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The Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive was a Soviet operation primarily targeting Finnish forces during World War II.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive, also known as the Karelian offensive, was a major strategic operation conducted by the Soviet Leningrad and Karelian Fronts against Finland during the Continuation War.
The Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive took place entirely within the year 1944.
Answer: True
Explanation: The offensive commenced on June 10, 1944, and concluded on August 9, 1944, thus occurring entirely within that year.
The primary goal of the Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive was to capture Leningrad.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary strategic objective was to compel Finland's withdrawal from World War II by destroying its army and creating conditions for a subsequent offensive against Germany, not to capture Leningrad.
The Soviet Leningrad Front was the sole Soviet force involved in the Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive.
Answer: False
Explanation: Both the Leningrad Front and the Karelian Front were involved in the Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive, conducting operations on the Karelian Isthmus and in East Karelia, respectively.
What was the primary objective of the Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive?
Answer: To destroy the Finnish Army, push Finland out of World War II, and prepare for an offensive against Germany.
Explanation: The Stavka's primary goal was to dismantle the Finnish military, force Finland's exit from the war, and subsequently create favorable conditions for operations against Germany.
During which period did the Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive primarily take place?
Answer: June 10 to August 9, 1944
Explanation: The offensive commenced on June 10, 1944, and concluded on August 9, 1944, spanning a critical period of the Continuation War.
Which regions were the main theaters of operation for the Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive?
Answer: The Karelian Isthmus and East Karelia
Explanation: The offensive was strategically focused on two primary areas: the Karelian Isthmus and the region of East Karelia.
What was the strategic plan for the Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive?
Answer: A two-pronged offensive aiming to trap and destroy the Finnish army on the Karelian Isthmus.
Explanation: The plan involved a coordinated two-pronged assault, one targeting the Karelian Isthmus and the other advancing through East Karelia, designed to envelop and neutralize the Finnish forces.
Which Soviet fronts were involved in the Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive?
Answer: The Leningrad Front and the Karelian Front
Explanation: The offensive was executed by two major Soviet formations: the Leningrad Front, primarily on the Karelian Isthmus, and the Karelian Front, operating in East Karelia.
The Soviet offensive began with a ground assault on June 9, 1944, followed by an aerial bombardment.
Answer: False
Explanation: The offensive commenced on June 9, 1944, with a significant aerial assault and artillery bombardment, preceding the ground assault which began on June 10.
The Valkeasaari sector served as the initial breakthrough point for the Soviet 21st Army on the Karelian Isthmus.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Valkeasaari sector was indeed the initial point of breakthrough for the Soviet 21st Army on June 10, 1944, where they successfully breached the first Finnish defensive line.
The VT-line, a Finnish defensive position, was breached by Soviet forces near Vyborg.
Answer: False
Explanation: The VT-line was breached by Soviet forces at Kuuterselkä, approximately 20 km behind the initial frontline, not directly near Vyborg.
Soviet forces captured the city of Vyborg on June 19, 1944.
Answer: False
Explanation: Soviet forces reached Vyborg on June 19, but the city was officially captured on June 20, 1944.
The Virojoki-Lappeenranta offensive aimed to attack the Salpa Line defenses.
Answer: True
Explanation: This offensive was directed against the Imatra-Lappeenranta-Virojoki defense line, which was part of the broader Salpa Line fortifications.
A key Soviet objective achieved was breaching the VKT-line and reaching the Kymi River.
Answer: False
Explanation: Breaching the VKT-line and reaching the Kymi River were stated objectives that the Soviet forces failed to achieve during the offensive.
The Finnish 20th Infantry Brigade surrendered peacefully when Soviet forces reached Vyborg.
Answer: False
Explanation: Reports indicate that the Finnish 20th Infantry Brigade defending Vyborg fled in panic on June 20, 1944, rather than surrendering peacefully.
The Finnish strategy to counter the Soviet advance after Vyborg involved immediate withdrawal to the Kymi River.
Answer: False
Explanation: Following the capture of Vyborg, the Finnish strategy focused on delaying actions and regrouping on the VKT-line, rather than an immediate withdrawal to the Kymi River.
How did the Soviet offensive commence on June 9, 1944?
Answer: With a major aerial assault and artillery bombardment.
Explanation: The offensive was initiated on June 9, 1944, with a substantial aerial bombardment and artillery barrage, preceding the ground operations.
Which sector was the initial breakthrough point for the Soviet 21st Army on June 10, 1944?
Answer: Valkeasaari
Explanation: The Valkeasaari sector served as the initial point of breakthrough for the Soviet 21st Army on June 10, 1944, enabling them to penetrate the first Finnish defensive line.
What Finnish defensive line was breached by the Soviet 21st Army at Kuuterselkä?
Answer: The VT-line
Explanation: The VT-line, a significant Finnish defensive position, was breached by the Soviet 21st Army at Kuuterselkä by June 15, 1944.
On what date did Soviet forces capture the city of Vyborg?
Answer: June 20, 1944
Explanation: Soviet forces successfully captured the city of Vyborg on June 20, 1944, marking the completion of the initial phase of the offensive.
What was the objective of the Virojoki-Lappeenranta offensive?
Answer: To advance towards Kotka, Kouvola, and the Kymi River along the Salpa Line.
Explanation: The Virojoki-Lappeenranta offensive aimed to continue pressure on the Salpa Line defenses, specifically targeting advances toward Kotka, Kouvola, and the Kymi River.
What was the Finnish strategy to counter the Soviet advance after the capture of Vyborg?
Answer: Delaying actions and regrouping on the VKT-line.
Explanation: Following the fall of Vyborg, the Finnish army implemented delaying tactics and consolidated its forces on the VKT-line, which was still under construction.
The Koivisto landing operation was conducted by the Finnish Navy to reinforce their positions.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Koivisto landing operation was conducted by the Soviet Baltic Fleet to capture the islands, not by the Finnish Navy for reinforcement.
The Svir-Petrozavodsk offensive successfully captured Petrozavodsk and achieved all Soviet strategic objectives in East Karelia.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Petrozavodsk was captured, the Svir-Petrozavodsk offensive was ultimately halted by Finnish resistance, preventing the achievement of deeper strategic objectives.
The Tuloksa landing operation aimed to sever key connections along Lake Ladoga by landing troops behind Finnish lines.
Answer: True
Explanation: On June 23, 1944, the Tuloksa landing operation was executed to disrupt Finnish supply lines along Lake Ladoga by inserting Soviet forces behind their positions.
Finnish losses in the Svir-Petrozavodsk offensive were significantly higher than Soviet losses.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Svir-Petrozavodsk offensive resulted in considerably higher Soviet losses, estimated at around 45,000, compared to approximately 11,000 Finnish losses.
The Battle of Ilomantsi marked the end of the Svir-Petrozavodsk offensive's attempts to advance further into Karelia.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Battle of Ilomantsi was the final major engagement, resulting in a decisive Finnish victory that halted further Soviet advances in East Karelia.
What was the outcome of the Svir-Petrozavodsk offensive regarding Soviet strategic goals?
Answer: It was halted by Finnish resistance, preventing deeper strategic advances.
Explanation: Despite capturing key locations like Petrozavodsk, the Svir-Petrozavodsk offensive was ultimately stalled by determined Finnish resistance, failing to achieve its more ambitious strategic aims.
What was the estimated number of Finnish soldiers lost during the Svir-Petrozavodsk offensive?
Answer: Approximately 11,000
Explanation: Finnish forces sustained estimated losses of approximately 11,000 soldiers during the Svir-Petrozavodsk offensive.
Which battle marked the final major engagement of the Svir-Petrozavodsk offensive and resulted in a significant Finnish victory?
Answer: The Battle of Ilomantsi
Explanation: The Battle of Ilomantsi served as the concluding major engagement of the Svir-Petrozavodsk offensive, culminating in a decisive Finnish victory.
Finland had prepared extensive defensive lines, including the VT-line and the VKT-line, prior to the Soviet offensive.
Answer: True
Explanation: Finland had established multiple defensive lines, notably the VT-line and the VKT-line, in anticipation of Soviet advances on the Karelian Isthmus.
Finnish troops utilized Panzerfausts and Panzerschrecks during the fighting at Siiranmäki.
Answer: True
Explanation: At Siiranmäki, Finnish forces were able to employ German-imported anti-tank weaponry, specifically Panzerfausts and Panzerschrecks, for the first time.
The Battle of Tali-Ihantala is considered the largest battle ever fought in the history of the Nordic countries.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Battle of Tali-Ihantala, a significant engagement following the capture of Vyborg, is recognized as the largest battle in Nordic history.
At the Nietjärvi sector, Soviet forces successfully breached the Finnish U-line.
Answer: False
Explanation: Soviet attempts to breach the Finnish U-line at Nietjärvi were unsuccessful; a Finnish counterattack regained positions and inflicted severe losses on Soviet units.
The Battle of Ilomantsi resulted in a decisive Soviet victory, with Finnish forces being encircled.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Battle of Ilomantsi concluded with a decisive Finnish victory, where Soviet forces were encircled and suffered heavy losses, marking the final major engagement of the Svir-Petrozavodsk offensive.
Which Finnish defensive line was located approximately 20 km behind the 1941 frontline on the Karelian Isthmus?
Answer: The VT-line
Explanation: The VT-line (Vammelsuu–Taipale) represented a secondary defensive position situated approximately 20 kilometers behind the primary 1941 frontline on the Karelian Isthmus.
What German-imported anti-tank weapons were first used by Finnish troops at Siiranmäki?
Answer: Panzerfaust and Panzerschreck
Explanation: During the engagements at Siiranmäki, Finnish forces deployed Panzerfausts and Panzerschrecks, German-supplied anti-tank weaponry, for the first time.
What was the significance of the Battle of Tali-Ihantala?
Answer: It was the largest battle in Nordic history and a defensive victory for Finland.
Explanation: The Battle of Tali-Ihantala is historically significant as the largest battle in Nordic history and resulted in a crucial defensive victory for Finland, halting the Soviet advance.
What happened at the Battle of Nietjärvi?
Answer: A Finnish counterattack regained lost positions and inflicted severe losses on Soviet forces.
Explanation: At Nietjärvi, Finnish forces successfully repelled Soviet attempts to breach the U-line and launched a counterattack that regained territory and inflicted significant casualties on the Soviet 114th Division.
At the start of the offensive, Finnish forces significantly outnumbered Soviet forces in terms of soldiers and artillery.
Answer: False
Explanation: Soviet forces held a substantial numerical advantage, deploying approximately 451,500 soldiers and 10,500 artillery pieces against Finland's initial deployment.
Finnish artillery concentrated firepower with fewer than 100 pieces per minute at Tali-Ihantala.
Answer: False
Explanation: Finnish artillery demonstrated remarkable effectiveness, concentrating firepower with up to 250 pieces firing approximately 2,000 shells per minute.
The Soviets had a significant disadvantage in artillery pieces on the Karelian Isthmus, with only 20 pieces per kilometer of frontline.
Answer: False
Explanation: On the Karelian Isthmus, the Soviets maintained a substantial advantage, concentrating an average of 120 artillery pieces per kilometer, and up to 220 in breakthrough sectors.
The battleship Oktyabrskaya Revolutsiya provided artillery support during the offensive.
Answer: True
Explanation: Capital ships of the Baltic Fleet, including the battleship Oktyabrskaya Revolutsiya, provided crucial heavy artillery support during the offensive operations.
German reinforcements, including the 122nd Infantry Division, provided crucial support to the Finnish defense.
Answer: True
Explanation: German military support, encompassing units like Gefechtsverband Kuhlmey and the 122nd Infantry Division, along with equipment, significantly bolstered the Finnish defensive capabilities.
What was the approximate Soviet troop strength at the start of the offensive?
Answer: Around 451,500 soldiers
Explanation: At the commencement of the offensive, the Soviet Union deployed approximately 451,500 soldiers, with further reinforcements arriving subsequently.
How did Finnish artillery contribute significantly to the defense at Tali-Ihantala?
Answer: By concentrating firepower with up to 250 pieces firing 2,000 shells per minute.
Explanation: Finnish artillery played a pivotal role by concentrating immense firepower, deploying up to 250 guns to deliver approximately 2,000 shells per minute, effectively disrupting Soviet assaults.
What was the approximate Soviet artillery advantage on the Karelian Isthmus?
Answer: An average of 120 artillery pieces per kilometer.
Explanation: On the Karelian Isthmus, Soviet forces maintained a significant artillery superiority, averaging approximately 120 pieces per kilometer of frontline.
Which Soviet capital ship provided heavy artillery support during the offensive?
Answer: The cruiser Kirov
Explanation: Capital ships of the Baltic Fleet, including the cruiser Kirov, provided substantial heavy artillery support during the offensive operations.
Finland accepted the initial Soviet peace terms demanding capitulation in June 1944.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Finnish government interpreted the Soviet demand as one for unconditional surrender and subsequently rejected it, opting to continue resistance.
The Soviet offensive successfully pushed the Finnish army back to the northern side of Vyborg Bay and the Vuoksi River.
Answer: True
Explanation: A key success of the offensive was pushing the Finnish army back to the northern side of Vyborg Bay and the Vuoksi River, reclaiming territory in East Karelia.
By the end of summer 1944, the Finnish army was significantly weaker and less equipped due to the offensive.
Answer: False
Explanation: Despite heavy fighting, the Finnish army managed to avoid critical encirclements and received German aid, resulting in it being considered stronger and better equipped by the end of summer 1944.
The Finnish leadership believed they could sustain fighting indefinitely even if the Soviet offensive continued at full strength.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Finnish leadership estimated their capacity to fight would last only about three more months under sustained Soviet offensive pressure, influencing their pursuit of peace.
International pressure from the United States and Britain led to increased Soviet demands for war reparations from Finland.
Answer: False
Explanation: International pressure likely contributed to the Soviet Union's willingness to reduce its initial war reparations demands from Finland.
The initial Soviet demand for war reparations from Finland was $600 million, calculated at 1938 prices.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Soviet Union initially demanded $600 million in war reparations, calculated based on 1938 prices, though this amount was later halved.
The Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive was recognized in Soviet propaganda as one of Stalin's ten blows.
Answer: True
Explanation: In Soviet propaganda, the Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive was highlighted as one of Stalin's ten significant military blows during the war.
The Finnish government accepted the Soviet peace terms demanding capitulation in June 1944.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Finnish government interpreted the Soviet demand as one for unconditional surrender and rejected it, choosing to continue fighting.
The Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive was a decisive factor leading to Finland's exit from the war.
Answer: True
Explanation: While not achieving all its objectives, the offensive significantly pressured Finland, compelling it to seek peace and ultimately leading to its exit from the war.
The Soviet offensive successfully reopened the Murman Railway and the White Sea Canal routes to the Karelian Front forces.
Answer: True
Explanation: By reclaiming East Karelia, the offensive successfully reopened vital routes such as the Murman Railway and the White Sea Canal for the Karelian Front.
The Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive resulted in Finland retaining control over East Karelia.
Answer: False
Explanation: The offensive led to the Soviet recapture of East Karelia and the southern Karelian Isthmus, meaning Finland did not retain control over these territories.
Finnish estimations placed total Soviet military losses in the Karelian Isthmus operation between June 9 and July 18 at under 50,000.
Answer: False
Explanation: Finnish estimations indicated that total Soviet military losses in the Karelian Isthmus operation ranged from 100,000 to 189,000 killed, wounded, or missing.
How did the Finnish government interpret the Soviet peace terms presented in June 1944?
Answer: As a demand for unconditional surrender.
Explanation: The Finnish government interpreted the Soviet terms, which included demands for capitulation, as a call for unconditional surrender and consequently rejected them.
Which of the following were NOT achieved objectives for the Soviet offensive?
Answer: Breaching the VKT-line and reaching the Kymi River.
Explanation: Key strategic goals that remained unfulfilled for the Soviet forces included breaching the VKT-line and advancing to the Kymi River.
What was the Finnish leadership's assessment of their remaining fighting capability if the Soviet offensive continued?
Answer: They estimated they could last about three more months.
Explanation: The Finnish leadership projected that their military could sustain operations for approximately three additional months if the Soviet offensive maintained its intensity.
How did the Soviet Union adjust its war reparations demand from Finland after the offensive?
Answer: They reduced the demand by half but insisted on 1938 prices.
Explanation: The Soviet Union reduced its initial war reparations demand by half, but stipulated that payments be calculated at 1938 prices, effectively doubling the real value.
What was the Finnish estimate of Soviet losses in the Virojoki-Lappeenranta Offensive?
Answer: Around 15,000 killed and 53,000 wounded.
Explanation: Finnish estimates placed Soviet losses in the Virojoki-Lappeenranta Offensive at approximately 15,000 killed or missing and 53,000 wounded or sick.
What territorial gains did the Soviets achieve as a result of the offensive?
Answer: East Karelia and the southern Karelian Isthmus.
Explanation: The offensive resulted in the Soviet recapture of East Karelia and the southern portion of the Karelian Isthmus.
What was the Soviet perspective on the Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive in their propaganda?
Answer: It was recognized as one of Stalin's ten blows.
Explanation: Within Soviet propaganda, the Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive was prominently featured as one of Stalin's ten significant military achievements.
What was the approximate Soviet casualty range estimated by Finnish sources for the entire Karelian Isthmus operation (June 9 - July 18)?
Answer: 100,000-189,000
Explanation: Finnish analyses estimated that total Soviet military losses for the Karelian Isthmus operation between June 9 and July 18 fell within the range of 100,000 to 189,000 casualties.
Which of the following was NOT a success for the Soviet offensive?
Answer: Breaching the VKT-line.
Explanation: While the offensive achieved territorial gains and reopened key routes, it failed in its objective to breach the VKT-line.
What was the significance of the Finnish army being 'stronger and better equipped' by the end of summer 1944?
Answer: It enabled Finland to negotiate peace terms from a position of strength.
Explanation: The improved state of the Finnish army by the end of summer 1944 provided a stronger foundation for negotiating peace terms, demonstrating resilience despite the offensive.