IN NORTHERN FINLAND 1941

Gebirgs-Armeekorps Norwegen attacks towards Murmansk

In July 1941 SS-I.R.9 (mot.) was subordinated to 2.Gebirgs-Division of Gebirgs-Armeekorps Norwegen in the far North Finland to continue the stopped attack towards Murmansk at River Litza. The attack failed after initial success and regiment suffered heavy losses.
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SS-Inf.Rgt.9 (mot.) at Kiestinki

Finnish III Army Corps (III AK) had managed better in advancing towards Murmansk railway at Kuusamo - Kiestinki direction and it was reinforced during July and August 1941. The whole motorized SS-Division "Nord" was gradually moved from Salla - Kantalahti (Kandalaksa) to help Finnish Division J (formerly Group J) (Col. V. Palojärvi) in its efforts to reach the important railway. Due to very weak supply roads and hard conditions combined Finnish and German troops could not bet stronger Soviet positions.

Political questions (United States had diplomatically adviced Finns not to attack to Murmansk railway) together with heavy losses began slowing down Finnish efforts. German units had suffered even bigger losses due to their unsuitable tactics and inexperience in forest combat. The last serious attempt to advance to Murmansk railway started on [date] 11.1941. For that SS-Infanterie-Regiment 9 (mot.) was moved to Kiestinki and subordinated to Finnish Division J.

The outbreak of the attack was more successfull than thought because Finns could easily reach their planned goals. Germans' attacks in turn were stuck as usual by the hard Soviet resistance in strong field fortified positions. Germans had still serious problems in Finnish terrain and the cold winter weather caused lots of frost bites to German soldiers. Especially specially trained and equipped Sumpf-Bataillon, which was also moved from the Salla front as well as SS-I.R.9 (mot.) suffered from coldness, lack of tents and the absence of warm enough winter clothing.

Soviets had received fresh reinforcements and their newly arrived 88th Rifle Division began attacking against the open flanks. Because Germans couldn't reach their planned goals the attack was stopped and Finns withdrew to more favourable positions. Commander of Finnish III Army Corps Maj.Gen. Hj. Siilasvuo informed German AOK Norwegen that further attacks were impossible without significant reinforcements, including one full Finnish division.

At that stage Finnish Commander had already received an unofficial oral order to stop all further attacks from the Finnish Supreme HQ (from Marshal Mannerheim). Maj.Gen. Siilasvuo couldn't tell anyone about this secret order which caused him later lots of troubles but was also one of the reasons why he was selected to led Finnish troops in Lapland War against Germans in autumn 1944.

After the attack was stopped Germans pulled SS-Infanterie-Regiment 9 (mot.) and other temporary reinforcements away from the front at the end of November 1941. Regiment was moved away from Finland in turn 1941/42 and was transferred to Leningrad region.
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Sources: SCHFR, JATHI, SUOSO [5]
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