Brothers in Arms (id:#57330)

Critical Hit (Jatkosota ID: JATK7)   [next]   [previous]

Tornio, Finland 1944-10-05 (8 others)

Overview:

The terms of the armistice that Finland signed with the Soviet Union, included that all German forces were to be expelled from Finland. The Soviets were unhappy at the speed in which the Germans were withdrawing from Finland. With thinly disguised threats issuing forth from Moscow, the Finns reluctantly made plans for a campaign in Lapland. For the Germans any withdrawl from Lapland to Norway had to include the key transportation hub of Tornio. Realizing the importance of Tornio the German garrison initially had orders to cooperate with any Finnish units nearby. The risk of conflict between the erstwhile brothers in arms finally came to a head in early October. In a daring move the Finnish 3rd Division entered the harbor in Tornio in an unarmed freighter. Quickly dispersing throughout the town, key positions were taken. Realizing a German response would not be long in coming. the Finns sent out an infantry company toward Rovaniemi, the direction the main reinforcement attempt would come from. As Panzer Regiment 21 approached from the north toward Tornio, they ran into the Finns defending near a small stream. The troops of Panzer Regiment 12 made a skillful assault upon the Finns, utilizing the scant cover available to them. The combination of superior numbers and firepower slowly drove the Finns back toward the stream. The sudden appearance of obsolete captured French Hotchkiss and Souma Tanks tipped the scales further to the German advantage. With a lack of adequate heavy weapons support, all the Finns could do was keep the accompanying infantry pinned down as much as possible.

Defender: Finnish (IIP/JR-11 and Ps.P)  

Errata (source)