Vyborg offensive operation (1944). Stalin's fourth blow
The essence of the operation briefly:
The Vyborg operation during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 is an offensive operation of the troops of the Leningrad Front (General L.A. Govorov) on the Karelian Isthmus on June 10-20, 1944 in order to speed up the exit from the war Finland. The Finnish task force "Karelian Isthmus" of up to 100 thousand people opposed the Soviet troops. Having created more than a twofold superiority in people (260 thousand against 100 thousand), a sixfold superiority in tanks (628 against 110) and artillery (5.5 thousand against 960), the Soviet troops dealt a powerful blow to the Finnish positions. The offensive was preceded by air strikes and 10 hours of artillery preparation.For ten days of fighting, the troops of the Leningrad Front broke through 3 main defense lines (on June 2, 17 and 19, respectively), partially restored by the Finns in 1941-1944. "Mannerheim lines". The ground forces actively supported (including landings) the forces of the Baltic Fleet (Admiral V.F. Tribun) and the Ladoga Military Flotilla (Rear Admiral B.S. Cherokov). On June 20, the operation ended with the storming of Vyborg. For the first time in military history, such a powerful fortified area was taken in such a short time with a rate of advance of 10-12 km per day. Having captured the Karelian Isthmus, Soviet troops threatened the Finnish Olonets grouping to reach the rear, which forced it to begin a retreat from South Karelia (see the Svir-Petrozavodsk operation). For the victory in the Vyborg operation, General Govorov was awarded the rank of Marshal. The losses of the Red Army in the Vyborg operation amounted to 30 thousand people.
Used materials of the book: Nikolai Shefov. Russian battles. Military History Library. M., 2002.
Vyborg operation of 1944, an offensive operation of the troops of the right wing of the Leningrad Front in cooperation with the Red Banner Baltic Fleet (KBF) and the Ladoga military. flotilla in the Great Fatherland, the war, held from June 10 to June 20; one of the final operations of the battle for Leningrad 1941-1944. V. o. had the goal of freeing from pr-ka ter. Karelian-Finnish SSR and sowing. part of the Leningrad region, to restore the state on the Karelian Isthmus. border with Finland. As a result of joint local offensive actions by the troops of the Leningrad and Karelian fronts, it was supposed to withdraw Finland from the war. On the Karelian Isthmus, the 3rd and 4th Army Corps were defending and there were the main. financial reserves. army (only 6 divisions and 4 brigades), later united into the Karelian Isthmus group. Pr-k created a defense to a depth of 120 km, consisting of 3 lanes and the Vyborg defense. bypass. In the Finnish Hall. was St. 160 fin. and German-Fash. military ships of various classes. The idea of the command on the Eastern o. provided for the application of Ch. strike by the troops of the 21st Army in the direction of Beloostrov, Vyborg and the capture of Vyborg on the 9-10th day of the operation. The 23rd Army went on the offensive after the 21st Army entered the river. Sister. The KBF (command, adm. V.F. Tributs) was supposed to support the offensive of the 21st Army and be ready for landing. Ladoga military. the flotilla (command, Rear Adm. V. S. Cherokov) contributed to the offensive of the 23rd Army. Land actions. troops supported the 13th air. army, 2nd guards Air Defense Officer and Aviation of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet, numbering St. 900 aircraft. As a result of the concentration of forces and means on the right wing of the Leningrad. front (commander Marshal of the Soviet Union L. A. Govorov) owls. the troops outnumbered the pr-ka in infantry by 2, in artillery and tanks by 6, in aviation by 3 times. In the direction of Ch. strike the superiority of owls. there were even more troops. On June 10, the troops of the 21st Army went on the offensive, broke through the 1st line of defense, crossed the river. Sister and continued to develop the offensive in depth and towards the flanks. Commands, troops of the front reinforced the 21st Army with the 108th Rifleman. corps from the front reserve. 97th shooter. the corps from the 21st army was transferred to the 23rd army, the troops of which on June 11 went on the offensive. By the end of June 13, the formations of the 21st Army reached the 2nd defense line, but they could not break through it on the move, because the avenue managed to occupy it with operational reserves and units that had retreated from the 1st defense line. Considering that Ch. Finnish grouping. troops concentrated in the strip of the Vyborg highway, teams, the front moved the direction of Ch. strike on the left flank (along the Primorskoye Highway). The 110th Rifleman was transferred to the 21st Army from the front reserve. hull and regrouped ca. NOart. divisions. June 14 began fighting for the 2nd lane, which was broken through by June 17th. In the battles for the 2nd line of defense, the 1st Guards especially distinguished themselves. a tank, a brigade that made a bold maneuver around the important Kuterselkya defense center. Fin. command urgently transferred from Yuzh. Karelia in the district of Vyborg and on the river. Vuoksa 5th arm. corps, concentrating on the Karelian Isthmus up to 3/4 of its army. However, the pr-ku failed to stop the advance of the owls. troops. 3rd line of defense and vnutr. bypass of the Vyborg fortification. districts were broken through on June 19, and on June 20, owls. troops captured the city of Vyborg. Continuing the tension battles, the 21st Army advanced 10-12 km north-west. Vyborg. The 23rd Army liquidated the bridgehead of the avenue on the southern bank of the river. Vuoksa and captured a foothold on its northern shore. Part of the forces of the 59th Army deployed to the Karelian Isthmus to reinforce the Lengzhgr troops. front, in cooperation with the Red Banner Baltic Fleet cleared 15 islands in the Vyborg Bay from the project. As a result, V. o. owls. troops defeated a large group of Finns. troops and advanced 110-130 km. The military-political situation has deteriorated significantly. position of Finland, favorable conditions were created for the Svir-Petrozavodsk operation of 1944, which began on June 21, by the troops of the Karelian Front. V, oh is an example of a consistent breakthrough strongly strengthened. multi-lane defense at high rates (on average 10-12 km per day). For V. about. characteristically timely. change of direction strike and a major regrouping of troops during the offensive. A feature of the breakthrough of the 1st line of defense of the avenue was the conduct of preliminary, long-term destruction. structures with artillery fire and air strikes on the eve of the offensive. Important role assault squads and groups played in breaking through the defense. The Red Banner Baltic Fleet and the Ladoga military provided great assistance to the troops of the front. flotilla. An important condition for the successful implementation of V. o, was a high political. rise and come. impulse of the whole person. the composition of the front and fleet, achieved thanks to the purposeful party-political. work. An important place in it was occupied by an explanation of the statement of the Soviet government of April 22. about Sov.-finl. relationships. The soldiers were explained that by their successful offensive, a powerful blow to the enemy, they were called upon to hasten Finland's exit from the war. Attention was paid to the preparation of troops for the offensive. actions in specific terrain conditions. The high morale of the soldiers manifested itself in mass heroism and selflessness. More than 69 thousand soldiers were awarded governments, awards, and 27 people - the title of Hero of the Owls. Union. 48 formations and units received the honorary titles of Vyborg and Leningrad.
Used materials of the Soviet military encyclopedia in 8 volumes, volume 2.
Literature:
History of the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union. 1941 -1945. T. 4. M., 1962; Battle for Leningrad. 1941 -1944. M., 1964;
V.I., Weiner B.A. The Red Banner Baltic Fleet in the Great Patriotic War. M., 1957.
Read here:
Vyborg-Petrozavodsk offensive operation (History of the Second World War 1939 - 1945 in (12 volumes), volume 9, p. 26 - 40 (Chapter 3.). The text is abbreviated.)
/ Vyborg operation
Vyborg offensive operation 1944
28.05.44 At 24:00, the 265th Rifle Division, by order of the Stavka, became part of the 110th Sc. The division was stationed in the Slavkovichi area (now the Porkhov district of the Pskov region)30.05.44 The division was engaged in combat training.
31.05.44 The division was preparing to march to a new concentration area (direction to the southeast, ed.)
2.06.44 The division was located in the area 6 km west of the station. Dno (now the Pskov region)
Map-scheme of the Vyborg offensive operation in the summer of 1944
3.06-10.06.44 The 110th sk carried out the loading and dispatch of echelons. Upon arrival at the unloading station, the 265th Infantry Division concentrated in the forest area southeast of the Kiritskoye Pole (now the Leningrad Region, Vsevolozhsky District)10.06.44 By the end of the day, the division was on the march in the direction of the Berezovka area, Lake. Korkinskoe.
11.06.44 265th Rifle Division was on the march in the forest area / 7644 / Dibuny, Novoselki.
12.06.44 The division continued to march to the new concentration area.
13.06.44. The 265th Rifle Division concentrated in the forest area 1-2 km north of Kellomyaki. The headquarters of the 265th Infantry Division was located in the area of the village of Neuvila.
13.06.44-14.06.44. The division, having overcome two lines of defense of the enemy, conducted combat operations in the area of the Raivola station. The 941st regiment was advancing in the area of Lake Syarki-Lemki.
14.06.44.
Parts of the division attacked the enemy in the area of the stronghold in the village of Taipovalo.
15.06.44
265th rifle division with 1325 LAP, 3rd division 95 GABR and 318 guards. mp. received an order to advance in the direction along the Vyborg highway with the immediate task of capturing the line of Rauhal, Kyampola. In the future, go to the line of Lyakhovi, Halla
14.06.44-15.06.44.
Units of the 265th division broke through the heavily fortified enemy defense line in the area of the Tibor River.
15.06.44
265th Rifle Division advances from the area of Neuvola and Kiryavala to Leislila. By 23:00, the 941st joint venture reached the line of Lake. Muka-Lampi, crossroads /8727/, 450th Rifle Regiment - at the turn of Putrola /8626/, 951st Regiment followed the 941st Regiment.
16.06.44.
The 265th Rifle Division fought in the area of Rauhal /8826/, Keppola, Kitula /8524/
941 joint venture, advanced in the area west coast lake Pitka-Jarvi. The regiment, having crossed the Suven-Oya River, captured the high ground near the village of Leislila. Having broken the resistance of the enemy, by 15:30 he captured Pekkola, Itkumyaki and advanced along the Vyborg highway to Usikirkko.
450 cn mastered Putrola, mark mark. 46.0, Koivikko, advanced in a northwesterly direction.
The 951st regiment advanced in the area of the Kulilo and Vorkulila trees.
Division losses: 13 killed, 140 wounded. 
17.06.44.
Part of the units of the 941st regiment drove the enemy out of the village of Livanolla and fought to capture the stronghold of Vilikkvalo and Mellola. His other units advanced to a height of two kilometers north of Leyslile and to a height near the village of Usikirko. On this day, the regiment broke through the enemy defenses in the Leislila area, and, pursuing the retreating Finns in disorder, captured Usikirkko and the village of Khalil and Ryusunselt with a swift blow. The remaining units of the 265th Infantry Division fought at the fork in the road in the area of Soprol and Varkumel, as well as near the village of Ilyakol. By evening, the 951st Regiment fought on the road leading to Perke-Jarvi.
265 sd by the end of the day was captured by Pavola, Pihkala.
Division losses: 52 killed, 260 wounded.
Scheme of combat operations 265SD on the Karelian Isthmus (June 15-17, 1944)
17.06.44-18.06.44.
The 450th regiment, having broken through the enemy defenses in the area of the village of Putrola in six hours of battle, rapidly pursued the enemy. The regiment traveled 30 km within a day and a half and on June 18, having crossed the Rokkolan-Yoki River, immediately attacked the Mannerheim Line in the Karhula area.
18.06.44
The 265th Infantry Division with the 1st Tank Brigade came to the bank of the river. Sum-Yoki and to the river. Rokkalan-Yoki north of Karhul, where she fought for the crossing.
951 joint ventures reached the forest line 1.5 km southeast of Karpel.
450 cn - 2 km south of Ilyakul.
941 sp is located in the second echelon in the area of Citrola /0411/
By 16:00, the division came close to the heavily fortified line of the enemy, the Mannerheim Line, conducted reconnaissance, pulled up artillery. means and was preparing to storm the Karhul resistance center. By the end of the day, the 450th regiment, having broken through the defenses on the Mannerheim line in the Usikul area / 1596-1595 /, stormed the Karhul resistance node, captured a stronghold near the village of Ilyukulla. The 951st Regiment, having replaced the 941st Regiment at the Siprol line, went to the river in sq. /0908/, /0909/ (map 110 ck, ed.). The 941st regiment was in reserve in the forest area north of Siprol / 0511 / Losses of the division: 46 people were killed, 148 people were wounded.
15.06.44-18.06.44
Parts of the 168th Rifle Division and the 265th Rifle Division during the fighting inflicted losses on the enemy:
killed and wounded enemy soldiers and officers - 800 people;
captured guns of various calibers - 20 units;
machine guns - 46 units;
cars - 2 units;
wagons-5 units;
ammunition depots - 3 units;
food depots and military. property - 7 units.
18.06.44-19.06.44.
Units of the 265th Infantry Division were advancing in the Taipele area.
18.06.44-19.06.44.
The 951st regiment led an offensive in the area of the village of Summa and the Summa-Yoki River. On June 20, together with our other units, he broke through the Finnish defenses on the Mannerheim Line and continued the offensive.
Map of the area around the fortified area Summajärvi
A map-scheme of the combat operations of the 265th Infantry Division related to overcoming long-term enemy resistance nodes (with a diagram of the location of Finnish fortifications in 1941–1944) 
19.06.44
The 951st regiment attacked at the turn west of Bol. Matin-Suo /1701 and 1700/
The 941st regiment attacked the northern outskirts of Kayala at the turn
By the end of June 19, 1944, 265th Rifle Division was fighting at the turn of Lake. Kakar-Lampi, Kakinsari /1496/.
Division losses: 13 killed, 142 wounded
Scheme of combat operations 265SD on the Karelian Isthmus (June 18-19, 1944)
From the archive of Colonel I.P. Pogodaeva
20.06.44.
Divisions of the 450th rifle regiment, incl. The 1st battalion, participated in the general assault on Vyborg and was one of the first to break into the streets of the city. The remaining units of the 265th Infantry Division concentrated in the Syainiye area, apt. 2801 (presumably Variakoski, ed.)
The 941st regiment reached the line in the Karpela region (from 06/16/44 to 06/20/44. The 941st regiment, having traveled more than 50 km, during the fighting on the isthmus, captured such fortified points as Leislila, Usikirko, Meloma, Varpulala, Livanolo, Ryusyulta, Vilikkvalo , Keibel).
951 sp reached the forest 1 km northeast of the mark. 39.0. In the Kilpeläinen area, the regiment was counterattacked by two enemy companies. The counterattack was repulsed, up to 40 people were destroyed.
Parts of the 265th Infantry Division took trophies on this day:
guns of various calibers - 9 units
cars - 7 units.
A prisoner of the Lagus Panzer Group was captured.
Division losses: 27 killed, 62 wounded
21.06.44-22.06.44
265th Rifle Division concentrated in the forest area east of Kyakhar /3406/ 265th Rifle Division is fighting in the area of Kilpelainen /3405, 3406/. 6 soldiers of the 14th b-on the 4th infantry division and the 25th infantry regiment of the 4th infantry division were captured.
22.06.44
265 sd is located in the second echelon of the 110th sk in the Lehtola area, lake. Lukulyan-Yarvi / claim / Kyulanoya. Division command post - Kilpelainen / 3405 /.
Division losses: 36 killed, 93 wounded
On this day, the Division was given the name "265th Vyborg Rifle Division".
23.06.44
The 265th Rifle Division, consisting of the 109th Rifle Corps, struck with its right flank with the task of capturing Karisalmi by 12:00 and subsequently capturing the line of Haikal and Ihantala. 941 and 951 joint ventures were not successful. By 20:00 we were at the turn of el. 26.0 /4207/, south of the slope of elev. 32, fighting for Karisalmi. 450 cn was in the second echelon in the area of 3707.
Command post of the division—Kyulyanoya
Division losses: 52 killed, 192 wounded, one missing
24.06.44
The 265th Rifle Division, having a combat formation in two echelons, advanced with one regiment from Rapol to Karisalmi. By the end of the day, the 941st Rifle Regiment reached the northeastern shore of the lake. Serki-Lampi /4107b/, 951st sp. - south of elev. 32.0 / 4106 /, the 450th Rifle Regiment, replacing parts of the 72nd Rifle Division, went on the offensive in the area / 4004v / - / 4103g / with a front to the northeast.
KP division - Kyulyanoya.
Division losses: 83 killed, 377 wounded
24.06.44-25.06.44.
The 951st regiment occupied Hill 32 and held back the fierce attacks of the enemy.
24.06.44-28.06.44.
Units of the 265th Infantry Division fought in the Tali-Repola area
25.06.44
The 941st Rifle Regiment fought at the turn north of 800 m mark 46.0 / 4107 /, the 951st Rifle Regiment - in square. 4106, 450th joint venture - in quarter / 4105ag /.
Losses of the division: killed - 132 people, wounded - 496 people.
26.06.44.
The 941st regiment attacked Hill 46.0 near the village of Karisalmi. The 951st regiment fought in the area of the southern coast of Serki (Syarki)-Lampi, the 450th regiment - east of Repol 0.5 km with a front to the northeast. By the end of the day, 941 joint ventures reached the milestone in the area of \u200b\u200bLake. Syarky-Lampi /4107/, /4108a/
951 joint ventures - in the area of Lake Haukka-Lampi /4106/, /4104g/, 450 joint ventures - in the area of the forest edge east of Repol (/4105g/, /4104g/). Parts of the promotion did not have.
Division losses: 97 killed, 303 wounded.
27.06.44
At night and during the day, units of the 110th Rifle Corps did not conduct offensive operations. put themselves in order, replenished with ammunition, conducted reconnaissance and surveillance of the enemy. Fire from all types of weapons destroyed the manpower and equipment of the enemy, prepared for the offensive.
28.06.44
The 265th Rifle Division fought in two regiments on the line of the western shore of Lake. Nyatalyan-Yarvi /4108a/, eastern shore of the lake. Syarky-Lampi /4107center/, eastern shore of the lake. Haukka-Lampi /4007v/ front to the north and west. One regiment fought at the turn north coast lake Myukulyan-Jarvi /4004g/, line railway/4104g/ front to the east.
Division losses: 25 killed, 96 wounded, 10 missing
29.06.44
The 450th Infantry Regiment concentrated on the line from the lake. Haukka-Lampi to the railway /4105vg/ with the front to the north.
On the night of 06/30/44, the 941st Rifle Regiment is replaced by units of the 951st Regiment and goes to the area of the 450th Regiment for operations from behind the left flank of the regiment. Division losses: 15 killed, 74 wounded
30.06.44.
The 265th rifle division captured the Karisalmi station (450th regiment). With one regiment, she reached the slope of height 33.0 /4606/, where she established herself. Two regiments concentrated in the area of elevation 31.0 /4603/, elevation 43.0 /4504/.
The 951st Rifle Regiment concentrated in Karisalmi (near Hill 43.0).
The 941st Rifle Regiment was in the area of high. 31.0
The 450th Infantry Regiment entered the area of el. 33.0 / 4606 / and to area 4604. By the end of the day (by 21:00), the 450th regiment advanced 200 m and captured Bezymyannaya height in the Repola area.
Division losses: 14 killed, 52 wounded
Fighting near the village of Karisalmi (Guards) and Lake Salo-Yarvi (Big Lesnoye)
Scheme of combat operations 265SD on the Karelian Isthmus (June 22-July 6, 1944)
From the archive of Colonel I.P. Pogodaeva
2.07.44-3.07.44.
The division crossed Lake Salo-Jarvi and entrenched itself at the turn in the Autio area.
The width of the lake at the crossing was 100 meters. The Autio farm, now defunct, was located two kilometers west of the railway square. 21 km.
6.07.44-7.07.44
The 265th Rifle Division transferred the bridgehead in the Autio area to units of the 4th OPAB. By 7:00 07/07/44, having handed over the site of the 4th OPAB, it left the 109th sc.
The combat path of the 265th Infantry Division along the Karelian Isthmus in 1944
A small historical overview and a photo report on the impressions of the trip to the tour of the same name.
Before the start of the offensive on June 9, 1944, artillery preparation was carried out, which lasted several hours, after which, in 11 sectors of the front, units of the forces of the 23rd Army carried out reconnaissance in force, as a result of which 2 ledges of the front line were cut in two places (near Mertuti and in the Dune region) and breakthroughs were created with a width and depth of up to half a kilometer. There was no noticeable progress in other areas.
On June 10, 1944, after another artillery preparation, which lasted 2 hours and 20 minutes, the general offensive of the 21st Army began. Greatest Success reached the 30th Guards Rifle Corps (45th, 63rd, 64th Guards Rifle Division) under the command of General Simonyak, breaking through the Finnish first line of defense, and advancing to a depth of about 12 kilometers along the Vyborg highway. The Finnish 1st Infantry Regiment of the 10th Infantry Regiment, which opposed it, lost about 400 people, the rest were demoralized and retreated by forests, so that the regiment did not take part in the hostilities until the end of hostilities.
On June 11, the forces of the 30th GVSK continue their offensive along the Vyborg highway towards the village of Kivennapa (Pervomayskoye), but they encounter resistance - the Finns launched a counterattack with two Jaeger battalions, hastily deployed from near Vyborg. And Soviet tanks along the highway, taking advantage of the difficult nature of the terrain, are waiting in ambush for an anti-tank battalion - 75-mm German anti-tank guns (PaK40).
The skating rink of the T-34 tank, which was hit from an ambush by one of these guns. Ammunition detonated near the tank, so that its fragments scattered for a hundred meters.
A memorial cross on the grave of an unknown Soviet soldier who died at this height on June 11, 1944.
On June 12, by 4 o'clock in the morning, the forces of 109 SC, advancing along the railway to Vyborg, reached the VT line (Vammelsuu-Taipale line). 72nd and 286th Rifle Divisions made an attempt to break through the line in the direction of Kuuterselkya (Lebyazhye) on the move, but the attempt was repulsed by the forces of 53 infantry regiment 3rd Infantry Division - the defense line was well prepared to withstand infantry attacks, supported only by a small number of tanks and artillery. The forces of the 30th GVSK, having overcome the forefield zone, occupy the village of Kivennapa and go to the VT line, passing on the northern outskirts of the village.
On June 13, the Finnish defense between the Gulf of Finland and Kuuterselkä is subjected to active air attacks, Finnish sources record up to 300 sorties on this day. The bulk of the artillery of the 21st Army is being transferred from the direction of the strikes of the 30th GVSK to the Kuuterselkä sector.
On June 14, 72nd Rifle Division strikes in the main direction to the height of Kuuterselkya with the village of the same name. The 90-minute artillery preparation was completed by a bomber strike on the Kuuterselkä-Mustamäki-Neuvola road. The Soviet infantry went on the offensive at 8:30 in the morning, and half an hour later the defense was already broken. A mobile group (reinforced by 1 brigade) entered the breakthrough on the road leading to the south-west of Kuuterselk with the aim of breaking through to the Gulf of Finland and encircling the Cavalry Brigade and part of the forces of the 53rd Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division. After passing about 15 km, the group was stopped at the blown-up bridge across Vammeljoki (R. Gladyshevka), however, most of the tasks were completed by it - the rear of the Finnish troops, including the headquarters of the Cavalry Brigade, was defeated, as a result of which, instead of the planned counterattacks, its practically uncontrolled withdrawal began. Simultaneously with the blow on the rocky road, an offensive to the north also developed. By noon, from the weakly fortified second line of defense on the top of the hill, the barrier of the 1st battalion of the 48th infantry regiment of the 18th infantry regiment was shot down, which tried to counterattack the Soviet tanks with anti-tank grenades and lost more than 20 people. By evening, the advance of the 72nd Rifle Division and the forces attached to it amounted to about 8 km.
The place where the VT line was broken. Anti-tank gouges were destroyed by Soviet artillery or blown up by sappers.
Remains of fortifications of the BT line. A Finnish machine-gun nest placed forward from the main line of trenches. The remains of a Finnish soldier were found here.
The position of the PaK40 anti-tank gun. Its disadvantage was its high weight, and therefore the inability to maneuver. However, it was capable of knocking out any Soviet tank of that period.
On June 16, near Kuuterselkä, the situation remained tense. The infantry (2, 3, 4 Jaeger battalions), part of the forces of the anti-tank gun battalion, and the battalion of StuG III self-propelled guns (all of these are parts of the Finnish armored division Lagus) launched a counterattack around midnight, and almost immediately destroyed a group of Soviet tanks, shooting them from close range without opposition from the Soviet side (tanks stood without crews). True, on the right flank in the forest, the Finns were strongly resisted by infantry groups of the 72nd rifle division, some of which fought in the encirclement all day on June 15. About an hour later, Finnish self-propelled guns and rangers entered the field at the height of Kuuterselkä, where Soviet resistance increased sharply. Only a few hours later, the Finns managed to recapture several sections of the trench of the second line of defense on the top of the hill, while suffering significant losses. Artillery, drawn up by June 14 near Kuuterselka to ensure a breakthrough, and Soviet Il-2 attack aircraft provided noticeable support to the defending troops.
As a result, the counterattack of the Lagus division fails, and units of the Red Army break through the Finnish defensive line of the VT in the Kuuterselkä area.
Bair Irincheev ( karhu1977
) and an excursion group on the VT line.
(Small lyrical digression...)
The village of Pervomaiskoye (formerly Kivennapa). There is a memorial cross on the dominating height. Here stood the church of the parish of Kivennap and there was a cemetery, in which, among other things, more than a hundred fallen Finnish soldiers rested.
Now there is a water tower on the site of the church, and on the site of the Finnish military cemetery there is a parking lot of the local House of Culture.
From the old Finnish cemetery, only one tombstone, amazing in its touchingness, remained. The woman buried under it had 7 children, and when she died, the youngest of them was still in infancy.
To the right of Kuuterselk, units of the 381st Rifle Division have been advancing since June 11. Knocking down insignificant enemy barriers, they advance along forest roads to the north towards one of the key nodes of the second Finnish defense line of the VT line - Siiranmäki.
Concrete gouges of the VT line in the Siiranmäki area. In the direction of the expected main blow, they are arranged in 5 rows. Compared to the gouge lines, the Mannerheim Lines make a strong impression, and indeed represent a serious obstacle to armored vehicles.
On June 12, in the direction of Siiranmäki, the 381st Rifle Division and the 281st Rifle Division, which had been put into battle to the right, by the end of the day approached the main defense center, which was defended by the Ernrot battle group.
Entrance to a preserved concrete shelter for personnel in the Siiranmäki area.
The remains of the blown up at the height of Siiranmyaki.
On June 14, heavy fighting continued at Siiranmäki with varying success. If in the western part of the sector the blows of the 381st Rifle Division were repelled, then near the road going through the Siiranmyaki height, the infantry of the 281st Rifle Division, with the support of the 46th Guards Separate Tank Regiment and the 226th Regiment, broke through the VT line 300 m wide and 600 m deep. As a result of the counterattack, the Finns narrowed the breakthrough to 50 meters, but they were not able to fight in open areas with tanks, and they could not liquidate the section of the captured trench they were defending near the road.
The road along which the soldiers of the Red Army broke through to the height of Siiranmäki. The fact is that in the line of anti-tank gouges in this place, at the request of local peasants, a decent gap was left. And Soviet tanks freely penetrated to the heights.
On June 15, the 177th Rifle Division was introduced into the battle to expand the breakthrough reached by the 281st Rifle Division. The Finns could not counteract the Soviet tank attack on the field behind the defense line, and as a result, they managed to stop the offensive only at the level of the headquarters of the 7th Infantry Regiment near the Kylmäoja stream, where the last reserves were thrown into battle.
The remains of the position of the Finnish anti-tank guns at the height of Siiranmäki. Unlike the Mannerheim Line with its giant pillboxes, the BT Line is much more saturated with such small fortifications.
On June 16, the fighting in the Siiranmäki area goes on with much less intensity, the 281st and 177th rifle divisions conduct reconnaissance in force, trying to take the Finns by surprise at the time of withdrawal, but these attempts end in failure, and shortly after midnight the Siiranmäki sector is quietly left. Battle Group Ernrot was forced to retreat after a breakthrough at Kuuterselkä.
Monument at the height of Siiranmäki. On this monument, as well as on all the others, there is a politically correct inscription "Glory to the Heroes" in two languages.
(And again a lyrical digression...)
A small selection of weapons - Soviet small arms and equipment, and Finnish infantry grenades. At the bottom of the PPS (Sudaev submachine gun), it is very simple, technologically advanced and cheap to manufacture. First time holding it in my hands.
This is just a funny picture. Bair is hiding in the Kikimora camouflage.
Leonid and Bair.
(End of digression.)
On June 20, as a result of a panic flight of part of the forces of the 2nd Battalion of the 20th PBR, defending in the most difficult sector near the railway and highway, the road to the central part of the city of Vyborg was opened to the Soviet troops. As a result, the battle turned into a focal one, the outcome of which was decided by the quantitative superiority of the Soviet infantry and powerful mortar support from command heights (Batterynaya Gora, Papula). The use of BT-42 self-propelled guns of their own design, created on the basis of captured Soviet BT tanks, did not help the Finns either - their old-style 114-mm shells turned out to be too weak to deal with modern Soviet armored targets. By evening, most of the city was in the hands of the Soviet troops. Vyborg is liberated, but the war continues...
On June 25, the largest battle in the history of Scandinavia (as some believe) began in the Tali-Ihantala region. Protracted fighting northeast of Vyborg, in the Tali area, continues until June 28. The Soviet offensive slowed down, but the Finnish counterattacks also failed.
June 30 - end of fighting in Tali. As a result of bloody battles, the Finns retreat, though only 10 kilometers - to Ihantala, where fierce battles continue.
A memorial sign at the site of the village of Ihantala.
On this field, the offensive impulse of the Red Army units ended, the front was fixed, and the war moved into the positional stage.
In parallel with the battle of Tali-Ihantala, the battle of Jyuräpää-Vuosalmi takes place, where the Finns also stop the advance of the Red Army.
On July 4, the 92nd, 142nd and 10th Rifle Divisions launch an offensive against Vuosalmi. But to do this, they must first throw the Finns off the southwestern coast of Vuoksa, where they left 3 battalions on the defensive.
Ridge of Yayuräpää. Right behind the Finnish battalions is the Vuoksa River. As a result of the offensive of the Soviet units, the bridgehead was cut into two parts.
On July 7, the Vuoksa Finnish bridgehead at Yayurapäya was liquidated. The second bridgehead lasted until the end of the war.
Memorial sign in the Jyuräpää area.
The ruins of the Yayuräpää church.
It was here that the last battles to destroy the Finnish bridgehead took place.
View of the Vely Island. The rest of the Finnish fighters from the bridgehead crossed here through Vuoksa by swimming. Bullet and shrapnel marks are still visible on the stone.
Church fence. In the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939-40, this ridge was also the site of a fierce battle. During an unsuccessful counterattack near this fence, about 40 Finnish fighters were killed.
July 9 in the Vuosalmi area, after several failed attempts, and at the cost of high losses, Vuoksa was forced.
July 11 is the day of the hottest battles at Vuosalmi. Reinforcements in the form of a Jaeger brigade and StuG-III self-propelled guns, at the cost of incredible efforts, slow down the advance of Soviet divisions. Farther than the edge of the forest, the fighters of the Red Army fail to advance. The front has stabilized here as well.
On that field on the opposite bank of the Vuoksa, there was a Soviet bridgehead near Vuosalmi.
Due to unsuccessful offensives and exhausted resources, Stalin orders the Soviet troops on the Karelian Isthmus to go on the defensive. Part of the forces is transferred to the fronts against the Germans. On the Karelian Isthmus, major battles are over, but minor skirmishes continue, both at Vuosalmi and Ihantala.
On September 1, Mannerheim sends a letter to Stalin proposing a truce in order to stop the bloodshed.
On September 4, Stalin agrees to a truce. The Finnish High Command orders a ceasefire from 7.00 am. Soviet troops continue shelling throughout the daylight hours, using about 19.5 thousand shells. As a result, 20 Finnish soldiers are killed. On the same day, Finnish fighters shoot down one Soviet bomber.
September 5, 1944 - the end of the war between Finland and the Soviet Union. But the war for the Finns did not end there. Under the terms of the armistice, they had to clear their territory of German troops.
Eternal memory to the fallen soldiers. Both Soviet and Finnish.
P.s. Thanks to all participants of the tour good company. Thanks to Bair and Lena for organizing this event and informative stories.
P.s.s. Bair, if suddenly some of the photos are needed in good quality, I can send them.
Vyborg offensive operation (1944)
Vyborg offensive operation(June 10 - June 20, 1944) - an offensive operation of Soviet troops in Karelia in 1944, during the Great Patriotic War, in order to eliminate the threat to Leningrad, communications going from Murmansk to the central regions of the USSR, as well as withdrawing Finland from the war. It was carried out by the forces of the Leningrad (commander - L. A. Govorov) and Karelian (commander - K. A. Meretskov) fronts with the support of the Baltic Fleet (commander - V. F. Tributs) and the Ladoga military flotilla (commander - V. S. Cherokov) .
In historiography, this operation is divided into the Vyborg (June 10-20) and Svir-Petrozavodsk (June 21 - August 9) operations. The Tuloksa operation also stands out - the landing by the forces of the Ladoga military flotilla of troops on the eastern coast of Lake Ladoga in the area of the Tuloksa River (June 22-28).
The summer offensive of 1944 was launched by the Soviet Armed Forces with an operation on the Karelian Isthmus and in South Karelia, where the Finnish troops were defending. In the middle of 1944, Finland found itself in a state of deep crisis. Its position began to worsen even more after the defeat of the Nazi troops in January - February 1944 near Leningrad and Novgorod. The anti-war movement was growing in the country. Some of the prominent political figures of the country also took an anti-war position.
To defeat the Finnish army, restoration of the state border in this sector of the front and the withdrawal of Finland from the war. Supreme High Command decided to launch a major offensive. The troops of the Leningrad and Karelian fronts, with the assistance of the Baltic Fleet, the Ladoga and Onega military flotillas, were to defeat the opposing enemy with powerful blows, capture Vyborg, Petrozavodsk and reach the line of Tiksheozero-Sortavala, Kotka.
The operation was started by the troops of the Leningrad Front, then the Karelian Front went on the offensive.
Germany |
|
Commanders |
|
| Leonid Govorov | Gustav Mannerheim |
| Kirill Meretskov | Georg Lindemann |
| Vladimir Tributs | |
Side forces |
|
| 450,000 soldiers 10,500 guns and mortars 800 tanks and self-propelled guns 1600 aircraft | 268 thousand people 1930 guns and mortars 110 tanks and assault guns 248 combat aircraft |
Losses |
|
| Irrevocably - 23 674 Sanitary - 72 701 294 tanks and self-propelled guns 311 aircraft | 18,000 dead, 45,000 injured |
Vyborg operation on the Karelian Isthmus, the troops of the right wing of the Leningrad Front under the command of General of the Army L.A. Govorova. Formations of the 23rd and 21st armies were involved in it - 15 rifle divisions, 3 rifle, 2 separate tank brigades, 2 fortified areas. In total, these armies had about 189,000 people, 5,500 guns and mortars, 881 rocket launchers, 628 tanks and self-propelled guns. The coastal flanks provided: from the side of the Gulf of Finland - the Baltic Fleet, from the side of Lake Ladoga - Ladoga military flotilla.
The 3rd and 4th Finnish army corps defended on the isthmus a, united on June 15 into the Karelian Isthmus Task Force. The group included five infantry (2nd, 3rd, 10th, 15th and 18th), the only tank division, one infantry and one cavalry brigades. In total, the Finns had 100,000 people, 960 guns and mortars, 110 tanks and self-propelled guns, and about 200 aircraft.
The first line of defense with a total length of about 80 km was built by the Finns in direct contact with the Soviet troops, was equipped with field fortifications and was built on the principle of support units that covered everything tactically important directions. This line was defended by three infantry divisions and one infantry brigade. The second lane, 76 km long, was located 15–25 km behind the first and was built on an advantageous natural boundary. This strip was the basis of the entire defense of the Karelian Isthmus and was designed for long-term resistance. It had a large number of powerful reinforced concrete structures, granite gouges, and shelters.
Average density of reinforced concrete structures per 1 km of the front in the nodes of resistance was 12–14 pillboxes and 18–22 shelters. The third line of defense, about 120 km long, ran along the line of the lakes of the Vuoksa water system, through Summa to Murila. Its peculiarity was that it consisted of the fortifications of the Mannerheim Line, which were partially restored and reinforced with a developed system of field-type structures. In addition to the three defensive lines, the Finns turned Vyborg into a fortified area with the territory adjacent to it, creating two bypasses around it. The coast of the Gulf of Finland and Lake Ladoga were fortified in case of repelling the landings of the Red Army.
Impenetrable wooded and swampy terrain on the Karelian Isthmus hampered the widespread use of heavy military equipment, Govorov decided to deliver the main blow with the forces of the 21st Army, Lieutenant General D.N. Gusev in the coastal direction - along the northeastern coast of the Gulf of Finland. This made it possible to widely use naval artillery to break through the enemy defenses and to land troops from the sea to help the troops advancing on Vyborg. 23rd Army Lieutenant General A.I. Cherepanova went on the offensive after the troops of General Gusev reached the line of the Sestra River. It was planned to capture Vyborg on the 9-10th day of the operation. The overwhelming majority of the forces of the front were concentrated on a 12.5 km long breakthrough section.
Three armies of the Leningrad Front, concentrated on the Narva sector, received an order to intensify their operations and prevent the transfer of German troops from the Baltic to the Karelian Isthmus. In the event that the German command used part of the forces of the 20th mountain army to help the Finns, it was envisaged that the Soviet troops would go on the offensive north of Belomorsk.
Before the start of the operation, the Baltic Fleet was supposed to covertly transfer troops of the 21st Army from the Oranienbaum region to the Karelian Isthmus, consisting of five divisions, and then assist them in developing the offensive with naval artillery fire and aviation, cover the coastal flank, disrupt the supply of reinforcements and the supply of the Finnish army, be ready for tactical landings. Ladoga military flotilla under the command of Rear Admiral B.C. Cherokova received the task of assisting the right flank of the 23rd Army with naval artillery fire and a demonstration of landing.
The actions of the ground forces supported by the 13th Air Army (966 aircraft), two guards air defense fighter regiments and aviation of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet (475 aircraft) and more than 200 aircraft long range. As a result of the concentration of forces and means on the right wing of the Leningrad Front, Soviet troops outnumbered the enemy in infantry by 2 times, in artillery and tanks by 6, in aviation by 8 times. In the direction of the main attack, the superiority was absolute.
June 9, 1944, the day before the start of the operation, the artillery of the Leningrad Front, together with coastal and naval artillery, destroyed the most durable defensive structures in the first line of enemy defense for 12 hours. On the 20-kilometer section of the front in front of the positions of the 21st Army, the density of ground artillery fire reached 200-220 guns and mortars. From the fleet, consolidated into four artillery groups, fire was fired by six batteries of Kronstadt, thirteen batteries of railway artillery, two guns of the Scientific Testing Naval Artillery Range, guns of the battleship "October Revolution" and two cruisers. In total - 174 guns, including 35 guns of 203–406 mm caliber. At the same time, as Major General S.T. Shevchenko, former staff member coastal defense KBF, fleet artillery groups for the first time in the war "were assigned tasks in the very general view in contrast to previous operations, when fire plans were developed up to and including batteries. Such planning became possible as a result of the increased culture in the work of headquarters, the improvement of the skill of artillery officers. It took “only” three years of a war of extermination to achieve this.
At the same time, 720 aircraft of the 13th Air Army of General S.D. Rybalchenko and fleet aviation, commanded by General M.I. Samokhin, delivered concentrated bombing strikes and carried out adjustments to artillery fire.
Of the 189 planned targets in the main strike zone, 176 enemy defenses were completely destroyed.
June 10 at 6 am artillery and aviation began to prepare for the offensive of the ground forces. It involved 3 destroyers, 4 gunboats, 21 artillery batteries of the Kronstadt region and batteries of the Izhora sector of coastal defense, 15 batteries of the 1st Guards Naval Railway Artillery Brigade. Massive strikes were inflicted on Finnish strongholds in the area of Stary Beloostrov - Lake Svetloe - Rayajoki station, destroying and damaging up to 70% of the field defensive fortifications. Naval and coastal artillery struck at the Raivola-Olila area.
In 3 hours and 15 minutes, six raids were carried out along the main line of defense with alternating methodical fire. As a result, only in a small area near Beloostrov, 130 pillboxes, bunkers, armored caps and other structures were destroyed. Almost all wire fences were demolished, anti-tank obstacles were destroyed, minefields were destroyed, trenches were plowed, and great damage was caused to manpower. Soviet aviation reigned supreme in the air.
As a result, the Finnish defense in the first lane was disorganized, losses in some parts reached 70%. Therefore, when the Soviet infantry and tanks, following the barrage, went on the attack, the enemy could not immediately put up organized resistance. The troops of General Gusev on the very first day broke through the first line of defense, crossed the Sestra River on the move and advanced 14 km along the Vyborg highway.
Govorov reinforced the 21st Army with the 108th Rifle Corps from the front reserve. The 97th Rifle Corps from the 21st Army was transferred to the 23rd Army, whose troops went on the offensive on June 11. By the end of the day, the 97th and 98th rifle corps of Cherepanov's army were fighting at the Terlolovo-Khireli line. The 21st Army, with the forces of the 30th Guards Corps, captured Khireli, Matilla and fought for Ikola. On the left flank, the 109th Corps occupied Kellomeni, Raivola and Terioki. The first line of defense was overcome on a 40-kilometer front.
In these battles, the 10th Finnish Infantry Division was completely defeated. Its remnants were taken to the rear for replenishment and reorganization. Mannerheim ordered the immediate transfer of the 4th Infantry Division and the 3rd Infantry Brigade from East Karelia to the Karelian Isthmus. On June 12, he sent the 17th division and the 20th brigade to the Karelian Isthmus.
By the end of the day on June 13, formations of the 21st Army reached the second line of defense, but they could not break through it on the move, since the enemy managed to occupy it with operational reserves and units that had retreated from the first line of defense.
Considering that the main grouping of Finnish troops was concentrated in the Vyborg highway, Govorov decided to shift the direction of the main attack to the left flank - along the Primorskoe highway. The 110th Rifle Corps was transferred to the 21st Army from the front reserve and about 110 artillery battalions were regrouped.
At dawn on June 14, after a powerful artillery preparation, the Soviet troops began an assault on the second line of defense. Attacks on the coast of the Gulf of Finland were repulsed. The fighting was extremely fierce. But near the village of Kuuterselkya, the 1st Guards Tank Brigade, having made a maneuver around this important center of resistance, managed to break through the front. At night, the Finns brought into battle a tank division under the command of Major General Lagus. However, by morning it was defeated and thrown back 5 km to the north. The Finns lost 25 T-26s. This was the beginning of the breakthrough of the second band.
By June 16 Soviet troops expanded the breakthrough to 75 km and advanced more than 40 km, reaching the third line of defense in the coastal direction. Mannerheim ordered the Finnish troops to retreat and occupy the Vyborg-Kuparsaari-Taipale line. On the same day, the marshal made a difficult, but the only correct decision to surrender the well-fortified Karelian lines almost without a fight and to concentrate the main forces on the Karelian Isthmus to cover the most important vital centers of the country. The right flank of the 4th Army Corps by this time had been thrown back to the water line of the Gulf of Finland - Lake Kuolemajärvi - Lake Perkyarvi, where the 4th division of Major General Auti, who arrived from East Karelia, held back Soviet troops in the direction of the main railway in anticipation of how the situation will develop in the direction of Kivennap. There, 25 km to the south, on the Vammelsuu-Taipale line, the 3rd division of Major General Payari fought. The threat of encirclement hung over her, and the division was withdrawn to the right flank.
By the end of June 17, Soviet troops completely broke through the second line of defense and began to pursue. Mobile detachments, consisting of submachine gunners mounted on tanks, rushed forward, bypassing strongholds and centers of resistance.
On June 18, on the shoulders of the retreating enemy in the coastal direction, they broke into the third line of defense and, breaking through it in the area of \u200b\u200bthe settlement of Murila, captured Koivisto by evening. Successfully progressed in the direction of Summa-Vyborg.
On June 19, the "Mannerheim Line" in a section of more than 50 km was occupied by the troops of the Leningrad Front. For outstanding services and skillful command and control of the troops, General of the Army Govorov was awarded the title of Marshal of the Soviet Union.
Despite the critical situation, the Finnish command was still trying to stop the Soviet offensive. Marshal Mannerheim appealed to the troops with an appeal to hold their positions at all costs. In connection with the impending catastrophe, the Finnish government on the same day authorized the Chief of the General Staff, Erik Heinrichs, to appeal to the German military leadership with a request to provide assistance with troops. However German command instead of the requested six divisions, only the 122nd infantry division and the 303rd assault gun brigade were transferred by sea from Tallinn, which were moved to the Karelian Isthmus. In addition, the 200th German regiment, consisting of Estonian volunteers, arrived in Finland. At the same time, 20 Ju-87 dive bombers and 10 FW-190 fighters flew from Estonian airfields. The Germans could not give more. Finally, it was possible to purchase from Germany 14 Pz Kpfw IV tanks, three "thirty-fours" and 29 assault guns.
In the Vyborg-Vuoksa strip, about 40 km wide, three Finnish infantry divisions and two brigades held the defense, and two divisions and one brigade defended the twice as large Vuoksa-Suvanto-Taipale strip. The reserves - a tank brigade, as well as the 10th division assigned for replenishment - were located west of Vyborg, where the Finns expected the main blow of the Soviet troops. The arrival of the 17th, 11th and 6th divisions was expected from Eastern Karelia.
At dawn on June 19 180-mm Soviet railway batteries opened fire on the city and railway station Vyborg. And the next day, the troops of the 21st Army overcame the outer and inner Vyborg lines and captured Vyborg by storm. However, the Soviet troops could not advance north of the city due to the stubborn resistance of the 10th and 17th Finnish divisions, as well as the approaching German units.
At the same time, the 23rd Army, with the assistance of the Ladoga military flotilla, broad front reached the defensive line of the enemy, which ran along the Vuoksa water system.
According to the result achieved, the operation of the Leningrad Front was called Vyborg. Soviet and Russian historiography to this day calls June 20 the date of its end. Accordingly, the losses of the front are estimated for 11 days of fighting at 6,000 killed and 24,000 wounded. The fact that for another 20 days the Soviet troops unsuccessfully attacked the Finnish positions on the Karelian Isthmus was not awarded any name, and there were no salutes on this occasion.
Meanwhile, immediately after the occupation of Vyborg, the Headquarters specified the tasks for the troops of the Leningrad Front. The directive of June 21 stated that the main forces of the front should take control of the Imatra-Lappeenranta-Virojoki line on June 26–28, and part of the forces should advance on Kexholm, Elisenvaara and clear the Karelian Isthmus from the enemy northeast of the Vuoksa River and Lake, creating the prerequisites for moving hostilities directly into Finnish territory. “Fulfilling these instructions,” our “History” tells, “Govorov’s troops continued the offensive. In fierce battles with the enemy, Soviet soldiers showed skill and mass heroism. However, the resistance of the enemy increased sharply. The 11th and 6th Finnish divisions, as well as the 122nd German division, appeared at the front.
On June 22, German Foreign Minister Ribbentrop arrived in Helsinki. He demanded that the Finnish government make a public statement that Finland would fight for Germany to the end. Since the members of the government at that time were trying to establish peaceful contacts with Moscow, on June 26, President Ryti signed and publicly announced a declaration in which he gave a personal commitment to prevent the signing of a separate peace with the USSR without the consent of the government of the "German Empire".
At the end of June, the sailors of the Baltic Fleet carried out an operation to clear the islands of the Bjork Archipelago from the enemy. The batteries placed on them, which actually ended up in the rear of the Leningrad Front, with their fire prevented the deployment of military operations of the fleet in the Vyborg Bay in support of the ground forces. In addition, the enemy systematically fired on the highways and railways of the Karelian Isthmus from the islands. The forces of the Finnish garrison holding the islands were estimated at about 3,000 people. The main fortifications were located on the island of Bjork and consisted of three dozen guns, including 254 and 152 mm caliber, a large number bunkers, mine and wire barriers. True, the heavy Finnish batteries used up a lot of ammunition and could not replenish it due to the blockade of the islands.
In this regard, the commander of the Baltic Fleet was ordered to land troops on the islands and capture them. Commanding all landing forces was assigned to Vice Admiral Yu.F. Rally. In preparation for the operation, the minesweepers laid a fairway in shallow depths along the mainland coast of the Bjorkesund Strait. However, there were no mines. At the same time, the light forces of the fleet began to cover the area of forthcoming operations.
For the operation were allocated two battalions of the 260th Marine Rifle Brigade under Major General Kuzmichev - about 1,500 people with 30 guns. The landing forces included 4 gunboats, 2 patrol ship, 8 armored boats, 12 torpedo and 16 patrol boats, 28 tenders, 24 smoke-screen boats and 28 minesweepers. Artillery support from the shore was to be provided by a battery of 122-mm guns, since due to damage railway tracks it was not possible to use powerful railway artillery. Air cover was charged to naval aviation.
Admiral Rall came to the conclusion that the most vulnerable spot The archipelago is the eastern and northern coast of the island of Piisaari. Therefore, he decided to first land troops on this island. After capturing the bridgehead, the main landing forces were to take possession of the island of Piisaari, and then the islands of Björke, Torsari, followed by the capture and cleansing of the entire archipelago. The landing forces were concentrated in the Maisala area on the western tip of the Koivisto peninsula.
On the night of 20 to 21 June it was decided to carry out force reconnaissance on the island of Piisaari with the forces of one company. The movement of the detachment, which consisted of 3 tenders guarded by 4 KM boats and one armored boat, was masked by the demonstrative exit of another group, supposedly heading for Kronstadt, and then was covered with smoke screens. At 0440, the landing force landed without loss on the island of Piisaari, captured a section 400 m wide and 300 m deep, and moved to all-round defense. The enemy least of all expected a landing in this place, since it was possible to approach the eastern coast of the island only by passing the Bjorkesund Strait, which was shot through by artillery and mortar fire throughout, and in a number of places by small arms.
Having pulled up their forces, the Finns tried to throw the company into the sea. The successful capture of the bridgehead dramatically changed the situation. Power reconnaissance grew into a landing operation. Reinforcements had to be sent immediately. Parts of the brigade marines were still on their way to the places of concentration. At the landing site, only one company with a 45-mm anti-tank gun was ready. At 10 o'clock this company, under enemy fire, was transferred across the strait. The position of the reconnaissance detachment improved somewhat.
Soon a detachment of six enemy ships entered the strait from the north. He fired at the landing area, but under the influence of Soviet aviation and artillery, he was forced to hastily retreat to the skerries. Before sunset, the Finns transferred reinforcements from the island of Björke to Piisaari Island and launched a series of counterattacks. The landing party continued to defend stubbornly.
On the morning of June 22 2 armored boats and 8 tenders with smoke-screen boats broke through to the landing site, and soon the rest of the landing craft and support forces approached. They immediately set about transferring units of the naval infantry brigade from the mainland to the island of Piisaari. By 17 o'clock, all the allocated units landed on the island and, with the support of attack aircraft, launched an offensive in southbound; The Finns put up a decent resistance, repeatedly turning into counterattacks. The rugged terrain, abundantly overgrown with forest, made it difficult to use artillery in the combat formations of the marines. The only road along the east coast of the island was under fire from a 152 mm battery from Torsari Island. Only by 2 o'clock in the morning the enemy's resistance began to weaken, his gunners used up all their ammunition. Leaving strong barriers, the Finns, armed with automatic weapons, broke away from the Soviet units and freely evacuated on boats and boats. On the morning of June 23, the island of Piisaari was completely cleared of the enemy.
At the same time, the garrisons of the islands of Torsari and Björke were abandoned. On June 25, after a short exchange of fire with the command of the observation post, the paratroopers occupied the island of Tuppurunsari. On the night of June 27, an operation was successfully carried out to capture the island of Ruonti.
On land, things were much worse. The troops of the Leningrad Front not only failed to reach the line indicated in the directive of the Headquarters, but in general to advance at least a step. Then Marshal Govorov, taking into account the strengthening of enemy forces west of Vyborg, decided to launch a simultaneous attack from the front and from the sea. To solve this problem, the troops of the 59th army of General I.T. were deployed to the Karelian Isthmus at the end of June. Korovnikov, who previously occupied the defense along the eastern coast Lake Peipus. The army received the task, in cooperation with the forces of the fleet, to seize the islands of the Vyborg Bay, land on the mainland, strike at the coastal flank and rear of the enemy's Vyborg grouping, and link up with the troops of the 21st Army. The Baltic Fleet allocated a brigade of skerry ships, 64 boats and tenders, and the 1st railway artillery brigade. The command of these forces was again entrusted to Admiral Rall, who was simultaneously appointed deputy general Korovnikov for the naval unit. Considering the islands of Teikarsaari and Suonisaari as the key to the enemy's island position, the commander of the 59th Army decided to capture them first.
At 4 h. 50 min. On July 1, the Soviet landing force, consisting of one battalion of the 185th Infantry Regiment and a reconnaissance company of the 260th Naval Brigade, overcame strong enemy resistance, landed on southern part Teikarsaari islands. The landing was preceded by artillery preparation, the landing operations were supported by ground attack aircraft, naval and coastal artillery.
The Finnish command, realizing the importance of the outer islands of the Vyborg Bay for the stability of its right flank, prepared maneuver groups to reinforce the garrisons on these islands and the necessary vehicles. Therefore, soon after the landing on the island of Teikarsaari, it was able to quickly transfer reinforcements here and counterattack to force the Soviet landing "to return landing."
The failure did not cool the ardor of the commander of the 59th Army. General Korovnikov, having confirmed his decision to capture the islands of Teikarsaari and Suonisaari, considered it necessary to capture the island of Revansaari simultaneously with them. He ordered the preparation of larger landings and the landing of one regiment on each of the first two islands. Artillery and assault aviation were to ensure the deployment of forces, their landing and advancement. To capture the island of Revansaari, another rifle regiment was allocated, the landing of which was supposed to be ensured by the engineering units of the 59th Army, since the shallow water excluded the possibility of using fleet resources here.
By July 3, 108 tenders, ferries, boats and armored boats were concentrated for landing troops in the bays of the southern coast of the Vyborg Bay. Considering the experience of the previous landing, the landing commander had a reserve of an assault battalion and 10 boats. By this time, the 224th Rifle Division, taking advantage of the proximity of some islands to the southeastern shore of the bay, occupied them.
At 9 o'clock on July 4, the landing forces, reaching the Transund raid, began to deploy. After artillery and aviation preparation, at 11 o'clock the landing force landed on the islands. By 16.50 Suonisaari and the neighboring island of Essisaari were completely cleared of the enemy. The situation was more complicated on the island of Teikarsaari, located close to the southwestern mainland coast of the bay, from where the enemy was able to quickly transfer reinforcements. The 160th Rifle Regiment, which managed to reach the opposite coast of the island shortly after landing, suffered heavy losses. Going on the offensive, the Finns knocked out, dropped the regiment into the bay. The commander of the landing force, having assessed the situation, refused to land the reserve assault battalion.
On the morning of the next day, five battalions of the 124th Infantry Division and four T-26 tanks were landed on Teikarsaari Island. Attempts by the Finns to throw in reinforcements this time were vigorously suppressed by aircraft and armored boats.
By July 6, all the islands of the Vyborg Bay were cleared of the enemy. However, the operation was greatly delayed and the landing on the mainland had to be abandoned. Moreover, this action clearly did not promise success, and the 21st Army in the first ten days of July was able to advance only 10–12 km northwest of Vyborg. By that time, the 23rd Army had eliminated the bridgehead on the southern bank of the Vuoksa River and captured a small bridgehead on its northern bank.
The resistance of the enemy on the Karelian Isthmus was intensifying more and more. By mid-July, up to three-quarters of the Finnish army was operating here. Its troops occupied the line, which 90 percent passed through water obstacles that had a width of 300 m to 3 km. This allowed the Finns to create a strong defense in narrow defiles and have strong tactical and operational reserves.
“The further offensive of the Soviet troops on the Karelian Isthmus in these conditions could lead to unjustified losses,” the “History of the Second World War” tells us. “Therefore, the Headquarters ordered the Leningrad Front from July 12, 1944 to go on the defensive at the reached line.” Yes, when was Comrade Stalin afraid of losses? The attack simply fizzled out.
The losses of the Leningrad Front amounted to about 86,000 people killed and wounded, that is, more than half of the original composition.
The history of the "destruction" of the Finnish battleship, typical of the system of fraud that has developed in the Soviet country, belongs to the same period. During the landing operation, aerial reconnaissance reported that the Finns sent their most powerful ship to the Vyborg Bay - the Väinemäinen coastal defense battleship, which was unsuccessfully hunted for two wars. The Soviet side searched for the ship by all possible means, the Finnish side hid it just as carefully. Finally, the long-awaited target was found standing in the Kotka base. The pilots themselves tried to convince the command that the ship in the developed photographs did not look like an armadillo at all, but the authorities really wanted it to be the elusive Väinemäinen. That's what they decided on.
July, 12 30 Pe-2 dive bombers under the command of the Hero of the Soviet Union Guard Colonel V.I. Rakov, covered by 24 Yak-9 fighters, attacked the ship. 70 FAB-500 and FAB-100 bombs were dropped. However, none of them hit the target. Then it was decided to conduct a special operation, in the development of which the Commander of the Fleet Aviation, Major General M.I. Samokhin. 132 aircraft were allocated for the operation, consolidated into two attack and four support groups. Samokhin appointed either regimental commanders or their deputies to command the groups. For three days, the pilots trained in precision bombing at a point target. Finally, on July 16, the attack was repeated in accordance with all the rules of the "air charter". Fighters provided clear sky, attack aircraft attacked air defense systems, a demonstrative group simulated false attacks, dive bombers dropped more than 60 high-explosive bombs weighing from 100 to 250 km on the target, at the end of the day two pairs of top-mast aircraft dropped six 1000-kg bombs from a height of 30 meters. The enemy ship, having received at least four hits, first rolled over, then capsized and sank.
To celebrate, the commander of the fleet, Admiral V.F. The tribune signed six submissions for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Much later it turned out that it was not the Finnish battleship Väinemäinen that was destroyed by the “heroes”, but german cruiser Air defense "Niobe", which was a low-speed barge built in 1900 with eight 105-mm anti-aircraft guns and twenty-five 40-mm machine guns. Soviet sources report one lost aircraft, the Germans claim that they shot down about a hundred aircraft in two raids. The truth, as always, is somewhere in the middle. But there is a discrepancy between the material resources spent and the results achieved. Although, it is very likely that everything was started for the sake of the Golden Stars.
Thus, as a result of the Vyborg operation, Soviet troops advanced 110-130 km and forced the enemy to transfer significant forces from South Karelia to the Karelian Isthmus. This changed the balance of power in favor of the left wing of the Karelian Front and thus created favorable conditions for success. Svir-Petrozavodsk operation.
Results of the Vyborg operation
As a result of the Vyborg-Petrozavodsk offensive operation, the troops of the Leningrad and Karelian fronts, in cooperation with the Red Banner Baltic Fleet, the Ladoga and Onega military flotillas, broke through the enemy's multi-lane, heavily fortified defenses. Finnish troops suffered a major defeat. Only on the Karelian Isthmus in June they lost 44 thousand people killed and wounded (according to other sources, total losses Finns amounted to about 15 thousand people). Soviet troops finally cleared the Leningrad region of the invaders, expelled the enemy from the entire territory of the Karelian-Finnish Republic and liberated its capital - Petrozavodsk. The Kirov railway and the White Sea-Baltic Canal were returned.
The defeat of the Finnish troops on the Karelian Isthmus and in South Karelia significantly changed the strategic situation on the northern sector of the Soviet-German front: favorable conditions were created for the liberation of the Soviet Arctic and the northern regions of Norway. As a result of the expulsion of the enemy from the coast of the Gulf of Finland from Leningrad to Vyborg, the conditions for basing the Baltic Fleet improved. He got the opportunity to conduct active operations in the Gulf of Finland. Subsequently, in accordance with the Armistice Agreement, the ships, using Finnish skerry fairways safe from mines, could go out to perform combat missions in the Baltic Sea.
Fascist Germany lost one of its allies in Europe. German troops were forced to leave the southern and central regions of Finland to the north of the country and further to Norway. The withdrawal of Finland from the war led to a further deterioration in relations between the "Third Reich" and Sweden. Under the influence of the successes of the Soviet Armed Forces, the liberation struggle of the Norwegian people against the Nazi occupiers expanded. In the success of the operation on the Karelian Isthmus and in South Karelia, a huge role was played by the help of the Soviet rear, which provided the troops of the fronts with everything necessary, high level Soviet military art, which manifested itself with particular force in the choice of the directions of the main attacks of the fronts, the decisive massing of forces and means in the breakthrough sectors, the organization of a clear interaction between the forces of the army and navy, the use of the most effective ways suppression and destruction enemy defense and the implementation of flexible maneuver during the offensive. Despite the exceptionally powerful enemy fortifications and the difficult nature of the terrain, the troops of the Leningrad and Karelian fronts were able to quickly crush the enemy and advance at a rather high pace for those conditions. In the course of the offensive, ground and naval forces successfully carried out landing operations in the Vyborg Bay and on Lake Ladoga in the Tuloksa region.
For the Vyborg-Petrozavodsk operation, more than 93 thousand Soviet soldiers and officers were awarded orders and medals, and 78 soldiers were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. For an outstanding role in the operation and skillful command and control of troops to the commander Leningrad Front L. A. Govorov June 18, 1944 was awarded the title of Marshal of the Soviet Union. Four times Moscow solemnly saluted the advancing troops. 132 formations and units were given the honorary titles of Leningrad, Vyborg, Svir, Petrozavodsk, 39 were awarded military orders.
On June 10, 1944, the Vyborg-Petrozavodsk operation began. The offensive of the Soviet troops in Karelia in 1944 was already the fourth "Stalinist blow". The blow was carried out by the troops of the Leningrad Front on the Karelian Isthmus and the troops of the Karelian Front in the Svir-Petrozavodsk direction with the support of the Baltic Fleet, the Ladoga and Onega military flotillas.
The strategic operation itself was subdivided into the Vyborg (June 10-20) and Svir-Petrozavodsk (June 21-August 9) operations. The Vyborg operation solved the problem of defeating the Finnish troops on the Karelian Isthmus. The Svir-Petrozavodsk operation was supposed to solve the problem of liberating the Karelian-Finnish SSR. In addition, local operations were carried out: Tuloksinskaya and Björkskaya landing operations. The troops of the Leningrad and Karelian fronts, which had 31 rifle divisions, 6 brigades and 4 fortified areas, participated in the operations. The Soviet fronts numbered more than 450 thousand soldiers and officers, about 10 thousand guns and mortars, more than 800 tanks and self-propelled guns, more than 1.5 thousand aircraft.
The fourth "Stalinist strike" solved several important tasks:
The Red Army provided support to the allies. On June 6, 1944, the Normandy operation began, the long-awaited second front was opened. The summer offensive on the Karelian Isthmus was supposed to prevent the German command from transferring troops to the west from the Baltic;
It was necessary to eliminate the threat to Leningrad from Finland, as well as important communications that led from Murmansk to the central regions of the USSR; free from enemy troops the cities of Vyborg, Petrozavodsk and most Karelian-Finnish SSR, restoring the state border with Finland;
The headquarters planned to inflict a decisive defeat on the Finnish army and withdraw Finland from the war, to force it to conclude a separate peace with the USSR.
background
After the successful conduct of the winter-spring campaign of 1944, the Headquarters determined the tasks of the summer campaign of 1944. Stalin believed that in the summer of 1944 it was necessary to clear the entire Soviet territory of the Nazis and restore the state borders of the Soviet Union along the entire line from the Black Sea to the Barents Sea. At the same time, it was obvious that the war would not end on the Soviet borders. It was necessary to finish off the German "wounded beast" in his own lair and free the peoples of Europe from German captivity.
On May 1, 1944, Stalin signed a directive to start preparing the troops of the Leningrad and Karelian fronts for the offensive. Particular attention was paid to the need to conduct an offensive in the specific conditions of the terrain, in which the Red Army had already had to wage a difficult and bloody struggle during the Winter War of 1939-1940. On May 30, the commander of the Karelian Front, K. A. Meretskov, reported on the preparations for the operation.
On June 5, Stalin congratulated Roosevelt and Churchill on their victory - the capture of Rome. The next day Churchill announced the beginning Norman operation. The British Prime Minister noted that the start is good, the obstacles have been overcome, and large landings have successfully landed. Stalin congratulated Roosevelt and Churchill on the successful landing of troops in northern France. Same Soviet leader briefly informed them about the further actions of the Red Army. He noted that according to the agreement on Tehran Conference, in mid-June, an offensive will be launched on one of the important sectors of the front. The general offensive of the Soviet troops was scheduled for the end of June and July. On June 9, Joseph Stalin additionally informed the British Prime Minister that the preparations for the summer offensive of the Soviet troops were being completed, and on June 10 an offensive would be launched on the Leningrad Front.
It should be noted that the transfer of military efforts of the Red Army from south to north was unexpected for the German military-political leadership. In Berlin, it was believed that the Soviet Union was capable of carrying out large-scale offensive operations in only one strategic direction. The liberation of the Right-Bank Ukraine and the Crimea (the second and third Stalinist strikes) showed that the main direction in 1944 would be the south. In the north, the Germans did not expect a new big offensive.
Side forces. THE USSR. To carry out the Vyborg operation, the troops of the right wing of the Leningrad Front were involved under the command of Army General (from June 18, 1944 Marshal) Leonid Alexandrovich Govorov. The 23rd Army was already on the Karelian Isthmus under the command of Lieutenant General A. I. Cherepanov (in early July, Lieutenant General V. I. Shvetsov led the army). It was reinforced by the 21st Army of Colonel-General D.N. Gusev. Gusev's army was to play a major role in the offensive. Given the power of the Finnish defense, in three years the Finns built powerful defensive fortifications here, which strengthened the Mannerheim Line, the Leningrad Front was significantly strengthened. Two breakthrough artillery divisions, an artillery and cannon brigade, 5 artillery battalions of special power, two tank brigades and seven regiments of self-propelled guns were transferred to its composition.
The 21st Army under the command of Dmitry Nikolaevich Gusev included the 30th Guards, 97th and 109th Rifle Corps (a total of nine rifle divisions), as well as the 22nd fortified area. Gusev's army also included: the 3rd Guards Artillery Breakthrough Corps, five tank and three self-propelled artillery regiments (157 tanks and self-propelled artillery installations) and a significant number of separate artillery, sapper and other units. The 23rd Army under the command of Alexander Ivanovich Cherepanov included the 98th and 115th rifle corps (six rifle divisions), the 17th fortified area, one tank and self-propelled artillery regiment each (42 tanks and self-propelled guns), 38 artillery divisions. In total, both armies had 15 rifle divisions and two fortified areas.
In addition, the 108th and 110th rifle corps from the 21st Army (six rifle divisions), four tank brigades, three tank and two self-propelled artillery regiments were in the reserve of the front (in total, the tank group of the front consisted of more than 300 armored vehicles) , as well as a significant number of artillery. In total, more than 260 thousand soldiers and officers were concentrated on the Karelian Isthmus (according to other sources - about 190 thousand people), about 7.5 thousand guns and mortars, 630 tanks and self-propelled guns and about 1 thousand aircraft.
From the sea, the offensive was supported and provided by coastal flanks: the Red Banner Baltic Fleet under the command of Admiral V.F. Tributs - from the Gulf of Finland, the Ladoga military flotilla of Rear Admiral V.S. Cherokov - Lake Ladoga. From the air, the ground forces were supported by the 13th Air Army under the leadership of Lieutenant General of Aviation S. D. Rybalchenko. The 13th Air Army was reinforced at the expense of the reserves of the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command and consisted of about 770 aircraft. The air army included three bomber air divisions, two attack air divisions, the 2nd Guards Leningrad Air Defense Fighter Air Corps, a fighter air division and other units. Aviation of the Baltic Fleet consisted of about 220 aircraft.
Plans of the Soviet command. The terrain was difficult - forests and swamps, which made it difficult to use heavy weapons. Therefore, the command of the Leningrad Front decided to strike the main blow with the forces of Gusev's 21st Army in the coastal direction in the area of \u200b\u200bSestroretsk and Beloostrov. Soviet troops were to advance along the northeastern coast of the Gulf of Finland. This made it possible to support the offensive ground forces naval and coastal artillery, and amphibious landings.
Cherepanov's 23rd army was supposed to actively defend its positions in the first days of the offensive. After the 21st Army reached the Sestra River, Cherepanov's army was also supposed to go on the offensive. The remaining three armies of the Leningrad Front, concentrated on the Narva sector of the Soviet-German front, were supposed to intensify their operations at that time in order to prevent the transfer of German divisions from the Baltic to the Karelian Isthmus. In order to misinform the German command, a few days before the Vyborg operation, the Soviet command began to spread rumors about the proximity of a major Red Army offensive in the Narva region. To this end, a number of reconnaissance and other activities were carried out.
Finland. The main forces of the Finnish army opposed the Soviet troops on the Karelian Isthmus: parts of the 3rd Corps under the command of Lieutenant General J. Siilasvuo and the 4th Corps of General T. Laatikainen. In this direction, there was also a reserve of the commander-in-chief K. G. Mannerheim. On June 15, they were combined into the Karelian Isthmus Task Force. The group included: five infantry divisions, one infantry and one cavalry brigades, the only Finnish armored division (located in the operational reserve in the Vyborg region), as well as a significant number of separate units. Three infantry divisions and an infantry brigade occupied the first line of defense, two divisions and a cavalry brigade - the second line. In total, the Finns had about 100 thousand soldiers (according to other sources - about 70 thousand people), 960 guns and mortars, more than 200 (250) aircraft and 110 tanks.
The Finnish army relied on a powerful defensive system that had been created on the Karelian Isthmus during the three years of the war, as well as on the improved Mannerheim Line. The defense system in depth and well prepared on the Karelian Isthmus was called the Karelian Wall. The depth of the Finnish defense reached 100 km. The first line of defense went along the front line, which was established in the autumn of 1941. The second line of defense was located approximately at a distance of 25-30 km from the first. The third line of defense ran along the old "Mannerheim Line", which was improved and further strengthened in the Vyborg direction. Vyborg had a circular defensive belt. In addition, the rear, the fourth line of defense, passed outside the city.
In general, the Finnish army was well-equipped, had extensive experience in fighting in the wooded, swampy and lake areas. Finnish soldiers had high morale and fought hard. The officers supported the idea of "Great Finland" (due to the annexation of Russian Karelia, Kola Peninsula and a number of other territories) advocated an alliance with Germany, which was supposed to help Finnish expansion. However, the Finnish army was significantly inferior to the Red Army in terms of guns and mortars, tanks, and especially in aircraft.
Finnish soldiers in hiding, June 1944
The offensive of the Red Army
Start of the attack. Breakthrough of the first line of defense (June 9-11). On the morning of June 9, the artillery of the Leningrad Front, coastal and naval artillery began to destroy the previously discovered enemy fortifications. On the 20-kilometer section of the front in front of the positions of Gusev's 21st Army, the density of ground artillery fire reached 200-220 guns and mortars. Artillery fired without interruption for 10-12 hours. On the first day, they tried to destroy the long-term defensive structures of the enemy throughout the entire depth of the first line of defense. In addition, they conducted an active counter-battery fight.
At the same time, a massive blow to enemy positions was dealt Soviet aviation. About 300 attack aircraft, 265 bombers, 158 fighters and 20 reconnaissance aircraft of the 13th Air Army and Naval Aviation took part in the operation. The intensity of airstrikes is evidenced by the number of sorties per day - 1100.
The air and artillery strike was very effective. Later, the Finns admitted that as a result of Soviet fire, many defensive structures and barriers were destroyed or badly damaged, and minefields were blown up. And Mannerheim wrote in his memoirs that the thunder of Soviet heavy guns was heard in Helsinki.
Late in the evening, the reinforced advanced battalions of the 23rd Army began reconnaissance in force, trying to break into the Finnish defense system. In some areas there was little success, but in most areas there was no progress. The Finnish command, realizing that this was the beginning of a major offensive, began to condense the battle formations.
In the early morning of June 10, Soviet artillery and aviation resumed attacks on Finnish positions. The ships of the Baltic Fleet and coastal artillery played an important role in the strikes in the coastal direction. 3 destroyers, 4 gunboats, batteries of the Kronstadt and Izhora coastal defense sectors, and the 1st Guards Naval Railway Brigade participated in the artillery preparation. Naval artillery attacked Finnish positions in the Beloostrov area.
The effectiveness of artillery preparation and air strikes on June 9-10 is evidenced by the fact that 130 pillboxes, armored caps, bunkers and other enemy fortifications were destroyed only in a small area in the Beloostrov area. Almost all the barbed wire was demolished by artillery fire, anti-tank obstacles were destroyed, minefields were blown up. The trenches were badly damaged, the Finnish infantry suffered heavy losses. According to the testimonies of the prisoners, the Finnish troops lost up to 70% of the composition of those units that occupied the forward trenches.
After a three-hour artillery preparation, units of the 21st Army went on the offensive. Artillery, after the completion of artillery preparation, carried out support for the advancing troops. The main blow was delivered on the Rajajoki front section - Stary Beloostrov - height 107. The offensive began successfully. The 109th Rifle Corps under the command of Lieutenant General I.P. Alferov advanced on the left flank - along the coast, along the railway to Vyborg and along the Primorskoye Highway. In the center, along the Vyborg highway, the 30th Guards Corps of Lieutenant General N.P. Simonyak advanced. On the right flank, in the general direction of Kallelovo, the 97th Rifle Corps of Major General M. M. Busarov was advancing.
Gusev's army broke through the enemy's defenses on the very first day (in Moscow, this success was marked with a salute). The 30th Guards Corps advanced 14-15 km in a day. Soviet soldiers liberated Stary Beloostrov, Mainila, crossed the Sestra River. In other areas, progress was not so successful. The 97th Corps went to Sister.
The command of the Leningrad Front, in order to develop success, created two mobile groups from tank brigades and regiments, they were given to the 30th Guards and 109th Rifle Corps. On June 11, Soviet troops advanced another 15-20 km and reached the enemy's second line of defense. Near the village of Kivennape, which was a key node of the Finnish defense, a Finnish tank division launched a counterattack against the Soviet troops. Initially, her attack had some success, but the Finns were soon driven back to their original positions.
On the same day, Cherepanov's 23rd Army launched an offensive. The army struck with the forces of the 98th Rifle Corps of Lieutenant General G. I. Anisimov. In the afternoon, the right-flank 97th Corps of the 21st Army was transferred to the 23rd Army. Instead of Gusev's 21st Army, the 108th Rifle Corps was transferred from the front reserve.
The Finnish 10th Infantry Division, which held the defense in the direction of the main attack, was defeated and suffered heavy losses. She ran to the second line of defense. On June 11, she was taken to the rear for reorganization and replenishment. The Finnish command was forced to urgently transfer troops from the second line of defense and from the reserve (3rd infantry division, cavalry brigade - they were in the second line of defense, a tank division and other units) to the line of defense of the 4th army corps. But this could no longer radically change the situation. Realizing that it would not work to hold the first line of defense, by the end of the day on June 10, the Finnish command began to withdraw troops to the second line of defense.
In addition, Mannerheim began to transfer troops to the Karelian Isthmus from other directions. On June 10, the Finnish commander ordered the transfer of the 4th Infantry Division and the 3rd Infantry Brigade from eastern Karelia. On June 12, the 17th division and the 20th brigade were sent to the Karelian Isthmus. Mannerheim hoped to stabilize the front in the second line of defense.
To be continued…
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