X-Nico

unusual facts about Petsamo-Kirkenes Operation



Alta Battalion

After seeing the fighting and burning town in Petsamo the soldiers and officers of the Alta Battalion began to view war as a reality and not merely something found in the history books.

Battle of Rovaniemi

During the Second World War it was an important transport hub since it lay on the road to the Petsamo area and the only free port in the north, Liinahamari.

Father Akaki

In 1898 he went to Petsamo's Pechenga Monastery where he became a monk in 1913 after 15 years of being in the monastery.

Karelian Front

In October 1944 it conducted the Petsamo-Kirkenes Operation, capturing some parts of northern Finland and liberating the easternmost parts of the Norwegian Finnmark province from German occupation.

Military history of Finland during World War II

The main strategic interest of Germany in the region were the nickel mines in the Petsamo area.


see also