Winter War, day by day.

Dowly · 04-10-15, 08:56 AM

4 December 1939 - DAY 5 of Winter War

Karelian Isthmus

II AK & III AK

Fighting began in the morning on II AK's area. Already during the night attacked a strong armor unit towards Liikola. This attack was pushed back, but another attack started at 0930hrs.

Enemy's main push was in Nurmijärvi - Pasuri and Kivennapa - Liikola areas, with some weaker advance attempts elsewhere. They also tried to capture the Kiviniemi bridge and push over the Taipaleenjoki. These attempts were beaten back.

Strong attack supported by at least 100 tanks continued towards Liikola and from there to the west and northwest, trying to breakthrough the lines in Uusikirkko area. In this they succeeded. In Pamppala direction about 50 tanks were observed, the attack towards Pasuri from east was also supported by strong armor force.

By evening our troops held the line: Sortavala - Ylisjärvi - South end of Kaukjärvi - Särkijärvi - North end of Suulajärvi - Vuotjärvi - South end of Kirkkojärvi - Punnusjärvi - Raakolanjärvi - Pasuri. Our troops hold bridgeheads at Oravaniemi and Kiviniemi. Rest of the line to the east follows the main line (Mannerheim-line).

NOTE: Onega on the map should read Ladoga.

IV AK

Enemy continues to advance. Own troops are regrouping.

Dowly: See what I mean about bare-bones reports? Worth mentioning, Major General Heiskanen was relieved from command of IV AK due to the poor performance of the AK in delaying the enemy advance. Major General W. Hägglund replaced him.

North Finland Group (sorry, no map for this area atm, but unlike the Karelian locations that switched names after the war, you can find most of these locations through google maps)

Enemy advancing from Uhtua is closing on Kuusamo road. Russian advance from Kantalahti towards Kuolajärvi is a cause of concern as well.

Supreme Commander has accepted NFG commander's proposal to attack towards Repola.

***

No photo of the day as there was nothing really to show. But here's a propaganda song written in 1942 about the Winter War, this particular take on it was performed in 1989. Translation by me below.

Daily losses: 110

Dowly · 12-11-15, 08:32 AM

(Better late than never, right? )

***

5 December 1939 - DAY 6 of Winter War

Parliament assembles for the first time in Kauhajoki.

Karelian Isthmus: the covering force on the Isthmus launches its final counterattack at Perkjärvi, ending in a Finnish withdrawal behind the main defensive position.In places the withdrawal shows signs of panic.

Ladoga Karelia: Finnish troops disengage from Ägläjärvi.

Official sources say 80 enemy tanks have so far been destroyed or put out of action.

General Headquarters sets up a central office of censorship and a number of local offices to supervise war censorship.

The Finnish Broadcasting Company urges its listeners to be on their guard against Russian propaganda, and indicates it will use as many familiar announcers as possible in its own broadcasts.

Abroad: Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Paraguay have today protested over the Soviet Union's attack on Finland.

Daily losses: 46

***

6 December 1939 - DAY 7 of Winter War

Helsinki: Foreign Minister Väinö Tanner hosts an Independence Day reception for the diplomatic corps in the banqueting hall of the Kämp Hotel.

Kiviniemi: the last part of the covering force in front of the main defensive position on the Isthmus pulls back to the north of Vuoksi.The work of the covering force comes to an end.

Eastern Isthmus: fighting begins at Taipale. A Soviet division launches an attack across the River Taipaleenjoki.

By nightfall a Russian battalion has crossed River Taipaleenjoki at Koukkuniemi.

Ladoga Karelia: General Headquarters forms Group Talvela to cover the Tolvajärvi-Ägläjärvi sector.

Sweden: 80 leading public figures call on the country to help Finland.

Sounds of Soviet artillery pounding Finnish lines at Taipale:

Daily losses: 97

***

7 December 1939 - DAY 8 of Winter War

Taipale: by evening Finnish troops have beaten back the first Russian offensive.

Ladoga Karelia: during the night Soviet troops achieve combat contact with the Finnish positions on the River Kollaanjoki.

Ilomantsi: Finnish troops in the Ilomantsi sector fall back to Möhkö and overnight to Kallioniemi ferry. They begin a defensive action.

Northern Finland: Commander-in-Chief Mannerheim reinforces the troops around Suomussalmi with sections of the 9th Division commanded by Colonel Siilasvuo.

Soviet troops take the parish village at Suomussalmi.

Ladoga Karelia: Finnish troops at Kollaa beat back the first Soviet offensive.

Lieutenant-Colonel Pajari takes command of the Finnish forces in the Tolvajärvi area.Finnish troops launch active countermeasures.

Northern Finland: the Russian 122nd Division launches its main offensive against Finnish positions on the Kairala parallel.The defending Finnish battalion cannot hold. The detachment pulls back to the parish village at Salla.

The three largest American radio networks have sent their own correspondents to Helsinki.One is the journalist Warren Irving, who is sending a radio commentary from Helsinki to the USA.

Captured Red Army soldier in Alasalmi. (December 7)

Daily losses: 172

***

8 December 1939 - DAY 9 of Winter War

Southern Isthmus: the advance guard of the Finnish 4th Division, which has been fighting in the southern Isthmus, pulls back during the night behind the main defensive position.The Russians regroup to break through the Finnish lines.

Northern Finland: the Finns are caught completely off guard by the Red Army's offensive through the wilderness between Lake Ladoga and the Arctic Ocean with as many divisions as it deployed on the Karelian Isthmus.Finnish troops successfully repulse an attempted Russian breakthrough launched at 7.20 at Haukiperä in Suomussalmi.The Finns then take the initiative.

Eastern Isthmus: the Soviet artillery at Taipale launches a week-long barrage in an attempt to destroy the Finnish positions.

Ladoga Karelia: Soviet troops overcome the Finns at Tolvajärvi and almost capture Tolvajärvi village and the vital crossroads.During the night, Lieutenant-Colonel Pajari turns the tables with a decisive flanking attack on an encamped Russian battalion.

The Soviet force attacking Finland is placed under the direct command of the General Staff of the Red Army.

Commander of the Army, 2nd Class K.A. Meretskov is placed in command of the Soviet 7th Army on the Isthmus.

Northern Finland: the Russians enter the parish village at Salla.

Sweden: the Finnish Consulate in Gothenburg announces that 493 Swedish families have so far offered to take in Finnish refugees.

Finland is reintroducing the Cross of Liberty previously used during the War of Independence in 1918.

2nd Lieutenant Renkonen (pilot in center) giving a debrief to Colonel Kuussaari (left). (December 8)

Daily losses: 136

Dowly · 12-11-15, 09:37 AM

9 December 1939 - DAY 10 of Winter War

Karelian Isthmus: troops from the covering force reorganized to form the 1st Division under the command of Major-General Laatikainen are to assume responsibility for the eastern section of the front in the 5th Division's defence sector on the Karelian Isthmus.

Ladoga Karelia: the 13th Division takes up defensive positions between Lake Ladoga and Varpajärvi.

Northern Finland: Colonel Siilasvuo's first transport arrives at Hyrynsalmi a day late. Further north, Soviet troops finally take the parish village at Salla.

All Soviet troops on the Finnish front are placed under the direct command of the General Staff of the Red Army.

New York: the first detachment of Finnish American volunteers - around one hundred officers, pilots and mechanics - board ship bound for Finland.

Daily losses: 111

***

10 December 1939 - DAY 11 of Winter War

Prime Minister Ryti visits General Headquarters in Mikkeli.Commander-in-Chief Mannerheim says the late morning situation on the front is critical. General Headquarters issues the order to establish the first guerrilla battalions.

Ladoga Karelia: Finnish troops overcome a Russian battalion which had outflanked the defensive position at Tolvajärvi.

Soviet troops launch a series of offensives on the River Kollaanjoki.

The Finnish artillery carries out counter-preparation fire against enemy artillery and infantry positions at Koukkuniemi.

A half-hour artillery bombardment scatters the enemy's offensive formations.

Photo from Kollaanjoki. Soviet tanks are seen on the road. (December 10)

Daily losses: 94

***

11 December 1939 - DAY 12 of Winter War

Northern Finland: Finnish troops launch a counteroffensive at Suomussalmi at 10.00 to recapture the parish village.

Ladoga Karelia: Soviet troops launch a series of determined offensives at Kollaa.The frontal assault is accompanied by attempted flanking actions.

In the Tolvajärvi battle area, Colonel Talvela issues the order for the decisive attack.

Northern Finland: in the Salla sector, a Russian regiment shatters the Finnish defense at Märkäjärvi.The Finns retreat about 10 km west to Salmijärvi.

Swedish border: the author Frans Emil Sillanpää arrives in Haaparanta en route to receive his Nobel Prize for Literature.

Daily losses: 133

Dowly · 12-13-15, 09:05 AM

12 December 1939 - DAY 13 of Winter War

Central Isthmus: Soviet troops launch reconnaissance probes at Summa in the central section of the Isthmus.

Ladoga Karelia: Group Talvela's Detachment Pajari begins its successful offensive at Tolvajärvi.

Ladoga Karelia: troops of IV Army Corps launch an offensive on the Lemetti road.

Ilomantsi: Detachment A's advance from Oinaansalmi to take Möhkö 4 km to the east grinds to a halt due to command problems.

Suursaari: the Finnish motor torpedo boats Raju and Isku lay the first offensive mine fields in front of Suursaari harbour.

The League of Nations calls on the warring parties to cease hostilities and open peace negotiations.

Finland wins authorization to buy 43 Brewster fighter aircraft from the USA.

Daily losses: 310

***

13 December 1939 - DAY 14 of Winter War

Central Isthmus: Soviet troops continue their attacks with the support of artillery and tanks in the Summa-Muolaanjärvi sector. The last Finnish forward combat posts in the Perkjärvi sector are pulled back. The attacks are repulsed in all sectors of the front.

Ilomantsi: Detachment A's attack fails.

Northern Finland: Major-General K.M. Wallenius takes command of the Lapland Group.

Helsinki: Hietaniemi cemetery receives it first five fallen heroes.

Helsinki: a private umbrella organization, the Finnish Centre for Nordic Aid, is set up to organize the evacuation of Finnish children to Sweden. The first shipment of children arrives by sea in Stockholm.

Abroad: the Soviet Ambassador in Rome returns to Moscow, apparently in protest over a demonstration in support of Finland.

Washington: the US Government refuses to grant Finland a credit to purchase military materials and equipment.

Daily losses: 157

Men of 1/Er.P.8 at Ruokojärvi.

04-10-15, 08:56 AM	#1
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,054 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	4 December 1939 - DAY 5 of Winter War Karelian Isthmus II AK & III AK Fighting began in the morning on II AK's area. Already during the night attacked a strong armor unit towards Liikola. This attack was pushed back, but another attack started at 0930hrs. Enemy's main push was in Nurmijärvi - Pasuri and Kivennapa - Liikola areas, with some weaker advance attempts elsewhere. They also tried to capture the Kiviniemi bridge and push over the Taipaleenjoki. These attempts were beaten back. Strong attack supported by at least 100 tanks continued towards Liikola and from there to the west and northwest, trying to breakthrough the lines in Uusikirkko area. In this they succeeded. In Pamppala direction about 50 tanks were observed, the attack towards Pasuri from east was also supported by strong armor force. By evening our troops held the line: Sortavala - Ylisjärvi - South end of Kaukjärvi - Särkijärvi - North end of Suulajärvi - Vuotjärvi - South end of Kirkkojärvi - Punnusjärvi - Raakolanjärvi - Pasuri. Our troops hold bridgeheads at Oravaniemi and Kiviniemi. Rest of the line to the east follows the main line (Mannerheim-line). NOTE: Onega on the map should read Ladoga. IV AK Enemy continues to advance. Own troops are regrouping. Dowly: See what I mean about bare-bones reports? Worth mentioning, Major General Heiskanen was relieved from command of IV AK due to the poor performance of the AK in delaying the enemy advance. Major General W. Hägglund replaced him. North Finland Group (sorry, no map for this area atm, but unlike the Karelian locations that switched names after the war, you can find most of these locations through google maps) Enemy advancing from Uhtua is closing on Kuusamo road. Russian advance from Kantalahti towards Kuolajärvi is a cause of concern as well. Supreme Commander has accepted NFG commander's proposal to attack towards Repola. *** No photo of the day as there was nothing really to show. But here's a propaganda song written in 1942 about the Winter War, this particular take on it was performed in 1989. Translation by me below. Finlandia, Finlandia, again Ivan was going there. Molotov promised everything's fine, tomorrow we'll eat icecream in Helsinki. (2x) No Molotov, No Molotov, you told more lies than Bobrikov himself. Finlandia, Finlandia, Mannerheim-line proved stronger than it seemed. Resistance in Karelia, shut many Ivans' mouth. (2x) No Molotov, No Molotov, you told more lies than Bobrikov himself. Finlandia, Finlandia, feared by the unstoppable Red Army. And Molotov said, look at that, the tsuhna* are grabbing us by the collar. (2x) No Molotov, No Molotov, you told more lies than Bobrikov himself. Beyond the Ural, Beyond the Ural, that's where Molotov's homestead lies. There's room there for Stalin and the others too, politruks, comissars and others likeminded. (4x) No Molotov, No Molotov, you told more lies than Bobrikov himself. Tsuhna is a derogatory term used for Finns and Estonians. Daily losses: 110 Last edited by Dowly; 02-12-16 at 04:06 AM.*

12-11-15, 08:32 AM	#2
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,054 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	(Better late than never, right? ) * 5 December 1939 - DAY 6 of Winter War Parliament assembles for the first time in Kauhajoki. Karelian Isthmus: the covering force on the Isthmus launches its final counterattack at Perkjärvi, ending in a Finnish withdrawal behind the main defensive position.In places the withdrawal shows signs of panic. Ladoga Karelia: Finnish troops disengage from Ägläjärvi. Official sources say 80 enemy tanks have so far been destroyed or put out of action. General Headquarters sets up a central office of censorship and a number of local offices to supervise war censorship. The Finnish Broadcasting Company urges its listeners to be on their guard against Russian propaganda, and indicates it will use as many familiar announcers as possible in its own broadcasts. Abroad: Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Paraguay have today protested over the Soviet Union's attack on Finland. Daily losses: 46 * 6 December 1939 - DAY 7 of Winter War Helsinki: Foreign Minister Väinö Tanner hosts an Independence Day reception for the diplomatic corps in the banqueting hall of the Kämp Hotel. Kiviniemi: the last part of the covering force in front of the main defensive position on the Isthmus pulls back to the north of Vuoksi.The work of the covering force comes to an end. Eastern Isthmus: fighting begins at Taipale. A Soviet division launches an attack across the River Taipaleenjoki. By nightfall a Russian battalion has crossed River Taipaleenjoki at Koukkuniemi. Ladoga Karelia: General Headquarters forms Group Talvela to cover the Tolvajärvi-Ägläjärvi sector. Sweden: 80 leading public figures call on the country to help Finland. Sounds of Soviet artillery pounding Finnish lines at Taipale: Daily losses: 97 * 7 December 1939 - DAY 8 of Winter War Taipale: by evening Finnish troops have beaten back the first Russian offensive. Ladoga Karelia: during the night Soviet troops achieve combat contact with the Finnish positions on the River Kollaanjoki. Ilomantsi: Finnish troops in the Ilomantsi sector fall back to Möhkö and overnight to Kallioniemi ferry. They begin a defensive action. Northern Finland: Commander-in-Chief Mannerheim reinforces the troops around Suomussalmi with sections of the 9th Division commanded by Colonel Siilasvuo. Soviet troops take the parish village at Suomussalmi. Ladoga Karelia: Finnish troops at Kollaa beat back the first Soviet offensive. Lieutenant-Colonel Pajari takes command of the Finnish forces in the Tolvajärvi area.Finnish troops launch active countermeasures. Northern Finland: the Russian 122nd Division launches its main offensive against Finnish positions on the Kairala parallel.The defending Finnish battalion cannot hold. The detachment pulls back to the parish village at Salla. The three largest American radio networks have sent their own correspondents to Helsinki.One is the journalist Warren Irving, who is sending a radio commentary from Helsinki to the USA. Captured Red Army soldier in Alasalmi. (December 7) Daily losses: 172 * 8 December 1939 - DAY 9 of Winter War Southern Isthmus: the advance guard of the Finnish 4th Division, which has been fighting in the southern Isthmus, pulls back during the night behind the main defensive position.The Russians regroup to break through the Finnish lines. Northern Finland: the Finns are caught completely off guard by the Red Army's offensive through the wilderness between Lake Ladoga and the Arctic Ocean with as many divisions as it deployed on the Karelian Isthmus.Finnish troops successfully repulse an attempted Russian breakthrough launched at 7.20 at Haukiperä in Suomussalmi.The Finns then take the initiative. Eastern Isthmus: the Soviet artillery at Taipale launches a week-long barrage in an attempt to destroy the Finnish positions. Ladoga Karelia: Soviet troops overcome the Finns at Tolvajärvi and almost capture Tolvajärvi village and the vital crossroads.During the night, Lieutenant-Colonel Pajari turns the tables with a decisive flanking attack on an encamped Russian battalion. The Soviet force attacking Finland is placed under the direct command of the General Staff of the Red Army. Commander of the Army, 2nd Class K.A. Meretskov is placed in command of the Soviet 7th Army on the Isthmus. Northern Finland: the Russians enter the parish village at Salla. Sweden: the Finnish Consulate in Gothenburg announces that 493 Swedish families have so far offered to take in Finnish refugees. Finland is reintroducing the Cross of Liberty previously used during the War of Independence in 1918. 2nd Lieutenant Renkonen (pilot in center) giving a debrief to Colonel Kuussaari (left). (December 8) Daily losses: 136 Last edited by Dowly; 08-14-18 at 11:11 AM.

12-11-15, 09:37 AM	#3
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,054 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	9 December 1939 - DAY 10 of Winter War Karelian Isthmus: troops from the covering force reorganized to form the 1st Division under the command of Major-General Laatikainen are to assume responsibility for the eastern section of the front in the 5th Division's defence sector on the Karelian Isthmus. Ladoga Karelia: the 13th Division takes up defensive positions between Lake Ladoga and Varpajärvi. Northern Finland: Colonel Siilasvuo's first transport arrives at Hyrynsalmi a day late. Further north, Soviet troops finally take the parish village at Salla. All Soviet troops on the Finnish front are placed under the direct command of the General Staff of the Red Army. New York: the first detachment of Finnish American volunteers - around one hundred officers, pilots and mechanics - board ship bound for Finland. Daily losses: 111 * 10 December 1939 - DAY 11 of Winter War Prime Minister Ryti visits General Headquarters in Mikkeli.Commander-in-Chief Mannerheim says the late morning situation on the front is critical. General Headquarters issues the order to establish the first guerrilla battalions. Ladoga Karelia: Finnish troops overcome a Russian battalion which had outflanked the defensive position at Tolvajärvi. Soviet troops launch a series of offensives on the River Kollaanjoki. The Finnish artillery carries out counter-preparation fire against enemy artillery and infantry positions at Koukkuniemi. A half-hour artillery bombardment scatters the enemy's offensive formations. Photo from Kollaanjoki. Soviet tanks are seen on the road. (December 10) Daily losses: 94 * 11 December 1939 - DAY 12 of Winter War Northern Finland: Finnish troops launch a counteroffensive at Suomussalmi at 10.00 to recapture the parish village. Ladoga Karelia: Soviet troops launch a series of determined offensives at Kollaa.The frontal assault is accompanied by attempted flanking actions. In the Tolvajärvi battle area, Colonel Talvela issues the order for the decisive attack. Northern Finland: in the Salla sector, a Russian regiment shatters the Finnish defense at Märkäjärvi.The Finns retreat about 10 km west to Salmijärvi. Swedish border: the author Frans Emil Sillanpää arrives in Haaparanta en route to receive his Nobel Prize for Literature. Daily losses: 133 Last edited by Dowly; 08-14-18 at 11:12 AM.

12-13-15, 09:05 AM	#4
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,054 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	12 December 1939 - DAY 13 of Winter War Central Isthmus: Soviet troops launch reconnaissance probes at Summa in the central section of the Isthmus. Ladoga Karelia: Group Talvela's Detachment Pajari begins its successful offensive at Tolvajärvi. Ladoga Karelia: troops of IV Army Corps launch an offensive on the Lemetti road. Ilomantsi: Detachment A's advance from Oinaansalmi to take Möhkö 4 km to the east grinds to a halt due to command problems. Suursaari: the Finnish motor torpedo boats Raju and Isku lay the first offensive mine fields in front of Suursaari harbour. The League of Nations calls on the warring parties to cease hostilities and open peace negotiations. Finland wins authorization to buy 43 Brewster fighter aircraft from the USA. Daily losses: 310 *** 13 December 1939 - DAY 14 of Winter War Central Isthmus: Soviet troops continue their attacks with the support of artillery and tanks in the Summa-Muolaanjärvi sector. The last Finnish forward combat posts in the Perkjärvi sector are pulled back. The attacks are repulsed in all sectors of the front. Ilomantsi: Detachment A's attack fails. Northern Finland: Major-General K.M. Wallenius takes command of the Lapland Group. Helsinki: Hietaniemi cemetery receives it first five fallen heroes. Helsinki: a private umbrella organization, the Finnish Centre for Nordic Aid, is set up to organize the evacuation of Finnish children to Sweden. The first shipment of children arrives by sea in Stockholm. Abroad: the Soviet Ambassador in Rome returns to Moscow, apparently in protest over a demonstration in support of Finland. Washington: the US Government refuses to grant Finland a credit to purchase military materials and equipment. Daily losses: 157 Men of 1/Er.P.8 at Ruokojärvi. Last edited by Dowly; 08-14-18 at 11:15 AM.