Arctic Strongpoint (id:#57331)

Critical Hit (Jatkosota ID: JATK8)   [next]   [previous]

East of the Litsa River, Northern Finland 1944-02-01 (7 others)

Overview:

The XI Mountain Infantry Corps occupied Northen Finland during the winter of 1943-44. opposing numerically superior Russian forces holding well-constructed positions. One of the two mountain infantry divisions that composed the corps held positions in the rocky tundra terrain about a mile west of the frozen Litsa River. The region consisted of small subalpine mountain tops and generally hilly terrain overlooking bare, mossy patches of open ground. The only cover provided by nature were some scattered, stunted birch trees. On the night of February 1-2, a carefully assembled assault group from the 1st Battalion, 143rd Mountain Infantry Regiment, prepared to execute the long-standing order for a raid on Russian held Hill 858. The orders had come down some four weeks earlier. To assure success the raid was to be preceded by meticulous preparations, for which the battalion had been allotted a maximum of four weeks. The objective of the raid was to take prisoners and to destroy as many enemy defensive installations and shelters as possible. The men also carried mines and demolition charges to blow up Russian installations. The starting point for the raid was a forward CP on Hil 783. Shortly after the raiding party set out, the moon set and the raiding party reached the foot of Hill 858, apparently without being observed. The Germans crawled over the steepest portion of the hill's slope in two single files and the assault squads took up their assigned positions without making contact with the enemy. Russians were seen moving about the defensive position without knowledge of the German raiders.

Defender: Russian (14th Army)  

Errata (source)