Winter War, day by day.

[Dowly]

4 March 1940 - DAY 96 of Winter War

Ladoga Karelia: The 69th Infantry Regiment is holding its ground in the face of the massive Red Army offensive in Kollaa.

Artillery shelling and patrol activities nevertheless continue.

On the Isthmus, a Soviet assault launched at 6 o'clock in the morning leads by nightfall to the capture of a bridgehead near Äyräpää church.

Around noon Russian troops supported by tanks once again come ashore at Vilajoki and Häränpäänniemi on Viipurinlahti bay.

What little air power Finland has is concentrated to resist the enemy offensive across Viipurinlahti bay.

Detachment Alfthan unsuccessfully attempts to take Lavajärvi village.

The enemy threatens Kotka and Virolahti.

A new combat detachment, Detachment Aarnio, is being formed to fight along the section of the front between Mustalampi and Lavajärvi with the task of cutting the enemy's supply lines.

President Kyösti Kallio congratulates Commander-in-Chief Mannerheim on the destruction of a Russian tank brigade.

Soviet military command in Leningrad denies bombing Finnish towns and villages and accuses the Finns of provocation.

A crash between a goods train carrying children and an express train at Iittala, near Hämeenlinna, claims 31 lives; 11 of the dead are children.

Abroad: today is Finnish day at the Holmenkollen games in Oslo.

In a speech at Holmenkollen, the Finnish speedskater Clas Thunberg says: "My people hope that here in Norway you will realise that Finland's cause is also your cause. The Finns dying at the front are giving their lives to protect all of us in the Nordic countries."

Thunberg's speech is followed by a rendering of the Finnish national anthem.

(Click for larger photo)

Finnish artillery in Linnasaari, Viipuri.

Daily Finnish losses: 399

[Dowly]

Found this today while reading:

"Einar Schadewitz fought in Munasuo during the Battle of Summa, where he climbed on top of an enemy tank and knocked on the hatch yelling in Finnish: Open up, Ivan, Death's knocking! For some reason, the crew opened the hatch and Schadewitz immediately dropped a hand grenade through the hatch, killing everyone inside."
-Mannerheim-Ristin Ritarit pg. 229

He was awarded with the Mannerheim Cross during the Continuation War (Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #110)


Einar Schadewitz

[Jimbuna]

Open up, Ivan, Death's knocking!

[Schroeder]

Originally Posted by Dowly

Found this today while reading:

"Einar Schadewitz fought in Munasuo during the Battle of Summa, where he climbed on top of an enemy tank and knocked on the hatch yelling in Finnish: Open up, Ivan, Death's knocking!

I doubt that. Have you ever knocked on a tank? It hardly makes a sound and is like knocking on a solid rock. I'm sure the crew couldn't hear it with their headphones (if they had any in Soviet tanks back then that is) and the engine running.....
My money would be on that they noticed him climbing the tank and wanted to get rid of him before he could set it ablaze with a Molotov cocktail or some such thing.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

I doubt that.

You doubt everything.

Have you ever knocked on a tank? It hardly makes a sound and is like knocking on a solid rock.

Nope, I haven't. Have you knocked on a T-26 or BT-7, one of which the tank most likely was? It also does not specify with what he knocked, could have been rifle butt or the handle of the grenade.

My money would be on that they noticed him climbing the tank and wanted to get rid of him before he could set it ablaze with a Molotov cocktail or some such thing.

Why would he climb the tank? He could throw the Molotov cocktail from the side/rear and hit the engine exhaust and/or intake that was on the rear deck.

PS. I have no idea how true this account is, but I know that these invidual feats against enemy tanks were quite common during the Winter and Continuation Wars.

[Dowly]

5 March 1940 - DAY 97 of Winter War

There is fierce fighting on the islands of Ravansaari, Turkinsaari and Neulasaari in Viipurinlahti bay.

On the western shore of the bay the enemy is advancing in Vilaniemi and Häränpäänniemi.

The counterattack to retake the church hill at Äyräpää is delayed by the late arrival of the Finnish detachment at the starting position.

The launch of the operation is put back until daylight.

The Finnish attack founders with heavy losses in the face of intense enemy fire.

During the half-hour attack up the church hill, the attacking Finnish soldiers from the Ostrobothnia municipality of Nurmo lose 40 dead and 30 wounded, some fatally. The hill remains in enemy hands.

During the course of the morning the Russians occupy Vasikkasaari.

General Headquarters sets up an office to coordinate recruitment of foreign volunteers.

The town of Mikkeli, the home of General Headquarters, is heavily bombed and 33 civilians killed.

The Red Army has already reached Viipurinlahti bay, and the deadline for Finland to formally appeal for help from the Western Allies runs out today.

After a heated debate, the Finnish Government decides to accept the Soviet Union's preconditions for opening peace talks.

Moscow announces its intention to stick to its demands: Finland will have to cede Viipuri and Sortavala.

The first train of Finnish child evacuees arrives in Copenhagen with 93 children on board.

A French ambulance arrives in Finland.

The Soviet Government formally apologises to Sweden over the bombing of Pajala.

Daily Finnish losses: 575

[Dowly]

6 March 1940 - DAY 98 of Winter War

In Ladoga Karelia, the Soviet 11th Division launches a tank-supported offensive against the Finnish-controlled islands in the Pitkäranta sector at 9 o'clock in the morning.

The offensive is preceded by a fierce three-hour artillery bombardment during which approximately 10,000 enemy shells rain down on the Finnish positions.

In this way the Russians manage to break through the Pitkäranta section of the blockade encircling the great Kitelä 'motti'. The Finnish counterattack in Vilaniemi is unsuccessful. Russians also come ashore in Karjaniemi and Niskapohja. In the Sintolanniemi sector on the Isthmus the Russians cross the Vuoksi on a 2 km front. Paimio, Petäjä, Maksima and other islands on the eastern shore of Lake Ladoga are under heavy enemy shelling. 50 men from the municipality of Rantasalmi are killed.

Foreign Minister Tanner asks the Allies for an extension of the deadline for requesting military assistance. Finland is given until the 12th of March to make a formal request.

The Soviet Union announces its readiness to open talks with Finland in Moscow, but will not agree a ceasefire until the talks are actually underway.

The Finnish Government meets twice to consider the composition of the Finnish delegation for the Moscow peace talks.

In the evening, the Finnish delegation under the leadership of Prime Minister Risto Ryti leaves for Stockholm en route to Moscow. The other members of the delegation were J.K. Paasikivi, Rudolf Walden and Väinö Voionmaa.

(Click for larger photo)

Bristol Blenheim from LeLv.46 in Tikkakoski.

Daily Finnish losses: 816

[Dowly]

7 March 1940 - DAY 99 of Winter War

Following preliminary artillery drumfire, the Soviet force on the Isthmus launches an assault and breaks through the Finnish backline positions in Tali, advancing thereafter in the direction of Tali village.

The Soviet troops make several local breakthroughs, which are successfully contained.

A new group, the Hamina Group, is formed to give added strength to the defence of Viipurinlahti bay. The command of the new group is entrusted to Major-General E. Hanell, who is to be directly responsible to Commander-in-Chief Mannerheim.

In Taipale, an enemy battalion attacks the Terenttilä stronghold.

Finnish losses on this comparatively quiet day in Taipale are 10 dead and 35 wounded.

The attacking Russian force in the Sintolanniemi sector is completely destroyed.

In Ladoga Karelia, Detachment Alfthan cuts the supply lines of the Soviet troops in Lavajärvi village.

The enemy launches yet another attack in the Kollaa sector. The 69th Infantry Regiment nevertheless manages to hold its ground.

In the far north, a Red Army regiment overruns the Finnish defensive positions at Nautsi in Petsamo. Nautsi's one and only house is raised in the Soviet Union's war bulletin to the status of "the town of Nautsi".

Detachment Pennanen's losses in Petsamo total 33 dead, 87 wounded and 67 missing in action.

Abroad: Finland's delegation to the Moscow peace talks arrives in the Russian capital in the early evening.

British volunteers swear their oath to Colonel Kermit Roosevelt in the Finnish Aid office in London.

(Click for larger photo)

Castle of Viipuri and its guard.

Daily Finnish losses: 538

[Dowly]

8 March 1940 - DAY 100 of Winter War

Mannerheim suggests Finland consider one more time the offer of assistance by the Western Allies.

To block the enemy advance, the Finnish defenders attempt to dam the waterways to the northeast of Viipuri and manage finally to flood the area.

Foreign Minister Tanner believes asking for assistance from the Allies could wreck the talks in Moscow.

Soviet troops on the Isthmus reach the Finnish support line in Tali.

The Finnish troops in Viipurinlahti bay are forced to evacuate Suonionsaari and Ravansaari islands.

On the mainland, the enemy consolidates its bridgeheads in Niskapohja, Vilaniemi and Häränpääniemi.

In Vuosalmi the enemy is digging in on the northern bank of the Vuoksi.

The Finnish 2nd and 21st divisions are estimated to be facing six Russian divisions. They are thus outnumbered three to one.

In Taipale, the Finns pull back their positions in the Terenttilä sector.

In the north, the Finns take the eastern Luelahti 'motti' in Kuhmo.

General Headquarters orders the evacuation of the Mantsi islands at the eastern end of Lake Ladoga.

The Finnish negotiators in Moscow meet the Soviet negotiating team at 4 o'clock in the afternoon.

The Soviet team comprises Molotov, Zdanov and General Vasilevski. The Finns are disappointed in their hope of getting Stalin to participate in the talks.

Two Soviet divisions attack across the Vuoksi from Vasikkasaari to Vuosalmi.

The first session of talks begins in Moscow at 7 o'clock in the evening.

The Soviet Union is today celebrating International Women's Day. The special "sisters of struggle" women's groups attached to the Red Army arrange numerous dance performances and other programmes in the various units of the army. Selected women soldiers are decorated for valour.

In Finland, the Central Organization of Social Democratic Women urges its members to join the Lotta Svärd women's defence organization.

(Click for larger photo)

Finnish satchel charge and Molotov's Cocktail.

Daily Finnish losses: 617

[Schroeder]

Makes you wonder what would have happened if the Allied had joined Finland in the fight against the Soviet Union. Would Barbarossa have taken place and if so with Allied support? How would that have affected the state of war between Germany and France / UK?

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Makes you wonder what would have happened if the Allied had joined Finland in the fight against the Soviet Union. Would Barbarossa have taken place and if so with Allied support? How would that have affected the state of war between Germany and France / UK?

My guess is that the USSR would have offered a 'white peace', if the Allies had started sending troops and much needed artillery and ATG hardware to Finland.

If the war would have continued, Sweden might have as well be dragged into it as the shipments of iron ore to Germany could have been hindered by the Allies had they been more involved in Scandinavia.

Interesting what-if scenario, no doubt.

***

9 March 1940 - DAY 101 of Winter War

The Soviet Union is continuing its massive offensive against the Finnish backline positions.

An attack in the morning by two Soviet divisions shatters the Finnish backline defences in Tali.

The defending Finnish battalion loses 44 per cent of its strength in the savage engagement.

Despite their heavy losses, the Finns still attempt a counterattack towards Tali at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, but without success. Tali village falls to the enemy.

In the evening the Finnish troops regroup in defensive formations on a line cutting through the southern head of Lake Leitimojärvi and the eastern head of Lake Kärstilänjärvi.

Some of the men are in a state of panic. Divisional staff is forced to ask for additional military policemen to pick up deserters from the front line.

In Taipale, the Finnish troops manage to evacuate the Terenttilä stronghold without the Russians realising what is going on.

The Finnish force in Viipurinlahti bay withdraws from Lihaniemi promontory and Hapenensaari and Piispansaari islands.

On the western side of the bay the Soviet troops sever the new trunk road from Viipuri to Säkkijärvi.

In the Kollaa sector in Ladoga Karelia the enemy offensive continues unabated, with strongholds changing hands several times during the course of the day.

One of Finland's leading gymnasts, Reserve Lieutenant Martti 'Make' Uosikkinen is killed in Kollaa.

By midnight the entire main defensive line is once again in Finnish hands.

Approximately 70 Finnish aircraft strafe enemy troops and columns in Viipurinlahti bay. In the resulting dogfight, the Finns shoot down three enemy fighters. One Finnish plane is lost and three damaged.

Finnish pilots spot over 400 enemy lorries carrying infantry and over 50 assault tanks on the roads to the south of Lake Suvanto on the eastern Isthmus.

The Finnish Government convenes at 5 o'clock in the afternoon to consider the telegrams sent by the delegation at the Moscow peace talks. The assembled ministers are shocked by the proposed loss of access to Lake Ladoga and the cession of the district of Salla in Lapland.

The session is interrupted by an important telephone call from Commander-in-Chief Mannerheim, and reconvenes at 10 p.m.

The Government is able to draw on an assessment of the military situation prepared by General Heinrichs, commander of the Army of the Isthmus.

Heinrichs' pessimistic assessment forces the Commander-in-Chief to conclude that there is no alternative but to accept the Soviet Union's peace terms.

(Click for larger photo)

Telefunken SE 499 A

Daily Finnish losses: 654

[Dowly]

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

[Dowly]

11 March 1940 - DAY 103 of Winter War

The Soviet troops in the centre of the Karelian Isthmus launch an offensive across the Vuoksi with supporting artillery and other fire.

The Finnish press publishes a bulletin from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs telling the public for the first time of the peace talks being conducted in Moscow.

The Finnish Government is ready to accept the Soviet Union's peace terms.

Thirteen members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Finnish Parliament vote in favour of accepting the peace terms, while four vote against acceptance. Those who voted against were Kaarlo Kares of the Patriotic People's Movement, Urho Kekkonen and Kalle Kämäräinen of the Agrarian Party and Ville Komu of the Social Democratic Party.

News of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee's readiness to accept the Soviet Union's terms leaks into the Swedish evening papers.

The fighting continues with the Soviet troops fiercely attacking the Finnish defences in Viipuri.

The enemy breaks through into the suburbs of Viipuri.

By early evening the vanguard of five enemy tanks has reached Tammisuo station to the northeast of the city. Three of the tanks are subsequently destroyed.

At 2.45 p.m. the enemy achieve a 500 metre breakthrough to the northwest of Vasikkasaari, but the defending Finnish troops manage to contain it.

During the night, the Finnish troops in Vuosalmi withdraw from Vitsaari after heavy fighting.

Troops from the Coastal Group withdraw to new positions at Vilajoki.

In the vicinity of Tali-Portinhoikka, Red Army tanks support a breakthrough into the area around the Portinhoikka crossroads.

The defending Finnish regiment has suffered enormous losses and is utterly exhausted.

In Kollaa, the 69th Infantry Regiment just doesn't have the strength left to retake the advance strongholds.

Staff Sergeant Diego Manzochi, an Italian volunteer in the Finnish Air Force attached to Squadron 26, is killed in a forced landing in Iitti, to the west of Kouvola, caused probably by his plane running out of fuel. Manzochi had flown his own Fiat fighter to Finland back in December.

The Finnish delegation to the Moscow peace talks meets for the third time in the Kremlin at 6 p.m. today.

The news leaked to the Swedish press has already reached Moscow; the Soviet Union sees no reason to soften its stance.

(Click for larger photo)

Finnish Coastal Defence Ship Ilmarinen.

Daily Finnish losses: 684

[Dowly]

12 March 1940 - DAY 104 of Winter War

At 9 o'clock in the morning President Kyösti Kallio puts his signature to a paper giving full powers of negotiation to the Finnish delegation at the Moscow peace talks.

Kallio says on signing: "This is the most awful document I have ever had to sign. May the hand wither which is forced to sign such a paper."

There is fierce fighting on the Isthmus to the northeast and south of Viipuri.

The Red Army breaks through at Kollaa to a depth of approximately one kilometre. Combat Detachment Haini's daily losses total around 100 men.

On the days of fiercest fighting, the enemy is losing over 2,000 men a day.

The Finns decide to abandon the defensive line along the River Kollaanjoki.

Around 50 Soviet tanks drive across the Vuoksi to the mainland, suffering losses under the Finnish artillery fire.

Colonel Hersalo's 21st Division launches a counterattack in Vuosalmi.

The commander of III Army Corps, Major-General Talvela decides to pull back his troops in Vuosalmi on account of the ceasefire negotiations. However, in the evening his troops occupy the support line in the rear.

There is a serious rail accident south of Hämeenlinna between Turenki and Harviala when a military train carrying a transport company is involved in a collision with an express train. All the company's 4 officers and around 30 men are killed, and another 40 are injured in the collision.

Sweden announces its readiness to begin talks with Finland on a possible defensive alliance between the two countries.

Finnish Foreign Minister Väinö Tanner wanted the expression "urgently consider" to be included in the news report of the talks, but Sweden demanded removal of the word "urgently".

The delegations to the Moscow peace talks meet twice in the Kremlin, but there are no changes in the Soviet Union's terms.

The meeting, which begins at 10 p.m., continues on beyond midnight.

The troops defending Viipuri withdraw by midnight to new positions in Patterinmäki.

Daily Finnish losses: 683

[Dowly]

13 March 1940 - DAY 105 of Winter War

The Treaty of Moscow ending the Winter War is signed in the Kremlin at 1 o'clock in the morning Finnish time.

In Lapland, Soviet aircraft bomb Rovaniemi and Kemijärvi an hour or two before noon.

The last trainload of children being evacuated to Sweden leaves Helsinki just a couple of hours before news of the peace treaty reaches the city.

The peace treaty takes effect on all fronts at 11 o'clock in the morning.

In the Taipale and Vuosalmi sectors of the front the Finnish artillery, which has played a major role in the successful defence of these sectors, finally falls silent as the fierce fighting is broken off at 11 o'clock.

The coming of peace interrupts the Finnish 12th Division's counteroffensive in Kollaa.

In the north, the fighting in Juntusranta in the Suomussalmi sector, which had become bogged down in trench warfare, ends at 11 o'clock with a ferocious enemy artillery bombardment of the Finnish positions on the River Kellojoki.

In Ladoga Karelia fighting continues throughout the day in the wilds on Group Talvela's southern flank.

Neither side manages to get word of the peace treaty to their troops in time to stop the fighting.

In the Salla sector in the far north, an enemy battalion in Saija attempts to get round behind Detachment Roininen. In the event, the Finnish troops manage to surround the entire Soviet battalion.

Foreign Minister Tanner speaks over the radio at 12 noon to explain the terms of the peace treaty and the factors leading to its agreement. He praises the stamina and endurance of the army and the home front in carrying through a struggle in which Finland was left to stand or fall alone.

The Foreign Minister also criticizes Finland's Scandinavian neighbours, who have hidden behind their declared neutrality in turning down all requests for help and even preventing Finland taking up the help proffered by the Western Allies.

Without assistance Finland could no longer continue the unequal struggle, and the Government was left with no alternative but to attempt a negotiated peace.

Despite the severity of the terms and the painful matter of having to cede territory, Finland has in Foreign Minister Tanner's opinion succeeded in its central aim: "Our right to self-determination has been preserved intact."

Even after the onset of the ceasefire, the exchange of fire in Saija continues until 2 p.m.

At 3.40 p.m. the Finnish flag is lowered from the flagpole on Viipuri Castle. The Winter War is over.

Despite the fact that the Red Army attacked Finland without so much as a formal declaration of war, the harsh terms of the peace treaty mean Finland is forced to cede to the Soviet Union the Karelian Isthmus and areas to the north of Lake Ladoga.

The towns of Viipuri, Sortavala and Käkisalmi are incorporated into the Soviet Union.

Most of Salla in Lapland is also lost, while the south coast port of Hanko is to be leased to the Soviet Union as a naval base for 30 years.

The total surface area of the ceded territories amounts to some 35,000 square kilometres.

This represents one tenth of Finland's total surface area.

Almost 430,000 Karelians, or 12 per cent of the country's population, lose their homes.

According to the New York Herald Tribune the Treaty of Moscow demonstrates the inability of democratic countries to help a small freedom-loving people. The paper reserves its main ire for the United States' Congress, whose inertia and hesitation hampered the sending of aid to Finland.

Finland's total losses in the war are 25,904 dead or missing and 43,557 wounded.

During the course of the war a total of 84,000 women took part in the work of the defence organization Lotta Svärd. Most worked in the catering corps, while some served at the front. 64 members of the Lotta Svärd gave their lives in carrying out their duties.

Enemy losses total around 127,000 dead or missing and 188,000 wounded.

Text of the Moscow Peace Treaty can be read here:
http://www.winterwar.com/War'sEnd/mo...ace_treaty.htm


Lost territory.


Helsinki "celebrates" peace.


Situation on the Karelian Isthmus at the end of the war. ("lightning" lines are Finnish units pulling back to the new border)


Situation in Ladoga Karelia.

Daily Finnish losses: 467