1 January 1940 - DAY 33 of Winter War
Northern Finland: Colonel Siilasvuo determines to smash the Russian 44th Division which has been advancing along the Raate road.
Ladoga Karelia: two battalions of the Finnish 13th Division launch an assault to the north of Ruhtinaanmäki.
Soviet troops capture Viitavaara on the River Aittojoki for the first time.
The numbering of some of the Finnish divisions is changed in order to confuse Soviet intelligence.
The enemy bombs the cities of Oulu in the north and Turku in the southwest. In Oulu, four people are killed and 16 buildings destroyed. Altogether 30 enemy aircraft are used in the attack on Turku.
Abroad: the Swedish sports reporter Torsten Tegnér proposes a bandy match to raise funds for Finland.
10 well-known Russian émigré writers, including Nobel Prize winner Ivan Bunin, issue a communiqué in Paris condemning the Soviet Union's invasion of Finland.
(Click for larger photo)
Soviet tanks at Loimola.
Daily losses: 176
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2 January 1940 - DAY 34 of Winter War
Northern Finland: the Finnish 9th Division begins its offensive, winning a major victory at Suomussalmi.
Eastern Isthmus: a five-and-a-half-hour artillery barrage ends with the launch of a strong assault by enemy infantry at Kirvesmäki. The Finnish troops hold their ground.
Lake Ladoga: the 28-year-old speed skating world champion, reserve Second Lieutenant Birger Wasenius, is killed along with nine other Finnish soldiers in fighting on the islands of Lake Ladoga.
The 44th course of the Reserve Officer School begins under exceptional circumstances and with an exceptionally large intake.
Abroad: more than 10,000 Swedish homes have volunteered to receive Finnish mothers and children. To date, 50 mothers and 400 children have been evacuated to Sweden.
Daily losses: 137
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3 January 1940 - DAY 35 of Winter War
Ladoga Karelia: the Finnish 13th Division breaks off its assault at Ruhtinaanmäki.
Northern Finland: Soviet troops supported by tanks and artillery launch an offensive in the Kuhmo sector.
Finnish forces surround the enemy base entrenched at Sanginlampi.
Salla sector: in temperatures approaching -40° Celsius, four Finnish battalions begin a counterattack at Joutsijärvi designed to break the defences of the enemy division.
Åland Sea: the Soviet submarine S2 is sunk by a Finnish mine in the Märket narrows.
The labour office of the Ministry of Supply announces that the most important work to be carried out in the countryside is the gathering of firewood.
Abroad: according to German radio, the Soviet Union is concentrating its call-up on reservists with a technical background.
In Norway, a special rucksack collection in aid of Finland has already gathered 25,000 rucksacks packed with food and clothing.
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Forward positions at Joutsijärvi.
Daily losses: 81