Lotta Ellen Kiuru worked as a fashion model for Finnish frontline photographers and German propaganda photographers in Lahdenpohja in 1942 (Photo: SA-kuvat).
During the Winter War and the Continuation War, the Lake Ladoga region formed an important inland waterway defence area for Finland. The Valaam archipelago, the outer islands of Lake Ladoga and the coast of Sortavala were part of an extensive coastal artillery system, the task of which was to secure water traffic on Lake Ladoga, prevent enemy amphibious landings and support the combat of the land forces on the Karelian front. The operations of the Finnish coastal artillery forces on Lake Ladoga were also built around these tasks.
The construction of coastal artillery on Lake Ladoga
Following Finland's declaration of independence, the Ladoga archipelago began to be fortified for the needs of the coastal artillery. Coastal artillery was stationed on the islands of Valamo as early as 1918, making the area one of the key strongholds in the defence of Lake Ladoga.
Several forts were built on the islands of Lake Ladoga in the 1920s and 1930s, the most important of which were located on Valamo, Ristisaari, Mökerikkö, Heinäsenmaa, and Mantsinsaari. The task of the outer islands was to form a defensive chain to protect the northern coast of Lake Ladoga.
These fortresses were manned by coastal artillery troops, of which the most significant later became Coastal Artillery Regiment 3, or RT 3. The troops of RT 3 were practically responsible for the operations of the heavy coastal artillery in the Ladoga archipelago and the maintenance of the fortresses.
Winter War 1939–1940
When the Winter War broke out on 30 November 1939, there were two significant forts on the islands of Valamo: Niikkana and Rautaveräjä. The forts had heavy 152/45 C guns and fire control towers.
During the Winter War, the troops subordinate to Coastal Regiment 3 operated in the Valamo sector and participated in both coastal defence and the support of land combat in Border Karelia. The Ristisaari heavy battery fired at land targets in the direction of the eastern shore of Lake Ladoga, while the Valamo and Kurkijoki sectors focused on anti-aircraft defence and coastal surveillance.
The task of Coastal Brigade 3 was to protect the water routes of Lake Ladoga, prevent enemy amphibious landings, secure supply traffic to the islands and support the defence of the army with artillery fire. When the enemy cut the coastal roads, supplies were transported across Lake Ladoga. The forts of Coastal Brigade 3 then formed a kind of defensive chain in the archipelago.
Towards the end of the Winter War, the defence of Mantsinsaari was reinforced by transferring Separate Battalion 23 there in December 1939. After the Moscow Peace Treaty, the Finns left Valamo in March 1940.
Continuation War offensive phase 1941
When the Continuation War began in the summer of 1941, Finnish troops advanced back into Ladoga Karelia. Soviet forces withdrew from Valaam in September, after which the Finnish forces reoccupied the islands. Following the capture of Sortavala on 15 August 1941, a new formation called the Ladoga Defence was established, comprising coastal brigades and the Ladoga Naval Detachment.
The forces of RT 3 formed the backbone of this defensive system in the Valamo and outer islands area. In autumn 1941, the Finns recommissioned the forts from the Winter War: Ristisaari, Heinäsenmaa, Mökerikkö, Verkosaari and Valamo.
Heavy coastal guns and anti-aircraft equipment were positioned on these islands. The task of Coastal Regiment 3 (RT 3) was once again to monitor the maritime areas of the northern part of Lake Ladoga and defend the archipelago.
Ladoga Coastal Brigade responsible 1942–1944
A heavy artillery barge (Siebel ferry, displacement 143 tonnes) of the German Air Force (Einsatzstab Fähre Ost) in a parade held off Lahdenpohja.
Lahdenpohja, Lake Ladoga 1942.
In December 1941, the Ladoga Defence was reorganized into the Ladoga Coastal Brigade. In the summer of 1942, the fortresses were officially converted into coastal artillery regiments and fortress units.
The traditions of RT 3 continued in the new organisations: the 3rd Coastal Artillery Battalion was responsible for the areas of Heinäsenmaa, Verkkosaari and Mökerikkö, while the 4th Coastal Artillery Battalion was stationed on Valamo.
The Valamo Battery was formed on Valamo, which was subordinate to the Ladoga Coastal Brigade.
In the summer of 1944, the defence of Lake Ladoga was still operational, even though the main focus shifted to the defensive battles on the Karelian Isthmus. The fortresses that carried on the traditions of Coastal Regiment 3 remained on Valamo and the outer islands until the armistice.
In September 1944, Finnish troops withdrew from the islands of Lake Ladoga in accordance with the terms of the Moscow Armistice.
Sources
Life on the coastal fortresses: Ove Enqvist, AtlasArt 2022
Military Atlas of Ladoga Karelia 1939–44: Ari Raunio, Mikko Lantz, Karttakeskus 2016
