6th Division (Continuation War): Difference between revisions
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After the Soviet [[Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive]] started in 1944, the 6th Division was moved from the Maaselkä isthmus to the [[Karelian Isthmus]]<ref>Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, pp. 800; 804.</ref> as a component of the [[Finnish IV Corps (Continuation War)|Finnish IV Corps]].<ref>Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, p. 789.</ref> There it took part in the decisive [[Battle of Tali-Ihantala]], where its arrival prevented the breaking of the [[Finnish Armoured Division|Armored Division]]<ref>Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, p. 934.</ref> and enabled the Armored Division and the [[Finnish 11th Division (Continuation War)|11th Division]] to be moved out of the line to act as a reserve.<ref>Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, pp. 935–936.</ref> |
After the Soviet [[Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive]] started in 1944, the 6th Division was moved from the Maaselkä isthmus to the [[Karelian Isthmus]]<ref>Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, pp. 800; 804.</ref> as a component of the [[Finnish IV Corps (Continuation War)|Finnish IV Corps]].<ref>Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, p. 789.</ref> There it took part in the decisive [[Battle of Tali-Ihantala]], where its arrival prevented the breaking of the [[Finnish Armoured Division|Armored Division]]<ref>Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, p. 934.</ref> and enabled the Armored Division and the [[Finnish 11th Division (Continuation War)|11th Division]] to be moved out of the line to act as a reserve.<ref>Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, pp. 935–936.</ref> |
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After the [[Moscow Armistice|Moscow armistice]], the division also took part in the [[Lapland War]] against the German forces still in Lapland.<ref>Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, pp. 1129–1130; 1136.</ref> On September 30th, 1944, the division was subordinated to the Armored Division, with the resulting formation being named Group Lagus.<ref>Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, p. 1141.</ref> As a part of this formation, the division participated in the capture of [[Rovaniemi]],<ref>Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, p. 1140–1143.</ref> after which it was disbanded.<ref>Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, p. 1143.</ref> |
After the [[Moscow Armistice|Moscow armistice]], the division also took part in the [[Lapland War]] against the German forces still in Lapland.<ref>Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, pp. 1129–1130; 1136.</ref> On September 30th, 1944, the division was subordinated to the Armored Division, with the resulting formation being named Group [[Ruben Lagus|Lagus]].<ref>Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, p. 1141.</ref> As a part of this formation, the division participated in the capture of [[Rovaniemi]],<ref>Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, p. 1140–1143.</ref> after which it was disbanded.<ref>Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, p. 1143.</ref> |
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==Commanders== |
==Commanders== |
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Revision as of 11:47, 6 October 2021
| 6th Division | |
|---|---|
| 6. Divisioona | |
| Active | 1941–1944 |
| Country |  Finland |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Division |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Einar Vihma |
The 6th Division (Finnish: 6. Divisioona) was a unit of the Finnish Army during the Continuation War.
History
Originally a part of the Finnish V Corps, the 6th Division was attached to the German XXXVI Corps in Northern Finland in 1941.[1] As part of Operation Arctic Fox, the division attacked alongside the SS Division Nord and German 169th Infantry Division against Salla with the goal of reaching Kandalaksha on the White Sea coast.[2] The town of Salla was captured succesfully, but the division suffered 405 casualties in the process.[3] Following the capture of Salla, the division continued towards river Verman, reaching it on October 18th 1941.[4] By this point, both increasingly difficult logistics and the losses suffered forced Operation Arctic Fox to be halted.[5] The 6th division was considered unfit for attack.[6] During these actions, the division also fought alongside a small German tank unit, the Panzer-Abteilung 211, which consisted entirely of captured French tanks.
Following the failure of Operation Arctic Fox, the Finnish general headquarters wanted to reduce the division to a brigade-sized element to help both a labor shortage on the home front, as well as for foreign political reasons related to attacking beyond the pre-Winter War borders.[7] As a result, the division was reorganized temporarily as the 12th Brigade. It would be later[when?] brought back to division strength.
After the Soviet Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive started in 1944, the 6th Division was moved from the Maaselkä isthmus to the Karelian Isthmus[8] as a component of the Finnish IV Corps.[9] There it took part in the decisive Battle of Tali-Ihantala, where its arrival prevented the breaking of the Armored Division[10] and enabled the Armored Division and the 11th Division to be moved out of the line to act as a reserve.[11]
After the Moscow armistice, the division also took part in the Lapland War against the German forces still in Lapland.[12] On September 30th, 1944, the division was subordinated to the Armored Division, with the resulting formation being named Group Lagus.[13] As a part of this formation, the division participated in the capture of Rovaniemi,[14] after which it was disbanded.[15]
Commanders
- Colonel Werner Viikla (1941)
- Colonel A. Mäkiniemi (12th Brigade)
- Major General Einar Vihma (1943)
Organization
The 6th Division was organised from men from the Far-North Military Province (Perä-Pohjolan Sotilaslääni). It lacked the Heavy Artillery Battalion.
- Infantry Regiment 12 (Rovaniemi)
- Infantry Regiment 33 (Sodankylä)
- Infantry Regiment 54 (Western Lapland)
- Field Artillery Regiment 14 (Tornio)
- Light Battalion 3
- Engineer Battalion 36
- Signal Battalion 36
Notes
- ^ Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, p. 257.
- ^ Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, pp. 260–262.
- ^ Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, p. 262.
- ^ Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, p. 264.
- ^ Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, p. 264.
- ^ Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, p. 264.
- ^ Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, pp. 264–266.
- ^ Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, pp. 800; 804.
- ^ Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, p. 789.
- ^ Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, p. 934.
- ^ Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, pp. 935–936.
- ^ Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, pp. 1129–1130; 1136.
- ^ Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, p. 1141.
- ^ Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, p. 1140–1143.
- ^ Leskinen and Juutilainen 2005, p. 1143.
References
- Leskinen, Jari, and Antti Juutilainen, eds. Jatkosodan pikkujättiläinen. WSOY, 2005.