Destroyed Soviet Union train

Kiestingin front. 1941.10.02

SA-photo

destroyed soviet train attack by Stuka

Povenets in fire

Povenets in fire

SA-photo

Swedish Volunteer

Swedish Volunteer 

As in the Winter War, Swedish volunteers were recruited. Until December 1941, they were tasked with guarding the Soviet naval base at Hanko. When it was evacuated by sea in December 1941, the Swedish unit was officially disbanded. During the Continuation War, the volunteers signed up for three to six months of service. In all, over 1,600 Swedish volunteers fought for Finland, although only about 60 remained by the summer of 1944. About a third of the volunteers had previously participated in the Winter War. Another significant group—about a quarter of the men—were Swedish officers on leave.

Hanko :1941.08.29

Battle of Tali-Ihantala

The Battle of Tali-Ihantala (June 25 to July 9, 1944) was part of the Finnish-Soviet Continuation War (1941–1944), which occurred during World War II. The battle was fought between Finnish forces—using war materiel provided by Germany—and Soviet forces. To date, it is the largest battle in the history of the Nordic countries.

The battle was one of attrition, with the Finns suffering proportionally more casualties than the Soviet forces.It marked a point in the Soviet offensive when the Finnish forces first prevented the Soviets from making any significant gains. However, already earlier at Siiranmäki and Perkjärvi the Finns had halted advancing Soviet forces. Finnish forces achieved a defensive victory, although Russian historian N. Baryshnikov criticizes this as an exaggeration.

After the Soviets had failed to create any breakthroughs at Tali-Ihantala, Viborg Bay, or Vuosalmi, the Soviet Leningrad Front started the previously planned transfer of troops from the Karelian Isthmus to support Operation Bagration, where they were encountering particularly fierce resistance. Though the Leningrad Front failed to advance into Finland as ordered by the Stavka, some historians state that the offensive did eventually force Finland from the war

Ihantala 1944.06.30

SA-phot

Battle of Raate Road

The Battle of Raate Road was fought during the Winter War between the Soviet Union and Finland in January 1940, as a part of the Battle of Suomussalmi.

On December 7, 1939, the Soviet 163rd Division captured Suomussalmi, but found itself trapped deep inside Finnish territory, and the Soviet 44th Rifle (Ukrainian) Division was sent to aid the 163rd. Over the next week, Colonel Hjalmar Siilasvuo's outnumbered 9th Division stopped and decisively defeated the Soviet forces on the Raate-Suomussalmi road. This battle proved the effectiveness of Finnish motti tactics.

@SA-photo

Motti

Motti

Motti is Finnish military slang for a totally encircled enemy unit. The tactic of encircling it is called motitus.

@SA-KUVA

Attack to Sortavala

Attack to Sortavala

SA-kuva

Abandon Soviet vehicles

All roads to Sortavala are full of abandon Soviet vehicles

Now - before

Tampere Finland
Winter war

Anti-aircraft fire in Vyborg

Anti-aircraft fire in Vyborg