Continuation War, day by day.

[Dowly]

30 June 1944

Fighting around Tali ends, battle of Ihantala begins.

Originally Posted by Mikko H. @AHF

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 The Armored Division is withdrawn from battle, but the other units regroup to a new delaying line, to give time for Maj.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.

*

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


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]

1 July 1944

Ihantala:

Originally Posted by Mikko H. @AHF

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.

*

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


Teikarinsaari.

[Dowly]

2 July 1944

Quiet day at Ihantala.

Originally Posted by Mikko H. @AHF

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


German StuG north of Viipuri.


Men from IR 200, most of whom Estonian volunteers, looking towards Viipuri.

[Dowly]

3 July 1944

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

Originally Posted by Mikko H. @AHF

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.

*

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

Finnish daily losses: 306

[Dowly]

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.



*

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:

Originally Posted by Mikko H. @AHF

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.

Finnish daily losses: 596


Wounded soldiers from Ravansaari island, waiting to be picked up to a first aid station.


***


Probably taking the rest of the week off.

[Dowly]

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]

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:

Originally Posted by Mikko H. @AHF

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


Separate Battalion 16 men marching towards the front for a counter-attack.


Same as above.


"A hero emerges from beneath the mounds." said Lieutenant Luukko's messenger as he crawled out of his dugout after an artillery strike.

[Dowly]

Thanks Schroeder!


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.


***


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


Crew of 'Bubi', with seven kill marks painted on the barrel. (Ihantala area)



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]

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]

Originally Posted by Dowly

Thanks Schroeder!

No problem.

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]

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.



*

Battle of Tali-Ihantala ends in Finnish defensive victory.

Originally Posted by Mikko H. @AHF

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.

Pfc. Kokkonen, StuG gunner with 7 confirmed kills under his belt from Tali and Portanhoikka.

[Dowly]

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.






Situation on the Karelian Isthmus.


Situation in East Karelia.

Finnish daily losses: 358

[Dowly]

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.


Soviet and Finnish attack plans for 11 July.


*

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

Finnish daily losses: 264


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]

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.



*

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

Finnish daily losses: 273


'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]

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.



Finnish daily losses: 281