Finnish officers 1941-1944

Esko Kausti (1916–1944) Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #136.

Kausti worked in ammunition factory during the Winter War and later during Continuation War he served as anti-tank gun platoon leader first in Infantry Regiment 44 (JR 44) and later in 24th Gun Company of 5th Division (24.TykK/5.Div) after he was wounded on July 30, 1941. According to citation for his Mannerheim Cross his platoon destroyed 26 (16 was destroyed by Toivo Ilomäki) tanks in defence battle of Sammatus and he also personally participated in destruction of the tanks with anti-tank gun and close range infantry anti-tank weaponry. He was killed in action on June 24, 1944 during the same day of the battle, while attempting to destroy immobilized Soviet tank infront of their positions. The Mannerheim Cross (2nd class) was awarded to him posthumously on July 1, 1944.

Anti-tank gun platoon leader

Finnish soldiers with captured soviet armored vechile 1941