Finnish soldiers retreating from Valkeasaari through woods on June 10, 1944. That day Red Army broke through the main line of Karelian Isthmus at Valkeasaari, after hammering the frontlines of the sector with over 200 artillery pieces per kilometer, combined with heavy aerial bombardment.

Retreat from the main line

4th Squadron of Uusimaa Dragoon Regiment has left Ravansaari Island (today Malyj Vysotsky) after 5 days of fighting, and retreated to the mainland. Battle of Vyborg Bay, July 4, 1944.

Many of the men in the picture don't have much clothes on because atleast half of the squadron had to swim the few kilometers to the mainland under enemy fire. The man carrying submachine gun on the left is the squadron's leader Lieutenant Make Hanström, and next to him is his combat messenger, dragoon Paul Junkkari, just recently turned 20. Later, in the Battle of Ilomantsi, Hanström lost his leg and Junkkari was killed in action.

Dragoons after battle

Finns retreating from the main line in a hurry. Karelian Isthmus, June 10, 1944.