9 July 1941
In the early morning, 20 enemy bombers strike Helsinki. 21 people are killed.
Air battle over Gulf of Finland results in 8 enemy planes being shot down by Squadron 24's Brewster Buffalos.
First saboteurs of the so called 'Erna group' leave for Estonia. These saboteurs have been trained in Finland to harass Soviet troops in Estonia.
VI AK begins its main offensive at 2340hrs with objective of achieving a breakthrough in Värtsilä and east side Korpiselkä.
Major-General Talvela's VI AK was supposed to wait for the general offensive, starting on the 10th, but Talvela decided to start the attack early.
The attack bogs down quickly and VI AK cannot advance to its objectives before the general offensive begins.
Major-General Talvela is probably best described as the Patton of Finland. He was extremely stubborn, had strong views on how the Finnish Army should work, was quick to anger and generally was very hard to work with.
Good example of his personality is when the first Mannerheim Cross was awarded. Not to him, but to Ruben Lagus. Reportedly, he screamed in anger "
The *bleeping* Russkie gave it to the *bleeping* Swede!".
Capable commander though.
Finnish daily losses: 149
"Mascot" of a certain artillery unit.