The Battle of Vuosalmi (also known as the Battle of Äyräpää-Vuosalmi) – the main bulk of it – lasted from July 4 to July 17, 1944. It was fought during the Continuation War (1941–1944), a part of World War II, between Finland and the Soviet Union. Background After the Soviets saw that they had failed in the Battle of Tali-Ihantala against the Finnish defenders in the late June and early July 1944, they tried to break the Finnish positions in Vuosalmi (now Druzhnoye) and encircle the southern part of the Finnish forces in the Karelian Isthmus. Soviet forces of the 23rd Army in the region had made unsuccessful low-scale attacks against the Finnish defenses for nearly two weeks at Äyräpää region. Lack of success from the 23rd Army's performance lead to change of command on July 3. Order of battle Finnish Finnish defenses on the Vuosalmi consisted initially of only the 2nd Division (Martola, later Blick). But this was later reinforced with parts of the Armored Division (Lagus), 57th Infantry Regiment and 25th Separate Battalion of the 15th Infantry Division and 4th Battalion of the 19th Brigade (IV/19.Pr) after the battles in the Tali-Ihantala region started to slow down. A total of 21 artillery battalions were supporting infantry during the critical last stage of the battle. Per infantry battalion there were more artillery support at Vuosalmi than at Tali-Ihantala. III Corps (Siilasvuo) 2nd Infantry Division (Martola/Blick) 15th Infantry Division (Hersalo) 57th Infantry Regiment 25th Separate Battalion 19th Infantry Brigade (Maskula) 4th Battalion of brigade(during last stage) Finnish Armoured Division (Lagus, during last stage) Assault Gun Battalion 4 Jäger Battalions Total forces initially ~20,000 growing to ~32,000 in mid july. Average personal strength of infantry division around 13,300 men, while 6,700-7,000 of infantry brigade, 3,620 of infantry regiment and 1,022 of infantry battalion. 21 field artillery battalions (average 520-560 men each). Soviet The Soviet Leningrad Front's 23rd Army (Svetsov) was assigned with the task of making a crossing and a breakthrough at Vuosalmi. For this task the 23rd Army assigned first the 98th Rifle Corps and later switched it to the 115th Rifle Corps. 98th Rifle Corps (Anisimov) 92nd Rifle Division 281st Rifle Division 381st Rifle Division 115th Rifle Corps (Kozatsek) 10th Rifle Division 92nd Rifle Division 142nd Rifle Division 6th Rifle Corps 13th Rifle Division 382th Rifle Division 327th Rifle Division (Soviet Union) Supporting units of 23rd Army 17th Fortification