In the Ruins of a Church ETO (id:#57051)

Critical Hit (Critical Hit # 6.1 ID: CH101)   [next]   [previous]

Äyräpää, Finland 1944-07-07 (8 others)

Overview:

Ayrapaa, a famous battlefield of the Winter War, was once again a seen of intense fighting during the Soviet Summer Offensive of 1944 on the Karelian Isthmus. The hills south of the river Vuoksi dominated the otherwise flat landscape. The Finns set up their defense on the southern side even though it meant the supply lines had to cross the river. The Finnish bridgehead held for about two weeks before Russians managed to advance to the river cutting the defenders into two separate pockets. At 2pm on July 7th, after a bombardment that lasted for half an hour, Russian infantry, supported by ten assault guns, attacked against the eastern part of the bridgehead. The attack caused the Finns to retreat across the river except for a small group of Finns led by Captain Talvitie, who dug in at the ruins of Ayrapaa church and its vicinity. At 4pm another attack was launched. The attack was more than the green troops of the 25th Battalion could take. In many places, they ran from their positions without firing a single shot. The weary veterans of 2nd Battalion were left alone to face the attack of two Russian battalions.

Defender: Finnish (2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division and 25th Independent Infantry Battalion)  

Errata (source)