Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

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Lotvonen
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Re: 9/JR4 before 29/6 -44

#16

Post by Lotvonen » 02 Jan 2017, 07:24

Starting with: 9/JR4 09 June to 21 June, 1944

9.6. Our future Battalion commander Capt. Hannila visited to get familiar with our section ( very bad handwriting, best guess. Tr.rem.)
17.18: Enemy heavy weapons action: 10 AT gun shots, 42 mortar shots, 32 3"shells in one strafe ( very bad handwriting, best guess. Tr.rem.)
No losses. From the Officer School returned to his unit Aspirant Lajunen, he was placed in stronghold Nero
21.45 Pvt. Forsström lightly wounded in one wrist by a bullet in stronghold Silta 2
10.6. Our section took 16 shells enemy arty fire, in the evening quite intense LMG and auto rifle fire. No losses.
11.6. Quiet day in general. Our prisoner capture patrol went out at 21.15hrs, returned 00.45. The patrol tried to make a surprise but did not get close enough, no results gained. Patrol leader Sr.Sgt. Lehtikangas, strenght 2+4 Field fortification work continued.
12.6. Quiet day. Field fortification work continued. Company Commander Capt Kettunen hospitalized. Temporary commander arrived, he is Capt. Viekki
13.6.
15.10 Enemy shelled our section, to the right wing 3 shells from a 3" gun, no losses
16.15 Enemy loudspeaker transmission: Our line on the Carelian isthmus smashed ( very bad handwriting, best guess. Tr.rem.) and exhorted to give up fighting. In the evening an orchestra playing in Poropesä, about 20 men of the Company were in the audience
14.6.
2400-0100 period of lively weapons action, aslo an enemy patrol approached our positions on our right wing. The patrol was repelled with the fire of our own weapons. No own losses.
00.05 Enemy fired one shell to the right wing of our section
15.6.
16.15 Heard in direction 20-00 8 strong explosions
16.50 Continuous explosions in the same direction. Else quiet.
(The scribe changes to a better pen, Tr.rem.)
16.6. 23.30 handed over the line to Er.P.21, immediately left for Semenski, then to Syväri town
17.6.
04.50 Crossed Syväri (river) Resting at Syväri railway station, had our meal.
21.50 Company started marching. March target unknown. Marching on Vaaseni-Mäkriä road.
18.6.
04.15. Arrived at Lake Kuusjärvi, rest.
10.45 Company transported by lorry to Uutujärvi, arrived there at 12.30
19.6.
07.00 Company left for field fortification work 5km N of Uutujärvi
20.6.
Field fortification work went on.
Company assigned a defence section at Enemijoki near Uutujärvi
8.15 Company in the section.
21.6.
0700 to 10.30 Company at field fortification work
13.30 Order received. Company to rally at camp area ready for a new task
18.30 Order to man defence positions
19.30 Positions manned

More tomorrow.


More tomorrow !

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subskipper
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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#17

Post by subskipper » 02 Jan 2017, 22:12

You sir are a true hero! Amazing work, and I'm more than a little excited to finally be able to read the diary! Please, feel free to message me your e-mail adress.


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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#18

Post by Lotvonen » 03 Jan 2017, 07:26

9/JR4 WD continued:

22.6.44:
18.35 (sic!) By written order 2 platoons of 10.Coy subjected to our disposal
02.00 First Platoon arrived,set in position near the command post
04.00 Second platoon arrived, tookover one stronghold in front line, Company front line divided in five sections.
During the night two more MGs subjected to Company, our front section now comprises 8 MGs, also artillery and heavy mortar FOO teams.

23.6.44
In our section no action during small hours.
Our patrols advanced about 3 km from the front line without contacting enemy
02.00 Sec.Lt. Uusitalo's Platoon returned by order to the Battalion
06.05 Last delaying troops of JR44 passed our front line along the supply road on our section.
On the left and on the right all night lively artillery, mortar and infantry arms fire.
In the forenoon artillery and mortar fire on the left wing of our section. No losses.
13.50 Russki surprise attack with two platoons on our right wing. Attack repelled.
Pvt. Suurnäkki, Pvt. Tähtinen lightly wounded.
14.20 Russki Platoon attacked supported by intense artillery and mortar fire our positions on the left wing.
Attack repelled already at wire.
During the afternoon the enemy started groupng, spreading on the uncovered right wing of our sector.
2 squads sent to secure there.
Spreading continued so that by 1800 hrs there were about 2 Coys of Russkies in our rear.
18.15. Company disengaged having received orders and pulled back to a new line.
During the fighting Sgt. Häkkinen distinghuised himself exceptionally.

Margin remark: Coy. did not receive orders to disengage but acted on their own initiative.
Sign. Btn.Com. Maj. Hannila

24.6.44
03.00. Manned positions at the N tip of lake Kiimanlampi
06.40 Positions abandoned by the order of Btn.Com.
Abandoned due to great flank threat.
06.50 Company withdrew behind the Sammatus defence line and without delay started marching to a new camp area in Lampere area.
During the march 3 hours of rest and a meal.
15.10. We arrived and started setting up complete accommodations.

25.6.44
08.30. Company received orders to head for a new delaying line N of the Nurmoila barracks village.
16.00. Company manned the said delaying line.
Night spent in battle readiness but no enemy contact.

26.6.44
07.00. Field fortification work continued all forenoon on each Platoon section.
18.00. Contact with enemy that attempted breakthrough at the main road, however without success.
After that the enemy attempted to encircle from the right towards the rear of the strengthened 1st Platoon.
Attempt was detected early enought to make a counterstrike.
Pvt. Kylänpää wounded, died later.
24.00 Company disengaged by received order.

27.6.44
After disengaging march to the Vitele crossroads terrain.
Coy. prepared to man the area.
04.15. We made contact with enemy that was delayed for 8 hours despite its heavy artillery and mortar fire.
16.15. Coy. disengaged as ordered and marched to N of Säntämä, camping there.
In the delaying battles Pvt. SAlonen and Pvt. Helenius were wounded

28.6.44
00.05 Coy. received orders to prepare to move.
00.30 Coy. started marching North

(28 June diary continues at an earlier post)
More next time!

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44 war diary

#19

Post by Lotvonen » 04 Jan 2017, 07:58

9/JR4 WD continued.
(28 to 29 June in an earlier instalment)
30.6.44
Coy withdrew to Varlai village where it was informed that we have to set up defences in the said village by the order of the Regiment Commander.
04.00. Grouping completed.
07.00. Russki breached our line with two tanks. Those were destroyed in our rear, they did not have any time to cause losses with their fire.
The Coy. on our flank having run we had to leave our position without engaging enemy infantry.

1.7.44
07.30 Coy. set out. Marching distance about 9km for Pultsoila.

2.7.44
17.30 Coy. manned the ordered position.
No enemy contact in the course of the night.

3.7.44.
Coy. had been in defence positions one day and a night.
08.00 Order to disengage. Coy. withdrew delaying the enemy to Palalahti village
(Margin remark: Coy. again disengaged without order. Sign.Maj. Hannula)
Coy ordered to retake the position we had abandoned, at 2300 hrs received orders to disengage there.

4.7.44
04.00. We set up securing position near Palalahti village.
14.00. Positions handed over to JR28. Immediately afterwards the Coy. set out.
Marching on Kolatselkä road 8km, then lorry transport

5.7.44
20.15. Entire Coy. in destination: Käsnäselkä terrain where we set up camp.

6.7.44
03.30 Capt. Kettunen said goodbye to Coy.,thanking for good mutual understanding.
Coy. command transferred to Lt. Sara.
04.00 Coy. shifted to securing duty in Capt. Tappala's rear, subjected as his reserve.
Capt. Tappala having received orders to disengage ouer Coy. had to cover (his outfit.)
We took positions.
20.00. Last infantry troops witdrew through our positions, the defence of which fell on our shoulders.
21.30. Enemy launched surprise attack on the right wing at the 4th Platoon
Therefore Lt. Sara gave order to pull back a little to the prepared delay line.
Pvt. Kiri wounded
22.00 Line manned.
We had been ordered to hold our positions at any cost till morning.

7.7.44
00.10. However, sudden order: Coy. has to disengage at once. Enemy had managed to take the road on the right, now our task was to find our way to Uomaa schoolhouse through bogs and wilderness.
Coy. securing the withdrawal of Detachment Tappala completed the arduous march across bogs making it to the objective at 07.30hrs.
Here Coy. was resting for the forenoon, having meals and washing up.
12.00. Coy. set out to march for the new main defence line.

8.7.44
002.25. Coy. was in the objective, setting camp in in the immediate vicinity of the main defence line. Resting in tents for forenoon.

9.7.44
0700. Main defence line manned.
Right limit ridge 99,8. Left limit lake 91. (Map 1:20 000, sheet: Syskyjärvi). Platoons in order from the right.
21.15. Lt. Aaltonen ordered to secure a "motti". As Det. Aaltonen arrived the "motti" had been mostly cleared.

10.7.44
04.30. (?) arrived to Coy. No losses

11.7.44
Action on the line of the III Platoon all night from midnight on. Since there had been no time to cut off the bush the enemy managed to get as close as 50m from the line.
Platoon in fire contact.
Due to infantry and artillery fire enemy did not succeed in its attempt to push through our lines on this forest covered isthmus between two lakes.

12.7.44
Our losses: Pvt. Kyttä KIA, Pvt. Palttala WIA (later died). Cpl. Aitolahti WIA. Pvt. Saarinen KIA during a patrol trip.

13.7.44
07.00 handed over positions to 5/JP4.
07.45 Marched to a new defence line in the terrain of Himottaniemi. Right limit the S tip of the promontory, left limit the N tip of the promontory.

More next time!

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#20

Post by subskipper » 04 Jan 2017, 18:17

Amazing work Lotvonen! Many thanks once again. Looking forward to the next part!

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#21

Post by Lotvonen » 05 Jan 2017, 08:09

9/JR4 WD continued:

14.7.44 Calm 24hrs on our section.
Field fortifications built at feverish pace

15.7.44 Forenoon calm
In the afternoon Russki fired with mortar scattered bombs at our section. Lt. Aaltonen wounded
IV Platoon ordered as Battalion reserve behind 10.Coy.

16.7.44 Enemy shelled Coy. Section, no losses
IV Platoon patrolled in front of 10.Coy. Positions. Pursiainen and Kiikko hit by the same mine, Pursiainen died

17.7.44 Field fortification work continued

18.7.44 Calm day on our section. Urgent field fortification building
23.30 Coy sent a patrol to enemy side, strength 1+3, led by Col. Heinonen.

19.7.44 Calm day. Field fortification work. Battalion commander visited our section

20.7.44 Calm day on our section.
02.00 Patrol returned having gained important information

21.7.44 Calm day on our section.
21.50 Our patrol 1+2 tried to to the enemy side. Got into fighting contact, returned

22.7.44 Calm day on our section.

23.7.44 Calm day on our section. Field fortification work.

24.7.44. Calm day on our section. Field fortification work.

25.7.44 Calm day on our section. Field fortification work.

26.7.44 Calm day on our section. Field fortification work.
Pvt. Ranta wounded himself as SMG went off. Damage slight.

27.7.44 Calm.
11.00 2+8 men from the Coy. Were assigned to a forced recce mission

28.7.44 04.00 Patrol returned wihout losses

29.7.44 Calm. Field fortification work, dugout building.

30.7.44 d Calm. Field fortification work

31.7.44 Calm. Field fortification work. Old men transferred to Supply platoon

01.8.44 Calm. Field fortification work

02.8.44 Calm. Field fortification work. Battalion commander inspected our section

03.8.44 Calm. Field fortification work. Weapons inspection in Coy. Carried out by Regimental Master Gunsmith and Battalion Weapons Officer

04.8.44 Calm. Field fortification work

05.8.44 Calm. Field fortification work

06.8.44. Calm. Field fortification work. First bath in Coy.sauna. Good “löyly”(=hot enough and sufficient ventilation, Tr.rem.) and enough room.

07.8.44. Calm. Field fortification work

08.8.44 Calm. Field fortification work

09.8.44 Calm. Field fortification work. II Platooon transferred to battle forepost on 10.Coy.section

10.8.44 Calm. Field fortification work

11.8.44 Calm. Field fortification work

12.8.44 Calm. Field fortification work

11.8.44 Calm. Field fortification work

12.8.44 Calm. Field fortification work

13.8.44 Calm. Field fortification work

To be continued.

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#22

Post by subskipper » 05 Jan 2017, 20:05

Lotvonen wrote:9/JR4 WD continued:


16.7.44 Enemy shelled Coy. Section, no losses
IV Platoon patrolled in front of 10.Coy. Positions. Pursiainen and Kiikko hit by the same mine, Pursiainen died

Thanks! The above section is really interesting. I think my grandfather might have been on that patrol or at least witnessed the treatment of Kiiko (which he called Kiika if my memory serves me).

:thumbsup:

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#23

Post by subskipper » 05 Jan 2017, 20:07

To those knowledgeable in the Finnish war archives; is there any record somewhere of which soldiers belonged to which platoon in a given company? With names or other IDs that can be traced?

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#24

Post by Lotvonen » 06 Jan 2017, 08:24

9/JR4 WD continued:

14.8.44 Calm. Field fortification work.

15.8.44 Calm. Field fortification work.

16.8.44 Command post moved to a just completed dugout, calm.

17.8.44 Calm. Field fortification work.

18.8.44 Calm. Field fortification work.

19.8.44 Calm day. Field fortification work. Battalion commander visited our section
13.00 Regiment Commander arrived to inspect entire sector

20.8.44 Calm . Gear maintenance. Washing, etc.

21.8.44 Calm. Dugout building work.

22.8.44
05.30 Russki fired 8 mortar bombs at Stronghold Niemi. 2nd Lt Turkki wounded, material damage small

23.8.44 Squad positions completed to battle standard. 8th accommodation dugout building started. Sunny late summer day

24.8.44.Dugout building work at an accelerated pace. Sunny day

(27.8.44 Inspected by Battalion Commander. Sign. Maj. Hannula)

25.8.44 Calm day on our section. Dugout building work by entire squad.

26.8.44 Calm. Dugout building work.

27.8.44 Calm.
14.30 Coy. Cdr. Lt. Pasa gave a talking-to to the Squad leaders. Subject: Tightening military discipline in their squads.

28.8.44 Enemy launched intense artillery and mortar fire at our section, the quantity of shells being about 300. Failed to cause any casualties.
Also infantry arms activity.
Dugout work.

29.8.44 Situation calm. Coy.commander carried out weapons inspection in every stronghold.
22.00 Pvt. Mutanen KIA in Coy. Battle forepost no.7

30.8.44 Calm day on our section. Cloudy day. In front of our positions extremely thick fog that dissipated slowly

31.8.44 Calm day on our section There was a money collection in the Coy. for the benefit of Pvt.Mutanen's (KIA) next of kin. Collected sum 2550 FIM.

01.9.44 Nothing to mention. Dugout work continued.

02.9.44 Calm. Battalion commander visited inspecting all the work carried out.

03.9.44 00.5 Coy.Cdr. talk to Platoon Cdrs. On present situation. Enemy fied at noon some shells at stronghold Niemi on our sector.
No casualties.

04.9.44 05.05 Coy. Received teleph. Message informing on cessation of hostilities between Finland and Soviet Union aat 0800 Finnish time. 2nd Lt. Tuukkanen left for a commanded task.
07.00 Shooting completely ended by Finnish side with all weapons. Sentry duty went on as before. The other party went on firing with all weapons more intensely than ever. The section of our Coy. Took lots of shells yet no casualties. Russians carried out firing over the day and the night .

05.9.44 Russians kept firing intenssely all forenoon.
05.00 Message received: Soviet Union has ceased hostilities not until 5.9.44 at 05.00 hrs. So the armistice is mutual. No more shooting carried out after this.

06.9.44. Coy. Weapons cleaning, gear maintenance. Lt. Sara left for furlough. Temporary Coy.Cdr. Lt.Korkeavuori from 10th Coy.
*
Does anybody want to know what happened next now that fighting is over?

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#25

Post by subskipper » 06 Jan 2017, 12:28

Lotvonen wrote: *
Does anybody want to know what happened next now that fighting is over?
Indeed I do! Many, many thanks Lotvonen! I am also very keen to get the battalion perspective. I'll get some links!

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#26

Post by subskipper » 06 Jan 2017, 12:41

As I said, I'm very, very grateful for your assistance in this Lotvonen. Got the III:/JR 4 here:

http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=3421107

If you want to reduce the work, the interesting parts are essentially the same dates as you just translated for the 9. Coy.

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#27

Post by subskipper » 06 Jan 2017, 15:47

Also of great interest to as it seems to contain quite a bit more detail:

http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=3420172

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#28

Post by Lotvonen » 07 Jan 2017, 08:13

It seems I have my work cut out for me !

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#29

Post by Lotvonen » 07 Jan 2017, 08:18

WD continued.

07.9.44 10.30 Weapons and gear inspection by Lt. Korkeavuori.

08.9.44 08.00 Coy in formal training.
13.00 Marching singing practice (sic!)

09.9.44 08.00. Closed order drill. Foggy and rainy day

10.9.44 08.00 Closed order drill. Rest of day: off duty

11.9.44 0800 – 0900 Closed order drill. Rest of day gear maintenance.

12.9.44 08 -09 Training.
Stick pulling contest among platoons. Winner I Platoon, Individual winner Pvt. Peltonen Aarne

13.9.44 Training. Squad approach, theory and practice. Coy.Cdr. Overseeing. Lt. Sara returned from furlough .

14.9.44 0800 Training. Platoon approach.
13.00 Closed order drill.

15.9.44 Weapons and gear maintenance
13.00 Inspection bt Coy.Cdr.

16.9.44 08.00 I and III Platoons: Closed order drill.
13.00 Orienteering training

17.9.44 08.00 - 13.00 Orienteering training.

18.9.44 08.00 I and II platoons training in terrain.

19.9.44 Training cancelled.
12.30 Briefing for Platoon Cdrs. Coy. Cdr. informed on truce between Finland and Soviet Union.

20.9.44 04.15 Coy. set out from Himatlampi terrain to Battalion march rallying point, situated at the S tip of Luotojärvi lake
06.15 Briefing by Btn.cdr. In his speech he mentioned the stipulations that we know of. The precondition is that the army must be pulled behind the border of 1940 year. Immediately after briefing the Coy. set out as the leading Coy. of the Btn. Marching distance 25km to Leppäsensyrjä village. Coy. Camped there 1530hrs
1600 Btn.Cdr. inspected our camp.

21.9.44 08.35 Coy. Continued march still as leading Coy. Announced distance 32km. Near the end of the journey orders were modified to the extent that we had to increase our marching distance by 20km. Total marching distance 56km. No marching losses. Ony one fever patient of Coy. hospitalized. Btn.Cdr. Expressed his satisfaction on the marching performance of the Coy. Coy. camped in Pääjoki village 02.30.

22.9.44 09.00 Coy. Continued marching, target Kaalama village. Distance 18km. There 2.15PM. Cantonned in houses.

23.9.44 08.15 Set out from Kaalama. Marching distance 26km. Target Riihikylä behind the 1940 border. Border line of the forced peace border crossed at 12.56hrs. Cantonned in houses.

24.9.44 Coy. Cantonned in local houses rested for the day.

25.9.44 Partof Coy. Men helped villagers in farm work. Iand III platoons had to evacuate Lahti village close to the border, being there 24 hrs.

26.9.44 Coy.at farming work.

27.9.44 Coy.at farming work.

28.9.44 II Platoon started field fortification work . Rest of Coy. at farming work.

29.9.44 Farming work. Men born earlier than 1906 were demobilized.

30.9.44. Coy. Received orders to leave Riihikylä .
07.00 Coy.set out via Kitee village. In Kisko march-past for the Division Commander.
15.30 Intermediate target Niinikangas village. Cantonned in houses.

1.10 44 08.00 Coy continued marching from Niinikangas .
16.00 Coy reached target Humuvaara village. Camping in tents and cantonment in houses. Lt. Aaltonen joined coy.

( somewhat dull up to the demobilization on 22.11.44)

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#30

Post by subskipper » 07 Jan 2017, 11:33

Lotvonen wrote:It seems I have my work cut out for me !
As I said, I'm extremely grateful for all this! :) Amazing stuff this.

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