Panzers in Finland and Tali-Ihantala

[Zipuli]

I am starting a series of scenarios called "Panzers in Finland" that is based on book with same name from author Kari Kuusela. The scenarios are historical and feature German Panzer units in action during Finnish Continuation War and Lapland War (1941 - 1944).

Also am making a number of scenarios of the Tali-Ihantala battle that was fought in June 1944. Action will be concentrated in battles with Finnish armoured units.

Interestingly, during the early years most of the German tank units were situated to the northern Finland where they simply could not achieve much due to the extremely hostile terrain. The tanks had serious trouble in the tundra of northern Lapland and the swamps and deep, allmost roadless forests of north Karelia. The tanks were first to be used as mobile reserves to be pushed through a breach in enemy lines and to push deep in the depth of the enemy defences in a pursuit. But this did not happen, as the enemy resistance was a lot harder than thought, and the tanks themselves were mostly old and all but obsolete Panzer I, II, Somua and Hotchiss -models, with only few Panzer IIIs...



This first scenario takes place in III Corps sector, where the Finnish 3rd Division was attacking to Uhtua and Kiestinki and was given the 3rd Company of Panzer-Abteilung z.b.V 40 for support. In the scenario a battalion from JR32 has crossed the last bigger water obstacle, the Pistojoki -river, on the way to Uhtua on 22nd July 1941. To support they received 5 Pz II tanks that were carried over the river as the bridge was destroyed by Russians. The battalion is to clear the road for other units that will cross the river shortly. So far the Russians have fought hard and managed to withdraw in good order, stalling the attack time after time. Can the brothers in arms push the Russians aside and finally allow quick advance to Uhtua? Action takes place during early hours of July 23rd 1941.

Zip

PS. The book is written in Finnish and English and can be bought from Finnish Armour Museum, if you are interested in the subject:
http://www.panssarimuseo.fi/

[Zipuli]

The second scenario takes place during the battle of Tali-Ihantala, 27th June 1944. German Sturmgeschuetz Brigade 303 has been transfered to help the Finns in Karelian Isthmus, where the Soviet grand offensive shows no signs of slowing down. The Brigade is attached to Lagus' Armoured Division. In this scenario the second battery (Oberleutnant Baldauf with 7 Stug IIIGs) of this brigade is supporting Osasto Forsberg (Colonel Forsberg) attacking south from Ihantala to reach Vakkila Crossroads and maybe later Tali? Enemy has been reported dug in at Marjamaki and they have constant barrages pouring down on the attacking Finns. Will the attack prevail and turn the tide, at least for this short time?


StgBr303 elements leave Lappeenranta to help the Finns at Karelian Isthmus. The spirits at Helsinki were raised with the arrival of the unit and its warmachines a bit earlier.

[Zipuli]

2 Scenarios from Tali-Ihantala battle - "Sotka to the point" pt.1 and pt.2. Action concentrates south of Ihantala, near Portinhoikka, a crucial crossroad that saw heavy fighting in end of June.

In Part 1 there's a enemy breach with a number of tanks at Portinhoikka. Major Mikkola's Heavy Tank Company is sent to deal with it. With half of the Finnish T-34s (1) sunk in Saimaa channel when a bridge was broken and half of the KV-1s (1) failing to start, the attacking force is Major Mikkolas command T-50, one T-34 "Sotka", one KV-1 "Klimi" and two obsolete and slow T-28s. Enemy has T-34/85s and ISU-152s - odds are against the Finns, but there's no time to think about it. Order is clear: "Towards Portinhoikka, Sotka to the point!"

In Part 2 after the succesfull counter-attack Finns bring in more forces to Portinhoikka, that is under constant barrages. Attack continues to take Tali back. Units from Armoured Division attack - Jaeger Battalion 3 (JP3) is given task to attack along the Portinhoikka-Tali road, for support they receive Lt. Talvitie's Stug company (6) and 2.Lt Teppo's T-34 "Sotka". Against them are the very best of Russian attacking force. The attack gets bogged after a while, something must be done to get it going again - "Sotka to the point! Drag the jaegers to the attack!"

Parts of the action is also seen in the film "Tali-Ihantala 1944".

Zip