Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

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subskipper
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Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#1

Post by subskipper » 31 May 2014, 19:22

Are there any details around the fighting in and around Tihveri on June 26 1944? I know that the III/JR4 got hit by tanks, infantry and rockets from around 1900 hours and the fighting raged all through the evening until the unit pulled back around midnight. Any additional info about this engagement?

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#2

Post by John Hilly » 01 Jun 2014, 15:01

”Ylipäällikkö on pvm:llä 2.10.44 nimittänyt Vapaudenristin 2. luokan Mannerheim-ristin ritariksi panssarijääkäri Toivo Ilomäen." His unit was 24.TykK./ 5.Divisioona.

"Myöhemmin tuhosi hän panssaritorjuntatykillä Tihverin taistelussa erittäin vaikeissa olosuhteissa lähietäisyyksiltä 4 panssarivaunua estäen siten erään kolonnan joutumasta vaunujen hyökkäysten kohteeksi. Kolonna pelastui täten varmalta tuholta."

"Later, he destroyed by anti-tank cannon in battle of Tihveri in extremely difficult conditions at very short distances 4 tanks therefore preventing a column falling under attack of the tanks. Column was thereby saved from certain destruction."

It seems that in Tihveri there was units from 5.D and JR 4 from 8.D.

Google map: http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=61.33 ... 9&z=11&m=b

With best, J-P :milwink:
"Die Blechtrommel trommelt noch!"


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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#3

Post by subskipper » 01 Jun 2014, 15:28

Thanks! Indeed, my grandfather served in 9./JR4 and fought at Tihveri among other places. Seems like the fighting around this location was partcularly fierce. I'm trying to place his stories and he had a few encounters with tanks.

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#4

Post by John Hilly » 01 Jun 2014, 19:12

Here's something from the war Diary of JR 4:

On 28.6.1944 at 23.50 Captain Hannila from III/ JR 4 reported that 7 tanks had been destroyed, from which 4 by 75 mm AT gun from I/ AT Coy 24, and 3 by Bazookas. III/ JR 4 destroyed two of them.

On 29.6. at 20.15 report from III Battalion:
Russkies have made a breakthrough in the direction of the road. Harsh fighting is going on in the village [Tihveri].

Tanks don't participate in fighting, but are shooting from the other side of the river.
Rocket gun [Katjusha] takes part in the battle. Lt Rummukainen from 10 Coy has fallen.

At 20.50 Capt. Hannila informed that the breakthrough is not halted.

Col. Simelius [CO of JR 4] informed the above to Lt. Col. Pietarinen.

At 20.55 Parts of II Btn are moving down. One must try to keep the line behind Capt. Hannila in the lake neck and if this won't succeed then defense must hold at least in the village of Varloi, at south side of it.
....

At 23.50 Russkies attacked with great numbers at the so called lake neck. III Btn gave up.
5. and 6. Coy of II Btn, which had left to march for help, got orders to turn back to the southern side of Varloi and stand in defense there.

http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=3420245

To be continued...

J-P :milwink:
"Die Blechtrommel trommelt noch!"

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#5

Post by subskipper » 01 Jun 2014, 23:33

Outstanding! He was in Varloi as well. Not sure what happened to 9./JR4 after they trucked out to Palalahti. They seem to have ended up in Impilahden-Kaukojärvi, but can't find that on any maps. I'd love to get even more details about the fighting after Tihveri, so this is very much appreciated. :)

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#6

Post by John Hilly » 02 Jun 2014, 20:23

Continues...
The War Diary scipter tries to explain why III Btn. broke to somewhat disorganized state...

"The III Btn. retreated delaying through II Btn's lines!" [to Varloi]

“Reason, why III Btn's defence broke down, after fighting yesterday so bravely saving the situation when I and II Btns had mixed up, one can mention the continius days and nights marching and fighting of the men.
One must only imagine how the men have endured even this far.“

30.6. at 2.45...
Col. Simelius “personally gave oral command to Capt. Hannila that he must bring III Btn together, and march it to the south side of Paunila village and regroup in defence there...”

At 12.00 II Btn reported that 5 tanks has been destroyed south side of Varloi village.

The strenght of III/ JR 4 on 30.6.1944
Shoud be strength: 32, 136, 726
Rations strength: 28, 112, 639
Combat strenght: 28, 78, 487

I'll try to find War Diary of the 9./ JR 4...

With best,
J-P :milwink:
"Die Blechtrommel trommelt noch!"

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#7

Post by subskipper » 02 Jun 2014, 21:26

John Hilly wrote:Continues...
The War Diary scipter tries to explain why III Btn. broke to somewhat disorganized state...

"The III Btn. retreated delaying through II Btn's lines!" [to Varloi]

“Reason, why III Btn's defence broke down, after fighting yesterday so bravely saving the situation when I and II Btns had mixed up, one can mention the continius days and nights marching and fighting of the men.
One must only imagine how the men have endured even this far.“

30.6. at 2.45...
Col. Simelius “personally gave oral command to Capt. Hannila that he must bring III Btn together, and march it to the south side of Paunila village and regroup in defence there...”

At 12.00 II Btn reported that 5 tanks has been destroyed south side of Varloi village.

The strenght of III/ JR 4 on 30.6.1944
Shoud be strength: 32, 136, 726
Rations strength: 28, 112, 639
Combat strenght: 28, 78, 487

I'll try to find War Diary of the 9./ JR 4...

With best,
J-P :milwink:
Awesome, awesome stuff! I have the diary but I'm not fluent in Finnish so your help here is invaluable to me! I'm working on putting together a site about these battles and my grandfathers experiences (had one ages ago, need a new, nicer one for the 7th "anniversary" of the events) so I can't even begin to tell you how grateful I am for this. :)

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#8

Post by John Hilly » 03 Jun 2014, 12:45

Thanks Henric! I'll try to translate bits of the WD/9./JR 4. Some interesting stuff there!
J-P
"Die Blechtrommel trommelt noch!"

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#9

Post by subskipper » 04 Jun 2014, 08:03

Looking forward to it! :)

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#10

Post by subskipper » 30 Dec 2016, 15:05

I'm in dire need of translation help regarding this and subsequent battles and the JR4's 9. company's involvement. I have searched the digital archives for relevant documents but my poor Finnish is really not getting me anywhere. Anyone able to lend a hand?

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#11

Post by Lotvonen » 31 Dec 2016, 11:28

Translation help from Finnish? Sure, let me know where the source text is !

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#12

Post by subskipper » 31 Dec 2016, 12:09

Lotvonen wrote:Translation help from Finnish? Sure, let me know where the source text is !
Finnish indeed! Awesome, thanks!

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#13

Post by subskipper » 31 Dec 2016, 20:41

Is this part even legible for a Finn I wonder?

http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=4954985

Absolutely no chance of me deciphering enough of it to even use google translate.

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#14

Post by Lotvonen » 01 Jan 2017, 07:08

From the abovementioned war diary:

"28.6. 00.05hrs Coy. received orders to move
00.30hrs Coy. started marching North.
04.00hrs Coy. set up camp about 4km S from Sarkki? village near Niiniselkä village. At noon orders received to set up delaying positions there.
17.00hrs Grouping completed
17.45hrs Russki attacked our positions, supported by tanks but beaten back. Enemy however continued attacking till midnight."
"29.6.
04.45hrs Engaged by enemy again. They fired hard at us from tanks.
07.00hrs Coy. strengthened by AT men equipped with new effective close range weapons.
14.50hrs Coy. received orders to disengage. During today's delaying battles casualties due to enemy snipers include 3 KIA, 3 WIA.
Killed: Pfc. H.Vilenjus, Pvt. S. Nigilander. Pvt. I Klemola died during transport to field hospital.
Wounded: Platoon leader Sr. Sgt. A. Lehtikangas, Pfc. A. Siltanen, Pvt. Lundgren. Pvt Kannomäki hospitalized due to shock."

"30.6. Ccoy withdrew to Varlai? village where it was announced that we have to set up defence in the village by the order of the Regiment commander"
*
Any other days needed?

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Re: Fighting at Tihveri 29/6 -44

#15

Post by subskipper » 01 Jan 2017, 11:31

Wow, excellent and quick work! Many thanks Lotvonen! Was that for here: http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=4954986 ?

I'm more than interested in the next pages as well all the way up to the end. :)

http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=4954987

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