Finnish Forces

Rifleman Johan Similä (knight #78)

www.mannerheim-ristinritarit.fi

Johan Similä (1906-2002) Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #78. Rifleman, 1./KevOs 5/ 3rd Div. Calm, fearless fighter and great shooter. His shooting skills were needed when he defended a hill near Uhtua, armed with his M/27 "Spitz". At dawn, on August 11, 1941, his squad was laying in positions on top of a hill when they were hit by deadly effective artillery barrage that caused many casualties. It was followed by attack of enemy company that had machineguns supporting their attack. The squad leader yelled order to retreat, but half deaf Similä couldn't hear it. He laid there among bodied and kept shooting as the enemy infantry attacked up the hill. Men on the left side of the hill were withdrawing too and finally the hill was defended only by Similä and other private. He held his position with fast and accurate fire and used handgrenades after running out of ammo. Soon as their unit got reinforcements they came back and drove away the remaining enemy soldiers on the left side of the hill. Johan Similä was wounded a week later at Kiskisjärvi, was later discharged from duty and 4 months later awarded with the Mannerheim Cross. Similä was one of the 6 knights who carried Mannerheim to his final resting place in 1951.