On The Borderline

The Soviet 139th Rifle Division-20000 troops supported by 147 artillery pieces and 45 tanks, under the command of General LB. Belyayev-crossed the border on all available roads leading to Tolvajarvi, a key road junction defended by 4200 scattered Finnish reservists. …

1939-11-30

A1

The Soviet 139th Rifle Division-20000 troops supported by 147 artillery pieces and 45 tanks, under the command of General LB. Belyayev-crossed the border on all available roads leading to Tolvajarvi, a key road junction defended by 4200 scattered Finnish reservists. Cavalry Reserve Lt. Toivianen was celebrating his forty-fifth birthday that grim morning at Artahuhta, near the border post of Myllyjarvi. His men had gathered to congratulate him and to present him with a new fountain pen. The lieutenant had just made his acceptance speech when the sound of heavy artillery echoed from the direction of the border. Mounting immediately, Toivianen and his squadron galloped to join the fifteen border guards defending the post.

Artahuhta, Finland

The Battle of Tolvajärvi was fought on 12 December 1939 between Finland and the Soviet Union. It was the first large offensive victory for the Finns in the Winter War. The battle took place on territory of so-called Ladoga Karelia which today is part of the Republic of Karelia. The Finnish plan was to encircle the Soviet division by two pincer-attacks over the frozen lakes Hirvasjärvi and Tolvajärvi. The northern attack over Hirvasjärvi was to begin at 08:00 and the second would start when the first had brought results. This was later changed and both attacks were to begin at 08:00. The Soviet main effort was to make a front assault with two regiments 609th and 364th over the Tolvajärvi lake onto the Finnish positions of the 16th regiment near Tolvajärvi village, while the Soviet 718th regiment was to make a 20 km (12 mi) flanking maneuver from the north to the Finnish rear across thick wooded areas. There was a thick fog over a single narrow unimproved rural muddy road towards Tolvajärvi that was winding amongst some dozens of small lakes. Just before the battle a big snow storm brought some 40–50 cm (16–20 in) of snow. Due to thick fog, aviation did not take part in the battle. Due to mud, many tanks got stuck and also did not actively participate in the battle and were lost during withdrawal.

Wikipedia: Battle of Tolvajärvi

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