Detachment, halt!
OK, you Northern Jaegers, we'll stay here.
Put the machineguns and rapid-fire rifles in place.
To shoot crossfire across the clearing to the foreground.
You'll know. I'll come and see.
First, we'll have a cigarette break.
Put your helmets on. Birds are not the only things flying around here.
Hey, Vorssi. Here the heroic dead end up in hallowed ground.
You shouldn't dig deeper than six feet-
or ghosts will start haunting us.
Why are you curling your lips, Savukoski?
My brother was killed.
l guess you're not joking around anymore.
My five brothers are on the front too.
Of course the youngest is the first one to die.
He was eighteen, he had no experience in the field.
I'm sorry for your loss.
Every body's time will be up eventually.
Now, let those spades fly, boys.
We will lose in Tali. That is a fact.
Encircling them failed. Lagus, the status of your troops?
The Armoured Brigade is fine but the Jaeger Brigade's losses are heavy.
I've lost 2,000 men, both casualties and wounded.
Now your troops can rest. Vihma, you'll take charge.
The front will be moved here and it must be held.
When will your troops arrive?-The forward troops arrived already.
The 12th Jaeger Regiment is ready to take charge today.
The 35th Regiment and 16th separate Battalion within a few days.
Alright.
l will proceed immediately to dog round reconnaissance.
Einar... if your troops are in a really tight spot-
my tanks can provide support fire.
Everything is up to your troops now. -I know.
But at least l have extra fire power from the rear.
Thank you, Ruben. Tack.
A reconnaissance patrol
The Russkies supplies seem never-ending.
They seem to be increasing rather than decreasing. -True.
Has Kusti sent today's information?
l think it's been decoded already. -Well, these can be sent tomorrow.
The Russians advance Tali-Ihantala road
What the hell? Are the Russkies already here?
General. -Did you do all this?
No, the Corporal is responsible.
Who are you? -Corporal Vaisanen, sir.
We need more Panzerfaust bazookas before they attack again.
And we're really hungry, sir.
None of us have eaten for over a day.
Corporal, you will ride with me. The rest of you will secure the area.
Lets drive back.
second Lieutenant. Give the Corporal some food.
Get him some Panzerfausts too.
And a patrol up ahead needs provisions. -Yes, sir.
Thank you, Corporal. Keep up the good work.
Thank you, General.
Yet another example of what one elite soldier can do.
The Russkies would be here if he hadn't have stopped them.
Lets go to the churchyard.
Hello, von Essen.
l brought more Panzerfausts and Panzerschreck grenades.
Thank you, General. l need a couple of men here!
12:30 p.m. Finland's counter-attack Ihantala
Major. -Continue the attack.
We need fire support. -It's coming.
Understood. Company, halt!
Forward, boys!
Forward!
Heads down!
The Russkies are coming, take cover!
Torstila fell. -Damn! Let's see how he's doing.
Medic!
Company to the churchyard!
Help!
Take positions here, men!
Well done, Lieutenant. -Thank you, sir.
So here is the VKT-line.
Doesn't look like much, but it is occupied.
l can't hear anything!
Hakkarainen, halt!
Lieutenant, l can't take it anymore, I'll lose my mind.
Care for a smoke?
The gun powder smoke burns my lungs.
Head down, Hakkarainen. They're coming.
Fall back behind the hill. Behind the hill!
Hakkarainen, are you hurt? -My thigh was hit. My leg is numb.
We'll make a man out of you yet.
They'll be here soon.
I guess so.
The old graveyard Ihantala
Damn, they're all empty!
Let's check for Russkies behind that rock. I'll cover you.
Alright.
It's clear!
Your palm is lost. I'll take you to the first aid post.
Thanks, Heino. -You know...
Lieutenant Holmstrom's fire control reporting in, sir.
You certainly took your time. -No one knew where the command post was.
The Russian are attacking fiercely. The commander asks for support fire.
Get the radio working quickly and contact the firing battery!
Cub One, Bear Two. Come in.
No contact, this is dead. -Don't give up, boys.
I'll arrange things in the rear.
Everything's probably gone to hell there too!
Damn, we need that support fire!
The radio operator does what he can!
Holsti, we've made contact.
A fire command. Defence Karkimo, fire!
That hit just the right spot.
Carry on.
The battalion is responsible for Vanhatorppa clearing -
this neck of forest in the middle and the big clearing next to it.
The Russkies usually attack across clearings.
Barrage fire is to be directed there.
Direct barrage fire on this neck of forest too, just in case.
sounds sensible. -I agree.
What should we call the barrages?
l suggest Mekka.
The neck of the forest is called Mekka -
the left side is Mekka One and the right side is Mekka Two.
With the command "all Mekka, fire" all of them fire at the same time.
Good. We'll proceed with this.
What was your name again? -Lars Holmstrom, Major.
Lets go by first names. My name is Antti.
My friends call me Holsti.
We'll be off then.
What's the situation? -I have no idea!
Damn it, Miikki. I think the Russkies are readying an assault.
Yeah, order barrage fire.
Radio operators, fire command. All Mekka, fire!
You guessed right. Our neighbours didn't get any further.
This time.
Have the Russkies managed to pin point our fire control post?
They have the equipment. We'll know after the next fire command.
Listen, Risto. We're going to be here for a long time without relief.
You rest now.
You'll lose your mind if you don't sleep occasionally.
I'll go that way.
Risto. Risto.
It's your turn.
What a dream l had.
It was really quiet, without a soul anywhere.
Leaves didn't even rustle in trees.
That only happens in dreams.
I'll come shortly.
OK, boys. What's the situation?
I guess the Russkies have to catch their breaths too.
Put your pot on, Kerkkainen.
A small break, eh?
You have to rest occasionally. Have you picked up a gun too, reverend?
Anything can happen. You can't entrust every thing to the Lord.
What brought you to the front line, reverend?
l was sent to ask for a fire observer to help the 35th.
We heard you have two live ones.
Risto Miikki. He'll go, I'll stay here.
Kerkkainen. Mekka Two, fire.
Mekka Two, fire!
Goddamn! -The Russkies will pinpoint our location soon.
We should change locations. -We can't!
The commander asks for everything you've got. -All Mekka, fire.
All Mekka, fire. All Mekka, fire.
Holsti, l heard an order for retreat for the entire division.
This order is not from Vihma's staff. –Russians then?
All Mekka, fire. Once more.
All Mekka, fire.
I'm badly hurt.
Now you can get out of here. Got other first aid post.
Rifle!
Lets go.
Haapanen, Kerkkainen, that way.
I'm alone now.
I need a radio operator or I won't be able to fire. -Alright.
Got the Suurkari command post and report to them. -Yes, sir.
I'm not doing so great either. That was my last orderly.
I have exactly a dozen men at the line.
Goddamn it all to hell! They've changed frequencies!
Fall back, boys!
Radio reconnaissance centre Sortavala
Get the hell out, every one of you!
Hi. Anything unusual over the ether?
Nothing much. Try to find new frequencies since you have the time.
An adept radio telegrapher.
Luckily comrade asks for repeats.
Enter.
Here is the intercepted message. They had changed the code.
Really? -But not much.
The message reads:
"From the 30th Armoured Brigade to the 21st Army Corps.''
"Have received orders to attack Ihantala."
"Must be ready by July 3rd at 04:00 hours.
"The infantry will try a rear attack in Ihantala."
Thank you, Our, excellent work. l will deliver this immediately.
To headquarters.
Pesonius. What's the matter? -We cracked Vanya's message.
One battalion and the Armoured Brigade will attack at 4 a.m.
They'll rear attack at Ihantala, attempting to breakthrough.
For once we have time for countermeasures. Over and out.
Over and out.
Message to Vihma, the artillery commanders and the air force.
11:15 p.m. Ihantala
Essen. The Russkies are attacking at four a.m.
I cannot take the chance with inexperienced men on the line.
I must order your men back to their positions.
Tell them l trust them.
They will receive stronger support than ever before.
Understood, General.
Boys. I have bad news.
Vihma ordered us back to the line. -Damn it.
The enemy is attacking in the morning.
service your weapons. When they come, we'll be ready.
The General told me to tell you that this time we won't be alone.
Have you heard anything?
If they breakthrough, they can walk to Helsinki.
Calm down. -Well, they can.
Maybe.
My wife is having a baby.
What if the Russians get to Helsinki?-shut up already!
You can guess. -What?
What they will do to your child.
And your mother and your missis. -Quiet, damn it!
Good!
The Onttola airfield
Come here, gentlemen.
The whole Flying Regiment will begin bombing Ihantala.
squadron Kuhlmey begins with stukas and Focke-Wulfs. Then it's our turn.
We will strike against the enemy at Vakkila-Ihantalan jarvi.
Take these coordinates for your maps.
The route will be familiar.
Our Junkers planes are first at 12,000 feet-
then at two-minute intervals, the Blenheims from 42ndand48th -
and the Dorniers from 46th, at descending altitudes.
A full contingency of bombs, so we'll make an impact.
The 34th will cover us.
Our fly boys might be busy today.
Our fleet of bombers is about 30 kilometres long.
I'll call Kuhlmey.
The Immola airfield
Do we have to fly again? -I told you so. Today.
Hello. Where are we flying?
Our heading is this and our target is this.
Do we go further? -Finland's freedom is at stake.
Good luck. -Good luck.
Headquarters of the 4th Army Corps
Lets see how damage is done. -What damage, sir?
If it starts hailing bullets like yesterday... -stop it!
You had better shave so your corpses will be pretty! -Don't!
There's a dead women's auxiliary worker. -No!
Yes! -No!
I'm sure of it. -Eino, stay put!
It's a girl!
someone, go and get him!
Don't drag your feet! –Our artillery fire will begin momentarily.
We won't make it in time. We'll be in a tight spot.
Lets go to that hill. I want to see how we kick the Russkies arses.
You're not afraid, Bjorkman, are you? –Lets go then.
Load!
Ready! -Ready!
Battery. Fire.
Attention. -Attention!
Fire. -Fire!
Attention. Fire!
This is crazy, we can't make it there!
You go on! I'll take an other look.
Ready! -Attention. Fire!
It's coming for us! -It will pass.
21 batteries are firing.
Almost 250 guns and mortars.
I'll inform the Commander-in-Chief. Over and out.
4:55 a.m. Headquarters, Mikkeli
Have you got information about the Ihantala situation?
I have good news.
All attacks at the Vihma section have been repelled.
The last Russian attack was cut off already at the grouping area.
l see. Thank you. The army is fighting again.
The situation is under control.
You had better rest now, Field Marshal.
You may be right, General. Perhaps this is the best time.
We have superb soldiers. -True, Field Marshal.
Goodnight, General. -Good night.
What's the situation now? -You're not going to believe this.
The Russkies are with drawing their resources. -What?
Do you hear that? There might be more coming.
That's been loaded in a hurry. -Damn.
We have to report at once.
Kusti. The Russkies are retreating. -What? Are you crazy?
The railway line is full of equipment and troops.
There, pass it on.
Do you see anything?
Finland achieves a defensive victory in the major battle of Tali-Ihantala
Finland achieves a defensive victory in the battle of Vyborg Bay
Finland achieves a defensive victory in the battle of Nietjarvi
Finland achieves a defensive victory in the battle of Ayrapaa-Vuosalmi
Finland achieves a defensive victory in the battle of Ilomantsi
The advancement of the Red Army -
has been stopped on all fronts.
An armistice agreement is signed -
by Finland and Russia in Moscow