Conflict escalates as Soviet army launches Vyborg offensive against Finland in June 1944

In the summer and fall of 1941, Finnish troops advanced into Karelia as the Continuation War commenced. After initial success, the front stabilized into trench warfare. However, by the summer of 1944, the situation would dramatically change.

On June 9, 1944, the Soviet Army launched the Vyborg Offensive, commencing shelling just days after Allied forces landed in Normandy. The goal was to force Finland into a separate peace agreement under Soviet terms. This marked the end of a sleepy phase of trench warfare.

The offensive caught both the Finnish government and soldiers off guard, who had developed their own routines at the front. Veteran Esko Seppä recalls how plans for summer sports competitions were discarded as soldiers were sent to Karhumäki and towards the Karelian frontline.

Meanwhile, many civilians began to flee the war. An elderly woman described the arduous journey barefoot over 100 kilometers, drawing attention to the immense suffering of the local population. By summer 1944, 590,000 people had been evacuated from Karelia.

On June 12, Adolf Hitler agreed to send military assistance to Finland, delivering much-needed anti-tank weapons and fighter planes, vital for stopping the Soviet advance.

The Battle of Tali-Ihantala began on June 25, where the Finnish forces achieved crucial defensive victories that shaped the path to peace and ensured Finland’s independence.

By August, President Risto Ryti resigned amid pressure for peace negotiations with the Soviet Union. His successor, Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, was tasked with guiding Finland out of war.

As peace negotiations began on September 2, expectations were low, particularly after a tense week of waiting. Finland eventually signed a peace agreement on September 19, but the terms were harsh, resulting in significant territorial losses and heavy reparations.