Grigorejev's partisan brigade

[John Hilly]

Thanks igor_verh!
Is it possible for you to translate parts of this "Combat sheet"?
It would be very interesting for us non-Russian speakers.

With regards
Juha-Pekka

[Juha Tompuri]

A post of Mika68* was moved to
viewtopic.php?f=59&t=182140&p=1631191#p1631191

/Juha

[igor_verh]

Unfortunately, on image only part of the page I think, it was written at rest after brigade's crossing of finish "protection line" at north part of Elmozero (road Kuznavolok-Korguba).
Translation (sorry for my english):
Title
Red Army newspaper
Battle piece (Combat sheet)
№22. 15 July 1942
Left column
For the conscious discipline
During the day, 12 to July 13 we passed over rough terrain more than 40 kilometers. At the same time overcome a significant amount of impassable swamps, mountains, rivers with crossings and ...
Central column
Good fighter
Fighter comrade Rozov quickly and accurately performs all orders of the platoon commander. He good performs guard duty, self-disciplined, properly and quickly acts to combat ...
Right column
...yesterday during march on the approach to the river required to establish a ferry. Was ordered "with saws forward" ("s pilami vperyod"). Order came to the soldier Zaycev. But Zaycev mixed up the order and handed "Pergin forward" ("Pergin vperyod"). And wrong order went on, certainly partisan Pergin can not be found...

[John Hilly]

...yesterday during march on the approach to the river required to establish a ferry. Was ordered "with saws forward" ("s pilami vperyod"). Order came to the soldier Zaycev. But Zaycev mixed up the order and handed "Pergin forward" ("Pergin vperyod"). And wrong order went on, certainly partisan Pergin can not be found...

Thanks a lot, igor_verh!
So, there was also some humor in writings of these Combat sheets.

Regards,
Juha-Pekka

[Juha Tompuri]

Thank you Igor,

Here some more scans from the Sissiprikaatin tuho book (The other one being of pretty low quality at the book)
Click the image to view it in full size

Regards, Juha

[igor_verh]

-no captured pistols or revolvers mentioned - perhaps taken as personal souvenirs (as mentioned at the original link)

This table from report of komissar Aristov (sept. 1942), we can see how many weapon was lost during raid. Also it can gives an idea about the approximate number of partisans who returned from raid.

[igor_verh]

Actually, Gusarov gives that 120 (or 119 or 124, his figure is a bit ambigous) for the number of partisans who returned in the main group. In addition 34 partisans returned before the brigade crossed Finnish lines (44 were sent back, 10 died in a Finnish ambush: this ambush is described in Gusarov's book. He got his information directly from two survivors). Gusarov mentions three other groups of partisans who returned after being separated from the brigade: Nikolajev's recon platoon (apparently 11 survivors), and "squads" led by Polevik and Sabalin. He doesn't tell how many survivors returned with those two groups. There is also the possibility that some individual partisans reached Soviet outposts and perhaps even some members from Grisukov's platoon (of the "Toivo Antikainen" detachment) that seems to have got separated from the main unit shortly before the battle on the hill 264.9. The total number of partisan survivors seems to be around 200 men. (G.N. Kuprijanov gives the figure of 288 survivors but that seems to be suspiciously high).

It is very intresting question about the number of survivors. Went into the raid - 648 partisans, 8 July 1942 went back 52 (two groups, one of them was ambushed), before crossing "guard line" in brigade were 593 partisans, from them:
according combat reports of Karelian partisan's headquarter (26.08.1942) - returned 131
according Aristov's report (September 1942) - returned from the raid 154 partisans, KIA 212, died of starvation - 69,MIA - 67, drowned - 7,crazy - 1,died during the discharge of supplies - 1, moved to the enemy - 1, shot the sentence by Brigade's command - 9. Also Aristov wrote that 90 partisans remained in the enemy rear and probably died (Popov's detachment)
according Vershinin's report (January 1944) - returned from the raid 178 partisans,KIA 211, died of starvation - 85,MIA - 156, drowned - 7,crazy - 1,died during the discharge of supplies - 1, moved to the enemy - 1, shot the sentence by Brigade's command - 8.
from memories of V.P.Vvedensky, who met brigade after raid: after crossing of Elmozero in brigade were 160-170 partisans, 22-23 august returned 2 groups - 3 and 4 partisans, 3 days ago - some little groups else - about 35-38 partisans
Grekov in 1971 said, that in Segezha returned 219 partisans.

[igor_verh]

Spoils of War by partisan brigade(from Aristov report):
machine guns - 4, light machine guns - 4, submachine guns "Suomi" - 20, rifles - more than 100, pistols - 5,mortars - 4, grenades - more than 50, radios -3, phones - 2.
Were destroyed 2 boats ( 1 with soldiers, 1 with ammunition) and 2 trucks.

[igor_verh]

Hello! I have a question about finnish commanders, who took part in brigade's defeat. I found this:
RjP6 - Pertulli, Hämäläinen
2/RjP5 - Pukka
12 Pr – Mäkiniemi
1/12 Pr – Lieutenant Olavi Alakulppi
5/12 Pr – Isomaa
6/12 Pr – Vepsalainen
7/12 Pr – Vierimaa
8/12 Pr – Ylijurva
13/12 Pr – Captain Segerastahle
14/12 Pr – Lieutenant Perttula
15/12 Pr – Lieutenant Olli Remes
16/12 Pr – Ahonen
4/HRR – Putkonen
4 Pr – Kova.
Can somebody help me with other units and commanders( Airimo, Esko, Lehti, Lieskala, Ahola, Sege, Lipponen,etc)?
At net I met information, that Grigorejev was killed in fight with soldiers from Remes unit, is it really?
Did units from JR25,HRR and RjP5 took part in fight at 264,9 hill?
Partisans near hill 264,9 captured some mortars, what finnish squad they belonged?

[Mangrove]

Can somebody help me with other units and commanders( Airimo, Esko, Lehti, Lieskala, Ahola, Sege, Lipponen,etc)?

From 12. Prikaati's report:

Kev.Os. 2 = Maj. Hannila
Rj.P 5 = Maj. Kivikko

Jääk.J/Rj.P 5 = Vänr. Lehti
J./1./Rj.P 5 = Ylikers. Lieskala
J./2./Rj.P 5 = Luutn. Pukka

II/12.Pr = Maj. Pyökkimies
IV/12.Pr = Maj. Airimo
5./12.Pr = Isomaa
J./5./12.Pr = Vänr. Karhos
6./12.Pr = Vepsäläinen
J./12./12.Pr = Reinonen
10./12.Pr = Sege
13./12.Pr = Posti, 27 July (?) onwards Segerstråhle
14./12.Pr = Perttula
15./12.Pr = Remes
J./15./12.Pr = Esko
Jääk.J/I/12.Pr = Alakulppi
Jääk.J/II/12.Pr = Tuomikoski
Jääk.J/III/12.Pr = Ahola
Jääk.J/IV/12.Pr = Kova (Keva?)
Patrol/12.Pr (?) = Kers. Mantela

Jääk.J/III/JR 25 = Mandelin
Jääk.J/JR 25 = Kers. Timonen

Patrol/4.D = Hämäläinen
Patrol/4.D = Iiro
Patrol/14.D = Valmu

Did units from JR25,HRR and RjP5 took part in fight at 264,9 hill?

The Battle of Vaara ("A large, forested hill"), as it is called on the report, was fought at Hill 264,9 from 9 p.m. on 30 July to the morning of 31 July. Finnish units that were present there were 5., 12., 13. (in reserve), 14. and 15./12.Pr. Krh.J/IV/12.Pr was part of 12./12.Pr. Soviet losses were counted as 113 KIA, including Grigorejev.

http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=3071586 (Map sketch of the Battle)

Partisans near hill 264,9 captured some mortars, what finnish squad they belonged?

Krh.J/IV/12.Pr fired 60 grenades during the first day. Soviet troops assaulted 12./12.Pr. and their position at 4 a.m. on 31 July. The platoon had to defend their positions with small arms. There is no mention of the mortar losses during the Battle. Both 50 and 81 mm mortars were used.

http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=3078613 (Diary)

I have also a question for our Russian members; the Finnish report mentions the Soviet clothing being more suitable for forest fighting than the Finnish one. Among items listed on the report are camouflaged suits and leggings and American laced shoes. The first ones were Soviet made but could the shoes be Shoes, Service, Composition-sole (Type II), i.e. standard issue?

[igor_verh]

Martti Kujansuu, thanks for your answer
About partisan's uniform: according Yakov Efimov's diary partisans obtained new uniform at 22 June - one week before the raid began. It was standart Red Army uniform,russian capes, part of partisans received the american boots, which have shown themselves not at its best (that boots were sent from America under Lend-Lease. According to reviews american shoes were beautiful, brown, with a welt, but in the water they become limp,soak and fell apart after a month). Also partisans left in Segezha all heavy weapon - mortars, heavy machine guns. In last 10 days partisans were reinforced political training, have passed medical check. Member of Military Council of the Karelian Front Kupriyanov N.G. presented the awards for winter operations.
Photos from book "History of 1st partisan brigade of Karelian front"

[igor_verh]

Gusarov mentions three other groups of partisans who returned after being separated from the brigade: Nikolajev's recon platoon (apparently 11 survivors), and "squads" led by Polevik and Sabalin. He doesn't tell how many survivors returned with those two groups.

In Polevik's group were 6 partisans, this group was divided into two - 2 and 4 partisans. All of them came back to soviet territory. With Shabalin came back 3 men, so in these two groups - 10 partisans.

Here some more scans from the Sissiprikaatin tuho book (The other one being of pretty low quality at the book)

Here these leaflets on finnish in full version:
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=3071436
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=3071438
So I have some new questions on this theme:
1) According report of 12 Brigade 24 partisans were POW. In this report many information, which was obtain from partisans, but no full list of all partisans who had been captured. I found only some surnames: Jeremjev (Еремеев), Isaev (Исаев), Zajitcev(Зайцев), Nikolajev (Николаев), Ustinov (Устинов), Lelikov (Леликов) ,Maljuk (Мальюк). According Gusarov book "Story of unfinished search" also were captured Ivan Sobolev, Pavel Oberemko, Andrey Gryabin, Ivan Kazemirov, Petr Nekrashevich. May be information about other partisans in documents of headquarters of Maselskaya Army group? May be full list of POWs partisans, interrogation reports, in which camps these partisans were sent?
2) Now Grigorjev's mauser in finnish museum, but how finnish soldiers got it - according of memories of some partisans, Grigorjev was buried on battlefield and in 1946 his remains were transferred in Padany?
3) Is somewhere on digi.narc.fi these documents:
-official report (information on the situation № 430) of operative department of Maselgskaya Army group from 01.09.1942
-official report (information on the situation № 388) of operative department of Maselgskaya Army group from 21.07.1942
-official report (information on the situation № 411) of operative department of Maselgskaya Army group from 13.08.1942
At book "History of First partisan brigade" all these reports from a link - Komentotoimisto// Määselan PE. SA, T. 1118/14.
4) Can somebody translate on english these pages:
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=3078015
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=3078018
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=3078260
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=3078262

Thank you!
Igor

[Vaeltaja]

First & Second:

At 1500 Pyökki reported having cleared area between point (hill?) 195.1 - Siprajoki (Sidrajoki?). 50 ruskies were killed. Lipponen was at a time personally by Pyökki and platoon was near x=4070, y=8260. Pyökki started immediately to gain new contact with the enemy and perform the pursuit. He was not aware as to what the direction the enemy had moved (had they gone over the river or NW or W?). No radio communication contact had been achieved with Segerstråle on the whole day but according to the earlier order his task is to prevent enemy from advanding due west and force it towards the NW corner of lake Voijärvi. I would subordinate Segerstråle to Arimo if you can arrange the communications. My plan is to achieve a decision (ie. decisive victory over) of the enemy at NW end of lake Voijärvi - Tsiassalmi (Palojärvi) - Siprajoki. Pyökkimies pressures the enemy from the south, Segerstråle from the SW, Airimo will receive at the isthmus Voijärvi and Palojärvi. During the night detachment Remes and ??? will form there. I emphasize on the sharp reconnaisance so that enemy will not be able get through the picket line due north.
Currently departing boat will deliver food + fodder and 5 boxes of rifle ammunition as well as field dressing station for Putkonen. Next shipment will deliver the rest of the rations ordered.

Most of the Third and Fourth:

Order for picket duty and for further action arrived at 0450 (something about connection patrol).
All security procedures mentioned in the order were performed by the late evening, in addition short range recon was set to direction 20,00. Complete darkness interrupted most activities. Connection patrol from me was sent in the morning at 0520 in the same direction at two squad strength. Remes will also sent (patrol) connection for Vepsäläinen and combat patrol for recon towards the southern edge of the western shore of lake 197.1.
Tracks on our SE direction towards every direction so it is not practical to immediately depart with the main body.
Wounded reached the main road at late evening without casualties. Own casualties therefore become (??) 2 KIA, 5 WIA.
I have rations until this this evening, i need (food for) 81 men for the following days.
Sege is the eldest, may possibly receive order to take command to clarify the chain of command.
I will relay the order i received to Remes.

Small bit from Remes:

Ruskie trail from south due north along the boundary between Putte (Putkonen???) and me treaded possibly already before we even arrived at dawn.

May contain some errors or mistakes.

EDIT: small edits to fix errors and improve readability...

[igor_verh]

Thanks,Vaeltaja!

At 1500 Pyökki reported having cleared are between point (hill?) 195.1 - Siprajoki (Sidrajoki?). 50 ruskies were killed.

So this is information about Popov's detachment, which considered lost for many years. Only in 70-80s remains about 100 partisans were found on hill 195,1 and near river Sidra, most part of them were buried in Padany (Paatane, Паданы). But even at our days the search group of Sergey Simonyan continues to find remains of partisans. At that area brigade had the biggest losses for the whole raid. 1 or 2 partisans were captured in these fight.
A documentary film "The ringing silence" ("Звенящая тишина") about the search works near that place :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eehkoinkTuY

[Mangrove]

May be information about other partisans in documents of headquarters of Maselskaya Army group? May be full list of POWs partisans, interrogation reports, in which camps these partisans were sent?

The name of every Soviet POW, date and place of birth, his rank and unit, where was he captured etc. were recorded to a document of which three copies were made. These prisoner "cards" have been digitized and can be accessed from the computers at the National Archive at Helsinki. I shall look into the matter next time I visit them. I'll try to check out the interrogation reports as well.

http://wiki.narc.fi/portti/index.php/Suomen_Punainen_Risti,_Sotavankitoimisto

3) Is somewhere on digi.narc.fi these documents:
-official report (information on the situation № 430) of operative department of Maselgskaya Army group from 01.09.1942
-official report (information on the situation № 388) of operative department of Maselgskaya Army group from 21.07.1942
-official report (information on the situation № 411) of operative department of Maselgskaya Army group from 13.08.1942
At book "History of First partisan brigade" all these reports from a link - Komentotoimisto// Määselan PE. SA, T. 1118/14.

The last reference is to a folder at the Finnish National Archive containing the situation reports (the same as are behind the links) of Maaselän Ryhmän Esikunta.

http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=3556499 (6 a.m. on 21.7.1942)
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=3556498 (6 p.m. on 21.7.1942)

http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=3556452 (6 a.m. on 13.8.1942)
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=3556451 (6 p.m. on 13.8.1942)

http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=3556415 (6 a.m. on 1.9.1942)
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=3556414 (6 p.m. on 1.9.1942)