The
Karelian Army () was a
Finnish army during the
Continuation War.
Army of Karelia was formed on 29 June 1941 soon after the start of the
Continuation War.
Organisation
The army was organised in two corps and one separate group.
The corps consisted of a total of 5 infantry divisions. The
Cavalry Brigade and the
1st and
2nd Jäger Brigades were organised into Group O. Also, the German
163rd Infantry Division was later added to the army.
Offensive
On July 10 the Army started its offensive against
East Karelia, north of
Lake Ladoga. The aim was to reclaim the areas lost to the Soviet Union in the
Winter War, but also to advance deeper into Soviet territory to gain a more easily defensible front.
On the north flank the army was supported by the independent
14th Division and to the south by forces on the
Karelian Isthmus.
The army's advance was rapid due to the use of light
jäger troops. The capital of
Karelia Petrozavodsk was taken in October and promptly renamed to the poetic
Äänislinna. During the autumn of 1941 the army took positions along the
river Svir between lakes Ladoga and
Onega.
Medvezhegorsk was taken in December.
After the offensive phase of the war ended, Army of Karelia was disbanded and its HQ became HQ of
Aunus Group.
Commanders
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