Winter War, day by day.

[Dowly]

21 January - DAY 53 of Winter War

Ladoga Karelia: Soviet troops attempt a breakthrough at Kollaa and on the River Aittojoki. A similar attempt is made in Ilomantsi.

Enemy artillery begins heavy shelling on the River Kollaanjoki at 8.50.

The enemy attack is supported by approximately 20 tanks.

The Finnish troops are outnumbered more than three to one.

The enemy loses six tanks and 450 men.

The Russian 8th Army launches a general offensive in Ladoga Karelia.

In the morning the Russian 1st Army Corps launches a broad offensive on Group Talvela's defensive positions on the River Aittojoki. The 155th Division launches a related assault at Kallioniemi and Oinaansalmi in Ilomantsi.

Northern Finland: Siilasvuo's 9th Division is redeployed from Suomussalmi to Kuhmo.

Eastern Isthmus: Finnish troops on the River Taipaleenjoki shoot down a captive balloon being used to direct the Soviet artillery fire.

In Ladoga Karelia, Finnish Blenheim bombers and dive-bombers cripple the air base built by the enemy at Karkunlampi in Salmi.

Stockholm: Hella Wuolijoki holds talks in the Swedish capital with Soviet emissaries Boris Yartsev and Grauer.

Foreign Minister Tanner prepares an unofficial memorandum for Wuolijoki with an eye to possible peace talks.

Abroad: participants at a major international skating event in Norway remember the Finnish world champion Birger Wasenius, who was killed at the front at the beginning of January.

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

January 21: Exhausting trip, 27km. We're already in Karelia.

(Click for larger photo)

Sergeant Kalpio emerging from his dugout. (Aittojoki)

(Click for larger photo)

Same dugout 2 minutes after a Russian bomb fell directly on it. Sergeant Kalpio and 13 of his comrades died.

List of men from E/III/KTR 6 who died:
Sergeant Eino Kalpio
Sergeant Huugo Koski
Junior Sergeant Veikko Keto
Junior Sergeant Svante Tamminen
Junior Sergeant Eino Väre
Corporal Aallos Kaarto
Private Veikko Grönlund
Private Erkki Koskela
Private Yrjö Lindgren
Private Ilkka Pinomäki
Private Armas Rosenqvist
Private Valter Sievänen
Private Kaarlo Vainio
Private Kalle Viljanen

Daily losses: 102