Finnish anti-tank troops with Panzerfausts pass by destroyed T-34 tank in mid 1944 on the Imatra road in Tali-Ihantala
by MARTINELECA
Finnish anti-tank troops with Panzerfausts pass by destroyed T-34 tank in mid 1944 on the Imatra road in Tali-Ihantala
by MARTINELECA
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Tali-Ihantala is the site of the largest battle in Nordic history. The battle stopped the Soviets’ Viipuri-Petroskoi -offensive in 1944, effectively ending Soviet advance into Finnish land and setting the frontline near the 1940 border at South Karelia. Many such defensive victories, like the Battle of Ilomantsi in North Karelia, solidified Finnish independence and gave Finland a foothold in the peace negotiations.
Had the battle ended in a Soviet victory or not happened at all, the Soviets could’ve advanced much farther west in the south, which could’ve been fatal for Finland. Worst-case scenario would’ve been the fall of Helsinki, the surrender of Finland and its consequent annexation to the Karelo-Finnish SSR, as by 1944, the Soviets held all the cards on the Finnish front.
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