Continuation War, day by day. - Page 3

Dowly · 09-08-17, 05:04 AM

2 September 1942

200-man strong enemy detacthment crosses lake Ontajärvi and captures the Ontajärvi village.

14.D counter-attacks and quickly takes back the village and surrounds the remaining enemy forces.

By evening, the enemy has been either destroyed or forced to retreat.

Finnish daily losses: 43

Patrol hunting Soviet desants. (Svir sector)

***

3 September 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 21

Fiat G.50 returning from a sortie. (Rautu)

***

4 September 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 11

Mortar firing at night. (Svir sector/IR 50)

***

5 September 1942

LeLv 32's Curtiss-fighters down 11 enemy fighters over Lotinapelto with no own losses.

Finnish daily losses: 22

POW taken near Rukajärvi.

***

6 September 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 26

General Waldemar Erfurth handing out Iron Crosses to Finnish soldiers.

***

7 September 1942

The so-called "Vihti desant" Kerttu Nuorteva is arrested in Helsinki.

Finnish daily losses: 22

***

8 September 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 24

Lieutenant Eino Penttilä, a LRRP leader and Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #79. (Rukajärvi)

"On August 19th 1942 the Commander-in-Chief has appointed Lieutenant Eino Penttilä as Knight of the 2nd class Mannerheim Cross.
Lieutenant Penttilä was already distinguished as a veteran frontier jaeger
during the Winter War, and he has, in the ongoing war, continued to
reinforce his reputation as a man who, far behind the enemy's back,
ruthlessly and with intimidating confidence, strikes at the enemy where he
least expects it. His extraordinary skills in the wilderness, good use of
terrain and his ability to quickly assess any situation presented has allowed
his unit to return unscathed from most of their missions. His unfailing
courage, his strong sense of duty, and his abundant skills with given
assignments have created in his men an unshakable confidence in the face
of seemingly impossible tasks."

STEED · 09-08-17, 07:26 AM

Just over half way there Dowly, have a cold beer or two. Thanks for the first half and of course looking forward to the second half.

Quick question, do you think Finland would have stayed out of WW2 had Russia not attacked Finland back in 39/40?

Dowly · 09-08-17, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEED

Just over half way there Dowly, have a cold beer or two. Thanks for the first half and of course looking forward to the second half.

Thanks, STEED.

Man, two years still to go... plus the Lapland War. Yeah, I think I'll have a cold one or twelve.

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEED

Quick question, do you think Finland would have stayed out of WW2 had Russia not attacked Finland back in 39/40?

In my personal opinion: Yes, I believe Finland would have stayed neutral was it not for the Winter War. I see no reason why Finland would have wanted to attack USSR without it.

Remember that Finland would have wanted to make a neutrality pact with Sweden during the Interim Peace, but it was opposed by the USSR (and Germany too, I think, not sure).

EDIT: I've been forgetting to keep count on the total Finnish casualties, so here's the figure from 25/6/41 to 8/9/42: 34,141

STEED · 09-09-17, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dowly

Thanks, STEED.

Man, two years still to go... plus the Lapland War. Yeah, I think I'll have a cold one or twelve.

In my personal opinion: Yes, I believe Finland would have stayed neutral was it not for the Winter War. I see no reason why Finland would have wanted to attack USSR without it.

Remember that Finland would have wanted to make a neutrality pact with Sweden during the Interim Peace, but it was opposed by the USSR (and Germany too, I think, not sure).

EDIT: I've been forgetting to keep count on the total Finnish casualties, so here's the figure from 25/6/41 to 8/9/42: 34,141

Make me wonder if AGN would have got up to the gates of Leningrad without Finland's help.

Thanks.

Dowly · 09-14-17, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEED

Make me wonder if AGN would have got up to the gates of Leningrad without Finland's help.

The Germans didn't seem to have many problems advancing the eastern front on every section during the latter half of 1941.

In related news, Ian and Karl from InRangeTV/Forgotten Weapons got to try the full auto "Suomi" M/31 and the KP/44 during their visit to Finland during the Summer.

Dowly · 09-15-17, 02:03 AM

9 September 1942

The Ministry of Social Affairs decides to postpone the plans of moving evacuated Finnish children back to Finland from Sweden and Denmark.

Finnish daily losses: 28

***

10 September 1942

Finns respond in the negative to German requests to not import and show American made movies.

Finnish daily losses: 22

Sergeant Major Ilmari "Illu" Juutilainen explains to a war correspondent how he was once surprised by an enemy fighter.

***

11 September 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 20

Lieutenant Lauri Kokko, Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #84. (Svir/17.D.)

"On August 31st 1942 the Commander-in-Chief has appointed Lieutenant Lauri Kokko as Knight of the 2nd class Mannerheim Cross.

Lieutenant Kokko has shown great personal courage and initiative while
acting as a company commander during the current war. Thanks to his
ruthless and initiative rich way of attacking, he and his unit has been able
to surround and destroy enemy units much larger in size than them, and
capture large amounts of loot in process including number intact enemy tanks.
Once, when he was given a temporary leadership of a battalion, he broke
inside a well fortified enemy positions during the night and by fighting
encircled until the morning forced the enemy to abandon these positions.
By creating the right kind of spirit and confidence within his men, he has been able
to lead his unit successfully through every mission he has been given."

***

12 September 1942

Steamship Bonden is sunk by a Soviet submarine on the Sea of Åland.

Finnish daily losses: 45

Lotta Svärd volunteers greet Marshal Mannerheim during his visit to Rukajärvi area.

***

13 September 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 16

Anti-Aircraft center in Viipuri from where AA fire could be directed during night time.

***

14 September 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 14

The bodies of a Russian patrol in front of Finnish positions (covered with lime). (Rajajoki)

***

15 September 1942

A battalion from Soviet 289.Division launches a two-pronged attack against the Finnish 3rd Brigade in the Kriv area.

The attack in the northeastern sector is a diversion, while the main point of pressure is on the north edge of Lake Krivjärvi. The enemy troops assault the Finnish trenches in the midst of their own massive artillery bombardment and the Finnish dugouts are systematically destroyed by the use of flamethrowers.

The defenders, surprised by the ferocity of the attack and the bombardment, retreat from their positions. The fighting in the area lasts for four days after which the enemy has managed to capture an area of about 20 hectares. The enemy has however lost nearly 2,000 men in the attack.

Finnish daily losses: 58

Machine gun position on the shore of lake Onega. (Svir/IR 9)

Dowly · 09-23-17, 06:26 AM

16 September 1942

Forty enemy planes strike Kotka.

Finnish daily losses: 42

Taipale at night.

***

17 September 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 37

German coastal gun. (Tytärsaari)

***

18 September 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 42

Machinegunner at work in the Kriv area.

***

19 September 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 30

Old Russian trenches at Konevitsa.

***

20 September 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 26

***

21 September 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 33

View towards the enemy. (Rajajoki)

***

22 September 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 23

Dowly · 09-29-17, 09:46 AM

23 September 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 17

Lotta auxiliaries. (Kotkatjärvi)

***

24 September 1942

Soviet partisans attack the village of Viiksimo, killing 8 civilians.

Finnish daily losses: 24

Gunboat 'Karhumäki'.

***

25 September 1942

US warns Finland to not give in to any requests of further offensive operations by the Germans.

US blames Finland of provocation.

Finnish daily losses: 12

Camouflaged Italian MAS-boats. (Lake Ladoga)

***

26 September 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 42

***

27 September 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 15

General Pajari's (18.D) HQ

***

28 September 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 22

***

29 September 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 26

Dowly · 10-06-17, 05:54 AM

30 September 1942

224,593 evacuees have returned to their homes in Karelia.

Finnish daily losses: 21

Sweden's Prince Gustav Adolf visiting 4.Division near Petroskoi.

***

1 October 1942

Schools start in Finland and in many areas in Karelia.

Finnish daily losses: 26

Parade in Petroskoi to celebrate 1 year anniversary of taking of the city.

***

2 October 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 18

Actor Heikki Tuominen touring the troops "over there somewhere".

***

3 October 1942

Soviet partisans kill three women and one man in the village of Kuoliovaara in Kuusamo.

Finnish daily losses: 17

***

4 October 1942

Finnish liason to German HQ, General Talvela, informs Mannerheim that the Germans have postponed the plan to capture Leningrad.

Mannerheim instructs General Talvela to not give in to any demands from Germany to help in the siege.

Finnish daily losses: 31

Platoon leader Cornet Haanpää receives first aid. (Rukajärvi/Base "Suvi")

***

5 October 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 18

Heinkel He-111 flying low over boats on Lake Ladoga.

***

6 October 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 18

Lieutenant Penttilä's (front) patrol resting somewhere in the Rukajärvi wilderness.

Dowly · 10-13-17, 02:15 PM

7 October 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 19

Patrol crossing a swamp somewhere in Rukajärvi area.

***

8 October 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 25

Patrol at enemy field hospital, the pointman (Lieutenant Penttilä) has just shot the enemy sentry posted there. (Rukajärvi)

***

9 October 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 29

Lieutenant Penttilä's patrol back home. (Rukajärvi)

***

10 October 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 33

Lieutenant-Colonel Majewski inspecting the trenches after battle. Shortly after, he was shot and killed by an enemy sniper. (Repola/Rukajärvi)

***

11 October 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 20

Captured I-153s in Finnish use.

***

12 October 1942

500 Finnish children return from Denmark.

Soviet submarine Štš-311 is sunk in the Gulf of Finland.

Finnish daily losses: 19

***

13 October 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 25

Large explosion observed somewhere in the Leningrad siege area.

Schroeder · 10-13-17, 04:34 PM

I find it funny that the war is still in full swing and people return already to their homes. I guess they too expected a quick German victory over the Soviet Union.

Dowly · 10-15-17, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

I find it funny that the war is still in full swing and people return already to their homes. I guess they too expected a quick German victory over the Soviet Union.

The war's been on a hiatus for about 9 months on the Finnish front, so allowing people to return to some areas doesn't strike all that odd.

As for confidence in German victory in the east, Mannerheim by this time already had his doubts about its success.

Dowly · 10-20-17, 07:18 AM

14 October 1942

The Battle of Stalingrad reaches its peak.

Finnish daily losses: 21

Marshal Mannerheim inspects new defensive positions in Vammelsuu.

***

15 October 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 15

Convoy on Sea of Åland.

***

16 October 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 18

German medical staff visiting a hospital in Helsinki.

***

17 October 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 29

Russian propaganda poster, the caption reads: "While you lie in the trenches, the Germans chase after your wifes back home."

***

18 October 1942

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 21

***

19 October 1942

Red Army begins its counter-attack at Stalingrad.

Finnish daily losses: 7

Gunboat 'Hämeenmaa'.

***

20 October 1942

There are 17,640 war orphans in Finland so far.

Finnish daily losses: 15

German Siebel ferry on lake Ladoga.

Dowly · 10-27-17, 10:59 AM

I recall there being some interest on the Finnish SS-volunteers (Steed?), here are some photos from the book "Suomalaisena SS-miehenä itärintamalla - Herkko Kosonen aseveljineen Wiking-divisioonassa."*

Stralsund, May 1941. Group of volunteers dressed in their uniforms. The uniforms were surplus ones, which explains the Totenkopf collar tabs; these were later changed to the SS runes. (training period)

SS-Schütze Herkko Kosonen. (Stralsund, May 1941)

Graves of Westland regiment's soldiers, including the first Finn to die: Aulis Gröndahl, in Husiatyn on July 7th, 1941.

From left: Penna Konttinen, Pentti Maunula, Kyösti Virtaniemi, Tauno Lammi and Sakari Pöyhönen on the grave of Osmo Kauppinen who fell on July 22nd 1941 in Lukjanowsk, Ukraine.

There is plenty more photos and diary entries in the book, if there is interest.

*Translated: "As a Finnish Waffen-SS volunteer on the eastern front - Herkko Kosonen and his comrades in the Wiking division."

Dowly · 11-03-17, 12:47 PM

Damn Krauts, coming here and taking our jobs!

EDIT:

Info about the LRRP and Sissi units:

Finland's armoured forces:

09-08-17, 07:26 AM	#2
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	Just over half way there Dowly, have a cold beer or two. Thanks for the first half and of course looking forward to the second half. Quick question, do you think Finland would have stayed out of WW2 had Russia not attacked Finland back in 39/40? __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!

10-13-17, 04:34 PM	#11
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	I find it funny that the war is still in full swing and people return already to their homes. I guess they too expected a quick German victory over the Soviet Union. __________________ Putting Germ back into Germany.

11-03-17, 12:47 PM	#15
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Damn Krauts, coming here and taking our jobs! EDIT: Info about the LRRP and Sissi units: Finland's armoured forces: Last edited by Dowly; 11-03-17 at 01:39 PM.

09-08-17, 05:04 AM	#1
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	2 September 1942 200-man strong enemy detacthment crosses lake Ontajärvi and captures the Ontajärvi village. 14.D counter-attacks and quickly takes back the village and surrounds the remaining enemy forces. By evening, the enemy has been either destroyed or forced to retreat. Finnish daily losses: 43 Patrol hunting Soviet desants. (Svir sector) * 3 September 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 21 Fiat G.50 returning from a sortie. (Rautu) * 4 September 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 11 Mortar firing at night. (Svir sector/IR 50) * 5 September 1942 LeLv 32's Curtiss-fighters down 11 enemy fighters over Lotinapelto with no own losses. Finnish daily losses: 22 POW taken near Rukajärvi. * 6 September 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 26 General Waldemar Erfurth handing out Iron Crosses to Finnish soldiers. * 7 September 1942 The so-called "Vihti desant" Kerttu Nuorteva is arrested in Helsinki. Finnish daily losses: 22 * 8 September 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 24 Lieutenant Eino Penttilä, a LRRP leader and Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #79. (Rukajärvi) "On August 19th 1942 the Commander-in-Chief has appointed Lieutenant Eino Penttilä as Knight of the 2nd class Mannerheim Cross. Lieutenant Penttilä was already distinguished as a veteran frontier jaeger during the Winter War, and he has, in the ongoing war, continued to reinforce his reputation as a man who, far behind the enemy's back, ruthlessly and with intimidating confidence, strikes at the enemy where he least expects it. His extraordinary skills in the wilderness, good use of terrain and his ability to quickly assess any situation presented has allowed his unit to return unscathed from most of their missions. His unfailing courage, his strong sense of duty, and his abundant skills with given assignments have created in his men an unshakable confidence in the face of seemingly impossible tasks."

09-15-17, 02:03 AM	#6
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	9 September 1942 The Ministry of Social Affairs decides to postpone the plans of moving evacuated Finnish children back to Finland from Sweden and Denmark. Finnish daily losses: 28 * 10 September 1942 Finns respond in the negative to German requests to not import and show American made movies. Finnish daily losses: 22 Sergeant Major Ilmari "Illu" Juutilainen explains to a war correspondent how he was once surprised by an enemy fighter. * 11 September 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 20 Lieutenant Lauri Kokko, Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #84. (Svir/17.D.) "On August 31st 1942 the Commander-in-Chief has appointed Lieutenant Lauri Kokko as Knight of the 2nd class Mannerheim Cross. Lieutenant Kokko has shown great personal courage and initiative while acting as a company commander during the current war. Thanks to his ruthless and initiative rich way of attacking, he and his unit has been able to surround and destroy enemy units much larger in size than them, and capture large amounts of loot in process including number intact enemy tanks. Once, when he was given a temporary leadership of a battalion, he broke inside a well fortified enemy positions during the night and by fighting encircled until the morning forced the enemy to abandon these positions. By creating the right kind of spirit and confidence within his men, he has been able to lead his unit successfully through every mission he has been given." * 12 September 1942 Steamship Bonden is sunk by a Soviet submarine on the Sea of Åland. Finnish daily losses: 45 Lotta Svärd volunteers greet Marshal Mannerheim during his visit to Rukajärvi area. * 13 September 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 16 Anti-Aircraft center in Viipuri from where AA fire could be directed during night time. * 14 September 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 14 The bodies of a Russian patrol in front of Finnish positions (covered with lime). (Rajajoki) * 15 September 1942 A battalion from Soviet 289.Division launches a two-pronged attack against the Finnish 3rd Brigade in the Kriv area. The attack in the northeastern sector is a diversion, while the main point of pressure is on the north edge of Lake Krivjärvi. The enemy troops assault the Finnish trenches in the midst of their own massive artillery bombardment and the Finnish dugouts are systematically destroyed by the use of flamethrowers. The defenders, surprised by the ferocity of the attack and the bombardment, retreat from their positions. The fighting in the area lasts for four days after which the enemy has managed to capture an area of about 20 hectares. The enemy has however lost nearly 2,000 men in the attack. Finnish daily losses: 58 Machine gun position on the shore of lake Onega. (Svir/IR 9)

09-23-17, 06:26 AM	#7
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	16 September 1942 Forty enemy planes strike Kotka. Finnish daily losses: 42 Taipale at night. * 17 September 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 37 German coastal gun. (Tytärsaari) * 18 September 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 42 Machinegunner at work in the Kriv area. * 19 September 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 30 Old Russian trenches at Konevitsa. * 20 September 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 26 * 21 September 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 33 View towards the enemy. (Rajajoki) * 22 September 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 23

09-29-17, 09:46 AM	#8
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	23 September 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 17 Lotta auxiliaries. (Kotkatjärvi) * 24 September 1942 Soviet partisans attack the village of Viiksimo, killing 8 civilians. Finnish daily losses: 24 Gunboat 'Karhumäki'. * 25 September 1942 US warns Finland to not give in to any requests of further offensive operations by the Germans. US blames Finland of provocation. Finnish daily losses: 12 Camouflaged Italian MAS-boats. (Lake Ladoga) * 26 September 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 42 * 27 September 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 15 General Pajari's (18.D) HQ * 28 September 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 22 * 29 September 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 26

10-06-17, 05:54 AM	#9
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	30 September 1942 224,593 evacuees have returned to their homes in Karelia. Finnish daily losses: 21 Sweden's Prince Gustav Adolf visiting 4.Division near Petroskoi. * 1 October 1942 Schools start in Finland and in many areas in Karelia. Finnish daily losses: 26 Parade in Petroskoi to celebrate 1 year anniversary of taking of the city. * 2 October 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 18 Actor Heikki Tuominen touring the troops "over there somewhere". * 3 October 1942 Soviet partisans kill three women and one man in the village of Kuoliovaara in Kuusamo. Finnish daily losses: 17 * 4 October 1942 Finnish liason to German HQ, General Talvela, informs Mannerheim that the Germans have postponed the plan to capture Leningrad. Mannerheim instructs General Talvela to not give in to any demands from Germany to help in the siege. Finnish daily losses: 31 Platoon leader Cornet Haanpää receives first aid. (Rukajärvi/Base "Suvi") * 5 October 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 18 Heinkel He-111 flying low over boats on Lake Ladoga. * 6 October 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 18 Lieutenant Penttilä's (front) patrol resting somewhere in the Rukajärvi wilderness.

10-13-17, 02:15 PM	#10
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	7 October 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 19 Patrol crossing a swamp somewhere in Rukajärvi area. * 8 October 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 25 Patrol at enemy field hospital, the pointman (Lieutenant Penttilä) has just shot the enemy sentry posted there. (Rukajärvi) * 9 October 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 29 Lieutenant Penttilä's patrol back home. (Rukajärvi) * 10 October 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 33 Lieutenant-Colonel Majewski inspecting the trenches after battle. Shortly after, he was shot and killed by an enemy sniper. (Repola/Rukajärvi) * 11 October 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 20 Captured I-153s in Finnish use. * 12 October 1942 500 Finnish children return from Denmark. Soviet submarine Štš-311 is sunk in the Gulf of Finland. Finnish daily losses: 19 * 13 October 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 25 Large explosion observed somewhere in the Leningrad siege area.

10-20-17, 07:18 AM	#13
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	14 October 1942 The Battle of Stalingrad reaches its peak. Finnish daily losses: 21 Marshal Mannerheim inspects new defensive positions in Vammelsuu. * 15 October 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 15 Convoy on Sea of Åland. * 16 October 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 18 German medical staff visiting a hospital in Helsinki. * 17 October 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 29 Russian propaganda poster, the caption reads: "While you lie in the trenches, the Germans chase after your wifes back home." * 18 October 1942 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 21 * 19 October 1942 Red Army begins its counter-attack at Stalingrad. Finnish daily losses: 7 Gunboat 'Hämeenmaa'. * 20 October 1942 There are 17,640 war orphans in Finland so far. Finnish daily losses: 15 German Siebel ferry on lake Ladoga.

10-27-17, 10:59 AM	#14
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	I recall there being some interest on the Finnish SS-volunteers (Steed?), here are some photos from the book "Suomalaisena SS-miehenä itärintamalla - Herkko Kosonen aseveljineen Wiking-divisioonassa."* Stralsund, May 1941. Group of volunteers dressed in their uniforms. The uniforms were surplus ones, which explains the Totenkopf collar tabs; these were later changed to the SS runes. (training period) SS-Schütze Herkko Kosonen. (Stralsund, May 1941) Graves of Westland regiment's soldiers, including the first Finn to die: Aulis Gröndahl, in Husiatyn on July 7th, 1941. From left: Penna Konttinen, Pentti Maunula, Kyösti Virtaniemi, Tauno Lammi and Sakari Pöyhönen on the grave of Osmo Kauppinen who fell on July 22nd 1941 in Lukjanowsk, Ukraine. There is plenty more photos and diary entries in the book, if there is interest. Translated: "As a Finnish Waffen-SS volunteer on the eastern front - Herkko Kosonen and his comrades in the Wiking division.*"