Battle of Litsajoki (River Litsa) 27 April - 14 May 1942, strength, losses and conclusions?

[tramonte]

There are several puzzles of Soviet offensive in Litsajoki, Murmansk 27 April - 14 May 1942. What was the main target for Soviet forces? What units took part on it? Was there any Finnish units blocking offensive or was it totally Wehrmacht vs Red Army Battle? And what were losses of both German and Soviet forces?

[GregSingh]

Десант в губе Большая Западная Лица (1942)

[Art]

What was the main target for Soviet forces?

With an objective of strengthening defense of the Murmansk port, Murmansk and Belozersk railroads Stavka of the Supreme Command orders to inflict defeat upon German and Finnish forces operating against the Karelian Front and drive them to the west before the onset of the summer season, for this end:
...
2. On the Murmansk direction with forces not less than two rifle divisions (10 Guards and 14), a rifle brigade (72) and ten ski battalions drive the enemy behind the state border in the sector M. Volkovya gulf, Lake Chapr, which is to be held firmly then. The offesnive is to be started not later than 15 April.

From the directive to the commander of the Karelian Front, 27 March 1942.

[tramonte]

So total(?) losses of Soviet forces in Litsajoki offensive 4,992 KIA, WIA and MIA. Germans according Ziemke claimed 8,000 KIA while their own losses 3,200.

One example. Name lists of 152nd RD deceased soldiers were suggesting something like 315 soldiers between 27 April to 15 May 1942.

[Art]

That's an article exclusively about the Litza landing and casualties pertain to this landing alone. I suppose that's your question was about so-called "Murmansk offensive operation" in general:
https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9C%D1 ... %8F_(1942)

[igorr]

AFAIK, there was no Finnish forces on Liza in 1942.

[tramonte]

In fact even Ziemke admitted how Germans reckoned ability of 14th Army to deploy more troops to offensive than Germans former had estimated. Surprisingly Ziemke too claimed that there had been some Finnish forces in Litsa but he might have conflicted with Kestenga (Kiestinki) battle.

[igorr]

One batallion was south of Liza against soviet push through open flank (Pennanen)

[Mangrove]

One batallion was south of Liza against soviet push through open flank (Pennanen)

Petsamon Erillisosasto (Er.Os.P) was distributed as follows as of 16 April 1942:

- E./Er.Os.P, 1./Er.Os.P, 2./Er.Os.P, KKK./Er.Os.P and Krh.K/Er.Os.P at Atslemjärvi.
- 36. Rajakomppania at "Kattila" base at Kukkesjärvi.

Er.Os.P typically sent patrols circa 50-100 kilometres east of their bases to Nuorttijärvi (Нотозеро) region. Osasto Paatsalo (later 4./Er.P.4) occassionally also operated in the Litsajoki region.

[Art]

Regarding causalities: losses of the 14 Army in April 1942 (including preliminary forays against German positions) were 1153 killed, 106 missing and prisoners, 55 non-battle casualties, 3093 wounded, 894 sick and 21 frostbites.
In May 1942: 2171 killed, 640 missing and prisoners, 75 non-battle, 4401 wounded, 1262 sick and 203 frostbites.
However, that doesn't include losses of the 12 Marine Brigade and 152 Rifle Division. In fact, in the table of losses of the Karelian Front there is a zero standing opposite the 152 Division, whereas in reality it suffered considerable causalities

[tramonte]

Were there units of 14th Army didn't take part in Battle of Litsa and that's why having losses not related on it?

[Art]

I'm not sure that I understand your question. 12 Naval Brigade was employed in sea landing, but apparently didn't report casualties to the Karelian Front because it belonged to the Navy. Casualties of the 152 Rifle Division were missing in the KF reports probably because it switched from one army to another. The unit was caught by a blizzard while it was marching to the front in early May and suffered extraordinary large non-battle casualties of deaths and frostbites. Further on the halt order came before it was fully thrown into battle.