All Battles

Battle of Rovaniemi

1944 • Lappland Stadtkampf
The town of Rovaniemi destroyed by the Germans

The town of Rovaniemi destroyed by the Germans

Author: Ensio SiilasvuoThe original uploader was Paaskynen at English Wikipedia.License:PD
Source

Historical Overview

The Battle of Rovaniemi was an event during the 1944 Lapland War. The actual fighting between the components of the Finnish Armoured Division and Finnish 3rd Division against the troops of the German Twentieth Mountain Army took place at the vicinity of the town of Rovaniemi. The notoriety of the encounter derives from the near-total destruction of the town.

Quick Facts

Outcome:German victory (Tact.)

German Army

  • Commander: Lothar Rendulic
  • Strength: ca. 10.000
  • Casualties: gering

Finland

  • Commander: Hjalmar Siilasvuo
  • Strength: ca. 8.000
  • Casualties: gering

Strategic Context

German retreat action and "scorched earth".

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