Continuation War, day by day.

[Dowly]

13 October 1941

No entry for the day.

Finnish daily losses: 35


Men climbing up the Munakukkula (lit. Egg-hill).

Recording from the hill during a firefight, exact date not given, but late 1941.

[Dowly]

14 October 1941

Soviet 114.D begins a counter-attack against the advancing Finnish 7.D near Lake Orenskoje in Eastern Svir.



Finnish daily losses: 73


General Feige handing out Iron Crosses to soldiers of the Finnish 6.Division.

[Schroeder]

Originally Posted by Dowly

BTW did the Finnish forces receive German helmets or is it just a coincidence that they look remarkably similar to the ones the Germans used?

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

BTW did the Finnish forces receive German helmets or is it just a coincidence that they look remarkably similar to the ones the Germans used?

- German m/16, m/17 and m/18 : Over 80000 bought by late 1920's. Finnish main helmet type in Winter War, also used during Continuation War.
- Austro-Hungarian m/17: Small amount arrived with German helmets, similar use as with German m/17.
- German (Hungarian made also included) m/35 (actually m/35, m/35-40 and m/35-42): 25000 bought just before Continuation War and 24000 more at summer of 1943.
- Hungarian m/38 (Hungarians had developed it from German m/35): 75000 bought at February of 1940, most numerous helmet type in Finnish use during Continuation War.
- Italian m/33: 30000 bought during Interim Peace (1940 - 1941)
- Czech m/34: 50000 bought at spring of 1940
- Swedish m/21 and m/26: 8000 in Finnish use during Continuation War (probably left in Finland by Swedish volunteer force of Winter War)
- Swedish m/37: 20000 bought, arrived at summer of 1941
- Finnish m/40: 75000 manufactured 1940 - 1944
- Soviet m/40: Some 34700 captured, 20000 of them issued to Finnish non-frontline troops.

So says the admin of JaegerPlatoon.net

[Schroeder]

Thanks.

[STEED]

I see Dowly is in the brig, anyone standing in or do we have to wait until his parole?

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by STEED

I see Dowly is in the brig, anyone standing in or do we have to wait until his parole?

Well, in the meantime here's some pictures:
http://sa-kuva.fi/neo

[sublynx]

I guess we'll just have to wait for Dowly to escape from the encircling Russian battalions.

In the meanwhile I'll post a list on the losses suffered by the Finnish Air Force in October 1941.

October
2nd
BL-143 (https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Blenheim) from No. 42 Bomber Squadron shot down by AA while making a recce flight Kendjärvi - Mundjärvi. Corporal T.E. Purmonen and 2nd Lieutenant J.J.A. Ampiala died, 2nd Lieutenant E.O. Joutsen managed to use a parachute and walked back to friendly lines by the 4th of October

7th
FR-91 (https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fokker_D.XXI) from No. 12 Reconnaissance Squadron shot down by AA at Ojatjoki while making a recce flight. 2nd Lieutenant P.K. Elo died. The plane was lost.

9th
FRw-120 (https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fokker_D.XXI - Wasp version) from No. 35 Training Squadron, plane lost due to tailspin. 2nd Lieutenant J.I. Kalliomäki survived the crash by using a parachute. The plane was lost.

27th
VI-15 (https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/VL_Viima) from Flying. Regiment 2 crashed due to a low-level flying mistake while making a transit flight. Lieutenant A.H.A Nissinen and Airplane Inspector T.K. Kolhonen died. The plane was lost.

29th
FA-4 (https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_G.50) from No. 26 Squadron got lost during a transit flight Sakkola - Immola and crash landed in Parikkala. Corporal K.J. Alakoski got wounded. The plane was lost.

30th
FK-88 (https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fokker_C.X) from No. 16 Reconnaissance Squadron caught fire during pre-heating in Petroskoi airfield. The plane was destroyed by the fire. The plane was lost.

[STEED]

Dowly old bean any new posts?

[Dowly]

Waaaay to busy procrastinating with other stuff.

[STEED]

How about a free bottle of Bucks Fizz?

[Dowly]

The search function on SA-kuva.fi appears to not work, so unfortunately there will be no photos. I'll update the post when and if the site ever begins to work again.

***

15 October 1941

Major General Laatikainen's II AK, relocated from the Isthmus, is reformed on the Karelian Army's left flank. Its new OoB consists of 8. and 4. divisions, Group O and Brigade Kuussaari.

Finnish daily losses: 61


Infantry attacks through soviet mortar fire. (Kiestinki)

***

16 October 1941

Near Lake Orenskoje, the attacking Soviet forces manage to breakthrough into 7.division's positions.



Soviet officials begin to leave Moscow.

Finnish daily losses: 77


Destroyed tank in Salla. Wooden cross marks the grave of its driver.

***

17 October 1941

Due to growing food shortages, people are asked to take every measure to try and preserve their root vegetables.

Finnish daily losses: 67


Doing woodworks was a popular way to pass time.

***

18 October 1941

IR 30 launches counter-attack at Lake Orenskoje.



Finnish daily losses: 71


Wrestling a naval mine that had washed ashore in Önskärni.

***

19 October 1941

II AK is ordered to attack towards the Käppäselkä – Karhumäki – Maaselkä line.



Colonel Kaarlo Heiskanen's 11.D is subordinated to the German 163.D. They are ordered to prepare to attack south from Svir, towards Tikhvin to complete the siege of Leningrad.

Brigade Kuussaari captures the town of Paatene on the shore of Lake Seesjärvi.



Farmers are required to give 1/4 of their grain and oats to the state.

Finnish daily losses: 70

!!GRAPHIC IMAGE - CHILD WARNING!!

 

"Ship of death" in Paatene. The ship was targeted by Finnish cannons as it was leaving the pier.
After the town was captured, Finns saw it had been carrying civilians.

[STEED]

Thanks Dowly.

[Dowly]

Photos added to previous post.

[Dowly]

20 October 1941

4.division's forces begin to advance towards Mäntyselkä – Karhumäki.

8.division is ordered to advance south of Lake Seesjärvi towards the Maaselkä isthmus.



Milk portions are reduced to 0.1 litres per coupon. Children and the sick retain their previous portions.

Finnish daily losses: 72


Finnish soldier watches as Pyhälahti burns.

***

21 October 1941

IR 30's counter-attack at Lake Orenskoje results in it becoming encircled by Soviet forces.

8.division begins its attack towards Maaselkä.

Finnish daily losses: 84


Suomen Joutsen as supply ship.

***

22 October 1941

IR 30 breaks out of the encirclement at Lake Orenskoje.

Former president of Finland, Pehr Evind Svinhufvud visits the HQ in Mikkeli. In his opinion, Finland should aim to take the Kola Peninsula and more. His advice to the military leadership is short and simple: ”Eteenpäin!” (”Forwards!”).

Finnish daily losses: 71


Rocket filled with propaganda leaflets is launched.

***

23 October 1941

Eastern Svir quiets down as 7.division is ordered to halt its offensive at Lake Orenskoje. The division regroups to defend the Gora – Osta – Kimjärvi line.

On the Hanko front, Soviet assault team lands on the Sommarö island. Finnish artillery prevents more Soviet troops from landing on the island, and after receiving reinforcements the Finns retake the island. Soviet losses are nearly hundred, Finns lose 30 men.

Finnish daily losses: 87


Winter is coming. (Petroskoi)

***

24 October 1941

Concentration/work camp is built in Petroskoi to house Russian populace still in the area. For reasons of security, all men born between 1891 – 1924 are placed in the camp.

Finns estimate that around 10,000 people will be housed in the camp.

Finnish daily losses: 117


The war flag is raised over the town of Paatene.

***

25 October 1941

Soviet Baltic Fleet receives orders to prepare to evacuate the Hanko peninsula.

Finnish daily losses: 107


Grave of 16 Finns, whose remains were found and buried here.
The cross reads: ”1939 – 1940. Winter War's sixteen unknown heroes of Taipale.”
(Taipale)