![]() ![]() He was decorated with the Mannerheim Cross on 9 July 1944. ![]() Törni's unit inflicted such heavy casualties on Soviet units that the Soviet Army placed a bounty of 3,000,000 Finnish marks on his head. Koivisto served in a reconnaissance company under Törni's command during the Battle of Ilomantsi, the final Finnish-Soviet engagement of the Continuation War, during July and August 1944. One of Törni's subordinates was future President of Finland Mauno Koivisto. This was an infantry unit that penetrated deep behind enemy lines and soon enjoyed a reputation on both sides of the front for its combat effectiveness. In 1943, a unit informally named Detachment Törni was created under his command. Most of Törni's reputation was based on his successful actions in the Continuation War (1941–44) between the Soviet Union and Finland. After the Winter War, in June 1941, Törni went to Vienna, Austria for seven weeks of training with the Waffen-SS, and returned to Finland in July as a Finnish officer, the Germans recognized him as an Untersturmführer. His performance during these engagements was noticed by his commanders, and toward the end of the war, he was assigned to officer training where he was commissioned a Vänrikki ( 2nd lieutenant) in the reserves. Vänrikki Lauri Törni after graduating from cadet school in 1940ĭuring the battles at Lake Ladoga, Törni took part in the destruction of the encircled Soviet divisions in Lemetti. After attending business school and serving with the Civil Guard, Törni entered military service in 1938, joining Jaeger Battalion 4 stationed at Kiviniemi when the Winter War began in November 1939, his enlistment was extended and his unit confronted invading Soviet troops at Rautu. ![]() An athletic youth, Törni was an early friend of future Olympic Boxing Gold Medalist Sten Suvio.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
January 2023
Categories |