Continuation War, day by day. - Page 45

sublynx · 07-21-19, 07:35 AM

Here's a link to a newspaper article about a letter from August 1944 that a deserter had written to his family moments before his execution:

https://www.iltalehti.fi/uutiset/a/2016092322359712

It's in Finnish but maybe Google translate will help. The idea is very clear, though. The man states that his nerves just weren't up to the demands and he's certain Christ will forgive him his inability. He also states that the men who will execute him know he is not able to fight anymore but they have to do their duty despite of that. He will die not as a criminal, but as a victim of his own nerves

My grandfather (IR 25, 4th Division) told me about desertions that soldiers didn't want the deserters punished and that they tried to protect their fellow soldiers from any punishment. He said that all understood how difficult it was for every one.

He served in a battalion where everybody was from the same region. They knew each other from before the war and knew that after the war they would be neighbours to each other and to the relatives of those that would die. I'd suspect one would not want anyone executed or put in jail, if the consequence would be that the sister or mother of the executed deserter would live in the same village.

Jimbuna · 07-21-19, 08:25 AM

Yep, potentially quite a dilemma I should imagine. Reminds me of many years ago when I asked my father if he thought he was brave during his srevice in WWII and he informed me that as far as he was aware, most of the young men were actually a bit scared but carried out their orders in support of each other.

Dowly · 07-24-19, 09:25 AM

20 July 1944

Finnish troops in Ladoga Karelia have had to retreat to the old Winter War lines at Tolvajärvi.

Finnish daily losses: 88

Soviet T-34 in Vuosalmi.

***

21 July 1944

Finnish 21st Brigade is nearly surrounded in Liusvaara area, but manages to break out. They, however, lose the equipment of Heavy Battery 41.

Detachment Kuhlmey begins to leave Finland.

Finnish daily losses: 156

Knocked out Soviet tank in Nietjärvi direction.

***

22 july 1944

Soviet 30th Brigade is defeated in lake Vegarusjärvi.

Finnish daily losses: 89

Anti-tank trench. (Nietjärvi)

***

23 July 1944

Finnish troops begin to regroup for defense at Vegarus and on the northern parts of the U-line.

Finnish daily losses: 85

***

24 July 1944

Soviet partisan detachment attacks a small three-house village in Kuhmo. Eight civilians area killed, five of whom are children. This attack comes ten days after partisans attacked Lokka village where 22 civilians were killed.

Finnish daily losses: 80

Two veterans of the Battle of Äyräpää-Vuosalmi before heading to the rear for rest.

STEED · 07-24-19, 10:19 AM

Dowly did the front line fall static in Finland during the Soviet summer offensive operation bagration?

Dowly · 07-24-19, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEED

Dowly did the front line fall static in Finland during the Soviet summer offensive operation bagration?

No. At the time Bagration began, both Tali-Ihantala and Äyräpää-Vuosalmi battles had not yet even began.

STEED · 07-24-19, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dowly

No. At the time Bagration began, both Tali-Ihantala and Äyräpää-Vuosalmi battles had not yet even began.

Wow..thanks.

sublynx · 07-24-19, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEED

Wow..thanks.

The Russians had a huge amount of operations going on in 1944. Here's a list:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stra...n_World_War_II

Dowly · 07-25-19, 03:09 AM

25 July 1944

As the fighting begins to calm down in Ladoga Karelia, there still remains a threat on the far northern flank; 21st Brigade is not able to stop the advance of two Soviet divisions towards Ilomantsi.
Commander of 14th Division, Major General Raappana, is ordered to take command in the area and launch a counter-attack to stop the enemy. For this, he is given command of the 21st Brigade, Detachment Partinen of 14th Division, Border Jaeger Battalion 3 and the Cavalry Brigade which is transfered from the Isthmus.

Situation in Ladoga Karelia on 24 July.

Finnish daily losses: 104

Front line terrain at Ihantala, a number of knocked out Soviet tanks visible.

Dowly · 07-26-19, 11:12 AM

26 July 1944

Major General Raappana arrives at 21st Brigade HQ. He has received his orders; to stop the advance of the enemy towards Ilomantsi and push them back to Salmijärvi - Saarijärvi - Ylä-Vuottojärvi line.
He also orders the 21st Brigade to withdraw to southeast towards Möhkö in hopes the Soviet 289. Division will follow them along with their heavy equipment.

Situation in Ilomantsi area.

Finnish daily losses: 100

Colonel Ehrnrooth, Lieutenant Colonel Halsti and Major Varta at Vuosalmi.

Dowly · 07-30-19, 07:24 AM

27 July 1944

Soviet forces breach into the U-line, but Finnish artillery forces them to break off.

Finnish daily losses: 106

Lieutenant Lauri Törni's (ltr. Larry Thorne) Jaeger Company heading out for a counter-attack. (north of Tolvajärvi)

***

28 July 1944

President Ryti announces to a small inner circle his plans to resign. His health is getting worse and he sees that it would be better, if both civilian and military matters would be overseen by one man.

Mannerheim agrees to return the German 122. Division to Estonia.

Finnish daily losses: 65

Fires lit by Finnish incendiary rounds on the enemy's side. (Vuosalmi)

***

29 July 1944

Ryti, Walden and Tanner fly to Mannerheim's HQ to discuss Ryti's resignation.
Mannerheim is asked and agrees to become the next President following Ryti signing his resignation.

Finnish daily losses: 111

Camouflaged Coastal Ship Väinämöinen.

***

30 July 1944

1st Division regroups for defense at Tolvajärvi. Fighting begins to calm down in this sector as well.

Finnish daily losses: 114

Dowly · 08-02-19, 03:45 AM

31 July 1944

Group Raappana's attack begins in Ilomantsi. The plan is a double envelopment aiming to encircle the two Soviet divisions in two "mottis"; 176.D in Vellivaara-Lehmivaara area and 289.D in Lutikkavaara.

Group Raappana's plan of attack.

*

President Ryti signs his resignation and the Parliament is notified.

Finnish daily losses: 92

Finnish losses in July: 7,142

Finnish losses in the war so far: 60,954

Men of the Cavalry Brigade crossing a stream in the Ilomantsi wilderness.

***

1 August 1944

Ilomantsi: Elements of the Cavalry Brigade reach the Lehmivaara-Kuolismaa road, cutting the supply and withdrawal route of the Soviet 176. Division. Finnish troops have also made progress to the north and east of the division.

Finnish daily losses: 104

Last farewell on her brother's grave. (Suistamo)

***

2 August 1944

Ilomantsi: Soviet 289.D is becoming surrounded as the troops of 21st Brigade cut their road connections back east in Lehtolampi.

Attempts by Soviet 70. Naval Infantry Brigade to reopen the road to 176.D fail.

Finnish daily losses: 99

Downed Il-2 somewhere in Ladoga Karelia.

Dowly · 08-09-19, 08:23 AM

Hola. Since my time will be limited (went back to school), I'll be going back to posting once a week from now on.
This post will be updated with photos later over the weekend/today.

*

3 August 1944

Finns launch an counter-attack in Rukajärvi to dislodge an enemy battalion that is trying to get to the rear of the 14th Division in Ontrosenvaara.

Ilomantsi: Fighting continues as Finnish troops manage to weakly encircle Soviet 176. and 289. Divisions.

Finnish daily losses: 124

Private Toivo Ilomäki poses with his AT-gun with which he has destroyed 21 tanks. (Ladoga Karelia)
Ilomäki was later promoted to Private First Class and received the Mannerheim Cross on 2 October 1944.
His final tally of 21 destroyed tanks remains a record in Finnish military history.
The AT-gun used (75 K/40) can be seen today at the Parola Tank Museum.

***

4 August 1944

Using their emergency powers, Finnish parliament names Mannerheim the new president as Ryti resigns.

Detachment Vehniäinen's long-range patrol returns to Finnish lines after operating for 51 days behind enemy lines on the Karelian Isthmus. The patrol has not suffered any losses.

Ilomantsi situation 31.7-4.8

Finnish daily losses: 121

Machinegunner at Ontrosenvaara bridge, Rukajärvi.

***

5 August 1944

At Ihantala the enemy has set up an outpost in the cover of the many disabled tanks on the battlefield 200 meters from Finnish positions. Decision is made to destroy this outpost.
Assault group formed from 6th Division troops attack the outpost after it is first bombed from air and shelled with artillery. Nine of the tanks are destroyed with satchel charges.
6th Division's commander, Major-General Vihma, is killed in artillery fire as he is observing the attack from the front lines.

Ilomantsi: Soviet 3. Naval Infantry Brigade (3.Merijv.Pr.) tries to open the way to 289.D by attacking Finnish I/21.Pr. from east at Miikkulanvaara.

Finnish daily losses: 131

***

6 August 1944

Rukajärvi: Finnish troops encircle and destroy the enemy battalion operating in the Ontrosenvaara area.

Ilomantsi: Soviet 289. Division breaks out of the Lutikkavaara encirclement.
69. and 70. Naval Infantry Brigades start their attacks against the Finns to help 176.D break out on Group Raappana's left flank.

Finnish daily losses: 101

Finnish guns firing a volley in the autumn night. (Ladoga Karelia)

***

7 August 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 124

Surprise attack ended the war for these Soviet soldiers. (Ilomantsi area)

***

8 August 1944

Ilomantsi: Soviet 176.Division begins to break out from the encirclement.

Finnish daily losses: 95

Surrendering Soviet soldier crawls out from a dug-out. (Ilomantsi area)

***

9 August 1944

Battle of Ilomantsi ends as both Soviet divisions withdraw from the Finnish border. Soviet losses are about 5,000 men, 1,500 killed. Finns suffered 2,500 casualties during the battle.
Fighting in Ladoga Karelia comes to an end on the following day as Soviet 32. Army regroups for defense.

Withdrawal of Soviet troops 5.-9.8

Finnish daily losses: 88

Schroeder · 08-15-19, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dowly

Hola. Since my time will be limited (went back to school)

So you finally decided to graduate elementary school?

Seriously though, what are you studying?

Dowly · 08-15-19, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Seriously though, what are you studying?

Dowly · 08-15-19, 10:24 PM

10 August 1944

Soviet 32.Army regroups for defense in Ladoga Karelia.

Finnish daily losses: 72

Some of the material left behind by the Soviet 176.Division. (Lehmivaara, Ilomantsi)

***

11 August 1944

Headquarters orders V.Corps (Bay of Viipuri) to assemble a 100-man team to be used for reconnaissance patrols across the bay.

Finnish daily losses: 54

Tank hunters heading to the front line at Vuosalmi.

***

12 August 1944

Finnish attempt to take the Vasikkasaari island on Bay of Viipuri fails.

Finnish daily losses: 79

***

13 August 1944

No entry.

Finnish daily losses: 58

Patrol on no man's land. (Vegarusjärvi-Hiisjärvi isthmus)

***

14 August 1944

III.Corps repels a company-size enemy attack in Vuosalmi area.

Finnish daily losses: 35

***

15 August 1944

Sweden promises to deliver 150,000 tons of grain to Finland during the fall.

Finnish daily losses: 25

A pair of Messerschmitt 109's over Lappeenranta airbase.

***

16 August 1944

In Ladoga Karelia, II.Corps' assault group attacks an enemy base north of Loimola. In the fighting, the enemy loses about 160 men. Finnish losses are one dead and 23 wounded.

Finnish daily losses: 41

Late night post has arrived. (Ladoga Karelia)

07-21-19, 07:35 AM	#661
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	Here's a link to a newspaper article about a letter from August 1944 that a deserter had written to his family moments before his execution: https://www.iltalehti.fi/uutiset/a/2016092322359712 It's in Finnish but maybe Google translate will help. The idea is very clear, though. The man states that his nerves just weren't up to the demands and he's certain Christ will forgive him his inability. He also states that the men who will execute him know he is not able to fight anymore but they have to do their duty despite of that. He will die not as a criminal, but as a victim of his own nerves My grandfather (IR 25, 4th Division) told me about desertions that soldiers didn't want the deserters punished and that they tried to protect their fellow soldiers from any punishment. He said that all understood how difficult it was for every one. He served in a battalion where everybody was from the same region. They knew each other from before the war and knew that after the war they would be neighbours to each other and to the relatives of those that would die. I'd suspect one would not want anyone executed or put in jail, if the consequence would be that the sister or mother of the executed deserter would live in the same village. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] NYGM+H.sie v16+Stiebler 4C+MaGui WS

07-21-19, 08:25 AM	#662
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 180,992 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Yep, potentially quite a dilemma I should imagine. Reminds me of many years ago when I asked my father if he thought he was brave during his srevice in WWII and he informed me that as far as he was aware, most of the young men were actually a bit scared but carried out their orders in support of each other. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!! GWX3.0 Download Page - Donation/instant access to GWX (Help SubSim)

07-24-19, 09:25 AM	#663
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	20 July 1944 Finnish troops in Ladoga Karelia have had to retreat to the old Winter War lines at Tolvajärvi. Finnish daily losses: 88 Soviet T-34 in Vuosalmi. * 21 July 1944 Finnish 21st Brigade is nearly surrounded in Liusvaara area, but manages to break out. They, however, lose the equipment of Heavy Battery 41. Detachment Kuhlmey begins to leave Finland. Finnish daily losses: 156 Knocked out Soviet tank in Nietjärvi direction. * 22 july 1944 Soviet 30th Brigade is defeated in lake Vegarusjärvi. Finnish daily losses: 89 Anti-tank trench. (Nietjärvi) * 23 July 1944 Finnish troops begin to regroup for defense at Vegarus and on the northern parts of the U-line. Finnish daily losses: 85 * 24 July 1944 Soviet partisan detachment attacks a small three-house village in Kuhmo. Eight civilians area killed, five of whom are children. This attack comes ten days after partisans attacked Lokka village where 22 civilians were killed. Finnish daily losses: 80 Two veterans of the Battle of Äyräpää-Vuosalmi before heading to the rear for rest. Last edited by Dowly; 07-24-19 at 11:48 PM.

07-24-19, 10:19 AM	#664
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	Dowly did the front line fall static in Finland during the Soviet summer offensive operation bagration? __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!

08-02-19, 03:45 AM	#671
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	31 July 1944 Group Raappana's attack begins in Ilomantsi. The plan is a double envelopment aiming to encircle the two Soviet divisions in two "mottis"; 176.D in Vellivaara-Lehmivaara area and 289.D in Lutikkavaara. Group Raappana's plan of attack. * President Ryti signs his resignation and the Parliament is notified. Finnish daily losses: 92 Finnish losses in July: 7,142 Finnish losses in the war so far: 60,954 Men of the Cavalry Brigade crossing a stream in the Ilomantsi wilderness. * 1 August 1944 Ilomantsi: Elements of the Cavalry Brigade reach the Lehmivaara-Kuolismaa road, cutting the supply and withdrawal route of the Soviet 176. Division. Finnish troops have also made progress to the north and east of the division. Finnish daily losses: 104 Last farewell on her brother's grave. (Suistamo) * 2 August 1944 Ilomantsi: Soviet 289.D is becoming surrounded as the troops of 21st Brigade cut their road connections back east in Lehtolampi. Attempts by Soviet 70. Naval Infantry Brigade to reopen the road to 176.D fail. Finnish daily losses: 99 Downed Il-2 somewhere in Ladoga Karelia. Last edited by Dowly; 08-02-19 at 06:35 AM.

07-25-19, 03:09 AM	#668
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	25 July 1944 As the fighting begins to calm down in Ladoga Karelia, there still remains a threat on the far northern flank; 21st Brigade is not able to stop the advance of two Soviet divisions towards Ilomantsi. Commander of 14th Division, Major General Raappana, is ordered to take command in the area and launch a counter-attack to stop the enemy. For this, he is given command of the 21st Brigade, Detachment Partinen of 14th Division, Border Jaeger Battalion 3 and the Cavalry Brigade which is transfered from the Isthmus. Situation in Ladoga Karelia on 24 July. Finnish daily losses: 104 Front line terrain at Ihantala, a number of knocked out Soviet tanks visible.

07-26-19, 11:12 AM	#669
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	26 July 1944 Major General Raappana arrives at 21st Brigade HQ. He has received his orders; to stop the advance of the enemy towards Ilomantsi and push them back to Salmijärvi - Saarijärvi - Ylä-Vuottojärvi line. He also orders the 21st Brigade to withdraw to southeast towards Möhkö in hopes the Soviet 289. Division will follow them along with their heavy equipment. Situation in Ilomantsi area. Finnish daily losses: 100 Colonel Ehrnrooth, Lieutenant Colonel Halsti and Major Varta at Vuosalmi.

07-30-19, 07:24 AM	#670
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	27 July 1944 Soviet forces breach into the U-line, but Finnish artillery forces them to break off. Finnish daily losses: 106 Lieutenant Lauri Törni's (ltr. Larry Thorne) Jaeger Company heading out for a counter-attack. (north of Tolvajärvi) * 28 July 1944 President Ryti announces to a small inner circle his plans to resign. His health is getting worse and he sees that it would be better, if both civilian and military matters would be overseen by one man. Mannerheim agrees to return the German 122. Division to Estonia. Finnish daily losses: 65 Fires lit by Finnish incendiary rounds on the enemy's side. (Vuosalmi) * 29 July 1944 Ryti, Walden and Tanner fly to Mannerheim's HQ to discuss Ryti's resignation. Mannerheim is asked and agrees to become the next President following Ryti signing his resignation. Finnish daily losses: 111 Camouflaged Coastal Ship Väinämöinen. *** 30 July 1944 1st Division regroups for defense at Tolvajärvi. Fighting begins to calm down in this sector as well. Finnish daily losses: 114

08-09-19, 08:23 AM	#672
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Hola. Since my time will be limited (went back to school), I'll be going back to posting once a week from now on. This post will be updated with photos later over the weekend/today. * 3 August 1944 Finns launch an counter-attack in Rukajärvi to dislodge an enemy battalion that is trying to get to the rear of the 14th Division in Ontrosenvaara. Ilomantsi: Fighting continues as Finnish troops manage to weakly encircle Soviet 176. and 289. Divisions. Finnish daily losses: 124 Private Toivo Ilomäki poses with his AT-gun with which he has destroyed 21 tanks. (Ladoga Karelia) Ilomäki was later promoted to Private First Class and received the Mannerheim Cross on 2 October 1944. His final tally of 21 destroyed tanks remains a record in Finnish military history. The AT-gun used (75 K/40) can be seen today at the Parola Tank Museum. * 4 August 1944 Using their emergency powers, Finnish parliament names Mannerheim the new president as Ryti resigns. Detachment Vehniäinen's long-range patrol returns to Finnish lines after operating for 51 days behind enemy lines on the Karelian Isthmus. The patrol has not suffered any losses. Ilomantsi situation 31.7-4.8 Finnish daily losses: 121 Machinegunner at Ontrosenvaara bridge, Rukajärvi. * 5 August 1944 At Ihantala the enemy has set up an outpost in the cover of the many disabled tanks on the battlefield 200 meters from Finnish positions. Decision is made to destroy this outpost. Assault group formed from 6th Division troops attack the outpost after it is first bombed from air and shelled with artillery. Nine of the tanks are destroyed with satchel charges. 6th Division's commander, Major-General Vihma, is killed in artillery fire as he is observing the attack from the front lines. Ilomantsi: Soviet 3. Naval Infantry Brigade (3.Merijv.Pr.) tries to open the way to 289.D by attacking Finnish I/21.Pr. from east at Miikkulanvaara. Finnish daily losses: 131 * 6 August 1944 Rukajärvi: Finnish troops encircle and destroy the enemy battalion operating in the Ontrosenvaara area. Ilomantsi: Soviet 289. Division breaks out of the Lutikkavaara encirclement. 69. and 70. Naval Infantry Brigades start their attacks against the Finns to help 176.D break out on Group Raappana's left flank. Finnish daily losses: 101 Finnish guns firing a volley in the autumn night. (Ladoga Karelia) * 7 August 1944 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 124 Surprise attack ended the war for these Soviet soldiers. (Ilomantsi area) * 8 August 1944 Ilomantsi: Soviet 176.Division begins to break out from the encirclement. Finnish daily losses: 95 Surrendering Soviet soldier crawls out from a dug-out. (Ilomantsi area) * 9 August 1944 Battle of Ilomantsi ends as both Soviet divisions withdraw from the Finnish border. Soviet losses are about 5,000 men, 1,500 killed. Finns suffered 2,500 casualties during the battle. Fighting in Ladoga Karelia comes to an end on the following day as Soviet 32. Army regroups for defense. Withdrawal of Soviet troops 5.-9.8 Finnish daily losses: 88 Last edited by Dowly; 08-15-19 at 10:33 AM. Reason: Added photos

08-15-19, 10:24 PM	#675
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	10 August 1944 Soviet 32.Army regroups for defense in Ladoga Karelia. Finnish daily losses: 72 Some of the material left behind by the Soviet 176.Division. (Lehmivaara, Ilomantsi) * 11 August 1944 Headquarters orders V.Corps (Bay of Viipuri) to assemble a 100-man team to be used for reconnaissance patrols across the bay. Finnish daily losses: 54 Tank hunters heading to the front line at Vuosalmi. * 12 August 1944 Finnish attempt to take the Vasikkasaari island on Bay of Viipuri fails. Finnish daily losses: 79 * 13 August 1944 No entry. Finnish daily losses: 58 Patrol on no man's land. (Vegarusjärvi-Hiisjärvi isthmus) * 14 August 1944 III.Corps repels a company-size enemy attack in Vuosalmi area. Finnish daily losses: 35 * 15 August 1944 Sweden promises to deliver 150,000 tons of grain to Finland during the fall. Finnish daily losses: 25 A pair of Messerschmitt 109's over Lappeenranta airbase. * 16 August 1944 In Ladoga Karelia, II.Corps' assault group attacks an enemy base north of Loimola. In the fighting, the enemy loses about 160 men. Finnish losses are one dead and 23 wounded. Finnish daily losses: 41 Late night post has arrived. (Ladoga Karelia)