Finnish Forces

Tank killer

Toivo Ilomäki (1917–1965) Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #155. In the Winter War Pvt. Ilomäki served as loader in 2nd Brigade's Anti-Tank gun company at Muolaanjärvi and was wounded once, on December 20, 1939. During the Continuation War he was Anti-Tank Gunner in 24th Gun Company of 5th Division (24.TykK/5.Div) and fought from Ladoga Karelia to Svir river, and back. Citation for his Mannerheim Cross (2nd class) mentions that he destroyed his first tank on June 22, 1944, and two days later 16 tanks (14x T-34 & 2x KV-1) in Battle of Sammatus (PSS line), where he fought several duels with the enemy tanks in relatively close range and under intensive artillery fire. Later he destroyed 4 more tanks from close range and in extremely hard circumstances at Tihveri, and saved Finnish column from sure destruction by destroying the tanks before they reached the column.