Red Churchills ETO (id:#62621)

(ASL Journal #11 ID: J170)   [next]   [previous]

Vyborg, Karelian Peninsula, Finland 1944-06-20 (7 others)

Overview:

After the siege of Leningrad was lifted in January 1944, STAVKA began planning a summer offensive to knock Finland out of the war. The Soviet attack on the Karelian Isthmus started on 9 June, timed to coincide with the Normandy landings. Fifteen divisions, including experienced Guards formations, were thrown at the Finns and breached the front line. After a failed counterattack by Finnish armor, the defenders retreated to the Viipuri-Kuparsaari-Taipale line. The Germans rushed reinforcements and arms, including Sturmgeschutze and hand-held anti-tank weapons, across the Baltic to prevent the collapse of their Finnish allies. On 20 June, Soviet forces approached the ancient Finnish port of Viipuri (Vyborg). Leading the assault was the 64th Guards Rifle Division, reinforced by a heavy tank regiment equipped with Lend-Lease Churchill tanks.

Defender: Finnish (20th Infantry Brigade and Independent Armor Company)  

Errata (source)