Finnish reconquest of Ladoga Karelia (1941)

The Finnish reconquest of Ladoga Karelia (1941) refers to a military campaign carried out by Finland in 1941. It was part of Operation Barbarossa, Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union. It is commonly discussed as part of the Continuation War.

Initially the Finnish army was deployed in a defensive posture, but on June 29 Mannerheim created the Army of Karelia, commanded by Lt. Gen. Erik Heinrichs, and ordered it to prepare to attack Ladoga Karelia. The Army of Karelia consisted of VI Corps (5th and 11th Divisions), VII Corps (7th and 19th divisions) and Group Oinonen (also known as Group O, Cavalry Brigade, 1st Jaeger Brigade and 2nd Jaeger Brigade). Finnish 1st Division was kept in reserve. Finns planned to separate the defending the Soviet forces by reaching the shore of lake Ladoga and then advance along the shores of the lake.

Opposing them were the Soviet 7th Army with the 168th Rifle Division near Sortavala and 71st Rifle Division north of Jänisjärvi ("Hare Lake"). The Soviets had prepared field fortifications along the border across Sortavala and at the important road crossings at Värtsilä and Korpiselkä.

On July 9, the order for the offensive was given. The main task to break through the Soviet defences between Värtsilä and Korpiselkä was given to VI Corps, commanded by Maj. Gen. Paavo Talvela. The Finnish offensive quickly overwhelmed the Soviet defenders. Finnish 1st Jaeger Brigade (Col. Ruben Lagus) was brought from Group O to spearhead the assault and it managed to create a gap to the Soviet defences through which Finnish light infantry, some mounted on bicycles, pushed forward.

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