Children of Finnish soldiers recount fathers’ experiences from Karelian Isthmus 80 years ago
What were the experiences of fathers returning from the Karelian Isthmus 80 years ago? In this article, the children of soldiers share their fathers’ harrowing stories and what the past did to their homes.
On June 9, 1944, the Karelian Isthmus exploded as the Red Army launched a massive offensive against Finnish defensive positions. This marked the beginning of Finland’s fight for independence.
The summer of 1944 was a summer of heavy defensive battles for the Finns. The Russians had a multiple advantage on land and in the air – in terms of the number of soldiers and armaments. The then Soviet Union, led by Josef Stalin, aimed to force Finland to surrender unconditionally. The Red Army’s goal was to reach the Kymijoki River. The populated centers of southern Finland would have been their next target.
The summer of 1944 was also a summer of death on the Karelian Isthmus. The losses were significant for both the Finns and the Russians. On one of the heaviest days (June 20), 2,280 Finnish soldiers fell. During the two months of summer, Finnish losses totaled 41,000 soldiers, while Russian losses were estimated at 143,000 soldiers.
After a chaotic retreat and the rapid loss of Vyborg, Finnish positions began to hold towards the end of summer. A ceasefire and peace arrived in September 1944. After the war, families generally kept silent about the experiences of the summer of 1944. The war was especially not discussed with children.
The story of three soldiers and their descendants are shared in this article. Their experiences range from being a military pastor in the front line, to being a prisoner of war, and leading an infantry squad in the front line. Despite the physical and mental traumas, their stories highlight resilience, survival and a deep respect for the human spirit.