Operation Renntier

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This article is about the German military operation. For other uses of the term, see: Operation Reindeer (disambiguation).

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v • d • e Finland 1939-1945

Winter War – Continuation War – Lapland War

Operation Renntier (Reindeer) was a German operation during World War II. Its goal was to secure the nickel-mines around Petsamo, in Finland, against Soviet attack in the event of a renewed war between Finland and the Soviet Union.

The planning for the operation started on August 13, 1940, after the German occupation of Norway was complete, and was finalized in October that year. The plan called for the two divisions of the Alpine Corps Norwegen to occupy Petsamo, and prevent Soviet capture of strategically important mines.

The operation was carried eventually carried out as part of Operation Barbarossa, the German attack on the Soviet Union. The operation commenced on June 22, 1941 and proceeded without any incidents. The German 2nd Mountain Division occupied the area around Liinakhamari and the German 3rd Mountain Division occupied Luostari.

The operation was followed up by Operation Platinfuchs which was an attack by the two division against Murmansk as a part of the larger Operation Silberfuchs.