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|strength2=Gogland: 518 men |casualties1=Gogland: 63 dead or missing, 109 wounded |casualties2=Gogland: ~300 dead, 36 POW, on the island alone }} The Battle of Suursaari was fought over the frozen Gulf of Finland on and around the islands of Gogland ((フィンランド語:Suursaari)) and Bolshoy Tyuters ((フィンランド語:Suur-Tytärsaari)) during the Second World War. After sharp fighting the numerically superior Finnish forces captured Gogland and Bolshoy Tyuters, and later provided support for German forces defending Bolshoy Tyuters against Soviet counterattacks. ==Background== In April 1938, the Soviets contacted the Finns, stating that they didn't trust Nazi Germany and wanted guarantees that Finland would not be used for the German attack on the USSR. In March 1939, the Soviets asked Finland to lease Suursaari and four small uninhabited islets for thirty years, as they were vital for the defense of Leningrad, the second biggest Soviet city. In return, the Soviet Union would show its good faith by offering a large slice of disputed Karelian borderland in exchange. The Finns refused. Soviet forces had occupied Gogland during the Winter War, and, under the terms of the Moscow Peace Treaty, Finland was forced to cede the island to the Soviet Union. As Operation Barbarossa commenced, the Soviets placed a garrison on the island; however, as invading German forces on the mainland moved closer to Leningrad, the Soviet command ordered the evacuation of most of the islands in the Gulf of Finland, as well as their besieged base at Hanko on the Finnish coast. Soviet forces left the islands of Gogland, Sommers and Bolshoy Tyuters on 7–9 December 1941. Finnish coastal forces noticed that the islands had been abandoned, and manned both Gogland and Sommers with small garrisons by December 12. Poor ice conditions and harsh weather made it difficult for the Finns to reinforce the garrisons, and when Soviet forces returned in company strength on January 2, 1942, the surprised Finns had to withdraw from Gogland.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Battle of Suursaari」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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