:rotfl2:

^ lol

Not quite OT, pictures of the finnish defense forces, may have been posted before (as Jim or Steve will surely point out :03: :oops:)
http://sa-kuva.fi/neo?tem=webneoeng

I recall posting the link couple of years back. :yep:

***

23 June 1941

Propaganda companies receive their orders.

They are to "liven up and report stories from the front back home through written articles, photographs and movies".

Dowly is away till the 29th he asked Me, Nippelspanner and Oberon to take over the day by day updates till his return:

-

24 June 1941

In a meeting with Finnish ambassador T.M. Kivimäki, Goering asks what Finland wishes to gain from the war.

He answers: East Karelia and Kola. Goering says Finland is free to take as much as she wants, including Leningrad which is to be razed to the ground.

Commander of the Navy gives orders to attack and sink any hostile submarines in Finnish territorial waters.

25 June 1941

In the early hours of the morning Soviet bombers strike 19 cities around Finland.

General HQ moves to Mikkeli.

Sweden announces that it will stay neutral in the war. German troop transports however continue through her territory.

In a closed parliament session, Prime minister Rangell states that Finland is again at war with the Soviet Union.

Finnish daily losses: 7

http://i.imgur.com/acT8xSD.jpg

JU-88 over Malmi.

I'm taking a break so this is my bookmark.

STEED start reading the next post when you get back. :)

Well done guys, looking forward to reading more when I return.

26 June 1941

Heinola is bombed twice during the day.

First by 14 Soviet bombers that drop about 100 bombs, the second strike consists of 6 planes. Eight people are killed.

In his radio speech, President Ryti says that Finland has been attacked by the Soviet Union.

Finnish daily losses: 9

27 June 1941

After discussing with the Army Corps commanders, Mannerheim decides to concentrate the main thrust of the offensive to the northeast side of lake Ladoga.

Soviet bombers strike Tammisaari, Loviisa and Rovaniemi.

German troops capture Minsk, most of Lithuania and western Ukraine.

Finnish daily losses: 1

28 June 1941

Mannerheim signs Karelian Army's offensive plan.

IV AK is ordered to prepare for offensive.

Finnish daily losses: 4

http://i.imgur.com/A0UI6am.jpg?1
(larger version: http://imgur.com/ZW3y2d9)

Offensive plan and its objectives.

I have returned. Thanks for the help, Hunter. :salute:

No Problem, hope you enjoyed yourself and keep up the good work :up:

EDIT: Might as well put the last entry down you had prepared for us.

***

29 June 1941

Light detachment 7 from 18.D tries to capture Enso.

The troops manage to reach the city centre without resistance during the night, but a counter-attack by the Russians in the morning pushes them out of the city.

Gebirgs-Korps Norwegen begins its attack from Petsamo towards Murmansk.

Karelian Isthmus: Major-General Taavetti Laatikainen takes command of II AK.

V AK is disbanded and its divisions join the IV AK.

Finnish daily losses: 90

I had great time until I stopped drinking after 4 days. :dead:

30 June 1941

Karelian Isthmus: Colonel Blick's 2. Division (II AK) begins its local offensive at 1900hrs from the area between lake Simpele and lake Pyhäjärvi.

The division's orders are to advance to Tyrjä - Niasjärvi - Ristilahti line.

IR 7 got its nickname 'Tyrjä Regiment' from these battles. (Personal note: My great uncle served in 14./IR7, which was an anti-tank company)

Karelian Army receives its attack orders. Time of attack remains open.

Squadron 15 is formed. Their primary job is to fly LRRPs to and from behind enemy lines.

First enemy desants are spotted in Askola and Kalvola. All three desants are captured.

Finnish daily losses: 38

http://i.imgur.com/piHMuh5l.jpg
2.Division's attack 30.6.-5.7.

1 July 1941

Finnish III AK - under German command - begins its attack at 0230hrs from Suomussalmi and Kuusamo. German 36.AK (with Finnish 6.D) cross the border in Salla area.
(see map in post #84)

Commander of VI AK Major-General Paavo Talvela writes in his journal:
"I received my orders today and after reading them, I realized how absurd they were." (Does not say why -D)

First Finnish bombing raid strikes the Suvilahti - Petroskoi (Petrozavodsk) railway.

Finnish daily losses: 115

http://i.imgur.com/hQnGjaYl.jpg
German tanks heading to the front.

2 July 1941

Russian troops in Kalastajasaarento (Rybachy Peninsula) are cut off from the mainland as the 2.D of Gebirgs-Korps Norwegen captures the village of Kutovaja.
(map)

Detachment Paatsalo's first LRRP is sent to observe traffic on the Murmansk - Tiflofka road.

Finnish daily losses: 70