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SOTKA TO THE POINT!*
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Part 1
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Date: June 25th, 1944*                     
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Battle location:  Juustila-Portinhoikka, Finland*
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Battle Type: Finland advance vs. USSR*
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Design by:  Zipuli*
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BACKGROUND:*
The Soviets continued their attack from Tali to Ihantala in late June 1944. The Finnish lines were breached, but the Finns fought back trying to encircle the enemy spearhead in a "Motti". During this battle, some Soviet tanks had managed to work their way north-west along the Tali-Juustila -road. To stop the enemy tanks advancing without infantry support, Armoured Division's commander, Major General Lagus ordered Major Mikkola's 3rd Tank Co (heavy) of 1st Tank Battalion to attack immediately towards Portinhoikka. This unit consisted of Major Mikkola's command tank, a T-50, 2 T-34/76 "Sotkas", 2 KV-1 "Klimis" and 2 T-28 "Postijunas". Before the attack was launched the company had lost one T-34 when it was ordered to cross Saimaa channel using a bridge with 6 tonne limit. The bridge collapsed and the tank fell to the channel (and was later recovered). Also the other KV-1 (commanded by Vaapeli Sipila) engine failed to start and so, when the attack begun it was only one T-34, one KV-1E and 2 T-28Es.*
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ENEMY:*
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The enemy has reached Portinhoikka roadcross with its lead elements and our counter-attacks from Ihantala -direction have been pinned down. Some enemy tanks have been reported moving towards Juustila - unsupported by infantry. The tanks are T-34/85 long barreled "Sotkas" - they can take out our tanks, but only our T-34 and KV-1 have any chances of stopping them, if any.*
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OWN:*
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Major Mikkola's "company" is ordered to attack. Friendly artillery fired some rounds to hide the sounds made by the starting engines. The tankers in question are mostly seasoned tank veterans, and truly fearsome fighters. The infantry ordered to support the tanks as close protection have mostly deserted already. Commanding the T-34 is 2nd Lt. Teppo, and gunner is Sgt. Lehvaslaiho. KV-1E is commanded by Vaapeli Laine. The T-34 and T-50 have already crossed the channel and are on their way to Juustila. The KV-1 is still crossing the channel, and will arrive shortly, but the slow and obsolete T-28s are left behind already. Major Mikkola's orders: "Sotka to the point!". Not knowing what is awaiting them, the T-34s slows down before Juustila. The battle known as "Portinhoikka tank battle" is about to begin! 
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HISTORICAL OUTCOME (according to Sergeant Lehvaslaiho, gunner in 2nd Lt. Teppo's T-34):*
After crossing Saimaa channel and reaching Juustila, the T-34 crew saw a T-34 in front, pointing at them. The enemy took a shot that missed, and Sergeant Lehvaslaiho fired back, destroying the enemy tank. After this in the next bend they saw more enemy tanks, but the T-34s gun jammed. After removing the jam the enemy tanks had withdrawn, and the attack was continued. Right before the next bend some retreating Finnish troops surrendered to the T-34 that had its national markings all but worn off. After Major Mikkola arrived and ordered them to take positions on both sides of the road they reported multiple enemy tanks behind the bend, with guns pointing at their direction. Major Mikkola's messenger officer 2nd Lt Schrey scouted the bend and reported 6 tanks, plus some ten more behind in distance. The KV-1 was ordered to take point, and reaching the bend was hit simultaneously by 2 grenades, but managed to pull back - after which the crew dismounted dazzled.*
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After some time Schrey reported "only" 4 enemy tanks remaining in sight - Major Mikkola ordered the T-34 to take point: "Get them, perkele!". Reaching the bend the remaining 2 enemy tanks were taken out, the rest had pulled back. Continuing alone the Sotka saw another T-34 near the bridge over Kilpeenjoki. This had its rear hull pointing at the Finnish Sotka, and it was destroyed by a shot in the engine. Reaching the bridge another enemy tank was seen 150m to the right, but it was ditched. Unsure if it was operational, Sgt Lehvaslaiho shot it once before continuing.*
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On the next straight accross the fields the Sotka destroyed another T-34 and accidentally also a abandonen Finnish truck camoflaged in the treeline. Continuing in the woods a soldier stopped the tank and reported enemy immobilized ISU-152 behind the next bend. The tankers dismounted and in action with the other troops in the area the enemy crew was killed, as they refused to surrender and fought back to the last man. After capturing the ISU, its track was fixed by the T-34s crew. After this two of the crewmen scouted the Portinhoikka roadcross, where was some abandoned T-34s. One enemy T-34 appeared along the road and fired at the crewmen, who pulled back - as did the enemy. Soon the attack would continue again!*
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Sources:*
-Lehvaslaiho: Sotkalla sodassa*
-Kakela: Laguksen Miehet, Marskin Nyrkki*
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Part of this action is also seen in the Finnish film "Tali-Ihantala 1944" from 2007.*