RAF, RN, Fleet Air Arm Svalbard (1941–1945) Lapland War Associated articles The Finnish invasion of East Karelia was a military campaign in 1941.

When encirclements on the western shore of Lake Ladoga were resolved, the Finnish 7th Division was transferred to the junction of VI and VII Corps.

It encircled and mauled the defending Soviet 337th Rifle Regiment at Omelia and kept advancing towards its goal of Rukajärvi and Ontajoki River.

The advance of Group Oinonen had bogged down almost immediately and the VII Corps had been completely occupied in clearing the encircled Soviet forces from the Sortavala area.

The left flank of the Karelian Army also received permission to capture tactical jumping-off positions.

Increased pressure allowed the Finns to advance and reach the eastern edge of the lake Säämäjärvi on 1 September [3] The Finnish plan for the offensive that was to begin on 4 September had the VI Corps advance from its current positions near the lake Ladoga to south-east and reach the Svir River while the VII Corps would first take the important crossroads of Prääsä and then continue to Petrozavodsk.

[4] The Finnish forces consisted of the units of the Karelian Army under Lieutenant General Erik Heinrichs.

Soviet attempts to reform for the defense were hindered by the fact that most of the forces now consisted of broken-up units.

By September 22 the Finnish VI Corps had already advanced south of the Svir capturing Podporozhye and taken defensive positions.

[12] The Soviets realized early on that holding Petrozavodsk against the Finns advancing towards the town from both west and south was going to be a costly effort.

[13] The Finns also brought in reinforcements in the form of the 4th Division that was sent to advance along the road leading from Lake Syamozero towards Petrozavodsk.

By September 14 it had already met fierce Soviet resistance but the numerically superior Finnish forces managed to encircle and defeat the defending Soviet 313th Rifle Division which was forced to retreat after suffering heavy casualties however the clearing of the last of the mottis took until September 26.

Elements of the Finnish 4th Division continued their advance with the intent of cutting the road leading north from the Petrozavodsk.

The Finns captured the village of Markkila on September 19 but couldn't breach the Soviet 313th Division's defense at Besovets (Viitana) despite repeated attempts.

Elements of Group L pressed on and reached the shores of Lake Onega on September 23 and cut the route south from Petrozavodsk.

The advance of the Finnish 11th Division reached the town on October 1 but failed to close the escape route until on the following day.

Meanwhile, the Finnish 1st Division which had been clearing mottis near Pryazha now reached the front and captured the town later on the same day.

Neither side could gain advantage in the fighting that followed and the Finnish forces started to prepare for defense in the bridgehead south of the Svir.