Tank crew on their T-28 at Svir river. 1943

Finnish T-28

Knocked out tanks

Jäger Major General Erkki Johannes Raappana(1893–1962) Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #3. Commander of "Group North Karelia" during the Winter War, commander of the 14th Division 1941-1944 and commander of "Group Raappana" 1944.

Among many of his known accomplishments, General Raappana was chosen to command the Finnish detachment - nicknamed "Group Raappana" ("Ryhmä Raappana" in Finnish) - that was to stop the enemy in the very final Finnish-Soviet battle during the World War II. It was the Battle of Ilomantsi, fought during the Continuation War (1941–1944).

The battle lasted from July 26 to August 13, 1944. It ended with a decisive Finnish victory, as the last major Soviet attack against Finland was stopped here. Two elite Red Army divisions were completely routed after a week and a half of fighting, leaving behind over 3 200 Red Army soldiers dead, thousands wounded and missing, and over 100 pieces of heavy artillery and approximately 100 grenade launchers and the rest of the Soviet ordnance for the Finns to capture.

General Raappana was specialized and experienced particularly in forest warfare. He was awarded the most distinguished military award in Finland, the Mannerheim Cross.

Other notable awards:
#Cross of Liberty 1st class with oak leafs, swords and star
#Cross of Liberty 2nd and 4th class with swords
#1st class Knight Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland
#Iron Cross 2nd class (World War I)
#Iron Cross 1st class
#Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta

Promotions:
#Luutnantti (lieutenant) - January 11, 1918
#Kapteeni (captain) - May 16, 1919
#Majuri (major) - May 16, 1925
#Everstiluutnantti (lieutenant colonel) - December 6, 1928
#Eversti (colonel) - December 27, 1939
#Kenraalimajuri (major general) - December 31, 1941