Karelian Front!

Friday, 7 July 1944 Place: Viipuri (Vyborg), east of Ihantala, Finland Photographer: Oswald Hedenström Finnish Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.G “Bubi” and its crew near Vyborg, sitting in the summer sunshine in a brief moment of happiness, 7 July 1944. From left to right: Staff Sergeant Börje Brotell (Commander, former member of Waffen-SS), Private Armas Launikko (Loader, 19 year old from Turku), Lance Corporal Olli Soimala (Gunner, credited with 11 tank kills), and Lance Corporal Sulo Kauppi (Driver, car mechanic from Tampere). The StuG is loaded with wooden logs for extra protection against enemy guns. Stu-40 Ps.531-10 “Bubi” destroyed 11 Russian tanks during June-July 1944. After the war it serviced until 1960’s and after that was placed to Niinisalo shooting grounds a shooting target. It almost got destroyed there, but were saved in 1980’s. Today it is placed in front of the Army barracks in Häme Armoured Battalion. This picture was taken by Finnish war photographer Oswald Hedenström.

German soldiers in Lapland. April 14th 1942 Petsamo, Suonikylä-Kukkisjärvi, Finland.

Maxim machine gun is taken to the shooting position during enemy offensive. 16th of June 1944 Liippua, Rautu (Sosnovo), Karelian Isthmus.