I'm trying to dig up anything to do with the fighting on Teikar-Saari in the gulf of Vyborg. My Grandfather fought there during the Continuation War. Google searches have given me bits and pieces like this map showing the Soviet attack across the gulf and a couple lines from another site that read:
"The Russians tried to cross the Gulf of Viborg south of the town in early July. They managed to take islands on the Gulf, but landings on the other side were repelled. Here the Finnish forces were helped by the German
122nd Division."
A Google search for "Teikar-Saari" brings up about five sites that are written in Finnish. I was hoping a Finnish speaker could run the search and browse through them for any relevant info for. It would be greatly appreciated. My six Finnish words are a bit rusty.

An interesting tid bit I discovered in my six-hour search today: Alexander Popov(the inventor of radio) conducted his transmitting experiments from Teikar-Saari in 1897.

Kitos

Attached Images

4406-07Viipurinlahti.jpg (274.8 KB, 3 views)

Why not use one of the on-line translators such as
Free Online English to Finnish Translators

Or add the Google translator to your toolbar.

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No problem. I´ll give you some details here from the net. I also have some books but they are not here with me now.

" AFter the loss of Vyborg the gulf of Vyborg was strengthened remarkably. From Syväri river the V Army Group was transferred to Karelian isthmus and took its place at the front on 22 June 1944 in the Gulf of Finland. Its commander was General major Antero Svensson. The Colonel Urho Tähtinen´s cavalry brigade joined the V AG , as well as Colonel Yrjö Sora´s 20th brigade, Colonel Kai Savonjousi´s 10th Brigade and General Major Viktor Sundman´s 17th division. The Panzer division was the reserve in V AG sector.

The main line stood as: Saimaa channel - Suomenvedenpohja - Kivisillansalmi - Keihäsniemi - Turkinsaaren - Hapenensaari - Repolanniemi - Niskapohjanniemi.

The Red Army decided to open the Vyborg area situation with crossing the Vyborg Gulf and making an invasion. General leutenant Korovnikov´s duty was to clear the local islands with his 59. Army ( Teikarsaari, Suonionsaari and Ravansaari ) and make a landing on Tervajoki-Nisalahti area and then continue in the direction of Tienhaara.

On 4 July the Soviets took Suonionsaari ja Ravansaari, the next day Teikarsaari. Some defenders were forced to swim away from the island.

The Leningrad front commander gave an order on 6 July to the Navy to transfer three divisions over the Vyborg Gulf and continue the attack. The new attack begun on 9th July, with the attack front being some 10 kilometers wide at Niemilauta-Harjuniemi . The attackers got to the beach, but General major Breusing´s 122. D beat the Soviet troops back to the sea. After that the Soviets did not renew their invasion attempt. The Leningrad Front´s major attack in the Vyborg Gulf area ended om 10th July.

During the battle of the Gulf of Vyborg ca 17,000 Finnish and 10,600 Germans and 35,000 Soviet troops took part in the battle. The V AG lost 4,400 men in KIA,MIA and wounded, the enemy losses some 9,000.

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I´ll see for more info a bit later on, probably more detailed info in Finnsih books only.

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Some info halfway this site:

Finnish navy in Continuation War, year 1944

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Way to Kai, I knew you were the man. It's interesting that some defenders swam from the Island, even in July the water must have been very cold. I hope they made it to the shore, considering the distance it seems inredible.

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I actually have the book on those battles by Niilo Lappalainen " Islands stained by blood" but unfortunately it is in my summer cottage far away from me. But I´ll be back with more info.

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Yes, thankyou Kai. I thought I should have just asked you directly. That link is full of great information too.

I didn't mean to mislead in my "new member" post by saying my grandfather was one of a few to survive but its been a while since I talked to him. The story he told was pretty harrowing however.
The link states: "The last delay group of 40 men suffered losses in air attacks while swimming away from the island. Of the last six men left behind enemy lines four were captured and two escaped by swimming". Interesting.
He told me that he and another man swam to the next island(the smaller one to the west of Melansaari maybe?) towing a wounded man along with them. They tried to 'borrow' a boat from some German soldiers there but were denied and had to swim to the mainland from there. I dont remember him saying what became of the wounded man.
My grandmother is living and knows the story but she doesn't like to talk about it. She was 15 when the russians ran her family off their farm near Viipuri. She's still bitter about it to this day. Who could blame her.

I hope you dont mind me bothering you for more info in the near future

Thanks

I anxiously await.

I ran a google search for "Niilo Lappalainen Islands stained by blood" and came up with nothing

I dont suppose thats in english is it?

Yes,unfortunately I think the bookisnot available in English...

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