Figure 1.--The Soviets as part of an armistace ending the Continuation War required the Finns to take on the jo ofoust the Germans attacking Murmansk (a Lend Lease port) from northern Finland. The Finns before beginning military operations in the north, evacuated the civilian population. Many were evacuated west into Sweden rather than south into Finland. The uniformed man is apparently a Swedish police officer. The Swedish press photo was captioned, "Evakueringen av Nordfinland: Egentligen är det alldeles föe långt mellan stegen, tycker nog den här finske Lasse-mannen under debarkeringens besvär, men bra karl rder sig själv, och med litet välvillig hjälp från den svenska polisfarbrorn går det hela utmärkt." We are unsure about the translation, but can make out some of the words--"Evacuation of North Finland: Actually, it's just with more complete and far between steps, probably think this Finnish Lasse-man under debarkeringens trouble, but good man rder himself, and with a little benevolent help from the Swedish police uncle runs it all excellent."

As a result of its northerly location, Lapland and the Sámi people have genrally not been involved in wider Europen history. This changed with World War II which includes struggles in the Arctic. The Lapland War was fought at the end of the War. The German reversals in the East were primarily in the south (1942-43). The Red Army began to focus on the north after finally relieving Lenningrad (1944). The Finns soon realized that they did not have the power of holding back the Red Army and sought to end the War. The Soviet destruction of Army Group Center with Operation Bagration (June-August 1944) essentially left the Finns on their own. The Germans anticipated that the Finns would seek a separate peace with the Soviet Union. The Germans thus made plans to protect their key interests in northern Finland even after the Finns withdrew from the War--especially the Petsamo nickel mines in the north. The Germans improved the rudimentary roads in the north and stockpiled large quantities of supplies, arms, and munitions. This was all in place were the Finns signed an armistice with the Soviets (September 19, 1944). As part of the Armistice, the Finns were required to drive the Germans out of their country. The Germans were attempting to seize Mumansk, a Lend Lase port and destination of the Arctic Convoys. The Germans attacked from northern Norway through Finland, at the time a co-belligerant. The Finns asuming responsibility for ousting the Germans allowed the Red Army to concntrate on the drive west toward Berlin. Surely part of Stalin's calculation was also to punish the Finns for siding with the the Germans. Lapland thus became the scene of heavy fighting between the former co-beligerants. This left German forces fighting in the north after their failed attempt to take Murmansk. Hitler refused to allow the German units to withdraw. Thus the Finns had to fight the Germans in the far north. The Finns evacuated civilians. This time it was not just the children. Many were evacuated west into Sweden rather than south into Finland. Actual fighting began (September 27, 1944). The Germans as they retreated toward their bases in occupied northern Norway burned everything in their path and heavily mined the entire area. The fighting dragged on until the last remanent of the German Army in Finland withdrew into northern Norway (April 27, 1945). The Germans surrendered shortly aftr this (May 7). The Soviets eventually forced the Finns to cede the Petsamo and Salla areas.

Created: 7:50 AM 9/1/2016
Last updated: 7:50 AM 9/1/2016