Here are a few pictures from Tali-Ihantala battles 60 years commemoration. The commemoration was held on the battleground in Ihantala on the (nowadays) Russian side of the border where a monument has been raised to honor the men who fought in these battles.
The battle in Tali-Ihantala is the biggest battle ever in the Nordic countries. Over 8500 Finns and over 22000 Russians were killed or wounded.
This was actually the first time so large groups from Finland were able to get access to these holy places and participate in a commemoration.
Pictures from Tali-Ihantala battles commemoration 2.7.2004
Pictures from Tali-Ihantala battles commemoration 2.7.2004
- Attachments
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- The Ihantala monument to honor the heroes
- 03 Ihantalan muistomerkki.jpg (90.44 KiB) Viewed 2616 times
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- My friend Antti and two "Lagus" vets from the renowned (and only) Finnish tank brigade. Both were badly wounded. Arvo Arminen on the right got a bullet shot through his jawbone!
- 17 Antti ja laguksen miehet.jpg (79.16 KiB) Viewed 2617 times
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- Flags from different detachments
- 10 Liput2.jpg (83.45 KiB) Viewed 2616 times
Last edited by jasteri on 08 Jul 2004, 14:54, edited 1 time in total.
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Drew Maynard
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- Location: Vinland, Canada
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Wow, wish i knew who is the man in last picture. I would give him room in crowded bus for sure...
It is there indeed: The Commemorative Cross of Finnish Wiking volunteers is on the medal most on the right from our view (with little SS-marks on ribbon - conveniently blurred in picture), next to Ostmedaille.
- Blue Cross
- Medal of Freedom
- Commemorative Medal of the Winter War
- etc.. (i am not really expert on awards - maybe someone could recognize the rest of them)
Anyway - thanks for the pictures.
Mark V
It is there indeed: The Commemorative Cross of Finnish Wiking volunteers is on the medal most on the right from our view (with little SS-marks on ribbon - conveniently blurred in picture), next to Ostmedaille.
- Blue Cross
- Medal of Freedom
- Commemorative Medal of the Winter War
- etc.. (i am not really expert on awards - maybe someone could recognize the rest of them)
Anyway - thanks for the pictures.
Mark V
Great pictures!
it seems like you were on the other side of the Ihantala monument from me
I posted some more pictures of the ceremony in a different thread (Finland and Russia)
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... &start=330
scroll down a bit for the pictures and the discussion that followed.
With best regards,
Bair
it seems like you were on the other side of the Ihantala monument from me
I posted some more pictures of the ceremony in a different thread (Finland and Russia)
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... &start=330
scroll down a bit for the pictures and the discussion that followed.
With best regards,
Bair
Hi! It's not an EK, it's the Finnish Waffen-SS commemorative cross (black ribbon with SS).Vinland wrote:Fantastic pictures, well done. Very interesting post!
can anyone identify the medal bar on the last picture? I recognize the EK and the Russian Front medal - can anyone id the rest?
Regards
Vinland
Other medals from left to right: Medal 1st class for gallantry, Medal 2nd class for gallantry (x2), Winter war medal, Continuation war medal (Finnish - Russo war 1941-44), then something called White Rose Medal (can't see the class), one cross I cant recognize, some commemorative cross (could be Taipale Cross), Blue cross, Veteran cross?, veteran medal?, Eastern front medal (german) and the Waffen-SS commemorative cross.
Please fill in if you have more specific information!
//Jasteri
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Drew Maynard
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- Posts: 2618
- Joined: 07 Dec 2002, 03:10
- Location: Vinland, Canada
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Jasteri and others:
Many thanks for clarifying the medals on display of the veteran pictured. Does anyone have a clear picture of the Wiking/Commemorative Cross that I thought was the EK? After posting I reviewed the pic and noticed the ribbon was very different than the EK and noticed the little runes on them.
I'd give him room on a bus, and probably a seat too. I bet there are many tales these veterans have to tell.
To those who attended, how was the reaction by other vets (especially Russian) and attendees to the presence of W-SS vets?
And agian, thanks for an interesting post.
Regards
vinland
Many thanks for clarifying the medals on display of the veteran pictured. Does anyone have a clear picture of the Wiking/Commemorative Cross that I thought was the EK? After posting I reviewed the pic and noticed the ribbon was very different than the EK and noticed the little runes on them.
I'd give him room on a bus, and probably a seat too. I bet there are many tales these veterans have to tell.
To those who attended, how was the reaction by other vets (especially Russian) and attendees to the presence of W-SS vets?
And agian, thanks for an interesting post.
Regards
vinland
