Jun 25 2009
65 Years from the start of battle for Tali-Ihantala– 25 June 1944
Historical background
After rapid Finnish advancement in 1941, the Continuation War turned into years of trench warfare. In 1944, German forces were already retreating in the South (of Finland) and the Stavka (the HQ of the Soviet Armed Forces) decided to finish the war on the Finnish front. On June 9, just three days after the allied landings in Normandy, the Soviet Union launched a major offensive on Karelian Isthmus. The Soviet army forced Finns to abandon their defensive lines and on 20 June they took Viipuri, the second largest city of Finland at the time.
On 12 June, Marshal Mannerheim, the commander of the Finnish Army, requested help from the German ally. Already on 16 June, the detachment Kuhlmey arrives in Finland. A few days later, some Wehrmacht units arrive.
Finns concentrate all available units to Tali-Ihantala area to stop the Soviet attack. From 25 June to 9 July, the Soviet forces clash with the defenders, but can’t get through. Finnish Air Force and detachment Kuhlmey make 1020 bombing sorties against the Soviet troops, especially tanks. During the battle, Soviets loose ca. 300 tanks, 120-280 aircraft and 18,000-22,000 troops.
As the final result of stopping of the Soviet advancement, the peace talks culminate in cease-fire between Soviet Union and Finland on 4 September.
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tali-Ihantala
Captured Pe-2 in FAF colours
