Winter War, day by day.

[Dowly]

9 January - DAY 41 of Winter War

Helsinki: President Kyösti Kallio holds a press conference for foreign journalists in the Presidential Palace. Among other matters raised, the President says that during the first month of the war the enemy has dropped approximately 4,000 bombs on about one hundred localities across Finland. These air raids have claimed the lives of 239 civilians.

Northern Finland: another crushing Finnish victory is recorded in the north, this time at Suomussalmi. A second enemy division is destroyed as Finnish troops push onwards to the border.

Ladoga Karelia: Soviet forces mount an unsuccessful assault to the north of Ruhtinaanmäki.

Abroad: expressions of sympathy and support for Finland's struggle are pouring in from all over the world.

In Paris, the French National Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union responds to the appeal by the Finnish Parliament and expresses its support for Finland.

The Canadian Red Cross sends 50,000 dollars in aid to Finland.

Herbert Hoover, the former US President, sends his fifth 100,000 dollar check to Finland.

In response to the appeal by the League of Nations, Argentina sends 50,000 tonnes of grain to Finland with no fixed date for payment.

The Nicaraguan Government launches a national appeal for aid for Finland.

Moscow objects to Swedish protests over the sinking of the steamer Fenris.

Originally Posted by Diary of a Soviet politruk from 6th separate ski battalion.

January 9: Moving to the front. Morale is good and everyone's eager to go help the Finns in their struggle against the oppressors. We've got some great soldiers: Mospan, Melnik, Kravtsuk.

Daily losses: 85

***

10 January - DAY 42 of Winter War

Northern Finland: the Russian 122nd division at Salla begins to retreat towards Märkäjärvi.

Ladoga Karelia: the vanguard of the Finnish IV Army Corps cuts the road connections of the Russian 56th Army in the area of Pitkäranta.

Soviet troops are trapped at Kitelä: the bulk of the enemy's 56th Army are trapped inside the Kitelä-Syskyjärvi-Koirinoja triangle, giving rise to the great Kitelä 'motti'.

The author Hella Wuolijoki travels to Stockholm for unofficial negotiations with Alexandra Kollontai, the Soviet Ambassador in Stockholm.

The German war correspondent Otto von Zwehl enlists as a volunteer in the Finnish Army. Hitler hears of this and strips him of his German citizenship and military rank.

Mabel Bonney, correspondent and photographer for the American Life magazine, arrives in Finland.

Originally Posted by Diary of a Soviet politruk from 6th separate ski battalion.

January 10: Our journey towards Leningrad continues. I published my first magazine, which I thought was quite good. In the evening, I put forward topic for discussion: The animalistic nature of the White Finns.

Daily losses: 101




Reinforcements on their way to the front. (Leppäsyrjä)

[Dowly]

11 January - DAY 42 of Winter War

Ladoga Karelia: the Finnish IV Army Corps launches the second phase of its counteroffensive.

Northern Finland: Group Susi launches its offensive towards Juntusranta.

Abroad: Germany forbids the passage of volunteers to Finland through German territory.

At the Brenner Pass, Germany has also halted a shipment of war materiel en route from Italy to Finland. The Italian Ambassador has lodged a protest with the German Foreign Ministry. It would seem that Germany must now choose its friend: either Stalin or Mussolini.

Home news: the public are urged to donate all articles which could possibly be useful to the military to a collection being organized by the Civil Guard on behalf of the Defence Forces.

Helsinki: the first refugee train organized by the Finnish Centre for Nordic Aid leaves Helsinki for the Swedish border town of Haparanda carrying almost 400 refugees, 300 of them children.

Foreign Minister Tanner's congratulatory telegram on the 20th anniversary of the League of Nations attracts positive attention around the world. Tanner also expresses his gratitude for the aid sent to Finland.

William Tuck, a representative of the Finnish Relief Fund established by former United States President Herbert Hoover, arrives in Finland.

Prince Ferdinand of Liechtenstein arrives in Finland and declares his wish to serve as a volunteer on the front.

Originally Posted by Diary of a Soviet politruk from 6th separate ski battalion.

January 11: The train has stopped in Hatsina. Everyone would want to be at the front already. Started a discussion about our heroic pilots. We wonder why our comissar has not left his carriage. In our carriage, spirits are high. We dance and play the accordion. Petrov doesn't believe that in America, unemployed people are driven to the streets. Took me two hours to convince him. At 2200hrs, the train starts moving, to where, no one knows.

Daily losses: 107




Destroyed Soviet tanks at Lavajärvi.

[fumo30]

Originally Posted by Dowly

29 November 1939

Three Finnish border guards go missing from Puumanki border guard post.
Doors and window frames show damage consistent with rifle butt strikes.
Investigation concludes that they were kidnapped by Soviet soldiers.

Anything heard about these men since then?

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by fumo30

Anything heard about these men since then?

Corporal Salkio and privates Simonen and Korhonen were sent to a POW camp in Murmansk. They were released after the war.

[fumo30]

Originally Posted by Dowly

Corporal Salkio and privates Simonen and Korhonen were sent to a POW camp in Murmansk. They were released after the war.

Kiitän ja kuittaan.

...In english: Thanks a lot.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by fumo30

Kiitän ja kuittaan.

...In english: Thanks a lot.

Salkio has also written a book titled "Pummanki - Jäämeren suomalainen kalastajakylä ja sen tuho". Haven't read it myself, though.

[fumo30]

Originally Posted by Dowly

Salkio has also written a book titled "Pummanki - Jäämeren suomalainen kalastajakylä ja sen tuho". Haven't read it myself, though.

Interesting, there's not too many writings about the "lost arm" of Finland.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by fumo30

Interesting, there's not too many writings about the "lost arm" of Finland.

You might be able to find something on the Kansa Taisteli magazines: http://kansataisteli.sshs.fi/index.php?year=1950

***

12 January - DAY 44 of Winter War

Northern Finland: after intense combat with a force of Soviet troops who had made a surprise advance in the Juntusranta sector, Group Susi takes up defensive positions on the Tormua parallel.

Over 400 enemy aircraft bomb several localities across Finland; the main focus of the bombing is in the southwest.

Ladoga Karelia: the commander of the Soviet 56th Army requests an aircraft to lift him out of the Kitelä-Syskyjärvi-Koirinoja triangle. Finnish troops manage to damage the aircraft, which has to make an emergency landing on the frozen Lake Ladoga.

Northern Finland: the F19 airforce regiment of Swedish volunteers goes into combat for the first time at Märkäjärvi.

The Ministry of Supply urges evacuees to adapt to their new circumstances and attempt to support themselves, if possible, and to work for their hosts who are providing them with shelter.

London: the Daily Express reports a Dutch source as saying that Hitler is keen to act as broker in the conflict between Finland and the Soviet Union.

Sweden: an art shop is opened to raise funds for Finland.

The International Federation of Trade Unions issues a resolution calling on governments around the world to fulfil their obligation of solidarity with Finland.

Originally Posted by Diary of a Soviet politruk from 6th separate ski battalion.

January 12: Arrived to Volhovstroi during the morning. It's a beautiful station with a large power plant near it. Danced again. In the evening we resumed our journey.

Daily losses: 89

***

13 January - DAY 45 of Winter War

Åland Sea: the Soviet submarine Sts 324 attacks Finnish convoys in the Märket narrows.

The Finnish escort vessel Aura II sinks after one of its own depth charges explodes on deck.

Central Isthmus: enemy attempts at mini-offensives at Lähde and Summa are successfully repulsed.

Ladoga Karelia: Finnish troops establish the great Kitelä 'motti'.

Soviet bombers carry out air-raids on a number of localities.

The air-raid on Hämeenlinna kills 12 people and injures 21 more.

In Helsinki, the air-raid kills 6 and injures another 21; it also sets the Hietalahti shipyard on fire.

In Lahti, the radio transmitter is damaged in the bombing.

The Finnish Broadcasting Company warns its listeners to be on their guard against enemy radio propaganda and indicates that due to enemy interference it will use only well-known announcers in its own broadcasts.

Abroad: Heimo Haitto, the 14-year-old violin prodigy, is the main attraction at a gala concert in Stockholm organized by the Fund for Finnish Relief.

At a fight held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Finnish heavyweight boxer Gunnar Bärlund scores a points victory over his American opponent, Jim Thompson. Some of the proceeds from the fight go to help Finland.

Coffee growers in Rio de Janeiro donate 60,000 sacks of coffee to Finland.

Originally Posted by Diary of a Soviet politruk from 6th separate ski battalion.

January 13: Arrived to Lotinapelto and continued on foot to a city called Uus-Syväri.

Daily losses: 119

***

14 January - DAY 46 of Winter War

Ladoga Karelia: Soviet Division is ordered to take Uomaa village and push the Finnish detachments out of the terrain between Uomaa and Lavajärvi.

Northern Finland: the Soviet 122nd Division disengages from Vuosamonselkä and withdraws to Märkäjärvi.

Detachment Roininen and the 40th Infantry Regiment are ordered to prepare themselves to pursue the enemy.

At the same time word comes through that the Soviet 88th Division is concentrating troops at Salla.

The submarine Iku-Turso returns from patrol without having sighted the enemy.

Viipuri: Soviet aircraft begin to bomb the city.

Vaasa: 10 people die in air-raids, among them women and children.

Enemy bombers hit Rauma, Pori, Uusikaupunki, Sottunga in the Åland archipelago, Hanko, Karjaa, Salo, Tammisaari, Helsinki and Kauniainen.

In the Gulf of Bothnia, Soviet aircraft also bomb the Swedish coastline.

At Haparanda the air-raid warning lasts 1½ hours.

Helsinki: an ambulance donated by the French Red Cross arrives from Stockholm with four nurses.

Originally Posted by Diary of a Soviet politruk from 6th separate ski battalion.

January 14: It's -38 celsius. We are preparing for our sacred duty to the motherland.

(Click for larger photo)

MG and ATG at Ruhtinaanmäki.

Daily losses: 95

[Dowly]

15 January - DAY 47 of Winter War

Undeterred by his jammed machine gun, Staff Sergeant Siltavuori, a squadron test pilot, downs an enemy DB bomber by cutting its rudder with the propeller on his Fokker.

Northern Finland: Finnish troops begin to pursue the retreating enemy in Salla by advancing from Joutsijärvi in the direction of Märkäjärvi.

Ladoga Karelia: Viitavaara on the River Aittojoki is finally lost to the Russians.

Eastern Isthmus: in Taipale, Finnish troops repulse an assault by a fairly small enemy detachment.

Finnish patrols on the eastern border are still vigorous and effective.

Viipuri: the city is subjected to surprise attacks from the air. The sirens start up at 23 minutes past noon as the first bombs explode. The late warning means there are still many people on the streets and in shops and offices. Three people are killed and several injured. The attack devastates the area around Punaisenlähteentori square.

Abroad: the Swedish Government responds to the Soviet note accusing Sweden of abandoning its neutrality and the Swedish press of publishing anti-Soviet material. The Swedes reject the accusation and affirm their commitment to freedom of the press.

The German Foreign Ministry denies rumours of German attempts to play a mediating role in the Finno-Soviet conflict and claims that the visits of the German Ambassador in Moscow to Foreign Minister Molotov have merely concerned economic relations between the two countries.

The Swedish novelist Selma Lagerlöf donates her gold medal from the Swedish Academy and her Nobel Gold Medal to the collection in aid of Finland.

Originally Posted by Diary of a Soviet politruk from 6th separate ski battalion.

January 15: Still in Uus-Syväri. Temperature has fallen to -40C. We got some newspapers. Semenov was unhappy. I have not received any letters.

(Click for larger photo)

"Our supply route Katitsanlampi-Repomäki after a fight with a Russian patrol."

Daily losses: 67

***

16 January - DAY 48 of Winter War

Central Isthmus: heavy enemy shelling pounds the defences on the Mannerheim Line in Summa.

Ladoga Karelia: in temperatures of -41° Celsius, a small Finnish detachment attacks and halts the enemy advance at the edge of Mursula village in Kitilä.

The Finnish aid agency Suomen Huolto grants 800,000 marks in aid to victims of the bombing in the towns of western Finland.

Abroad: a special Finnish day is to be held at the Holmenkollen skiing games in Oslo to raise money for Finland.

A Danish association of factory-owners is sending a railway wagonload of food aid to Finland.

United States President, Franklin D. Roosevelt says the USA can extend a non-military loan to Finland as this would in his opinion not compromise US neutrality.

The Swiss Medical Association announces it is to send a group of volunteers to Finland.

Originally Posted by Diary of a Soviet politruk from 6th separate ski battalion.

January 16: Still in Uus-Syväri. It's -52C outside. My nose nearly froze, but I rubbed some snow on it. We can't buy anything from the stores. I'm angry at the weather. Have not received letters. Wondering if Nadja is cheating on me.

Daily losses: 65

***

17 January - DAY 49 of Winter War

Ladoga Karelia: the Finnish 12th Division launches its offensive in the Uomaa sector.

IV Army Corps halts its offensive in the Pitkäranta area. The Finnish force does not have sufficient strength in the area to push on to the border. Fokker fighters from 24 Squadron shoot down 8 enemy SB bombers over the Isthmus.

Central Isthmus: in the Lähde road sector, heavy enemy shelling inflicts serious damage on 'Fort Poppius'. This concrete fortress named after Second Lieutenant Poppius can house up to 26 men.

Enemy bombers hit Turku, Hanko, Lappeenranta and Koivisto.

Viipuri: bombers concentrate on the south harbour.

Finland's civil defence chief reminds members of the public to keep their identity papers with them at all times.

The Ministry of the Interior is to set up a supply centre for evacuees.

In Summa, temperatures have fallen to -42° Celsius.

Abroad: Norwegian fruiterers have today donated six trainloads (50,000 kilos) of apples to Finland.

The United States has decided to send two military attachés to Finland.

In Uppsala, the author Frans Emil Sillanpää addresses a Swedish audience on the situation in Finland.

Originally Posted by Diary of a Soviet politruk from 6th separate ski battalion.

January 17: We haven't moved. It's -42C outside. I lost my watch today. No letters. During the day we talked about Lenin and in the evening about the poor situation of workers in Norway and Sweden.

Daily losses: 75

[Dowly]

18 January - DAY 50 of Winter War

Ladoga Karelia: Finnish troops take the barracks area in Pitkäranta, forming a 'motti' with one flank open onto the frozen Lake Ladoga.

Fresh concentrations of enemy divisions are observed at Pitkäranta and at Käsnäselkä in the Uomaa sector.

Northern Finland: four Finnish battalions mount an assault on Märkäjärvi, but the enemy's 122nd Division holds firm.

Gulf of Finland: Finnish troops begin to attack a Soviet naval detachment trapped in the ice near the island of Someri.

Enemy bombers hit the icebreaker Tarmo while it is undergoing repairs in Kotka harbour. Thirty-nine crew members are killed and 11 wounded.

Sweden: the Swedish Parliament debates the question of aid for Finland. Public opinion in Sweden sees the country's future as closely bound up with the outcome of Finland's struggle.

"Finlands sak är vår" (Finland's cause is our own) is adopted as the slogan of the popular movement campaigning on behalf of aid for Finland.

Home news: Doctor of Law Urho Kekkonen is appointed to head the supply centre for evacuees.

Abroad: Hungarian professor Albert Szent-Györgyi, winner of the 1937 Nobel Prize for Medicine, gifts his Nobel Medal to Finland.

Originally Posted by Diary of a Soviet politruk from 6th separate ski battalion.

January 18: -49C. Started discussion on workers' status in Finland.

(Click for larger photo)

Russian dugouts, 1km south of Mitro.

Daily losses: 130

[Dowly]

19 January - DAY 51 of Winter War

Northern Finland: Finnish troops take up defensive positions at Märkäjärvi.

The Finnish 9th Division fighting in the Suomussalmi-Raate sector is ordered to move south to Kuhmo.

Russian submarines withdraw from the Gulf of Bothnia. The naval blockade of the Gulf comes to an end.

Karelian Isthmus: two Finnish fighters engage three enemy bombers over the Isthmus. One of the bombers is shot down.

Three more enemy aircraft are shot down over other parts of the Isthmus.

Helsinki: the use of blowlamps to thaw out frozen water pipes causes several fires in the city.

A special newspaper called Den Frivillege (The Volunteer) is introduced for Swedish volunteers in Finland. The author Olof Lagercrantz is appointed editor-in-chief.

Abroad: Sweden gifts Finland two FK 52 reconnaissance aircraft.

The well-known author and explorer Sven Hedin suggests the funds intended for paying the 1939 and 1940 Nobel Peace Prizes be given instead to the Finnish Red Cross.

Swedish business has so far collected 62 million krona in aid for Finland.

Originally Posted by Diary of a Soviet politruk from 6th separate ski battalion

January 19: Weather same. Still no letters.

Daily losses: 82

[Dowly]

20 January - DAY 52 of Winter War

Eastern Isthmus: fierce battles are being fought in Taipale.

Enemy troops attack the Finnish strongholds at Terenttilä and Kirvesmäki.

Central Isthmus: heavy enemy shelling pounds the Finnish defences in Summa village.

Southwest Finland: the armoured coastal vessels Väinämöinen and Ilmarinen are redeployed to Turku to reinforce the city's air defences.

The war in the air: Flight Luukkanen shoots down four enemy aircraft to the north of Lake Ladoga.

37 enemy aircraft bomb Lahti and put the radio transmitter off the air. Five die and 19 are injured in the raid. The enemy is now broadcasting its own propaganda on the Lahti transmitter's frequency.

Turku, Tampere and Kouvola are also bombed.

A Finnish Centre for Nordic Aid aircraft begins transport flights from Vaasa to Sundsvall.

Turku: a group of foreign correspondents visit the city to inspect the damage caused by the bombing.

Oulu: 58 American Finnish volunteers arrive in the city.

Abroad: Winston Churchill, Great Britain's First Lord of the Admiralty, addresses the British nation in a broadcast speech: "All Scandinavia dwells brooding under Nazi and Bolshevik threats. Only Finland superb, nay, sublime in the jaws of peril shows what free men can do. ... They have exposed, for all the world to see, the military incapacity of the Red Army and of the Red Air Force."

The Red Army paper Krasnaya Zvezda acknowledges the slow progress of the Soviet troops and demands that the Red Army be taught how to ski.

Originally Posted by Diary of a Soviet politruk from 6th separate ski battalion

January 20: Had a party meeting in the morning. By evening we started moving towards Uotjärvi.

(Click for larger photo)

Replacements at Kollaa.

Daily losses: 73

[Schroeder]

Minus a gazillion degrees and some of these guys don't even wear their caps.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Minus a gazillion degrees and some of these guys don't even wear their caps.

Through my amazing research (google): On the 20th of January it was -19C in Kollaa.

I'm assuming the three on the left are "veterans" who have come to greet the newcomers from their dugout (entrance of which can be seen on the left). Finnish dugouts or korsu's were relatively comfortable and warm.

[fumo30]

Originally Posted by Dowly

(Click for larger photo)

Replacements at Kollaa.

Not enough military uniforms for everyone.