Panzers in Finland and Tali-Ihantala

[Zipuli]

The second scenario takes place during the battle of Tali-Ihantala, 27th June 1944. German Sturmgeschuetz Brigade 303 has been transfered to help the Finns in Karelian Isthmus, where the Soviet grand offensive shows no signs of slowing down. The Brigade is attached to Lagus' Armoured Division. In this scenario the second battery (Oberleutnant Baldauf with 7 Stug IIIGs) of this brigade is supporting Osasto Forsberg (Colonel Forsberg) attacking south from Ihantala to reach Vakkila Crossroads and maybe later Tali? Enemy has been reported dug in at Marjamaki and they have constant barrages pouring down on the attacking Finns. Will the attack prevail and turn the tide, at least for this short time?


StgBr303 elements leave Lappeenranta to help the Finns at Karelian Isthmus. The spirits at Helsinki were raised with the arrival of the unit and its warmachines a bit earlier.

[Zipuli]

2 Scenarios from Tali-Ihantala battle - "Sotka to the point" pt.1 and pt.2. Action concentrates south of Ihantala, near Portinhoikka, a crucial crossroad that saw heavy fighting in end of June.

In Part 1 there's a enemy breach with a number of tanks at Portinhoikka. Major Mikkola's Heavy Tank Company is sent to deal with it. With half of the Finnish T-34s (1) sunk in Saimaa channel when a bridge was broken and half of the KV-1s (1) failing to start, the attacking force is Major Mikkolas command T-50, one T-34 "Sotka", one KV-1 "Klimi" and two obsolete and slow T-28s. Enemy has T-34/85s and ISU-152s - odds are against the Finns, but there's no time to think about it. Order is clear: "Towards Portinhoikka, Sotka to the point!"

In Part 2 after the succesfull counter-attack Finns bring in more forces to Portinhoikka, that is under constant barrages. Attack continues to take Tali back. Units from Armoured Division attack - Jaeger Battalion 3 (JP3) is given task to attack along the Portinhoikka-Tali road, for support they receive Lt. Talvitie's Stug company (6) and 2.Lt Teppo's T-34 "Sotka". Against them are the very best of Russian attacking force. The attack gets bogged after a while, something must be done to get it going again - "Sotka to the point! Drag the jaegers to the attack!"

Parts of the action is also seen in the film "Tali-Ihantala 1944".

Zip