21 September 1944
Operation 'Stella Polaris' begins.
Finnish daily losses: 16
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
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)
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
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