Winter War, day by day.

[Dowly]

10 February - DAY 73 of Winter War

Central Isthmus: the commander of the Finnish 3rd Division says the main defensive position in Summa is under attack from three Soviet divisions and a tank brigade.

The Soviet infantry has broken through in the Merkki sector.

Finnish troops successfully repulse the enemy assaults in Marjapellonmäki, but are unable to retake the Karhu stronghold.

Eastern Isthmus: the fighting in Taipale continues with increasing ferocity. The enemy artillery opens fire at 10.30 in the morning.

At 12 minutes past noon the enemy infantry launches its assault with the support of six assault tanks.

At 2.30 p.m. Major Saarelainen announces that the enemy assault has been successfully repulsed and four of their assault tanks destroyed.

Mikkeli: Prime Minister Ryti, Foreign Minister Tanner and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, Marshall Mannerheim discuss possible terms for peace. Mannerheim urges the Government to seek peace.

Ladoga Karelia: in the Aittojoki sector, troops belonging to Detachment Pajari carry out a new assault on the River Kuukkausjoki.

After fierce close combat the Finnish troops manage to clear the enemy from the west bank of the river by the evening.

Viipuri: enemy bombing destroys the Dominican monastery built in 1481 and currently serving as the church for the rural congregation around Viipuri.

Abroad: a train from the Finnish Centre for Nordic Aid arrives in Stockholm with 300 Finnish children.

A Danish officer, Colonel Tretow-Loof is travelling to Finland to lead the Danish volunteer battalion.

An association called 'Wings for Finland' is founded in New York to procure aircraft for Finland.

(Click for larger photo)

Abandoned Russian tank (BT?) at Lemetti crossroads.

Daily losses: 147

[Dowly]

11 February - DAY 74 of Winter War

Karelian Isthmus: the day begins foggy, but brightens up during the course of the morning. The temperature remains at around 20 below zero throughout the day.

Central Isthmus: at 8.40 in the morning, the Soviet artillery begins drumfire across the entire breadth of the 3rd Division's defensive position in Summa, continuing the bombardment for four hours.

A little before midday the enemy infantry begins its assault with massive air and tank support.

The Russians throw 50,000 troops into the attack in Summa.

The defending Finnish forces take out 72 enemy assault tanks.

The 'Fort Poppius' fortress is lost to the enemy at 1 o'clock in the afternoon. Some of its defenders begin to panic, and by evening a Russian division has penetrated to the support line in the Lähde sector.

The Finnish counterattack runs out of steam before midnight. In all other parts of Summa the enemy assault is successfully repulsed.

By midnight Finnish reserves have restored the lines.

The three Finnish divisions in the main defensive position successfully repulse attempted breakthroughs by at least six Soviet divisions.

Eastern Isthmus: during the course of the day between 40,000 and 50,000 mortars of varying types rain down on the front line and reserve positions in Taipale.

In Kirvesmäki every single soldier in stronghold no.1 is either killed or wounded.

Northern Finland: at Löytövaara in Kuhmo, Battalion Arponen launches an assault with shock troops at 7 o'clock in the morning.

A volunteer detachment of shock troops crawls through deep snow to take the enemy dugouts by surprise. The ploy is a success, and the shock troops begin to systematically take out the Russian defences with piled-up charges, petrol bombs and machine pistols. By evening the area is in Finnish hands, with only a few of the enemy managing to escape across Lake Löytöjärvi to Riihivaara.

Karelian Isthmus: Reserve Lieutenant Gunnar Höckert is killed on the Isthmus. Höckert won the gold medal in the men's 5,000 metres at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and ran three world record times during the course of his athletic career.

Abroad: teams representing Sweden and Finland play an international bandy match in biting temperatures of 15 below zero in the Olympic Stadium in Stockholm. The proceeds are to be donated to the Finnish war effort. Listeners to Swedish radio can also contribute to the collection.

Before the match begins the actress Ella Eronen recites the words of the Finnish national anthem in Finnish and Swedish.

The game ends in a Swedish victory by 2 goals to 1.

The official proceeds from the match are 475,000 krona.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has sent 1,200 dollars to the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, and Sibelius has decided the money should be used to help the needy families of fallen reservists.

Daily losses: 565




Finnish sentry at Kemijärvi.

[Dowly]

12 February 1940 - DAY 75 of Winter War

Northern Finland: Colonel Dolin, commander of the enemy ski brigade bearing his name, is killed in a skirmish with a Finnish patrol in Kuhmo.

Karelian Isthmus: the Red Army enlarges its breakthrough in the Lähde sector.

The enemy fails to break through in other sectors of the front.

The enemy continues to attack on the Muolaanjärvi-Punnusjärvi isthmuses.

The Kirvesmäki stronghold in Taipale is lost and attempts to retake it prove unsuccessful.

Heavy fighting continues in Summa.

Referring to the aid Finland is expecting from the international community, Foreign Minister Väinö Tanner issues a statement in his own name via the Finnish News Agency in which he denies claims of attempts to broker a peace.

Prime Minister Ryti and Minister without Portfolio J.K. Paasikivi describe Tanner's statement as ill-considered.

While in Turku en route for a secret trip to Stockholm, Tanner receives details from Chargé d'Affaires Erkko of the Soviet Union's terms for peace.

The Soviet terms are passed on to the Finnish Government.

The Ministry of Supply announces new maximum prices for coffee: the maximum permitted retail price for roasted ersatz containing at least 25% coffee is 20 marks per kilo, with Rio blend at 34 marks, the Central American Santos blend 32 marks and Quality blend at 50 marks per kilo.

Abroad: Karl J. Ewerts, the director of volunteer recruitment in Sweden, returns from a trip to the Karelian Isthmus and issues a statement to the press calling for weapons, men and vehicles to be sent to Finland.

The first 10 Finnish flying cadets arrive in Stockholm for training provided by the Royal Swedish Aero Club.

In the United States, the 'one dollar collection' organized by the Finnish committee has already raised over a million dollars.

Daily losses: 503

[Dowly]

Daily (Finnish) losses (KIA) added to each entry.

[Schroeder]

Are those just the Finnish losses or those of the soviets as well?

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Are those just the Finnish losses or those of the soviets as well?

Finnish losses only, taken from the Suomen sodissa menehtyneet 1939-1945 database.

[Schroeder]

Originally Posted by Dowly

Finnish losses only, taken from the Suomen sodissa menehtyneet 1939-1945 database.

Definitely unsustainable for such a small population.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Definitely unsustainable for such a small population.

The larger problem turned out to be the lack of ammunition for both artillery and anti-tank guns.

[Dowly]

13 February 1940 - DAY 76 of Winter War

Karelian Isthmus: at 6.30 a.m. the 5th Division's 14th Infantry Regiment launches a counterattack to retake the lost main defensive line in Summa.

By noon the Finnish troops have managed to advance a few kilometres, but then come up against enemy tanks and are forced to withdraw. The counterattack is ultimately unsuccessful.

Just after noon Soviet troops break through the support line in the Lähde sector.

Despite a fierce Finnish counterattack, the enemy continues to advance and approaches the Lähde crossroads.

In Taipale, Finnish troops succeed in retaking the Kirvesmäki stronghold overrun by Soviet troops in yesterday's fighting.

General Headquarters orders the 23rd Division to move onto the Isthmus.

Squadron 26 shoots down 9 Soviet aircraft over the Isthmus.

Viipuri is suffering an endless barrage of enemy bombs.

On the home front, Lahti, Heinola and Porvoo are also bombed.

Foreign Minister Tanner holds talks in Sweden with representatives of the Swedish Government, expressing the hope for Swedish troops to be sent to Finland.

The Swedish Government responds in the negative: Sweden will not give Finland direct military assistance.

The Finnish Parliament introduces draft legislation to leave the taxes of fallen servicemen uncollected.

Abroad: a benefit bandy international between Norway and Finland at the Bislet ice rink in Oslo ends in a 2-1 victory for Finland. The event was organized by sports journalists in the Norwegian capital, and the proceeds of 300,000 marks will be donated to help the families of Finnish sportsmen killed at the front.

Georg Gripenberg, Finland's diplomatic representative in London, and Lieutenant-General Enckell, who is currently on a visit to the British capital, appeal to Lord Halifax, the British Foreign Secretary, to send military aid to Finland. Halifax promises to raise the matter in the War Cabinet.

A fully equipped force of Hungarian volunteers has travelled to Scandinavia via France to help in the defence of Finland.

(Click for larger photo)

Russian T-26 destroyed by 3/Er.P.5. with a piled-up charge. Somewhere in Muolaa sector.

Daily Finnish Losses: 547

[Dowly]

14 February 1940 - DAY 77 of Winter War

Eastern Isthmus: fierce fighting in Taipale results in the enemy retaking the Kirvesmäki stronghold which had been recaptured by Finnish troops during the night.

After a massive artillery barrage lasting two hours the Russians launch an assault in both Terenttilä and Kirvesmäki.

The attack is supported by both aircraft and tanks.

Lack of sufficient available strength makes it impossible for the Finnish troops to respond effectively.

The ferocity of the battle is illustrated by the fact that the commander of the company with responsibility for the front has to be replaced three times within the space of just a few hours due to the death or injury of his predecessor.

There is a lull in the fighting at 5.35 p.m.

In compliance with their orders the Finnish troops in Summa pull out of their positions in the Lähde sector.

Fortunately there is no enemy attack during the withdrawal, reorganization and regrouping of the Finnish defences. The Finns also succeed in reinforcing their troops in the Summa sector.

In the north, the Finnish 9th Division suspends attacks on the Kuhmo 'mottis'.

The Russians lose 30,000-40,000 men in Summa.

The enemy awards an assault tank brigade trapped in a 'motti' 300 roubles to distribute among the troops in honour of the 22nd anniversary of the Red Army.

Commander-in-Chief Mannerheim, the commanding officer of the Army of the Isthmus, and the commanding officer of II Army Corps meet in Saarela manor house to discuss the situation on the Isthmus.

Viipuri: enemy bombers damage the castle bridge and Viipuri Castle itself.

On the home front, Soviet bombers hit Hamina.

The Finnish Government publishes a note aimed at foreign powers on the Soviet Union's infringements of the customs of war.

Abroad: British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain informs Finland's diplomatic representative in London, Georg Gripenberg that the United Kingdom is prepared to supply Finland with thirty 84 mm field cannons and 30,000 shells. This is around a third of what Finland had asked for.

Daily Finnish Losses: 456

[Dowly]

15 February 1940 - DAY 78 of Winter War

Central Isthmus: by evening the Russian 123rd Division has opened up a 2-3 kilometre wide and 6 kilometre deep gap in the Lähde sector in Summa.

Commander-in-Chief Mannerheim decides to abandon the Mannerheim Line and pull the Finnish troops back to the intermediary defensive positions on the Isthmus.

At 8 p.m., II Army Corps receives the order to withdraw.

The troops begin to pull back to the Samolanlahti-Näykkijärvi-Muolaanjärvi-Äyräpäänjärvi line.

Lappeenranta is hit by heavy enemy bombing: 17 die and 53 are injured in the raid.

Northern Finland: the fighting in Kuhmo is concentrated on Kesseli, although part of the enemy's crack Dolin ski brigade has already dispersed over a wide area to the rear of the 9th Division. The Dolin brigade has been reduced to around 800 men, and is completely surrounded.

Lake Ladoga: a battalion of Russian reconnaissance parachutists attacks the island of Petäjäsaari and manages to hold on there for almost 24 hours.

Ladoga Karelia: fierce fighting is currently going on for control of Pukitsanmäki.

The Lavajärvi 'motti' breaks down. The enemy has so far been successful in supplying the troops inside the 'motti' from the air.

In taking Lavajärvi village the Finnish troops capture several pieces of artillery, three armoured cars, eight lorries, four field kitchens and a large number of guns and ammunition.

The Finnish Social Democratic Party has resolved its differences with the Civil Guard, ending over 20 years of conflict between the two organizations. SDP members are now free to join the Civil Guard.

The Isänmaa ('fatherland') postage stamp goes on sale today.

The Ministry of Supply has confirmed the price controls on firewood. The maximum permissible price per cubic metre for good-quality, fresh birch logs is 103 marks in Tampere and 93 marks in Viipuri.

Olympic champion Lauri Lehtinen is to donate his gold medal from the 5,000 metres at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1932 to be awarded to an as-yet-unnamed soldier who has served with distinction on the Karelian Isthmus. Lehtinen's gesture is also to be seen as a mark of respect for fellow athlete Gunnar Höckert, who was killed in action four days ago on the Isthmus. Höckert took the gold medal over the same distance in the Berlin Olympics in 1936.

Daily Finnish Losses: 442




Replacements leaving to the front. (Lohja)

[Dowly]

16 February 1940 - DAY 79 of Winter War

The rapidly deteriorating situation forces General Headquarters to concentrate more troops on the Isthmus.

At 3.45 in the afternoon the Finnish troops receive the order to withdraw to the intermediary defensive positions on the Isthmus.

By evening the troops have regrouped in their new positions with the enemy in close pursuit.

The Finnish troops manage a controlled withdrawal everywhere apart from the Lähde road sector. Here the enemy breaks through the Finnish lines a little before midday and progresses as far as Kämärä station.

In this sector, an inexperienced battalion of the 62nd Infantry Regiment facing the Russians is unable to withstand the preliminary artillery bombardment and the subsequent tank assault; it finally breaks up in panic, abandoning its position.

Northern Finland: the remnants of the Dolin ski brigade are wiped out in Kuhmo by the evening. 1,700 of the 1,800 men in this crack Soviet brigade are killed. The Finnish troops capture a considerable haul of automatic weapons.

A regular meeting of the Finnish Government and the President of the Republic discusses a legislative proposal for the State to provide compensation for bodily injuries caused by the war.

Sweden: the evening paper Folkets Dagblad Politiken reveals Foreign Minister Tanner's secret trip to Stockholm and Sweden's decision not to support Finland. Swedish Prime Minister Per Albin Hansson confirms the report and insists there has been no change in Sweden's position.

All 16 women members of the Finnish Parliament publish an appeal to the women of the world. The appeal ends by calling on the world's women to allow their husbands and sons to come to help the Finns win their struggle on behalf of freedom, humanity and justice.

Abroad: Swedish construction workers donate 960,000 krona towards fighter aircraft for Finland.

In Toronto, the Provincial Parliament of Ontario has asked the Canadian Government for permission to send to Finland the Canadian volunteer division which has already been assembled.

Daily Finnish Losses: 415




Lemetti crossroads area.

[Dowly]

17 February 1940 - DAY 80 of Winter War

Heavy fighting continues on the Karelian Isthmus.

The enemy manages to break the defensive line in Postilampi near Kämärä station.

The outnumbered Finnish troops are fighting enemy tanks on the open snow without anti-tank guns.

The Finns are forced to retreat.

The Soviet attack grinds to a halt at the intermediary defensive positions.

The Russians make strenuous efforts to take Suursaari island in Lake Muolaanjärvi.

The attempt fails.

Ladoga Karelia: in recognition of his prowess in the fighting on the River Kollaanjoki, Corporal Simo Häyhä is awarded a Sako target rifle donated by a Swedish sympathiser, Eugen Johansson.

Häyhä has shot dead 219 enemy soldiers with his open-sight 'pystykorva' rifle, and approximately the same number again with a submachine gun and a rapid-fire rifle. His most successful tally for a single day has been 25 dead.

Häyhä has previously been awarded the Medal of Liberty, a pocket watch and woollen gloves.

Commander-in-Chief Mannerheim addresses an appeal to his officers: "The whole future of our people hangs in the balance. Only our loyalty and endurance can save the day. I am sure every officer will do his duty."

Northern Finland: Soviet troops in Kuhmo launch a new assault on the Kuusijoki line in an effort to free the trapped 54th Division.

Gulf of Bothnia: a road is opened across the frozen sea between Vaasa and Umeå in Sweden.

Iisalmi suffers heavy enemy bombing. 41 people are killed in a direct hit on a bomb shelter.

130 enemy aircraft bomb Viipuri.

158 American Finnish volunteers arrive in Oulu.

An exhibition of captured war materiel opens in Helsinki Exhibition Hall. Proceeds from the exhibition are to be used to help the needy relatives of soldiers fallen in the war.

Visitors to the exhibition can keep abreast of the latest figures from the front. There are, for example, two boards presenting the numbers of enemy aircraft shot down and tanks destroyed since the start of the war.

Today's figures are 387 aircraft and 1,050 tanks.

Abroad: the Swedish press strongly criticizes Prime Minister Hansson and the Swedish Government's decision not to help Finland.

The Swedish Prime Minister's negative reply to Finland is received with satisfaction in Moscow. The Soviet leadership believes Finland's fate has now been finally sealed.

The British and French press believe Sweden will come to regret the decision.

In Geneva, Miss Sophie Mannerheim delivers a hugely popular lecture on her father and the war.

(Click for larger photo)

Simo Häyhä receiving a SAKO rifle from Colonel Svensson.

Daily Finnish Losses: 257

[Schroeder]

I wonder how reliable those numbers of Sniper Häyhä are. Over 400 people killed sounds a bit much for me. How was Finnish propaganda back then?

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

I wonder how reliable those numbers of Sniper Häyhä are. Over 400 people killed sounds a bit much for me. How was Finnish propaganda back then?

Your guess is as good as mine.

His kills were recorded in the 6./II/JR34 war diary, which has not been digitized for some reason (or perhaps it has been lost, no idea).

400 kills amounts to 5/day, which I don't find entirely impossible considering how active the Kollaa front was during the entire war and of course the reckless way the Russians liked to attack.

Though, the 542 rifle kills is a myth, given birth by the internet. Finnish sources specifically say that the number is a total between rifle and Suomi SMG kills.