Continuation War, day by day. - Page 11

Dowly · 08-13-16, 08:52 AM

13 August 1941

I AK takes front responsibility in the area of Sortavala.

Karelian Isthmus: Mannerheim orders Colonel Pajari's 18.Division to take the northern shore of river Vuoksi between Enso and Pölläkkälä and establish bridgehead on the west side of the river.

IV AK receives orders to start preparing for an attack.

Finnish daily losses: 327

Machine gun nest inside a childrens' hospital in Sortavala

Dowly · 08-15-16, 04:42 AM

14 August 1941

18.Division's forces surround Enso and Jääski.

Antrea is captured after heavy fighting lasting the entire day.

I AK attacks against the Soviet 168.D in Lahdenpohja - Sortavala area.

Finnish daily losses: 349

Soldier from assault company with messenger dog 'Taru'

Dowly · 08-15-16, 07:43 AM

15 August 1941

At 1510hrs, IR30 headquarters receives message from II./IR30:

"The city (Sortavala) has been taken and the blue cross flag flies over the city hall. Own losses: 1 KIA, 3 WIA. Enemy losses number dozens."

Majority of the defending Russians (168.D) have left the city earlier during the day.

Of those Russians who remained in the city, 540 were taken prisoner.

Finnish 10.Division repulses Soviet 265.Division's counter-attack in Timoskala.

VII AK takes front responsibility in Tulemajärvi sector.

Finnish daily losses: 256

Russian prisoners asking their comrades holed up in a cellar to surrender. (Sortavala)

Finnish newsreel of the battle of Sortavala:
http://www.elonet.fi/fi/elokuva/638072

In Finnish naturally, but there's some nice footage there that might interest some.

Dowly · 08-16-16, 04:44 AM

16 August 1941

Northern Finland: Finnish IR53 (III AK) is encircled near Kiestinki.

IR37 reaches Lake Ladoga in Melloistenlahti, south of Sortavala.

7.Division's commander Colonel Svensson becomes Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #5 for leading the attack on Sortavala.

Colonel Pajari orders his 18.Division to attack across river Vuoksi in Hopeasalmi.

Finnish daily losses: 255

Colonel Svensson (center) and General Heinrichs (right) in Sortavala.

Dowly · 08-17-16, 07:35 AM

17 August 1941

Karelian Isthmus: 18.Division's vanguard battalion crosses river Vuoksi in Hopeasalmi at 2300hrs.

"The order to capture the north shore of the river from Enso to Pölläkkälä and to establish a bridgehead on the south side had been received on the 13th of August.
The purpose was to get behind the enemy troops defending the western part of the isthmus and so make the upcoming attack of the IV AK easier in that direction.

The first men of IR27 rowed across the river in complete silence. The surprise was near perfect, only resistance they met was a 10-man patrol which was quickly destroyed.
By first light, almost the entire regiment had moved across and a couple kilometers deep bridgehead had been established."

10.Division attacks towards Räisälä.

Swedish Volunteer Battalion takes front responsibility in Hanko sector.

Finnish daily losses: 294

2nd Lieutenant Lehtonen from Jaeger Battalion 1 receives the Iron Cross 2nd class.
His patrol destroyed a Russian 6-inch gun battery on 4th of August in Kotasuo.

Dowly · 08-18-16, 01:57 AM

18 August 1941

Stalin offers peace to Finland.

Finnish ambassador in Washington, Hjalmar Procopé, is informed confidentially by US Under Secretary of State Sumner Welles of Stalin's readiness to start peace talks with Finland.

Due to the success by both Finnish and German armies in the east, Finland sees no reason to make a separate peace with Soviet Union.

Sergeant-Major Oiva "Oippa" Tuominen becomes Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #6. He has shot down 18 enemy planes by this time.

After two days of fighting, Finnish 10.Division breaks through to Räisälä and routs the Soviet 265.Division.

Finnish daily losses: 209

Russian POWs taken in Räisälä.

***

King B. Ooze has summoned me to his court, so I will return to this on Monday/Tuesday unless I find time to write something for the weekend.

Dowly · 08-24-16, 01:38 PM

19 August 1941

East Karelia: Group O begins attempting a breakthrough in Aittojoki towards Suojärvi.

11. Division attacks from Hyrsylä to Tsalkki.

Northern Finland: German 36.AK restarts its offensive on the east side of Salla.

Finnish daily losses: 224

Finnish soldier walking past a burning building in Kiviniemi.

***

20 August 1941

Ladoga Karelia: Fighting ends on the southeast side of Sortavala. The remaining Russian forces withraw from the Rautalahti encirclement over Lake Ladoga to Valamo and Leningrad Front.

Karelian Ishthmus: Russian forces are ordered to withdraw to the Viipuri - River Vuoksi - Pyhäjärvi line.

Hitler orders Waldemar Erfurth to inform the Finns, that Hitler wishes them to surround Leningrad from the north.

After talking with Mannerheim, Erfurth informs to Berlin that Finland is reluctant to take part in the attack on Leningrad.

Finnish daily losses: 183

Dowly · 08-25-16, 05:03 AM

21 August 1941

IV AK's attack on the west side of River Vuoksi begins.

11.Division captures Suvilahti.

KevPrT* advances to Kuparsaari during the morning
(*Light Brigade Tiiainen)

The retreating Russians burn the village of Käkisalmi, which is captured by 15.Division by evening.

Hitler halts the attack on Moscow and concentrates on Ukraine and Leningrad.

Finnish daily losses: 263

War material left behind by retreating Russians in Rautalahti.

***

22 August 1941

8.Division reaches Säkkijärvi - Vahviala line by evening.

Germany takes Estonia.

Finnish daily losses: 179

Knocked out Russian tank in Suvilahti.

Dowly · 08-26-16, 06:59 AM

23 August 1941

10. and 15. Division reach river Vuoksi - river Suvanto line.

Russian forces encircled in Kilpola island withdraw across Lake Ladoga.

Finnish daily losses: 226

Machine gun dugout

***

24 August 1941

Units of 8. Division cross Gulf of Viipuri unopposed to Lihaniemi.

Finnish daily losses: 307

Wartime drawing.

***

25 August 1941

East Karelia: 11.Division's attack to the Säämäjärvi-Suotjärvi isthmus begins at 1500hrs.

Karelian Isthmus: 12.Division cuts the Viipuri-Leningrad railway near Kämäri.

Russian counter-attack on the east side of Viipuri against 18.Division's bridgehead west of river Vuoksi is repelled.

KevPrT's commander Colonel Matti Tiiainen is mortally wounded when his tent is hit by a artillery shell.

Units from 8.Division capture the railstation at Sommee on the southwest side of Viipuri and Tienhaara to the northwest of the city.

Finnish daily losses: 320

Last war's scars in Taipale.

STEED · 08-26-16, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dowly

20 August 1941

Hitler orders Waldemar Erfurth to inform the Finns, that Hitler wishes them to surround Leningrad from the north.

After talking with Mannerheim, Erfurth informs to Berlin that Finland is reluctant to take part in the attack on Leningrad.

One good thing came out of this for Finland because they would not seal off Leningrad from their end they were spared being over run by the Russia at the end of the war.

sublynx · 08-26-16, 08:11 AM

Cool thread, a huge effort

IIRC, I-18 is a Polikarpov I-16 type 18.

Dowly · 08-26-16, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEED

One good thing came out of this for Finland because they would not seal off Leningrad from their end they were spared being over run by the Russia at the end of the war.

Oh, most definitely. Had Finland taken part in the siege, I doubt the Red Army would have been ordered to stop after the summer battles of 1944.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sublynx

Cool thread, a huge effort

IIRC, I-18 is a Polikarpov I-16 type 18.

Thanks, sublynx. I sometimes think "Why did I start it?!"

The I-18 is likely a typo in the unit war diary. The variants were typically not mentioned and often even nicknames of planes/tanks were used in the combat reports. For example the I-153 was called 'Tsaikka' and T-34 'Sotka' (='Duck').

Dowly · 08-26-16, 11:22 AM

26 August 1941

Three Russian Divisions (43., 115., 123.) in and around Viipuri are quickly being surrounded by the advancing Finnish 8., 4. and 12. Division.

Finnish daily losses: 247

Well deserved rest.

Dowly · 08-27-16, 06:43 AM

27 August 1941

Group of deserters who have been hiding in the woods try to destroy an ammo dump in Helsinki.

Number of officers are killed when a timed mine blows up a bridge they are on near Antrea.

Mannerheim gives order to prepare the Karelian Army to advance to river Svir and Petroskoi (Petrozavodsk).

A lone bomber strikes Porvoo, killing 27 and wounding 60.

Mannerheim gives a negative answer to the Germans' proposal regarding Leningrad. (20 August)

Finnish daily losses: 284

Viipuri

Dowly · 08-28-16, 07:43 AM

28 August 1941

Soviet 23rd Army HQ gives order to withdraw from Viipuri area.

43.Division withdraws south, towards Koivisto while 115. and 123.Division fight their way towards Summa.

The main roads are controlled by Finns which forces the retreating Russians to leave their heavy equipment behind as they fight through the forests and smaller roads.

Finnish daily losses: 235

Unknown Finnish submarine.

08-13-16, 08:52 AM	#151
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	13 August 1941 I AK takes front responsibility in the area of Sortavala. Karelian Isthmus: Mannerheim orders Colonel Pajari's 18.Division to take the northern shore of river Vuoksi between Enso and Pölläkkälä and establish bridgehead on the west side of the river. IV AK receives orders to start preparing for an attack. Finnish daily losses: 327 Machine gun nest inside a childrens' hospital in Sortavala Last edited by Dowly; 08-15-16 at 04:42 AM.

08-15-16, 07:43 AM	#153
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	15 August 1941 At 1510hrs, IR30 headquarters receives message from II./IR30: "The city (Sortavala) has been taken and the blue cross flag flies over the city hall. Own losses: 1 KIA, 3 WIA. Enemy losses number dozens." Majority of the defending Russians (168.D) have left the city earlier during the day. Of those Russians who remained in the city, 540 were taken prisoner. Finnish 10.Division repulses Soviet 265.Division's counter-attack in Timoskala. VII AK takes front responsibility in Tulemajärvi sector. Finnish daily losses: 256 Russian prisoners asking their comrades holed up in a cellar to surrender. (Sortavala) Finnish newsreel of the battle of Sortavala: http://www.elonet.fi/fi/elokuva/638072 In Finnish naturally, but there's some nice footage there that might interest some. Last edited by Dowly; 08-15-16 at 09:47 AM. Reason: Forgot stuff

08-26-16, 08:11 AM	#161
sublynx Sea Lord Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: In the conning tower of my VIIC scanning the sea through the periscope Posts: 1,698 Downloads: 173 Uploads: 7	Cool thread, a huge effort IIRC, I-18 is a Polikarpov I-16 type 18. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] NYGM+H.sie v16+Stiebler 4C+MaGui WS

08-15-16, 04:42 AM	#152
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	14 August 1941 18.Division's forces surround Enso and Jääski. Antrea is captured after heavy fighting lasting the entire day. I AK attacks against the Soviet 168.D in Lahdenpohja - Sortavala area. Finnish daily losses: 349 Soldier from assault company with messenger dog 'Taru'

08-16-16, 04:44 AM	#154
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	16 August 1941 Northern Finland: Finnish IR53 (III AK) is encircled near Kiestinki. IR37 reaches Lake Ladoga in Melloistenlahti, south of Sortavala. 7.Division's commander Colonel Svensson becomes Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #5 for leading the attack on Sortavala. Colonel Pajari orders his 18.Division to attack across river Vuoksi in Hopeasalmi. Finnish daily losses: 255 Colonel Svensson (center) and General Heinrichs (right) in Sortavala.

08-17-16, 07:35 AM	#155
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	17 August 1941 Karelian Isthmus: 18.Division's vanguard battalion crosses river Vuoksi in Hopeasalmi at 2300hrs. "The order to capture the north shore of the river from Enso to Pölläkkälä and to establish a bridgehead on the south side had been received on the 13th of August. The purpose was to get behind the enemy troops defending the western part of the isthmus and so make the upcoming attack of the IV AK easier in that direction. The first men of IR27 rowed across the river in complete silence. The surprise was near perfect, only resistance they met was a 10-man patrol which was quickly destroyed. By first light, almost the entire regiment had moved across and a couple kilometers deep bridgehead had been established." 10.Division attacks towards Räisälä. Swedish Volunteer Battalion takes front responsibility in Hanko sector. Finnish daily losses: 294 2nd Lieutenant Lehtonen from Jaeger Battalion 1 receives the Iron Cross 2nd class. His patrol destroyed a Russian 6-inch gun battery on 4th of August in Kotasuo.

08-18-16, 01:57 AM	#156
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	18 August 1941 Stalin offers peace to Finland. Finnish ambassador in Washington, Hjalmar Procopé, is informed confidentially by US Under Secretary of State Sumner Welles of Stalin's readiness to start peace talks with Finland. Due to the success by both Finnish and German armies in the east, Finland sees no reason to make a separate peace with Soviet Union. Sergeant-Major Oiva "Oippa" Tuominen becomes Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #6. He has shot down 18 enemy planes by this time. After two days of fighting, Finnish 10.Division breaks through to Räisälä and routs the Soviet 265.Division. Finnish daily losses: 209 Russian POWs taken in Räisälä. *** King B. Ooze has summoned me to his court, so I will return to this on Monday/Tuesday unless I find time to write something for the weekend.

08-24-16, 01:38 PM	#157
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	19 August 1941 East Karelia: Group O begins attempting a breakthrough in Aittojoki towards Suojärvi. 11. Division attacks from Hyrsylä to Tsalkki. Northern Finland: German 36.AK restarts its offensive on the east side of Salla. Finnish daily losses: 224 Finnish soldier walking past a burning building in Kiviniemi. *** 20 August 1941 Ladoga Karelia: Fighting ends on the southeast side of Sortavala. The remaining Russian forces withraw from the Rautalahti encirclement over Lake Ladoga to Valamo and Leningrad Front. Karelian Ishthmus: Russian forces are ordered to withdraw to the Viipuri - River Vuoksi - Pyhäjärvi line. Hitler orders Waldemar Erfurth to inform the Finns, that Hitler wishes them to surround Leningrad from the north. After talking with Mannerheim, Erfurth informs to Berlin that Finland is reluctant to take part in the attack on Leningrad. Finnish daily losses: 183

08-25-16, 05:03 AM	#158
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	21 August 1941 IV AK's attack on the west side of River Vuoksi begins. 11.Division captures Suvilahti. KevPrT* advances to Kuparsaari during the morning (Light Brigade Tiiainen)* The retreating Russians burn the village of Käkisalmi, which is captured by 15.Division by evening. Hitler halts the attack on Moscow and concentrates on Ukraine and Leningrad. Finnish daily losses: 263 War material left behind by retreating Russians in Rautalahti. *** 22 August 1941 8.Division reaches Säkkijärvi - Vahviala line by evening. Germany takes Estonia. Finnish daily losses: 179 Knocked out Russian tank in Suvilahti.

08-26-16, 06:59 AM	#159
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	23 August 1941 10. and 15. Division reach river Vuoksi - river Suvanto line. Russian forces encircled in Kilpola island withdraw across Lake Ladoga. Finnish daily losses: 226 Machine gun dugout * 24 August 1941 Units of 8. Division cross Gulf of Viipuri unopposed to Lihaniemi. Finnish daily losses: 307 Wartime drawing. * 25 August 1941 East Karelia: 11.Division's attack to the Säämäjärvi-Suotjärvi isthmus begins at 1500hrs. Karelian Isthmus: 12.Division cuts the Viipuri-Leningrad railway near Kämäri. Russian counter-attack on the east side of Viipuri against 18.Division's bridgehead west of river Vuoksi is repelled. KevPrT's commander Colonel Matti Tiiainen is mortally wounded when his tent is hit by a artillery shell. Units from 8.Division capture the railstation at Sommee on the southwest side of Viipuri and Tienhaara to the northwest of the city. Finnish daily losses: 320 Last war's scars in Taipale.

08-26-16, 11:22 AM	#163
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	26 August 1941 Three Russian Divisions (43., 115., 123.) in and around Viipuri are quickly being surrounded by the advancing Finnish 8., 4. and 12. Division. Finnish daily losses: 247 Well deserved rest.

08-27-16, 06:43 AM	#164
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	27 August 1941 Group of deserters who have been hiding in the woods try to destroy an ammo dump in Helsinki. Number of officers are killed when a timed mine blows up a bridge they are on near Antrea. Mannerheim gives order to prepare the Karelian Army to advance to river Svir and Petroskoi (Petrozavodsk). A lone bomber strikes Porvoo, killing 27 and wounding 60. Mannerheim gives a negative answer to the Germans' proposal regarding Leningrad. (20 August) Finnish daily losses: 284 Viipuri

08-28-16, 07:43 AM	#165
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	28 August 1941 Soviet 23rd Army HQ gives order to withdraw from Viipuri area. 43.Division withdraws south, towards Koivisto while 115. and 123.Division fight their way towards Summa. The main roads are controlled by Finns which forces the retreating Russians to leave their heavy equipment behind as they fight through the forests and smaller roads. Finnish daily losses: 235 Unknown Finnish submarine.