Uhtua/Kálevala 1941-42.
Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 7:01 am
Hello to all ; a little recount............................
The 3. / Pz Abt. 40 in the struggles for Uhtua / Kálevala.
The southernmost offensive of Silberfuchs (Silver Fox) was constituted by the 3rd Finnish Army Corps, which would attack from Suomussalmi along the road through Kiestinki to cut the railway to Murmansk in the town of Louhi. Although not part of Silberfuchs, just south of the 3rd Finnish Corps, the 14th Finnish Division would attack from the Kuhmo sector in central Finland, along the road that runs through Rukajarvi to the railway north of Karhumaki. This would provide flank protection to the 3rd Finnish Corps.
The 3rd Finnish Corps had a bigger title than it deserved because it only had the 3rd Finnish Division, a force the size of a brigade called "Division J" and the 8th and 9th Border Guards Battalions. However, it was commanded by one of Finland's finest generals, Hjalmar Silasvuo, who had led the Finnish forces in the epic victory at Suomussalmi in the Winter War. It had to attack from Uhtua to Kiestinki and then cut the Murmansk railway in Louhi. The terrain was a dense forest similar to that of Kuusamo, although the Finnish forces, slightly equipped, were much better prepared to advance without roads.
In the summer of 1941, the direction of Uhtua was quite special. The Group (Ryhmä) Fagernäs (since September 3, 3rd Division), commanded by Colonel Uno Fagernäs tried to advance quickly to Uhtua. The ground was largely unfit for transit and the small roads were in a miserable condition. There were many overflow channels, but they were also used as vias of communication. No wonder the Finnish troops were stuck in front of Uhtua. The German Military Command had sent there as reinforcement the 3. / Pz. Abt. 40 commanded by Oberleutnant Walther, who was to march on the Raate road no later than June 25, 1941. The armored company, which comprised the HQ, two combat Platoons (10 tanks) and maintenance echelon, was attached to the Finnish Light Detachment 5 and the group was called Detachment Fossi by the nickname of its commander Major Alfons Järven. The intention of the Fossi Detachment was to launch rapid and deep attacks in the direction of Vuokkiniemi.
The Fagernäs Group began its attack against Vuokkinieme on the 1st of July in the morning. The Finnish border was crossed and the Fossi Detachment continued to move from Latvajärvi in the lead of the Group.
A Pz Kw III of the 3. / Pz Abt. 40 on the way to the front along the Raate road............................
Sources: http://www.panssarikilta.fi/Lehti/Panss ... vu_14.html
https://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=1767
http://www.sotahistoriallisetkohteet.fi ... /-/id/1403
Cheers. Raúl M .
The 3. / Pz Abt. 40 in the struggles for Uhtua / Kálevala.
The southernmost offensive of Silberfuchs (Silver Fox) was constituted by the 3rd Finnish Army Corps, which would attack from Suomussalmi along the road through Kiestinki to cut the railway to Murmansk in the town of Louhi. Although not part of Silberfuchs, just south of the 3rd Finnish Corps, the 14th Finnish Division would attack from the Kuhmo sector in central Finland, along the road that runs through Rukajarvi to the railway north of Karhumaki. This would provide flank protection to the 3rd Finnish Corps.
The 3rd Finnish Corps had a bigger title than it deserved because it only had the 3rd Finnish Division, a force the size of a brigade called "Division J" and the 8th and 9th Border Guards Battalions. However, it was commanded by one of Finland's finest generals, Hjalmar Silasvuo, who had led the Finnish forces in the epic victory at Suomussalmi in the Winter War. It had to attack from Uhtua to Kiestinki and then cut the Murmansk railway in Louhi. The terrain was a dense forest similar to that of Kuusamo, although the Finnish forces, slightly equipped, were much better prepared to advance without roads.
In the summer of 1941, the direction of Uhtua was quite special. The Group (Ryhmä) Fagernäs (since September 3, 3rd Division), commanded by Colonel Uno Fagernäs tried to advance quickly to Uhtua. The ground was largely unfit for transit and the small roads were in a miserable condition. There were many overflow channels, but they were also used as vias of communication. No wonder the Finnish troops were stuck in front of Uhtua. The German Military Command had sent there as reinforcement the 3. / Pz. Abt. 40 commanded by Oberleutnant Walther, who was to march on the Raate road no later than June 25, 1941. The armored company, which comprised the HQ, two combat Platoons (10 tanks) and maintenance echelon, was attached to the Finnish Light Detachment 5 and the group was called Detachment Fossi by the nickname of its commander Major Alfons Järven. The intention of the Fossi Detachment was to launch rapid and deep attacks in the direction of Vuokkiniemi.
The Fagernäs Group began its attack against Vuokkinieme on the 1st of July in the morning. The Finnish border was crossed and the Fossi Detachment continued to move from Latvajärvi in the lead of the Group.
A Pz Kw III of the 3. / Pz Abt. 40 on the way to the front along the Raate road............................
Sources: http://www.panssarikilta.fi/Lehti/Panss ... vu_14.html
https://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=1767
http://www.sotahistoriallisetkohteet.fi ... /-/id/1403
Cheers. Raúl M .