During World War II, in the Continuation War, the Fourth Strategic Offensive was the general attack by the Soviet against the Finns at the Karelian Isthmus and at the East Karelia. The result was a stalemate, even though Soviets liberated East Karelia and recaptured Vyborg they didn't achieve the objective of River Kymijoki and the destruction of the Finnish army. Combatants Allies: Poland, British Commonwealth, France/Free France, Soviet Union, United States, China, and others Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan, and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total dead: 50 million Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total dead: 12 million World War II... The Continuation War or War of Continuation (Finnish: , Swedish: ) was the war that was fought between Finland and the Soviet Union during World War II, from the Finland-based hostile activities against the Soviet Union on June 21 and June 22[1], and Soviet bombing attacks on June 25, 1941... June 9 is the 160th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (161st in leap years), with 205 days remaining. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1944 calendar). ... August 4 is the 216th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (217th in leap years), with 149 days remaining. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1944 calendar). ... The Karelian Isthmus is the narrow stretch of land between the Gulf of Finland and Lake Ladoga in northwestern Russia. ... East Karelia and West Karelia with borders of 1939 and 1940/1947. ... C.G.E. Mannerheim Mannerheims equestrian statue by Mannerheimintie, a central road in downtown Helsinki, the capital of Finland C.G.E. Mannerheims autograph This article is about the statesman and Commander-in-Chief, for the noble families, please see Mannerheim (family) Baron Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim (June... Karl Lennart Oesch (8 August 1892, Pyhäjärvi, Karelian Isthmus - 28 March 1978, Helsinki) was one of the leading Finnish generals during the World War II. He held a string of high staff assignments and front commands, and at the end of the Continuation War fully two-thirds of... Marshal of the Soviet Union Leonid Govorov Leonid Aleksandrovich Govorov (Russian Леонид Александрович Говоров) (February 22, 1897 - March 19, 1955), Soviet military commander, was born in the village of Butyrki in central Russia (now in Kirov Oblast). ... Marshal of the Soviet Union Kirill Meretskov Kirill Afanasievich Meretskov (Russian: Кирилл Афанасьевич Мерецков) (June 7, 1897 - December 30, 1968) was a Soviet military commander. ... The Continuation War or War of Continuation (Finnish: , Swedish: ) was the war that was fought between Finland and the Soviet Union during World War II, from the Finland-based hostile activities against the Soviet Union on June 21 and June 22[1], and Soviet bombing attacks on June 25, 1941... Combatants Germany / Finland Soviet Union Commanders Generaloberst Nikolaus von Falkenhorst (Armee Norwegen) Komdiv R. I. Panin (Northern Front) Strength Unknown Unknown Casualties Unknown Unknown Operation Silver Fox (Unternehmen Silberfuchs) was a German operation during World War II. Its main goal was the capture of the Soviet port at Murmansk through... Combatants Finland, Germany Soviet Union Commanders Lt. ... The Battle of Vuosalmi (a. ... Combatants Allies: Poland, British Commonwealth, France/Free France, Soviet Union, United States, China, and others Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan, and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total dead: 50 million Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total dead: 12 million World War II... The Continuation War or War of Continuation (Finnish: , Swedish: ) was the war that was fought between Finland and the Soviet Union during World War II, from the Finland-based hostile activities against the Soviet Union on June 21 and June 22[1], and Soviet bombing attacks on June 25, 1941... State motto (Russian): Пролетарии всех стран, соединяйтесь! (Transliterated: Proletarii vsekh stran, soedinyaytes!) (Translated: Workers of the world, unite!) Capital Moscow Official language None; Russian (de facto) Government Federation of Soviet republics Area  - Total  - % water 1st before collapse 22,402,200 km² Approx. ... The Karelian Isthmus is the narrow stretch of land between the Gulf of Finland and Lake Ladoga in northwestern Russia. ... East Karelia and West Karelia with borders of 1939 and 1940/1947. ... A view of Vyborg from the castle tower Vyborg (Cyrillic: Выборг, Finnish: Viipuri, Swedish: Viborg, German: Wiburg) is a town with 70,000 inhabitants on the Karelian Isthmus in Russia, near the head of the Bay of Vyborg, 130 km to the northwest of Saint Petersburg, 38 km south from Russia...

Background

During the winter of 1944 Soviet forces had broken the Siege of Leningrad and driven the German Army Group North to the Narwa-Lake Ilmen-Pskov line. Finland had queried for peace conditions in February, but the given conditions were considered impossible to fulfill. When the Finnish rejection become known, STAVKA started to prepare an offensive against the Finns. 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1944 calendar). ... Combatants Axis Powers, Spanish Blue Division Soviet Union Commanders Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb Georg von Kuechler Kliment Voroshilov Georgy Zhukov Strength 725,000 930,000 Casualties Unknown 300,000 military, 16,470 civilians from bombings and estimated 1 million civilians from starvation The Siege of Leningrad (Russian: блокада Ленинграда) was the German... Army Group North (Heeresgruppe Nord in German) was a high level command grouping of military units operating for Germany during World War II. The army group coordinated the operations of attached army corps, reserve formations, and direct-reporting units. ... County Ida-Viru County Mayor Tarmo Tammiste Area 84. ... Lake Ilmen (Russian: Озеро Ильмень, Finnish: Ilmajärvi), a lake in Novgorod Oblast of Russia. ... The Trinity Cathedral (1682-99) is a symbol of Pskovs former might and independence. ... Stavka is an abbreviation for Shtab vierhovnogo komandovania, or General Headquarters of armed forces in late Imperial Russia and in the Soviet Union. ...

The plan

The Soviet plan called for a two-pronged assault, one from Leningrad through Vyborg to River Kymijoki and the second across the River Svir through Petrozavodsk and Sortavala pass the border of 1940 and to prepare an advancement deep into Finland. The plan called for that the Finnish army should be destroyed in Karelian Isthmus, and the remains would be pocketed on the western shore of Lake Ladoga between the two assaults and Lake Saimaa. The river Svir (Свирь, Finnish: Syväri) connects Lake Onega with Lake Ladoga in Russia, thus connecting the two largest lakes of Europe, and is considered the southern border of East Karelia. ... Petrozavodsk (Russian: ; Karelian/Finnish: Petroskoi) is the capital of the Republic of Karelia, Russia, with a population of 266,160 (2002 Census). ... Sortavala (Russian: ) is a town in the Republic of Karelia, Russia, located at the northern tip of Lake Ladoga. ... Map of lake Ladoga Towpath Bridge between Lake Ladoga and Lake Onega (from a photograph taken ca. ... A Picture of Saimaa Saimaa, or Saimen in Swedish, is a lake in southeastern Finland. ...

The Finns had since 1941 been preparing defensive fortifications, and on the Karelian Isthmus there were three of them: the "Main line", which was constructed along the frontline of 1941, the "VT-line" (Vammelsuu-Taipale) running 20km behind the main line. These two where reinforced with numerous concrete fortifications, but the work was still ongoing. The third line, the "VKT-line" (Viipuri-Kuparsaari-Taipale) was still on the drawboard and the construction of the fortifications of this line began in late May 1944 at the front of Vyborg. At the northern shore of the River Svir the Finns had prepared a deep area which was fortified with stronpoints with concrete pillboxes, barbed wire, obstacles and trenches. Behind the border of 1940 there was still the Salpaline with concrete bunkers before the River Kymijoki. Start of the Salpa-line between Lake Saimaa and the Gulf of Finland. ...

To overcome these obstacles STAVKA gave the Leningrad front 11 divisions and 9 tank and assault gun regiments. That meant that at the Isthmus there were 19 divisions, 2 division strength fortified areas, 2 tank brigades, 14 tank/assault gun regiments and over 220 artillery and rocket launcher battery groups (almost 3,000 guns/launchers). Around 1500 planes from the 13. Air Army and the Baltic Fleet Air also contributed to the attack with the Soviet Baltic fleet.

To the East Karelia STAVKA ordered 9 divisions, 2 pioneer brigades, 2 tank brigades and 3 assault gun regiments, raising the whole strength to 16 divisions, 2 fortified areas, 5 brigades, 2 tank brigades, 3 assault gun regiments and 3 tank batallions. They were supported by Lake Ladoga and Lake Onega naval detachments and the 7. Air Army. Lake Onega (also known as Onego, Onezhskoe ozero (from Russian, Онежское озеро), and Onezhskoe lake) is a lake in the Russian Federation. ...

Against them where 268,000 Finns with 2,350 guns, 110 tanks/assault guns and 250 planes, 40% of the men and guns and all tanks on the Isthmus.

All in all, the Soviets had a (twelve)12:1 advantage in men and 3-5:1 advantage in guns, planes and tanks against the Finns.

The battle

At Karelian Isthmus there were on average 120 artillery pieces every kilometer, raising up to 220/km at the breakthrough sector at Valkeasaari. At June 9 Soviet offensive began, surprising the defending Finns. During the day Soviets captured frontline trenches and destroyed fortifications, so they were in good starting positions when the main thrust began at the morning of June 10, which shattered Finnish defence at the breakthrough sector. Already at June 13 the VT-line was reached and although it held in Siiranmäki, it was breached at Kuuterselkä at June 15. June 9 is the 160th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (161st in leap years), with 205 days remaining. ... June 10 is the 161st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (162nd in leap years), with 204 days remaining. ... June 13 is the 164th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (165th in leap years), with 201 days remaining. ... June 15 is the 166th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (167th in leap years), with 199 days remaining. ...

Finns tried to buy time by delaying when retreating so that additional forces from East Karelia would reach the front and VKT-line could be prepared for battle. By June 19 first Soviet forces reached Vyborg, and the first phase of offensive was crowned by the capture of Vyborg June 20 when Finnish defenders fled in panic. June 19 is the 170th day of the year (171st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 195 days remaining. ... June 20 is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 194 days remaining. ...

Mannerheim had asked German help, and at June 17 Gefechtsverband Kuhlmey and at June 21 half strength 303.Assault gun brigade and 122. infantry division arrived to Finland. Also new German anti tank weapons, panzerfausts and panzershrecks were given to troops. At June 22 German foreign minister J. Ribbentrop arrived to pressure the guarantee that Finland would fight to the end with Germany. June 22 is the 173rd day of the year (174th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 192 days remaining. ... The Ryti-Ribbentrop letter of agreement (Finnish: Ryti-Ribbentrop sopimus) of June 26, 1944, signifies the closest to an alliance Finland and Nazi Germany came during World War II. According to the agreement, Risto Ryti, then President of Finland, undertook not to conclude peace in the Continuation War with the...

STAVKA ordered at June 21 to continue attack to Imatra-Lappeenranta-Virojoki-line, basically to the front of the Salpaline. Another group should attack northward to Priozersk and encircle the Finns defending eastern VKT-line. Also preparations should be made for advancing to Kotka, Kouvola and River Kymijoki. June 21 is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 193 days remaining. ... Priozersk (Приозерск) is a town on the Karelian Isthmus, in the Leningrad Oblast of Russia, centered on an island at the southwestern shore of Lake Ladoga, at the estuary of the northern armlet of River Vuoksi (Вуокса (Vuoksa) in Russian). ...

The offensive continued June 21, when Soviets tried to breach VKT-line at Tali, betbeen Bay of Vyborg and River Vuoksi. In the ensuing battle, Soviet managed to breach VKT-line at Tali but were bogged down at Ihantala, in the largest battle in Nordic history. When it become evident that breakthrough wasn't possible at Ihantala, Soviets tried to encircle the defenders by the twin assaults of Bay of Vyborg and Vuosalmi. Also there fronts bent but didn't break. At July 15 the troops were ordered to defensive and offensive elements were transferred to the German front. The Bay of Vyborg or Bay of Viipuri is a deep inlet running northeastward near the eastern end of Gulf of Finland. ... Combatants Finland, Germany Soviet Union Commanders Lt. ... The Battle of Vuosalmi (a. ...

Finns had retreated most of the forces from the southern shore of the River Svir before Soviet offensive, so when Soviet offensive started at June 20, they didn't manage to surprise Finns. The river was crossed next day and Soviets secured 8km deep and 16km wide beachhead. At June 23 Soviet marine brigade invaded and captured the beachhead behind the Finnish lines between River Viteleenjoki and River Tuuloksenjoki, thus severing the main road along the shore of Lake Ladoga. Olonets was liberated at June 25, and at June 29 one of the targets was reached when Petrozavodsk was liberated. June 23 is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 191 days remaining. ... The towns coat of arms was promulgated by Catherine the Great in 1781. ... June 25 is the 176th day of the year (177th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 189 days remaining. ... June 29 is the 180th day of the year (181st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 185 days remaining. ...

Like in Karelian Isthmus, also here Finns retreated delaying Soviet advance best they could so that U-line, running northwards from Pitkäranta to Loimola and Kivijärvi. The first Soviet units reached U-line July 10, but they were heavily battered by the long offensive and failed to breach the line. July 10 is the 191st day (192nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 174 days remaining. ...

The last attempt to get offensive going was done further north, where two Soviet divisions advanced towards Ilomantsi. At first the offensive was successfull, and at July 21 they reached the border of 1940 as an only Soviet units in the offensive, but in the ensuing battle these divisions were shattered and driven back to the east. Ilomantsi (Ilomants in Swedish) is a municipality of Finland. ... July 21 is the 202nd day (203rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 163 days remaining. ...

Aftermath

The offensive succeeded to liberate East Karelia and drive Finns to the northern side of Bay of Vyborg and River Vuoksi. It also opened Kirov railroad and White Sea Canal. White Sea-Baltic Sea Canal (Russian: Belomorsko-Baltiyskiy Kanal (BBK)), opened on August 2, 1933 is a ship canal that joins the White Sea and the Baltic Sea near St. ...

But the offensive didn't succeed to break VKT-line and Salpaline, and it didn't succeed to destroying Finnish army. In fact, despite the losses suffered, the Finnish army was better equipped after the offensive than before, thanks to the German delivered material. Soviets didn't manage to encircle larger than batallion sized units, and even those managed to escape through forests by abandoning their heavy equipment. The reason for that was Finnish HQ opinion that pocketed units are wasted. To this goal worked also Soviet army, as it was notified in the official history of IR58, which fought against Soviets all the way from Valkeasaari to Vyborg, that several times the rigidness of operating areas of Soviet units and micromanaging of their commanding officers were the key to survival of the unit.

It shouldn't be underestimated the psychological effect of the offensive to the Finnish leadership, with the realization that peace had to be done even in harsh conditions. On the other hand, Finns stopping the offensive only after 100km at Karelian Isthmus and the Battle of Ilomantsi had shown that Finns were still hard nut to crack and military solution needed fresh divisions from the German front. So instead of offering unconditional surrender as was done June 20 or following marshall Kliment Voroshilov's proposal where the border would had been moved to River Kymijoki, Stalin offered the same treaty than February with minor concessions to secure the peace. June 20 is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 194 days remaining. ... Marshal of the Soviet Union Kliment Voroshilov Kliment Yefremovich Voroshilov (help· info) () (January 23, 1881 - December 2, 1969) was a Soviet military commander and politician. ...

References

• S.P. Platonov: Bitva za Leningrad
• Leo Saressalo et.al.: Kutsui ääni isänmaan, Jalkaväkirykmentti 58