10 March 1940 - DAY 102 of Winter War
The situation in Viipurinlahti bay remains critical: the Red Army is constantly funnelling new troops and equipment into the area.
The Russians are working to extend their bridgehead on the western side of the bay.
The aim of the Soviet troops is to use the bridgehead as a staging post to get round to the west of Viipuri and cut the Finnish troops defending the city off from their vital supply lines to the interior.
The enemy is attempting to take the city of Viipuri itself by a straight frontal assault, while the troops to the northeast of the city are making a drive towards Antrea.
During the course of the afternoon the enemy breaks through the Finnish defences in the western part of Nisalahti village and carries on three kilometres to the north.
The unfolding events in Viipurinlahti bay mean the Finnish troops have lost use of the main defensive positions on the Isthmus and will have to fight from now on in totally unprepared positions.
Some of the Finnish troops are suffering from battle fatigue, while others are raw, inexperienced troops; the chain of command and the responsibilities of the officers are also having to be constantly reworked.
Aerial reconnaissance reports 200 enemy assault tanks in Pullinniemi.
On the Karelian Isthmus, the enemy overruns the countryside around Leitimo manor on the Tali Isthmus.
The Soviet troops launch their assault in the morning and break through the Finnish defences to a depth of 4 kilometres.
Fresh troops are concentrated around Viipurinlahti bay, including a cavalry brigade from Ladoga Karelia.
Finland's former president, P.E. Svinhufvud is in Berlin to seek help for Finland, but is unable to gain access to members of the German leadership.
The Finnish and Soviet negotiators meet for a second round of talks in the Kremlin at 2 p.m. today. The meeting lasts two hours.
Finland is in an awkward negotiating position. Contact with the Government at home has to be conducted via Stockholm and telegrams can take up to 12 hours to reach their destination.
The deadline of March 12 set by the Allies is also getting ominously close.
The Finnish negotiators attempt to haggle over the Soviet terms, but without success.
In Vuosalmi the enemy is concentrating its efforts on the Liete meadows to the northeast of Vasikkasaari.
The Soviet force in Ladoga Karelia is able to establish a good grip on the southern tips of the Lapoinniemi and Kuivaniemi promontories on the shores of Lake Ladoga.
As night falls, the defending Finnish troops withdraw.
Daily Finnish losses: 558
|