Forests of the North (id:#57328)

Critical Hit (Jatkosota ID: JATK5)   [next]   [previous]

20 miles southwest of Louhki, USSR 1941-08-11 (4 others)

Overview:

Since mid-July, Falkenhorst, the German commander of the Army of Norway believed the Murmansk Railroad could be reached most quickly at Louhki, and on the 19th he committed a regiment and an artillery battalion of the SS-Division "Nord" to the Finnish II Corps attack in that direction. On July, 1 the II Corps sent Group J (one regiment) across the border east of Kuusamo in the direction of Kesten'ga-Louhki. The corps sector was held by the Russian 54th Rifle Division. The II Corps made good initial progress. By July 5th, Group J was in Makarely, 17 miles east of the border. By the 19th, Group J was on the Sof'yanga, an eight mile long channel connecting Pya Lake and Top Lake. It was a major obstacle, strongly defended. Experienced in forest warfare, the Finns had several times broken the enemy's defensive efforts by using rapid thrusts at his flanks and rear, which could often be developed into mottis. These tactics were particularly effective in the dense forests, where the more sweeping encirclements favored by the Germans were difficult to establish and nearly impossible to draw tight enough to prevent the escape of enemy forces. Despite the commander of Group J's optimistic estimate that he could advance to Kesten'ga along the narrow without worrying about his flanks, AOK decided to send the SS Regiment and artillery battalion to support Group J. There were Russian heavy tanks in the area and the first appearance of partisans was causing concern throughout the Amry of Norway area. On the Russian side, the enemy threw in 50 forced laborers, headquarters personnel from the Fourteenth Army Staff and green troops from the replacement battalion at Murmansk. Despite the extra support, it took three days for Group J to break the Russian resistance on the Sof'yanga. On August 29, Finnish General Silasvuo reported that Group J was stalled. His 6 Finnish and 3 SS battalions together had an effective strength of no more than 280 men. The famous General informed Army of Norway that his troops were exhausted and that he did not consider it possible to carry out his mission—a quick thrust to Louhki-without a fresh Finnish division accustomed to forest warfare.

Defender: Russian (54th Infantry Division with 14th Army Laborers and HQ Personnel)  

Errata (source)