Finnish Forces

Survivor of direct mortar hit

Corporal Toivo Heiskanen (13.12.1919 - 19.08.1943) serving in 2nd Company of 3rd Brigade, showing 50 mm mortar round that was removed from his stomach. On August 17, 1942, at Krivi, north of Karhumägi, there was failed enemy attack in attempt to capture prisoners. It was preluded by mortar barrage, during which the 50 mm round hit Heiskanen near his left collarbone and travelled to his lower stomach. Noone was able to do much else but relieve his pain, until he got to a field hospital where the mortar round was removed in a surgery. He spent time in military hospital but recovered quite soon and returned to his unit. Almost exactly a year after the incident, on August 19, 1943, Corporal Heiskanen was killed by a sniper. The bullet hit his forehead, just couple millimetres below helmet.