Archive: https://archive.is/i57Jz#selection-1567.0-1623.69

Background

Translated from an article written by Aimo Koivunen himself about his expedition during the Continuation War between Finland and Soviet Union.

Link to the original article: http://kansataisteli.sshs.fi/Tekstit/1978/Kansa_Taisteli_04_1978.pdf, from page 10 onwards, including some pictures.

In 1944, Finland was unofficially allied with Germany, which provided military help with troops, guns, supplies etc.

The story

Pervitin, desoxyephedrine, was an extremely powerful stimulant used by the Germans, which made even the most exhausted soldier fight fiercely for couple hours. An overdose causes life-threatening state of confusion that only physically strong men could live through. A Finnish Sky Patrol soldier tells the story of his last patrol, during which, the limits of human endurance had to be exceeded multiple times.

The story slithers between reality and illusion – definitive details are left in the gloomy wilderness of North Viena...

HERE I WRITE ABOUT MY LONG RANGE PATROL, which I conducted in the winter of 1944 to the territory of Kantalahti. It was during the time when the Russians were operating encirclement activities in the Alakurtti sector.

The headquarters had somehow obtained intel that the enemy had something strange going on north of the railroad coming from Kantalahti to Alakurtti. I was in the fourth company of headquarter's Ranger Battalion, which was assigned to patrol this northernmost area. Our company was also known as the ”Section Paatsalo”. The headquarters gave orders to Captain Paatsalo to send our boys to see what was going on in there.

If I recall correctly, I had joined the Section Paatsalo already in the summer of 1942, and thus I had already took part in many kinds of expeditions. I considered myself as kinda decent cross-country skier, which was the reason I was allowed to be part of this long-range scout group, and we had been training especially for this winter.

I had been on a scout patrol about a week ago and I intended to go for a vacation when Lieutenant Norri asked if I was interested to join them – a feisty expedition was to be expected.

It was the first time Norri asked me to join his group, and as the boys had told me good things about him, I accepted and left my vacation for another time.

THINGS ARE GETTING HOT AT THE DESIGNATED ZONE

WE HAD SKIED NON-STOP for over two days, only short breaks, when we were about to reach our destination. It was 18th of March 1944, about 10 o'clock in the morning, the day was sunny and about -15 Celsius cold.

We arrived to the treeline of Kaita Fjeld. A spectacular view opened in front of us, about two kilometers of treeless hillside. I always enjoyed to be at the fjelds – probably because I came from the flatlands of southwestern Finland.

Lieutenant Norri halted the skiing for a while, gave us a status update and orders:

– The group will stay in the cover of the forest with the lead of Second Lieutenant Rytkönen. In the cover of the spruces, a small fire can be set for tea-making. I will go with Help and Välikangas to scout the area from the top of that fjeld, as there should be a road nearby. –– If you have to make a hasty retreat, we will rendezvous at the western part of the Kaita Fjeld, and the next waypoint is western part of the Koutamo Fjeld where Lieutenant Ilmari Honkanen is located with his patrol.

So said the Lieutenant Heikki Norri and went on to ascend towards the top. The road was in fact found, about 3 kilometers away from the summit.

I set a small fire with the guys and put some snow in my cooking pot. I was worried about this expedition. In the last evening, when we had crossed enemy's ski track and skied for a while, we heard a shot. And when we were ascending on this fjeld, an airplane flew over us. I was sure that we would have to leave soon.

As I was adding wood to the fire and snow to the pot, I decided it would be wise to apply some grease on my skis.

Just as the tea started to boil, my hunch came true: two of our watchmen, about 400 meters away on the way we came, opened fire. Soon the enemy responded and as they were using explosive rounds it felt like they were everywhere.

Though the Second Lieutenant Rytkönen ordered us to take battle positions, the hastiest of us started to flee towards west and I too thought it would be our only way to rescue ourselves as the way was still open.

I went to take a look on the open hillside – hoping to see Norri and the boys. Instead, there was a full platoon of snowsuited skiers sliding down the hill – the Ivans! They were still too far for me to start shooting.

I went on again to check on Rytkönen and they were already preparing full retreat. I returned to the outskirts of the plain and urged a radioman to come along with me. Now, there was even more crowd as another platoon was skiing to our flank, 200-300 meters west of us, their obvious aim was to encircle us.

The first platoon that was skiing towards us was now about 150 meters away so we opened fire. It sure did calm down the situation – I don't know if I hit anyone but there was no one coming any more, and we didn't plan to wait and see.

The guys shouted to retreat, and some hasty-ones were shouting that we are already circled by the enemy. I recall that we fought for about 10 minutes at that camp. After that, we retreated and shot while skiing, but as we were advancing in a line, the Russkies dared to come as close as 20 meters from us.

I had ski track mines in my bag and Rytkönen gave orders to set them. I asked the boys to cover me and shoot accurately so that I would have an opportunity set mines, but to no avail. I had to ski on forward to catch up a boy with a rifle. I took aim and shot empty the whole magazine, and the situation finally quieted down for a while.

The second platoon in the fjeld was skiing towards us but never came as close.

We had traveled couple hundred meters from the camp. We were shooting back-and-forth but none of us was hit. If only we would manage to slip out before they encircle us and if only none of us would be left behind!

Rytkönen still ordered me to set up mines on the track. I set few, but noticed the Ivans would only go around them, I started to ski forwards and suggested that we would just pick up the pace – there was no other option!

However, the boys considered when the snow was knee-deep, no one could open up new track any faster, and thus, couple men should slow the enemy down. I may have become slightly angry then and stated there was at least a platoon of enemies on our tail – couple men can't stop them!

– Go in the front then! said some boy to me.

I went, motivated open up some serious ski track. And we picked up some speed.

After skiing in front for some time, I started to notice I was getting shaky and felt weak. Shooting still continued behind me and the boys demanded me to pick up speed.

I did all I could.

It was already afternoon and we had not eaten at the camp. We had battled for a couple of hours – and only the food I had that day was a small crispbread sandwich in the morning.

SOME PERVITIN

I POSSESSED all the Pervitin assigned to our group. At first I thought to take one pill but as I was against the whole substance, I decided not to take.

However, I felt ever weaker and I couldn't keep up the pace. I felt faint.

Some boy was already yelling:

– Aimo, don't sleep!

Now the decision was made! The pills were still in the front pocket of my jacket. I tried to pick one but because of the clumsy winter mittens, there were plenty of pills on my hand. Without slowing down I ate them all – I tried to do it unnoticed by others.

I didn't ski long before I felt like a new man! It felt like I was skiing the first kilometers! We progressed hastily and the poison had made its job.

Then, something unexpected happened: the surroundings started to change form and I noticed I was losing consciousness. My last reasonable thought was that I had made my first and, perhaps, last mistake...

Afterwards, I was told that I had became dangerously disorganized and the boys had taken the clips off my sub-machine gun. I have no recollection of this phase of the journey.

The next reasonable remembrance was this: I am staying still on my skis at the border of Finland. At some point I had departed from the boys – or was it the other way around, I never really found out. It looks like it is morning, but I am not sure what day is it – 19th or 20th, or some other day? All I know that the distance to the Kaita Fjeld, from where we retreated on the 18th day, is over 100 kilometers away on the map.

I try to get my head straight on my situation. Questions dart around in my heated brain.

Why am I all alone?

Where are the others?

How did I end up in here?

I got no clear answer – only thing I got was a vague feel of terror creeping up in my mind.

I decided to stay cool and strengthen up by eating – it had helped me before. I took off my skis and sat on them, I took backpack and sub-machine gun off my back. – Have I dropped my clip? So be it – I won't think about that now, food is more important. Just open the bag!

The bag was empty.

No food, no ammo – nothing. How is this possible?