This memorial commemorates the actions of the 5th Division, also known as the “Lynx” Division, during the Continuation War (1941-1944) and the men and women who served in its ranks, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice for a free Finland.
The memorial was erected by the “Lynx” Division Heritage Committee and unveiled on June 28, 1991. The memorial stone was discovered in Suvipielinen by Eerik Mattila.
The “Lynx” Division emblem featured on the stone was designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara, who himself served in the division during the war. The text on the plaque reads: “5. D Lynx Division Korpiselkä–Syvari 1941-1944″.
Continuation War
At the start of the Continuation War, the 5th Division was part of the Army of Karelia and served in the 1941 Finnish offensive, advancing across the border towards Korpiselkä and from there towards Syväri on the eastern side of Lake Ladoga. Regrouping at the Syväri power plant and Lotinanpelto, the 5th Division then entered a three-year phase of trench warfare.
But on June 9th 1944, the Soviet Army started its major offensive on the Karelian Isthmus and the division was forced into a fighting retreat, until it managed to establish a defensive position north of lake Ladoga, in the Sortavala region.
During the war more than 10,000 members of 5th Division were either killed, wounded or went missing.
Visit
You can find the memorial along the 3052 Parolannummentie road across the sports field of the Parola Armoured Brigade Barracks entrance.
Sources
- sotiemmeperinne.fi
- Wikipedia.org
- sa-kuva.fi
- finna.fi
