northern shore of Vuoksi river. Similarly to the Äyräpää bridgehead, Colonel Ehrnrooth's Detachment E (Os.E) took responsibility of defending the left flank and Lieutenant-Colonel Vänttinen's Detachment W (Os.W) the right. Elements of Vänttinen's forces were still fighting on the south side of the river.
The enemy crossing began at 05.00 with a strong artillery preparation joined by 150 bombers and ground-attack aircraft to the entire depth of the sector.
Ehrnrooth's Os.E lost their positions on the shore almost immediately, and the enemy pushed north along the Vuosalmi-Oravankytö road to the Os.E HQ at Lampela. Colonel Ehrnrooth's counter-attack began around 11.00 to regain the territory on the west side of the V-O road. The westernmost unit of the counter-attack was Major Ahola's Detachment Aihola (Os.Aihola) which consisted of troops from Ahola's Separate Battalion 12 (ErP12) and Major Oljemark's II/IR15. By noon, Os.Aihola had pushed the enemy back to Metsärinne-Mäkipelto-Kaunola level.
Around the same time, Ehrnrooth put together Os.Kuovi, commanded by Major Kuovi of IR7. The detachment was made up of two jäger platoons from IR57, Captain Mäenkaski's company from II/IR57, pioneers from IR7 and lastly, Captain Talvitie's replacement detachment. Their task was to attack south along the Vuosalmi-Oravankytö road and reach the Leivonen-Pasuri level. Os.Kuovi reached the forests on both sides of the road around Mäntylä where they linked up with Captain Raassina's II/IR7 which was attacking towards the river from east. After reaching the forests around Mikkola-Juvonen, Captain Raassina's forces linked up with Major Olanterä's III/IR7 who were defending Vasikkasaari.
In the evening Captain Raassina's II/IR7 was relieved by Lieutenant-Colonel Sundblad's 19th Brigade.

In Os.W's sector, the attack was focused primarily on Lieutenant-Colonel Mäntylä's Kindred Battalion 3 (HeimoP 3). The positions on the shore were lost, but overall the attack could be contained around the Rajala-Lehtola level.

Finnish artillery, now grown to 8 battalions, fired over 13,000 rounds to support the defenders over the course of the day, and since the situation in Ihantala and Gulf of Viipuri had stabilized, both Finnish and German planes could be allocated to Vuosalmi. Commander of the Isthmus Forces Lieutenant-General Oesch also ordered the Armored Division to be sent to Vuosalmi.
According to Juri Kilin, the Soviet 115. Army Corps lost 2,388 men on 9 July.

http://i.imgur.com/XudeKaqm.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/XudeKaq.jpg)

http://i.imgur.com/3EzI8qfm.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/3EzI8qf.jpg)
Situation on the Karelian Isthmus.

http://i.imgur.com/cwcbmQ6m.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/cwcbmQ6.jpg)
Situation in East Karelia.

Finnish daily losses: 358

Dowly

07-11-19, 10:27 AM

10 July 1944

Both sides prepare to attack at Vuosalmi.

Throughout the night, 115.AK kept sending reinforcements across the river, aiming to launch an attack with three divisions to widen the bridgehead.
On the Finnish side, Major-General Lagus' Armoured Division (Ps.D) had arrived and was to be used to counter-attack towards the river.
Battlegroup Åkerman (Tst.Os.Åkerman) led by Major Eric Åkerman consisted of Jäger Battalion 5 (JP5), Assault Gun Battalion (minus 1 company) and 6th Panzerjäger company. Tst.Os.Åkerman had orders to attack south along the Vuosalmi-Oravankytö road and reach the river.
Another force was to attack the river straight south from Raesuonniityt. This second unit was Colonel Albert Puroma's Tst.Os.Puroma; the Jäeger Brigade, consisting of Jäeger Battalions 2, 3 and 4.
The counter-attack was set to start at 02.00 the following night.

http://i.imgur.com/Ah4WWnYm.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/Ah4WWnY.jpg)
Soviet and Finnish attack plans for 11 July.

*

VI AK regroups to defend the U-line in East Karelia.

Finnish daily losses: 264

http://i.imgur.com/CouGTdQm.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/CouGTdQ.jpg)
Pfc. Olof Lagus, Major-General Lagus' son who was wounded on 27 June at Tali-Ihantala. He was a StuG gunner with 5 confirmed kills.

Dowly

07-12-19, 05:41 AM

11 July 1944

The Armored Division's (Ps.D) counter-attack towards the bridgehead commenced at 01.30 with an artillery strike by six artillery battalions that lasted for 29 minutes. The two battlegroups (Tst.Os.) were to set off together at 02.00. Tst.Os. Åkerman along the Oravankytö-Vuosalmi road and Tst.Os. Puroma south from Raesuoniityt. Neither group was ready at the given time; only Åkerman's Assault Gun Battalion (Ryn.Tyk.P) began to advance.
The battalion's assault guns advanced to Mikkola, but due to lack of sufficient infantry support halted and withdrew about 500m back and grouped in defense. The battalion lost one assault gun in exchange for six destroyed Soviet tanks.
From Major Kiviperä's Jäger Battalion 5 (JP5) only the Recce platoon and 2./JP5 started advancing at the given time. Recce along the east side of the road, and 2./JP5 the right side. At first, the Reconnaissance Platoon kept up with the assault guns, but was stopped by enemy resistance to the north of Mäntylä. The rest of the battalion reached the area at around 05.00.
Tst.Os.Puroma's attack was led by Detachment Herranen (Os.Herranen). It consisted of Lieutenant Colonel Herranen's JP4 and Major Olson's JP2; Six Jäger Companies in total. Only one company was ready as the preparation ended and it started to advance towards Lehtola. After only 150 meters, the attack halted to enemy resistance. Major Olson was wounded during the day and died on 7 August in a military hospital.
Commander of III AK, Lieutenant General Siilasvuo halted the attack at 11.00 and ordered the Armored Division to take defensive positions on the approximate Lehtola-Niemelä level. Later in the day, at around 15.30, Siilasvuo ordered the area to be split in two sectors; Blick's 2nd Division on the right and Lagus' Armored Division on left. The divisional border would be southern end of Suursuo bog-Lehtola-Vuoksi.
Soviet attacks and Finnish counter-attacks continued the entire day. The bridgehead widened at the seam of the divisions and in the Oravankytö-Vuosalmi road direction. By evening the lines had somewhat stabilized on the Kureniemi-Männikkö-south end of Suursuo bog-Karvola-Juvola-Myllyoja. There still remained a gap in the seam of the divisions around Suursuo where the troops of the divisions on either side were not in contact with each other.

http://i.imgur.com/lyVwBgWm.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/lyVwBgW.jpg)

*

STAVKA orders forces on the Karelian Isthmus to start regrouping for defense.

Finnish daily losses: 273

http://i.imgur.com/9V8hSFWm.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/9V8hSFW.jpg)
'In the position as it's normally seen these days' said a young tank hunter checking out the turret of a T-34. (Ihantala, IR12)

Dowly

07-12-19, 07:50 AM

12 July 1944

Both sides continue attacks in Vuosalmi during the day, losing and gaining ground.
By evening, it has become clear that the Soviet troops are unable to breach the Finnish defenses.

Marshall Govorov levels harsh criticism towards 98. and 115. Army Corps, stating they had not managed to get any concrete results despite the great losses.
115. Army Corps had lost 5,364 men in the last three days in Vuosalmi.

The fighting continues for a few more days, but neither side makes any more serious attempts. The Battle of Äyräpää-Vuosalmi comes to an end, and with it the Soviet offensive on the Karelian Isthmus.

http://i.imgur.com/XPvUH7Um.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/XPvUH7U.jpg)

Finnish daily losses: 281

Schroeder

07-12-19, 09:46 AM

12 July 1944
The fighting continues for a few more days, but neither side makes any more serious attempts. The Battle of Äyräpää-Vuosalmi comes to an end, and with it the Soviet offensive on the Karelian Isthmus.

It's hard to believe that Finland was able to stop a full Soviet offensive with the few units it had.:yep:

Dowly

07-12-19, 09:58 AM

It's hard to believe that Finland was able to stop a full Soviet offensive with the few units it had.:yep:
To be fair, Berlin was becoming the primary objective at this point, so forces were transferred there from the Karelian Isthmus, especially after it was becoming clear that the Finnish lines would not break as easily as planned. The Red Army was given 8 days after the fall of Viipuri on 20 June to reach the 1940 border.

That being said, it was close. What kinda irritates me is that in Finland everyone speaks about the 'Miracle of the Winter War', but the defensive victories in Tali-Ihantala, Siiranmäki and Vuosalmi on the Isthmus are often overlooked.

Artillery played a huge role, considering how little we had. But the system developed allowed for the FO to give simple corrections (200 left for example) and multiple batteries would do the calculations on their end, and could fire to very small areas with all their guns in a couple of minutes.

But, the war is not yet over.

STEED

07-14-19, 05:11 AM

the war is not yet over.

Yep part three is yet to come, I take it Dowly the Lapland War will be in a new thread?

Well done mate for your hard work. :salute:

Dowly

07-14-19, 01:42 PM

Yep part three is yet to come, I take it Dowly the Lapland War will be in a new thread?I haven't decided yet. There are lots of things going on with regards to the Continuation War as the Lapland War is on, so might just keep it all here.

***

13 July 1944

21st Brigade withdraws from Porajärvi in Ladoga Karelia.

Finnish daily losses: 306

http://i.imgur.com/ohguyq5m.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/ohguyq5.jpg)
One of Lagus' StuGs in Vuosalmi.

***

14 July 1944

Flight Regiment 4 begins a four-day operation bombing enemy troop concentrations in Äyräpää area.

Marshal Mannerheim visits HQ of the Isthmus Forces and gives his thanks to the troops.

Soviet Ambassador Aleksandra Kollontai informs that if Finland is willing to propose peace talks, the Soviet Union is listening.

Finnish daily losses: 184

http://i.imgur.com/1Ble0oWm.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/1Ble0oW.jpg)
Destroyed KV at Ihantala.

STEED

07-15-19, 07:40 AM

I haven't decided yet. There are lots of things going on with regards to the Continuation War as the Lapland War is on, so might just keep it all here.

Just put it up in bold letter when it starts. Looking at Germany's allies I am of the opinion out of the main allies Finland put up a dam good fight and were not stupid like some of the other allies that were bloody millstone's around Germany's kneck.

Dowly

07-15-19, 12:39 PM

Just put it up in bold letter when it starts.Not until September.

***

15 July 1944

Soviet offensive to break the U-line begins in 5th Division's sector.

Major Siitonen's I/IR44 lost it's positions quickly in the beginning of the battle. First the "Maksimoff" line was broken and by noon the "ridgeline" positions of III/IR44 were overrun northwest of Nietjärvi. The enemy continued to advance north towards Maalammenmäki and west to widen the breach.
5th Division artillery played an important role in containing the breach. The division had 11 Artillery Battalions at its disposal along with coastal guns in the area. Various artillery pieces fired a total of 20,000 rounds during the day, more than had been fired at Tali-Ihantala in any given day.
Major General Martola's VI AK reinforced the 5th Division with two battalions from 15th Brigade (15.Pr). Major Väänänen's IV/15.Pr was immediately given orders to attack to the shore of Nietjärvi from northeast to prevent the enemy from widening the breakthrough to the east. Captain Kujari's I/15.Pr was to attack against the enemy west of Teirisuo and throw them back. Together with Major Pokkanen's II/IR45, the enemy at Teirisuo was pushed back during the evening and the following night.

http://i.imgur.com/XG4cbZvm.jpg (https://imgur.com/XG4cbZv)

Finnish daily losses: 299

http://i.imgur.com/s0eMXBgm.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/s0eMXBg.jpg)
Soviet POW showcases his body armor. (Syskyjärvi)

Dowly

07-17-19, 05:34 AM

16 July 1944

The bulge in Nietjärvi area caused by the enemy breakthrough is contained and encircled. During the day and following night, Soviet regiments fight themselves out of the encirclement or are destroyed nearly to the last man.

http://i.imgur.com/teYLXQGm.jpg (https://imgur.com/teYLXQG)

*

Soviet bombers sink the German anti-aircraft cruiser Niobe in Kotka harbor thinking it was the Finnish Coastal Ship Väinämöinen.

Finnish daily losses: 323

http://i.imgur.com/Ywqb2h4m.jpg (https://imgur.com/Ywqb2h4)
Machine gun position in Suojärvi area.

***

17 July 1944

One of Detachment Vehniäinen's long-range patrols on the Isthmus report that empty trains are heading towards the front. This is the first sign to the Finns that the offensive has stopped.

*

Fighting starts in the Lemetti-Suojärvi area, as Soviet forces try to breach the U-line there.

http://i.imgur.com/N4iNDgum.jpg (https://imgur.com/N4iNDgu)

Finnish daily losses: 346

STEED

07-17-19, 06:53 AM

Not until September.

:haha:

I can wait. :)

Dowly

07-18-19, 08:16 AM

18 July 1944

Aunus Group is disbanded and its forces are transferred under VI Army Corps.

Fortification works begin on the Isthmus to prepare fall back positions in case of a renewed Soviet offensive. Work on the Salpa-line (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salpa_Line) also continues.

Finnish and German planes hit Soviet positions on both sides of River Vuoksi in Äyräpää and Vuosalmi.

Finnish daily losses: 134

http://i.imgur.com/BciDrngm.jpg (https://imgur.com/BciDrng)
Colonel Hanste (IR12) at his command post. (Ihantala)

http://i.imgur.com/cCCfwURm.jpg (https://imgur.com/cCCfwUR)
U-line trenches at Lemetti.

Dowly

07-19-19, 05:56 AM

19 July 1944

Finnish 1st Division's counter-attacks fail in lake Vegarusjärvi area to the north of the U-line.

Finnish daily losses: 94

http://i.imgur.com/BWv4Uukm.jpg (https://imgur.com/BWv4Uuk)
Private Pihlajamaa stands before a drumhead court-martial. He is sentenced to death for deserting three times. (15th Brigade/Nietjärvi)

http://i.imgur.com/RVKZ8nmm.jpg (https://imgur.com/RVKZ8nm)
Private Pihlajamaa moments before being executed by a firing squad.

Jimbuna

07-19-19, 08:42 AM

Three times? :o

Dowly

07-19-19, 08:59 AM

Three times? :oYep. The caption doesn't offer any more details other than he had served a 2,5 year solitary confinement sentence before to this for desertion.

His records, however, have been digitized, so from those I can see he first was sentenced for desertion on 29 October 1941, next was on 3 March 1942. His last desertion was on 9 July 1944 and was sentenced to death ten days later on 19 July He was 28yo and got married during the interim peace, they had one child.

Jimbuna

07-20-19, 09:25 AM

I guess he was set in his ways then.

Schroeder

07-21-19, 02:12 AM

I guess he was set in his ways then.
Depends. The question is if he deserted willingly with the intention to leave his comrades behind or whether he just couldn't take it anymore and snapped in combat (like the engineer in Das Boot). If it's the latter then he's just another victim of the war and not really a criminal in my books.:-?

Jimbuna

07-21-19, 05:26 AM

Depends. The question is if he deserted willingly with the intention to leave his comrades behind or whether he just couldn't take it anymore and snapped in combat (like the engineer in Das Boot). If it's the latter then he's just another victim of the war and not really a criminal in my books.:-?

It would be interesting to know the facts behind each incident if they were recorded at the time (in written form).

sublynx

07-21-19, 07:35 AM

Here's a link to a newspaper article about a letter from August 1944 that a deserter had written to his family moments before his execution:

https://www.iltalehti.fi/uutiset/a/2016092322359712

It's in Finnish but maybe Google translate will help. The idea is very clear, though. The man states that his nerves just weren't up to the demands and he's certain Christ will forgive him his inability. He also states that the men who will execute him know he is not able to fight anymore but they have to do their duty despite of that. He will die not as a criminal, but as a victim of his own nerves

My grandfather (IR 25, 4th Division) told me about desertions that soldiers didn't want the deserters punished and that they tried to protect their fellow soldiers from any punishment. He said that all understood how difficult it was for every one.

He served in a battalion where everybody was from the same region. They knew each other from before the war and knew that after the war they would be neighbours to each other and to the relatives of those that would die. I'd suspect one would not want anyone executed or put in jail, if the consequence would be that the sister or mother of the executed deserter would live in the same village.

Jimbuna

07-21-19, 08:25 AM

Yep, potentially quite a dilemma I should imagine. Reminds me of many years ago when I asked my father if he thought he was brave during his srevice in WWII and he informed me that as far as he was aware, most of the young men were actually a bit scared but carried out their orders in support of each other.

Dowly

07-24-19, 09:25 AM

20 July 1944

Finnish troops in Ladoga Karelia have had to retreat to the old Winter War lines at Tolvajärvi.

Finnish daily losses: 88

http://i.imgur.com/UEfffQbm.jpg (https://imgur.com/UEfffQb)
Soviet T-34 in Vuosalmi.

***

21 July 1944

Finnish 21st Brigade is nearly surrounded in Liusvaara area, but manages to break out. They, however, lose the equipment of Heavy Battery 41.

Detachment Kuhlmey begins to leave Finland.

Finnish daily losses: 156

http://i.imgur.com/k6MKxqNm.jpg (https://imgur.com/k6MKxqN)
Knocked out Soviet tank in Nietjärvi direction.

***

22 july 1944

Soviet 30th Brigade is defeated in lake Vegarusjärvi.

Finnish daily losses: 89

http://i.imgur.com/sQZ9lNgm.jpg (https://imgur.com/sQZ9lNg)
Anti-tank trench. (Nietjärvi)

***

23 July 1944

Finnish troops begin to regroup for defense at Vegarus and on the northern parts of the U-line.

Finnish daily losses: 85

***

24 July 1944

Soviet partisan detachment attacks a small three-house village in Kuhmo. Eight civilians area killed, five of whom are children. This attack comes ten days after partisans attacked Lokka village where 22 civilians were killed.

Finnish daily losses: 80

http://i.imgur.com/AdtjgCjm.jpg (https://imgur.com/AdtjgCj)
Two veterans of the Battle of Äyräpää-Vuosalmi before heading to the rear for rest.

STEED

07-24-19, 10:19 AM

Dowly did the front line fall static in Finland during the Soviet summer offensive operation bagration?

Dowly

07-24-19, 11:16 AM

Dowly did the front line fall static in Finland during the Soviet summer offensive operation bagration?No. At the time Bagration began, both Tali-Ihantala and Äyräpää-Vuosalmi battles had not yet even began.

STEED

07-24-19, 01:55 PM

No. At the time Bagration began, both Tali-Ihantala and Äyräpää-Vuosalmi battles had not yet even began.

Wow..thanks.

sublynx

07-24-19, 11:51 PM

Wow..thanks.

The Russians had a huge amount of operations going on in 1944. Here's a list:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_operations_of_the_Red_Army_in_World_War_ II

Dowly

07-25-19, 03:09 AM

25 July 1944

As the fighting begins to calm down in Ladoga Karelia, there still remains a threat on the far northern flank; 21st Brigade is not able to stop the advance of two Soviet divisions towards Ilomantsi.
Commander of 14th Division, Major General Raappana, is ordered to take command in the area and launch a counter-attack to stop the enemy. For this, he is given command of the 21st Brigade, Detachment Partinen of 14th Division, Border Jaeger Battalion 3 and the Cavalry Brigade which is transfered from the Isthmus.

http://i.imgur.com/UCebZg7m.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/UCebZg7.jpg)
Situation in Ladoga Karelia on 24 July.

Finnish daily losses: 104

http://i.imgur.com/GbyyjC4m.jpg (https://imgur.com/GbyyjC4)
Front line terrain at Ihantala, a number of knocked out Soviet tanks visible.

Dowly

07-26-19, 11:12 AM

26 July 1944

Major General Raappana arrives at 21st Brigade HQ. He has received his orders; to stop the advance of the enemy towards Ilomantsi and push them back to Salmijärvi - Saarijärvi - Ylä-Vuottojärvi line.
He also orders the 21st Brigade to withdraw to southeast towards Möhkö in hopes the Soviet 289. Division will follow them along with their heavy equipment.

http://i.imgur.com/EoejpjJm.jpg (https://imgur.com/EoejpjJ)
Situation in Ilomantsi area.

Finnish daily losses: 100

http://i.imgur.com/XkAS52om.jpg (https://imgur.com/XkAS52o)
Colonel Ehrnrooth, Lieutenant Colonel Halsti and Major Varta at Vuosalmi.

Dowly

07-30-19, 07:24 AM

27 July 1944

Soviet forces breach into the U-line, but Finnish artillery forces them to break off.

Finnish daily losses: 106

http://i.imgur.com/20Aph9Bm.jpg (https://imgur.com/20Aph9B)
Lieutenant Lauri Törni's (ltr. Larry Thorne) Jaeger Company heading out for a counter-attack. (north of Tolvajärvi)

***

28 July 1944

President Ryti announces to a small inner circle his plans to resign. His health is getting worse and he sees that it would be better, if both civilian and military matters would be overseen by one man.

Mannerheim agrees to return the German 122. Division to Estonia.

Finnish daily losses: 65

http://i.imgur.com/upPkVhKm.jpg (https://imgur.com/upPkVhK)
Fires lit by Finnish incendiary rounds on the enemy's side. (Vuosalmi)

***

29 July 1944

Ryti, Walden and Tanner fly to Mannerheim's HQ to discuss Ryti's resignation.
Mannerheim is asked and agrees to become the next President following Ryti signing his resignation.

Finnish daily losses: 111

http://i.imgur.com/VVcla0km.jpg (https://imgur.com/VVcla0k)
Camouflaged Coastal Ship Väinämöinen.

***

30 July 1944

1st Division regroups for defense at Tolvajärvi. Fighting begins to calm down in this sector as well.

Finnish daily losses: 114

Dowly

08-02-19, 03:45 AM

31 July 1944

Group Raappana's attack begins in Ilomantsi. The plan is a double envelopment aiming to encircle the two Soviet divisions in two "mottis"; 176.D in Vellivaara-Lehmivaara area and 289.D in Lutikkavaara.

http://i.imgur.com/lZYH1U6m.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/lZYH1U6.jpg)
Group Raappana's plan of attack.

*

President Ryti signs his resignation and the Parliament is notified.

Finnish daily losses: 92

Finnish losses in July: 7,142

Finnish losses in the war so far: 60,954

http://i.imgur.com/CaXAgaem.jpg (https://imgur.com/CaXAgae)
Men of the Cavalry Brigade crossing a stream in the Ilomantsi wilderness.

***

1 August 1944

Ilomantsi: Elements of the Cavalry Brigade reach the Lehmivaara-Kuolismaa road, cutting the supply and withdrawal route of the Soviet 176. Division. Finnish troops have also made progress to the north and east of the division.

Finnish daily losses: 104

http://i.imgur.com/tpVYSigm.jpg (https://imgur.com/tpVYSig)
Last farewell on her brother's grave. (Suistamo)

***

2 August 1944

Ilomantsi: Soviet 289.D is becoming surrounded as the troops of 21st Brigade cut their road connections back east in Lehtolampi.

Attempts by Soviet 70. Naval Infantry Brigade to reopen the road to 176.D fail.

Finnish daily losses: 99

http://i.imgur.com/kS2YDEwm.jpg (https://imgur.com/kS2YDEw)
Downed Il-2 somewhere in Ladoga Karelia.

Dowly

08-09-19, 08:23 AM

Hola. Since my time will be limited (went back to school), I'll be going back to posting once a week from now on.
This post will be updated with photos later over the weekend/today.

*

3 August 1944

Finns launch an counter-attack in Rukajärvi to dislodge an enemy battalion that is trying to get to the rear of the 14th Division in Ontrosenvaara.

Ilomantsi: Fighting continues as Finnish troops manage to weakly encircle Soviet 176. and 289. Divisions.

Finnish daily losses: 124

http://i.imgur.com/w8FUo8Im.jpg (https://imgur.com/w8FUo8I)
Private Toivo Ilomäki poses with his AT-gun with which he has destroyed 21 tanks. (Ladoga Karelia)
Ilomäki was later promoted to Private First Class and received the Mannerheim Cross on 2 October 1944.
His final tally of 21 destroyed tanks remains a record in Finnish military history.
The AT-gun used (75 K/40) can be seen today at the Parola Tank Museum. (https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toivo_Ilom%C3%A4ki#/media/Tiedosto:Pak40_parola_1.jpg)

***

4 August 1944

Using their emergency powers, Finnish parliament names Mannerheim the new president as Ryti resigns.

Detachment Vehniäinen's long-range patrol returns to Finnish lines after operating for 51 days behind enemy lines on the Karelian Isthmus. The patrol has not suffered any losses.

http://i.imgur.com/5z03Y1Hm.jpg (https://imgur.com/5z03Y1H)
Ilomantsi situation 31.7-4.8

Finnish daily losses: 121

http://i.imgur.com/5KeWYGgm.jpg (https://imgur.com/5KeWYGg)

Machinegunner at Ontrosenvaara bridge, Rukajärvi.

***

5 August 1944

At Ihantala the enemy has set up an outpost in the cover of the many disabled tanks on the battlefield 200 meters from Finnish positions. Decision is made to destroy this outpost.
Assault group formed from 6th Division troops attack the outpost after it is first bombed from air and shelled with artillery. Nine of the tanks are destroyed with satchel charges.
6th Division's commander, Major-General Vihma, is killed in artillery fire as he is observing the attack from the front lines.

Ilomantsi: Soviet 3. Naval Infantry Brigade (3.Merijv.Pr.) tries to open the way to 289.D by attacking Finnish I/21.Pr. from east at Miikkulanvaara.

Finnish daily losses: 131

***

6 August 1944

Rukajärvi: Finnish troops encircle and destroy the enemy battalion operating in the Ontrosenvaara area.

Ilomantsi: Soviet 289. Division breaks out of the Lutikkavaara encirclement.
69. and 70. Naval Infantry Brigades start their attacks against the Finns to help 176.D break out on Group Raappana's left flank.

Finnish daily losses: 101

http://i.imgur.com/yv6W37Gm.jpg (https://imgur.com/yv6W37G)

Finnish guns firing a volley in the autumn night. (Ladoga Karelia)

***

7 August 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 124

http://i.imgur.com/AoE18DOm.jpg (https://imgur.com/AoE18DO)

Surprise attack ended the war for these Soviet soldiers. (Ilomantsi area)

***

8 August 1944

Ilomantsi: Soviet 176.Division begins to break out from the encirclement.

Finnish daily losses: 95

http://i.imgur.com/rFajylqm.jpg (https://imgur.com/rFajylq)

Surrendering Soviet soldier crawls out from a dug-out. (Ilomantsi area)

***

9 August 1944

Battle of Ilomantsi ends as both Soviet divisions withdraw from the Finnish border. Soviet losses are about 5,000 men, 1,500 killed. Finns suffered 2,500 casualties during the battle.
Fighting in Ladoga Karelia comes to an end on the following day as Soviet 32. Army regroups for defense.

http://i.imgur.com/2nh4dntm.jpg (https://imgur.com/2nh4dnt)
Withdrawal of Soviet troops 5.-9.8

Finnish daily losses: 88

Schroeder

08-15-19, 11:23 AM

Hola. Since my time will be limited (went back to school)
So you finally decided to graduate elementary school?:O:
Seriously though, what are you studying?

Dowly

08-15-19, 12:12 PM

Seriously though, what are you studying?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsFNeiAu04M
:yeah:

Dowly

08-15-19, 10:24 PM

10 August 1944

Soviet 32.Army regroups for defense in Ladoga Karelia.

Finnish daily losses: 72

http://i.imgur.com/vEBPaq1m.jpg (https://imgur.com/vEBPaq1)
Some of the material left behind by the Soviet 176.Division. (Lehmivaara, Ilomantsi)

***

11 August 1944

Headquarters orders V.Corps (Bay of Viipuri) to assemble a 100-man team to be used for reconnaissance patrols across the bay.

Finnish daily losses: 54

http://i.imgur.com/OEMzOktm.jpg (https://imgur.com/OEMzOkt)
Tank hunters heading to the front line at Vuosalmi.

***

12 August 1944

Finnish attempt to take the Vasikkasaari island on Bay of Viipuri fails.

Finnish daily losses: 79

***

13 August 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 58

http://i.imgur.com/6XTz5jlm.jpg (https://imgur.com/6XTz5jl)
Patrol on no man's land. (Vegarusjärvi-Hiisjärvi isthmus)

***

14 August 1944

III.Corps repels a company-size enemy attack in Vuosalmi area.

Finnish daily losses: 35

***

15 August 1944

Sweden promises to deliver 150,000 tons of grain to Finland during the fall.

Finnish daily losses: 25

http://i.imgur.com/RxEscpCm.jpg (https://imgur.com/RxEscpC)
A pair of Messerschmitt 109's over Lappeenranta airbase.

***

16 August 1944

In Ladoga Karelia, II.Corps' assault group attacks an enemy base north of Loimola. In the fighting, the enemy loses about 160 men. Finnish losses are one dead and 23 wounded.

Finnish daily losses: 41

http://i.imgur.com/tLs09Nnm.jpg (https://imgur.com/tLs09Nn)
Late night post has arrived. (Ladoga Karelia)

Dowly

08-23-19, 07:13 AM

17 August 1944

President Mannerheim informs the Germans that President Ryti's personal guarantee to not seek separate peace does not bind him.

Finnish daily losses: 36

http://i.imgur.com/T14bp9wm.jpg (https://imgur.com/T14bp9w)
Estonian volunteer regiment (IR200) marching to Myllykoski station. They are scheduled to leave Finland within couple of days.

***

18 August 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 37

http://i.imgur.com/bZbLVcmm.jpg (https://imgur.com/bZbLVcm)
Colonel Aarnio, commander of Infantry Regiment 56. (Loimola area, Ladoga Karelia)

***

19 August 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 28

***

20 August 1944

Wilhelm Keitel presents Mannerheim with the Knight's Cross with Oak leaves from Hitler.

Finnish daily losses: 43

http://i.imgur.com/8ykuyjam.jpg (https://imgur.com/8ykuyja)
Unit sign with the unit's number and what I assume are bases/sectors.
From top: Lantern, Lock, Sledge-hammer, Castle, Bay

***

21 August 1944

As nights are getting darker, blackout regulations begin.

Finnish daily losses: 59

***

22 August 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 23

http://i.imgur.com/v55Ji5mm.jpg (https://imgur.com/v55Ji5m)
Finnish patrol heading out to enemy side. (Uuksujärvi area)

***

23 August 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 41

Dowly

09-02-19, 10:32 AM

24 August 1944

President Mannerheim makes the decision to seek peace with the Soviet Union. The decision is made on Mannerheim's train in Herttoniemi at a meeting attended by Prime Minister Hackzell, Walden and Tanner and the Finnish Ambassador to Sweden, Gripenberg. Everyone agrees that there can be no further delay to seek peace, even though goods are constantly coming from Germany.

Finnish daily losses: 29

http://i.imgur.com/hhV0Uizm.jpg (https://imgur.com/hhV0Uiz)
Strong artillery bunkers in Rukajärvi area.

http://i.imgur.com/28NmnEVm.jpg (https://imgur.com/28NmnEV)
Inside view.

***

25 August 1944

Ambassador Gripenberg flies to Stockholm on 25 August, accompanied by a letter signed by Foreign Minister Enckell to Alexandra Kollontai. The letter proposes the opening of negotiations in Moscow. At the same time, Finland officially announces in Berlin that President Ryti's agreement with Hitler is no longer in force.

Finnish daily losses: 28

http://i.imgur.com/wsVEFwUm.jpg (https://imgur.com/wsVEFwU)
Camouflaged 'Sturmi'.

***

26 August 1944

Eleven people are arrested in Pietarsaari; they had attempted to flee to Sweden on a motor boat.

Finnish daily losses: 27

http://i.imgur.com/PaV5LRtm.jpg (https://imgur.com/PaV5LRt)
Ihantala road.

***

27 August 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 26

***

28 August 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 27

***

29 August 1944

The Soviet Union announces that Finland must immediately and publicly end its relationship with Germany and demand that it withdraw its troops from Finland by 15 September. If Germany does not withdraw its troops from Finland within the time limit, they must be disarmed and surrendered as prisoners of war to the Allies. Once these preconditions have been met, the Soviet Union agrees to receive the Finnish delegation in Moscow.

Finnish daily losses: 31

***

30 August 1944

President Mannerheim decides to agree to Soviet Union's preconditions.

Finnish daily losses: 25

***

31 August 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 38

Finnish losses in August: 1,849

Finnish losses in the war so far: 62,803

http://i.imgur.com/jCI9WOcm.jpg (https://imgur.com/jCI9WOc)
Commander of Infantry Regiment 15, Colonel von Schrowe. (Vuosalmi direction)

Schroeder

09-02-19, 10:40 AM

http://i.imgur.com/jCI9WOcm.jpg (https://imgur.com/jCI9WOc)
Commander of Infantry Regiment 15, Colonel von Schrowe. (Vuosalmi direction)
The name sounds very German.:doh:

Dowly

09-02-19, 11:06 AM

The name sounds very German.:doh:Probably some old nobility no one's ever heard of. :O:

Dowly

09-08-19, 05:15 AM

1 September 1944

Risto Westerlund, who has been sentenced to death for defecting to the enemy side and for treason is executed. He is one of the last to be executed during the war.

Finnish daily losses: 41

***

2 September 1944

Foreign Minister Carl Enckell invites Ambassador Wipert von Blücher to the Foreign Ministry at 22:00 in the evening and informs him of Finland's termination of diplomatic relations with Germany.
Enckell reads to the Ambassador a politely formulated statement, first stating that Germany has sacrificed support and assistance to Finland. Then comes the justification for breaking diplomatic relations: "However, when the interests of Finland demand that peace be guaranteed as soon as possible, under conditions that safeguard the country's independence, it is no longer possible to use the Finnish territory for German military purposes."
The statement further states that Finland is required by the Allies to publicly announce the termination of diplomatic relations and to require the Germans to leave Finland by 15 September. The Finnish Government sees itself as having to comply with these conditions.
It ends with the wish that Germany, in the name of past comradery, would show a benevolent understanding of the difficulties Finland is undergoing to secure its freedom in the future.
When Foreign Minister Enckell finishes reading, the bitter and angry von Blücher waits a moment and then says, "And that you dare say to me!"

*

In the evening of September 1, the Finnish Government receives an ultimatum from the Soviet Union to announce whether it will accept the preconditions set by the Soviet Union for peace talks, by the evening of September 2. Within the same period, Finland shall notify Germany of the termination of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Parliament votes 108-45 in favor of commencing peace talks.

*

Generaloberst Lothar Rendulic, the commander of the German troops in Lapland, visits the headquarters and meets Mannerheim for the last time. Rendulic threatens that if the Finns and the Germans were at war with each other, the battles would become very bloody, as the two best armies in the world would face each other.

Finnish daily losses: 37

http://i.imgur.com/6xN9c31m.jpg (https://imgur.com/6xN9c31)
Crash landed Soviet Yak.

***

3 September 1944

Mannerheim orders the 6th Division and the 15th Brigade to head to north Finland.

Germans abandon their plan to occupy Åland (Tanne West).

Finnish daily losses: 29

http://i.imgur.com/VknLs10m.jpg (https://imgur.com/VknLs10)
Testing a Soviet AT rifle. (Uuksujärvi)

***

4 September 1944

At 3.15 in the morning, the headquarters orders that the fighting against the Soviet Union be stopped at 7 am.

Finnish daily losses: 31

http://i.imgur.com/GjdwTH3m.jpg (https://imgur.com/GjdwTH3)
Soviet and Finnish officer compare pocket watches. (Viipuri direction)

***

5 September 1944

Soviet troops cease fighting at 7 am, 24 hours late.

Finnish daily losses: 13

http://i.imgur.com/AolRKMRm.jpg (https://imgur.com/AolRKMR)
Word of the truce has arrived. (Kirvesmäki)

***

6 September 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 15

Schroeder

09-08-19, 05:30 AM

6 September 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 15

Guess some units didn't get the memo of the truce (happened a lot back in the day).

Dowly

09-08-19, 07:06 AM

Guess some units didn't get the memo of the truce (happened a lot back in the day).The figure includes all causes of death, most of the fifteen died of other than combat related causes.

Schroeder

09-08-19, 11:13 AM

The figure includes all causes of death, most of the fifteen died of other than combat related causes.
I heard stories about Finnish dentists....:doh:

Dowly

09-13-19, 09:21 AM

7 September 1944

The Peace Delegation, appointed by Mannerheim, crosses the border line at Juustila on 7 September and arrives in Moscow the same evening.
The delegation is headed by Prime Minister Hackzell and other members include Defense Minister Walden, Chief of Staff Heinrichs and General Oscar Enckell.

*

The Finnish Government is asking the Swedish Government whether the Swedish authorities can receive approximately 100,000 refugees from the area west of the Oulujoki and Kemijoki rivers, if necessary. The Swedish Government replies in the affirmative.

*

Headquarters' LRRP detachment Jauri hands over their loaner seaplanes back to the Germans.

Finnish daily losses: 18

http://i.imgur.com/Qnoq0elm.jpg (https://imgur.com/Qnoq0el)
Grim reminder of the fighting at Vuosalmi during the summer; A fallen Russian soldier still where he fell in July.

***

8 September 1944

German forces begin to withdraw from the Kiestinki area.

Finnish daily losses: 13

***

9 September 1944

Mauno Olavi Laiho, sentenced to death in 1943 for treason, is executed in Oulu.

Finnish daily losses: 13

http://i.imgur.com/D1O9oVHm.jpg (https://imgur.com/D1O9oVH)
Prisoner exchange in Ihantala.

***

10 September 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 11

http://i.imgur.com/jlPRc6Xm.jpg (https://imgur.com/jlPRc6X)
Ihantala.

***

11 September 1944

The sole survivor of detachment Vehniäinen's three man patrol which was paradropped behind enemy lines on the Isthmus on 31 August returns back to own lines at 03.00

*

Lieutenant Colonel Haahti, the representative of the headquarters, begins negotiations in Rovaniemi on cooperation, the so-called "autumn maneuvers", between German and Finnish troops. Contrary to the ceasefire agreement with the Soviet Union, the plan of the headquarters is that military action in Lapland would be merely illusory. On retreat, the Germans would destroy bridges and roads. The Finns would move into the emptied areas according to a pre-agreed schedule. Its implementation would be monitored on a regular basis. The slow progress could be justified by the aforementioned destruction of bridges and roads.

*

Hitler shows green light to Operation Tanne Ost, the capture of Suursaari island on Gulf of Finland.

Finnish daily losses: 22

***

12 September 1944

8-man LRRP patrol returns from north of Seesjärvi on foot, having trekked for over 200km.

Finnish daily losses: 25

***

13 September 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 11

Dowly

09-22-19, 08:09 AM

14 September 1944

Last German troops leave southern Finland.

Prime Minister Hackzel suffers a stroke in Moscow, leaving him unable to speak. General Walden takes his place in the first negotiations the same evening.

Finnish daily losses: 11

http://i.imgur.com/TGfgzMSm.jpg (https://imgur.com/TGfgzMS)
Men of IR 56 return the body of a fallen comrade from no man's land. (Loimola area)

***

15 September 1944

German troops try to capture Suursaari island in Gulf of Finland:

Germany had ready plans for an invasion of the Åland Islands and the Suursaari island in case Finland collapsed in a war against the Soviet Union. It wanted to secure shipping links in the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland. Hitler withdrew from the Åland operation, but the order to attack the Suursaari island had already been issued on 3 September. Around 1,600 Finns defended the island.
Immediately after midnight on September 15, three German ships entered the port of Suursaari, from which a German officer stepped ashore and demanded Lieutenant Colonel Martti Miettinen to surrender the island peacefully. Miettinen rejected the German demands outright. Soon, the Germans began an assault throughout the harbor, and the Finns opened fire. By the morning the Germans had captured an area of about four kilometers wide and one kilometer deep. Although there were about 2,000 Germans, the attempt to conquer the island went awry because heavy equipment could not be landed. The Finnish navy and artillery on the island, as well as the Soviet Air Force, sank or drove off German ships that supported the attack. German losses were 153 fallen and 1231 captured. Finns suffered casualties of about 100 men.

*

German timed mines destroy the Pori airfield.

*

A patrol of three Germans is destroyed in Oulu after they refuse demands to lay down their weapons.

Finnish daily losses: 61

***

16 September 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 11

***

17 September 1944

AA battery in Helsinki opens fire on three Soviet planes, possibly downing one.

Finnish daily losses: 20

http://i.imgur.com/ZE0oPLMm.jpg (https://imgur.com/ZE0oPLM)
German POWs. (Suursaari)

***

18 September 1944

Headquarters sends more troops to the north; Armored Division and 3rd Division to Oulu and Border Jaeger Brigade to Kajaani.

Finnish daily losses: 13

***

19 September 1944

Ceasefire is signed in Moscow:

The initial draft of the ceasefire agreement did not bring about much change in the Moscow negotiations. Foreign Minister Molotov, the chief negotiator of the Soviet Union, remained on the firm line that had become familiar. His standard response to the Finnish amendments was: "Not planned." In two cases, the Soviet Union was flexible: the payment period for war compensation was extended from five to six years, and the demobilization period for the Finnish army was extended by two weeks until the beginning of December. The talks ended on 18 September with a threat: if Finland did not sign the agreement by 12 noon on 19 September, the Soviet Union would occupy Finland.
The Finnish government met on September 19 at three o'clock in the morning. Parliament was convened at six o'clock. The government proposed the acceptance of the terms of the peace, which was accepted by all parliamentary groups. The Finnish delegation signed agreement at 12 noon. The terms of the peace included the 1940 Moscow Peace Borders, the surrender of Petsamo, the 50-year lease of Porkkala, $ 300 million in war compensation, the expulsion of Germans, and the conviction of war criminals. The agreement also included the abolition of "fascist" organizations, the return to the Soviet Union of more than 60,000 Ingrians who had migrated to Finland during the war, and the demobilization of the army.
The peace made was called a ceasefire because the final peace would not be made until after the end of the World War. An monitoring commission, consisting mainly of a representative of the Soviet Union and overseeing the interests of the eastern neighbor, was sent to Finland to oversee its terms.

Finnish daily losses: 19

***

20 September 1944

Finnish troops begin to withdraw towards the border.

Finnish daily losses: 16

STEED

09-22-19, 12:04 PM

Just book marking to pick up from this spot onwards when I get the chance in a few weeks time.

Looks like part three is about to kick off. :) :up:

Dowly

12-28-19, 10:42 AM

21 September 1944

Operation 'Stella Polaris' (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Stella_Polaris) begins.

Finnish daily losses: 16

http://i.imgur.com/DC0gvAum.jpg (https://imgur.com/DC0gvAu)
Last sentry at IR 45's camp area. (Syskyjärvi-Uomaa area)

***

22 September 1944

First 15 members of the Allied Cotrol Commission arrive at Malmi airfield. The commission immediately wants to know what plans Finns have for demobilizing the army, disbanding the Civil Guard and pursuing of war criminals.

Lieutenant-General Hjalmar Siilasvuo is given command of Finnish forces in North Finland.

Lieutenant-Colonel Wolf Halsti meets with Siilasvuo and suggests an amphibious landing either to Kemi or Tornio.

Finnish daily losses: 14

http://i.imgur.com/8W5jLKEm.jpg (https://imgur.com/8W5jLKE)
II/IR 52 has crossed the border in the morning fog. (Kolvasjärvi)

***

23 September 1944

The Council of State adopts a decree on the release of political prisoners.

The operative department of the Finnish HQ begins to prepare for hiding military weapons and equipment to be used in case of Soviet occupation of the country. (See: Weapons Cache Case (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weapons_Cache_Case))

Finnish daily losses: 15

***

24 September 1944

100,000 people living in North Finland have been evacuated.

Finnish daily losses: 12

***

25 September 1944

11th Division is ordered to Oulu.

Finnish daily losses: 16

***

26 September 1944

N/A

Finnish daily losses: 13

***

27 September 1944

Lieutenant-General Siilasvuo takes front responsibility in North Finland.

The III AK's attack plan is decided: the focus is on the coastline, where the 3rd Division strengthened by 15th Brigade advances towards Kemi. One of its regiments, IR 11, is to be sent by sea to Kemi to help Detachment Pennanen to capture the city's briges. The Armored Division attacking in Pudasjärvi direction is advancing south of Kemi, thus completing the encirclement.

The Border Jäger Brigade, subordinated to III AK, begins it's advance from Kontiomäki towards Suomussalmi.

Finnish daily losses: 10

http://i.imgur.com/0yXlK3Dm.jpg (https://imgur.com/0yXlK3D)
One of the last photos from a Finnish outpost "Talo". (Rukajärvi direction)

***

28 September 1944

First combat situation between German and Finnish troops takes place near Pudasjärvi where Jäger Battalion 5 (of the Jäger Brigade) encircles a German unit holding onto a bridge. The Germans are surprised when the Finns demand them to surrender and open fire towards them, despite the earlier agreed withdraw plans. Two Germans are killed, four wounded and an unspecified number are taken prisoner.

Russo-Finno Naval cooperation starts in Gulf of Finland as per the truce agreement.

Finnish daily losses: 5

***

29 September 1944

Battlegroup Hautala, advacing on the Kemi road, tries to capture the bridge over river Olhavajoki intact, but the Germans manage to destroy it.

Porkkala is handed over to the Soviet Union at 08.00am.

Finnish daily losses: 14

***

30 September 1944

The Allied Control Commission gives an ultimatum to President Mannerheim, demanding that active military operations against the Germans in North Finland must begin no later than 08.00am on the next day.

Lieutenant-General Siilasvuo assures Mannerheim that there will be some "good news" tomorrow regarding the issue.

Infantry Regiment 11 sets sail from Oulu towards Tornio. Due to severe weather conditions, the landing in Kemi is abandoned.

Finnish daily losses: 9

Finnish losses in September: 544

STEED

12-28-19, 12:31 PM

Just started reading this one from Osprey

Petsamo and Kirkenes 1944
THE SOVIET OFFENSIVE IN THE NORTHERN ARCTIC
CAMPAIGN 343

This title examines the bitter conflict between two highly tactical armies as they battled across challenging terrain to gain control of strategically significant Northern Finland.

https://ospreypublishing.com/store/military-history/series-books/campaign/petsamo-and-kirkenes-1944

Thank you Dowly for another year. :up:

You soon be on the home stretch mate. :)

Dowly

12-28-19, 02:54 PM

Thank you Dowly for another year. :up:

You soon be on the home stretch mate. :)
If only I had more time to write this. :-?

As for home stretch, my book goes to December 1945 i.e December 2020... but I haven't checked how relevant all that stuff is.

Let me know how that book is, can't say I'm familiar with the German-Russian bit of the fighting in North Finland.

STEED

12-29-19, 05:46 AM

No rush mate you have done well Dowly, will post about the book some time next week.

Dowly

01-04-20, 07:03 AM

1 October 1944 THE LAPLAND WAR BEGINS

LtGen Siilasvuo attacks Tornio.

Siilasvuo decided to open the battle against the Germans with a risky operation: an attack to the rear. Initially, Tornio was to be a diversion attack, with the main attack targeting Kemi. On 30 September, Siilasvuo changed his focus to Tornio. Perhaps it was about deceiving the German intelligence. In addition, Tornio had better opportunities for further operations. The headquarters considered the landing too dangerous because it would have to be carried out by unarmed merchant ships without air support, but Siilasvuo was adamant.
Even before the landing changed from Kemi to Tornio, it had been decided to seize the city with local forces. Thus, the operation began with a attack led by Chief of the Länsi-Pohja Civil Guard, Major Larjo. The 300-man ad-hoc unit was to occupy the city. The Germans had 300-400 men in Tornio, mostly rear troops. The Larjo's men surprised the Germans and most of Tornio was soon occupied by the Finns, with the exception of three German bases.
LtCol Halsti's Infantry Regiment 11 was loaded on three merchant ships in Oulu and reached Tornio's outer port, Röyttä, on October 1 at 7.45am. The unloading of some 3000 men and equipment took approximately five hours in total. The operation came as a surprise to the Germans, so the Finns could carry it out in peace. The aim of the Finns was to expand the beachhead as quickly as possible and to capture the bridges in the vicinity.
The Germans were still expecting for the Finns to attack Kemi, where Detachment Pennanen had taken over the port of Ajos. Thus, no additional troops would be sent to Tornio, and within the first day the Finns occupied the Tornio train station and the German supply center, known as Little Berlin.
During the day, the Germans were still trying to put an end to the hostilities by negotiating. However, the Finnish headquarters did not reply to the messages.

Suursaari island in Gulf of Finland is handed over to the Soviet Union.

Finnish daily losses: 35

http://i.imgur.com/V7c08Pzm.jpg (https://imgur.com/V7c08Pz)

Dowly

01-08-20, 10:23 AM

2 October 1944

Commander of the 3rd Division Major-General Aaro Pajari arrives at Tornio's Röyttä harbor with his HQ and elements of Infantry Regiment 53 to take command of the forces fighting in the city.
Progress out of the harbor/train station area is slow due to faulty intelligence information indicating much stronger German presence in the city as is reality.

Finnish daily losses: 30

Dowly

01-09-20, 11:49 AM

3 October 1944

German counter-attack from Kemi towards Tornio is repulsed by the Finns.
Afterwards the II/IR 11 tries to outflank the enemy, but suddenly come in contact and are pushed back by German gebirgsjäger in the area.
Dive-bombing of the Röyttä harbour begins, slowing down Finnish operations in Tornio.

Finnish daily losses: 53

http://i.imgur.com/9CEZc8Mm.jpg (https://imgur.com/9CEZc8M)
Damaged German vehicles on the Tornio-Kemi road.

***

4 October 1944

German counter-attack from Kemi pushes back Finnish troops, but the attack fails to reach the train station area in Tornio.

Finnish daily losses: 72

Dowly

01-10-20, 05:36 AM

5 October 1944

Germans attack in Alavojakkala to the north of Tornio and push the Finns southwards towards river Keropudas.

Finnish daily losses: 73

http://i.imgur.com/dOtTtQCm.jpg (https://imgur.com/dOtTtQC)
Men and equipment loaded on ships headed to Tornio. (Oulu)

***

6 October 1944

German attack stalls at river Keropudas and is called off as the orders are to start withdrawing within the next two days. At the same time the strengthened Infantry Regiment 50 slips through the German caps and partially encircles the enemy (Maschinengewehr-Ski-Brigade "Finnland") at river Keropudas.

Finnish daily losses: 154

STEED

01-22-20, 08:14 AM

Let me know how that book is, can't say I'm familiar with the German-Russian bit of the fighting in North Finland.

Petsamo and Kirkenes 1944
THE SOVIET OFFENSIVE IN THE NORTHERN ARCTIC
CAMPAIGN 343

Sorry for the delay Dowly about the book review, it seems in that area the German's were holding four nickle mines which in most part they defended well with fewer numbers and the terrain helped them. The usual story of wait of numbers against them at that time, one point I picked up on there were Norweigan troops in the area fighting on the German side. Hard read as the book bogged down in to much detail that was not needed for a overview book.

What was Finland's point of view of there neighbour's in Finland?

Dowly

02-07-20, 05:15 AM

7 October 1944

Finns attack Kemi.

The 15th brigade's attack plan was completed on October 6. The objective of battlegroup Ojala is to circle around to the bridges north of the city. Detachment Pennanen joins the attack from Karihaara and Pajusaari. Battlegroup Pakkanen is attacking from the direction of Oulu road. In the northernmost of all, battlegroup Heiskanen advances separately. Its mission is to capture the Kemijoki bridges intact.
On October 7, battlegroup Ojala reaches the northeastern clearings of the city and the battle soon rages against the Germans who have dug-in into the cellars of the Kivikko district. Detachment Pennanen is attacking from the west and at 5.10 pm the siege is believed to be complete. However, the fighting continues throughout the whole evening. Estimates of the number of prisoners and dead range between 300 to 600.

All available transport planes of the Finnish Air Forces are given to the use of Flight Detachment Jauri, which is responsible for transporting HQ's long-range patrols.

Finnish daily losses: 150

http://i.imgur.com/o3yk9f9m.jpg (https://imgur.com/o3yk9f9)
View of Kemi during the fighting.

***

8 October 1944

The war's first four HQ's LRRP units head off, two by foot and two by aircraft.

German troops withdraw from Tornio and Kemi.

Finnish daily losses: 138

http://i.imgur.com/aYTVHHgm.jpg (https://imgur.com/aYTVHHg)
Fallen German soldier in Tornio.

***

9 October 1944

Lagus' flanking attempt fails in Portimojärvi.

After the battles in Tornio and Kemi, the Finns pursued the Germans towards north. Progress was slow due to Germans having destroyed or mined all north leading roads and bridges.
The aim was to block the retreat of the Germans in the direction of Rovaniemi through Muonio to the north. As soon as Monday (9th), Finnish and German troops were in combat in the Portimojärvi terrain between Ranua and Rovaniemi. Jaeger Brigade's Jaeger Battalion 2 and 4, led by Lagus, sought to flank into the rear of the Germans heading towards Rovaniemi. When the situation began to look like the Germans were about to break away, the Finnish jaegers were ordered to go advance on the road directly towards Rovaniemi so they would be in better position to chase after the Germans. At the same time, the Germans counterattacked the Finns, and the surprise attack drove the Finns off road. Finnish casualties rose up to 295 while Germans only lost few dozen men.

33,587 Soviet citizens currently in Finland have announced they'd like to go back to the Soviet Union.

Finnish daily losses: 96

sublynx

02-09-20, 12:10 AM

The daily losses were as bad as they were in quieter days in June 1944. Quite a picture, of that fallen German soldier, btw.

Dowly

02-14-20, 10:18 AM

10 October 1944

Germans begin the destruction of the city of Rovaniemi.

On the 9th, Rendulic informs the Finns that as a revenge for their "lowly and cowardly actions" German troops will destroy all state owned buildings in Rovaniemi. However, there is no time to figure out who owns what and so all sizeable buildings are burned. To add to the destruction, a German ammunition train explodes at the station and causes further fires in the city.

Finnish daily losses: 41

http://i.imgur.com/yBWqqdRm.jpg (https://imgur.com/yBWqqdR)
Finnish officer with what appears to be a KP-44 submachine gun (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KP_m/44_submachine_gun). (Tornio area)

***

11 October 1944

The 11th Division, led by Major-General Heiskanen, begins its advance from Tornio towards Muonio in the north via Kolari.

Former Foreign Minister Rolf Witting dies.

Finnish daily losses: 26

http://i.imgur.com/uWaBsbXm.jpg (https://imgur.com/uWaBsbX)
Finnish sentry in Kemi with Suomi KP-31 (w/ stick magazine).

***

12 October 1944

N/A

Finnish daily losses: 28

***

13 October 1944

Soviet news agency TASS opens office in Helsinki.

Finnish daily losses: 19

***

14 October 1944

The vanguard of Group Lagus reaches Rovaniemi.

Finnish daily losses: 38

http://i.imgur.com/Lvm2eYjm.jpg (https://imgur.com/Lvm2eYj)
Detachment Pennanen's jaegers crossing a river after Germans blew up the bridge.

***

15 October 1944

Infantry Regiment 11 tries to flank the Germans leaving Rovaniemi by advancing from the southwest of the city, but the lack of ammunition and exhaustion prevents the Finns from effectively blocking the German retreat towards Kittilä north of Rovaniemi.

Finnish daily losses: 42

***

16 October 1944

N/A

Finnish daily losses: 36

http://i.imgur.com/pbvrLt3m.jpg (https://imgur.com/pbvrLt3)
First Finnish troops march in burning Rovaniemi.

Dowly

02-22-20, 02:56 PM

17 October 1944

The government sets up a war compensation industry delegation within the Ministry of Trade and Industry to handle the $300 million war preparations dictated in the Moscow treaty.

TASS accuses Finns of being passive and slow in driving out the Germans from the country.

Mannerheim criticized Siilasvuo for being too passive in the north after the capture of Rovaniemi, and especially about the failed encirclement by Lagus' forces. In response, Major General Lagus threatens to give up his command.

Finnish daily losses: 25

http://i.imgur.com/26ggYcDm.jpg (https://imgur.com/26ggYcD)
Rovaniemi

***

18 October 1944

Finnish troops take control of the partially destroyed Kemijärvi parish.

18th Division captures Pelto.

Finnish daily losses: 26

***

19 October 1944

The headquarters orders the forces operating in northern Finland to form the Lapland Group, commanded by Lieutenant General Harald Öhqvist.

Prime Minister Castrén receives a list ('List 1') from the Allied Control Commission containing the names of 61 people suspected of war crimes. Due to the rather sloppy way the list was made, only 45 people are found and from those only 14 are found guilty.
(The list had a lot of misspelled names, wrong ranks and people who were accused of doing something somewhere they never were at.)

Finnish daily losses: 16

***

20 October 1944

The Armoured Division captures Sodankylä.

Finnish daily losses: 25

http://i.imgur.com/ZIu6Fm0m.jpg (https://imgur.com/ZIu6Fm0)
Released soviet POWs on their way back to the Soviet Union. (Lahti)

***

21 October 1944

N/A

Finnish daily losses: 14

***

22 October 1944

11th Division captures Kolari.

The Allied Control Commission relaxes its demands of a more swift advance against the Germans in the north. Due to this the HQ orders 15th and 6th Division along with 15th & 19th Brigade to halt their advance.

Finnish daily losses: 25

Dowly

03-06-20, 11:40 AM

23 October 1944

The Jaeger Brigade attacks against German positions in Vuotso (https://i.imgur.com/cB1TPFC.jpg) held by three Grenadier Regiments of the 169th Infantry Division. First advances by 2/JP4 are quickly halted by German artillery fire.

Finnish book stores are requested to remove from their selections books that contain matters seen as hostile towards the Soviet Union.

Finnish daily losses: 33

http://i.imgur.com/BkusAPrm.jpg (https://imgur.com/BkusAPr)
Swedish soldiers help an elder Finn who is returning to Tornio.

***

24 October 1944

Second attempt by the Jaeger Brigade to break the German line at Vuotso fails.

President Mannerheim orders end of blackout regulations with exception of Lapland.

The number of displaced population raises to 307,000.

Finnish daily losses: 23

http://i.imgur.com/6LBaM98m.jpg (https://imgur.com/6LBaM98)
Pioneers keeping warm near the destroyed bridge over Pellonjoki river.

***

25 October 1944

German forces withdraw from Vuotso to their second defensive line at Tankavaara (https://i.imgur.com/6v7yrNB.jpg).

Finnish forces capture Kittilä (https://i.imgur.com/66zH9j7.jpg).

Finnish daily losses: 35

***

26 October 1944

Finnish troops arrive at the front of German positions in Muonio (https://i.imgur.com/4ZiPFB4.jpg).

Finnish daily losses: 16

***

27 October 1944

N/A

Finnish daily losses: 38

***

28 October 1944

Germans apply scorched earth tactics as they withdraw from Finnmark, Norway.

Finnish daily losses: 22

Dowly

03-16-20, 08:42 AM

29 October 1944

Finnish Jaegers launch an attack at German positions in Tankavaara (https://i.imgur.com/6v7yrNB.jpg).

SKDL (Finnish People's Democratic League (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_People%27s_Democratic_League)) is founded.

Finnish daily losses: 52

http://i.imgur.com/nMN8GEcm.jpg (https://imgur.com/nMN8GEc)

Two German operated Somuas (?) destroyed near Tornio.

***

30 October 1944

Finnish forces capture Muonio (https://i.imgur.com/4ZiPFB4.jpg).

Finnish daily losses: 31

http://i.imgur.com/8StV9Kzm.jpg (https://imgur.com/8StV9Kz)

Finnish soldier sitting by a burning building in Muonio.

***

31 October 1944

SKP (Communist Party of Finland (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_Party_of_Finland)) is registered.

Fighting in Tankavaara ends as Germans begin to withdraw north according to plan.

President Mannerheim proposes the dissolution of the Civil Guard.

Anti-aircraft units are given strict orders not to engage targets other than those positively identified as German.

Finnish daily losses: 27

Finnish losses in October: 1,439

Finnish losses in the war: 64,786

Dowly

03-20-20, 06:39 AM

1 November 1944

The Allied Control Commission demands all POWs taken and then recruited into the Finnish Army to be handed over to the Soviet Union by 10 November.

Schools start again.

Finnish daily losses: 30

***

2 November 1944

Finnish troops briefly encircle a German regiment in the Kaunispää (https://i.imgur.com/IPFfGq2.jpg) area. The Germans, however, manage to break out by evening.

Finnish daily losses: 39

***

3 November 1944

The Parliament accepts President Mannerheim's proposal to abolish the Civil Guard.

Soviet Captain is shot in Lauttasaari, Helsinki as he was leading a column to Porkkala. Soviet Union blames Finns for his death, but as Finnish authorities are not allowed to examine the body or question any witnesses the case is closed.

Finnish daily losses: 14

***

4 November 1944

According to preliminary calculations, the total material losses of the displaced populace is over 30 million Finnish Marks. (~5.2mil euros)

Finnish daily losses: 24

***

5 November 1944

The Jaeger Brigade captures Ivalo (https://i.imgur.com/JhiPpmW.jpg).

Last of HQ's LRRP units is flown back from behind enemy lines by Flight Detachment Sauri.

Finnish daily losses: 20

http://i.imgur.com/m4vEZ1Bm.jpg (https://imgur.com/m4vEZ1B)
Jaegers crossing a stream near Ivalo.

***

6 November 1944

Finnish advance halts at Palojoensuu (https://i.imgur.com/W11z4n4.jpg).

Finnish daily losses: 12

http://i.imgur.com/TeXG4Rxm.jpg (https://imgur.com/TeXG4Rx)
Not much was left of Ivalo after Germans left.

***

7 November 1944

N/A

Finnish daily losses: 22

Dowly

03-20-20, 12:31 PM

In other news, I got my great uncles service records at hand. Unfortunately, and as I expected, they do not shed any light to what happened to him on 7 July 1944 in Äyräpää where he went missing.

But, as I have them now, here's what it reads:

Page 1

Physical description: 175cm/70kg, blue eyes
Gas mask number (size?): 2
Boot size: 44

Name: Tikkanen, Martti Leo
Date and place of birth: 28.10.1920, Keitele
Place of residence and religion: Keitele, Lutheran
Father's name: Heikki
Closest relative and his/her place of residence: (father) Heikki, Keitele
Married/Unmarried: Unmarried
Occupation: Farmer
Education: Elementary School
Language: Finnish
Sentences before service: None
Time in Civil Guard: None
Date of military oath: 21.7.1940
Sentences/punishments during service: None
Basic properties: Punctuality/good, diligence/good, observation/good, individual progression/good, behaviour/good
Type of service: Armed
Description of service: AT-gun assistant loader, 12 months

Notes:
-Transferred to I/KTR.14 (1st Battalion/Field Artillery Regiment 14) on 15.6.1940
-Transferred to Tyk.K./7Pr. (Gun company/7th Brigade) on 1.11.1940
-10.6.1941 Tyk.K./JR 7 (Infantry Regiment 7 was formed from 7th Brigade)

On the side of page 1 there is other misc. information about his service. Note that the records are not in chronological order and a lot is repetition.

Specialized as: AT gunner
Rank: Private

Draft group number and place: 57/5/40, Kuopio
Date of draft: 21.3.1940
Draftee class: A1 (in full condition for service)
Ordered to begin military service on: 28.3.1940
Ordered to: Infantry Training Center 6 (Jv.k.k.6)
Arrived on: 28.3.1940
Discharged as fully served on: 27.3.1942
Length of service: 2 years
Place of residence: Keitele
Transferred to reserve: 27.3.1942

By decision of Ministry of Defence on 7.11.1947, declared KIA on 7.7.1944.

***

Page 2 (Service after general mobilization for the Continuation War)

Arrived on/to: 10.6.1941/Infantry Regiment 7
Dog tag #: 497978
Ordered to: Gun Company(14.)/IR 7, assistant loader
Closest relative and place of residence: (mother) Hilja, Keitele
Transfers: 21.7.1944 Iisalmi Civil Guard precinct (Some internal re-organization stuff I guess, he had been MIA for 2 weeks by now)
Description of service: AT-gunner (assistant loader) 14./IR 7 10.6.1941 - 7.7.1944

Promotions/medals: Medal of Liberty, 2nd class
Battles:
Tyrjä 30.6.-4.8.1941
Fighting in SW of Lake Ladoga 6.-20.8.1941
Karelian Isthmus 28.8-5.9.1941
Karelian Isthmus 4.10.1941-7.7.1944

Wounded in Ohta on 13.7.1943.
(I read their war diaries sometime ago and there was a mention of private Tikkanen being wounded in the arm from a mortar frag, might be this occasion)

Notes: MIA on 7.7.1944 at Äyräpää, company commander 2nd Lieutenant [signature I can't make out)

The rest two pages are his KIA/MIA reports, stating his name, closest relative and place of disappearance.