1 December 1941
Finnish 1.D and 4.D link-up on the east side of Karhumäki.
Decision is made to begin rationing milk and edible fats.
According to the military administration, 63,000 Karelians have returned home thus far.
The Parliament votes unanimously to join the recaptured areas back to Finland.
First schools open in Petroskoi.
Finnish daily losses: 20
Finnish losses in November: 1898
Finnish losses in the war (so far): 24 536
War dog ”Ruli”.
***
2 December 1941
Last Soviet troops evacuate the Hanko Peninsula.
Mannerheim replies to Churchill's letter, explaining that it is impossible for Finland to stop the attack before suitable defensive positions have been reached.
(Mannerheim speaks of the three ishtmuses; Karelian Isthmus, the Svir isthmus and the Maaselkä-Karhumäki isthmus. -D)
Finnish daily losses: 20
Finnish tank near Karhumäki.
***
3 December 1941
6. Squadron reconnaissance flight over Hanko finds it empty of Soviet troops.
Finnish daily losses: 47
Can't have Christmas without a Christmas tree. (Termola)
***
4 December 1941
Swedish volunteer battalion (
Svenska frivilligbataljonen) occupies Hanko.
Finnish daily losses: 53
Russian trench in Hanko.
***
5 December 1941
Final assault on Karhumäki begins.
Finnish daily losses: 77
Soldiers of the ”Ace” regiment (IR 26) posing for a photo with what I assume is Karhumäki in the background.
***
6 December 1941
Great Britain declares war on Finland.
1. Jäger Brigade captures Poventsa to the East of Karhumäki.
Finnish daily losses: 84
Street fighting in Karhumäki.
***
7 December 1941
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor.
Finnish daily losses: 43
Karhumäki
***
8 December 1941
Soviet troops blow up the locks of the ”Stalin's canal” near Poventsa.
Karhumäki is captured.
The Finnish offensive phase of the war ends.
Finnish daily losses: 37
Flooding in Poventsa.