Photos WW2 Finnish armed forces

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Finnish soldiers watching a Lotta Svärd woman stir a huge pot while preparing a Christmas meal during Winter War - December 1939
Lotta Svärd was a Finnish voluntary auxiliary paramilitary organisation for women
LIFE Magazine Archives - Carl Mydans Photographer

 

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On the dawn of Dec 25 1939, the Finnish Task Force Susi launched a counterattack southwards from the Alassalmi village, Suomussalmi municipality, where the Soviet Infantry Regiment 662 was securing the northern flank of the 163th Division.
The spearhead, 1st Battalion of the Infantry Regiment 65, advanced along the Peranka-Palovaara road reaching the Haapavaara ride engaging no enemy, but there it was stopped by heavy infantry fire, supported by tanks.
9th Company was ordered to flank but due the rough terrain and thickening resistance operation didn't succeed. So the 5th Company was ordered to join the flanking attempt on Dec 26.
Meanwhile, in the Suomussalmi church village (kirkonkylä) area the 9th Division was preparing to attack the Hulkonniemi cape. But offensive there will break out on Dec 27.
Pics show some warriors from the area and Lt. Col. Paavo Susitaival, commander of the Task Force, pictured in Värtsilä on July 11 1941
SA-kuva pics # 2018, 2069 and 30731
Talvisodan historia, osa 3, s. 277-278

 

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'Til Dec 22 1939 the Finns had defeated the Soviet 139th and 75th Divisions during the fierce battles in the Tolvajärvi-Ägläjärvi-Aittojoki area, Ladoga Karelia and the Task Force Talvela took defensive positions starting 'today', on Dec 24.
The enemy had lost some 3000 fallen and 600 captured, 60 tanks, three armored cars, about 30 guns, 10 mortars, more than 200 MGs, 140 LMGs, 3200 rifles, 150 automatic rifles and around 50 vehicles in just two weeks.
Also the Finns suffered severe losses, e.g. in Dec 17-23 they lost 274 fallen, 445 wounded and 29 missing - but now the northern flank of the IV Corps was secured. Pic shows some soldiers inspecting a knocked-out T-26, date and location unknown.
SA-kuva pic # 3308
Talvisodan historia, osa 3, s. 160-161

 

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War time and Christmas, some SA-kuva pics here:

Simo Häyhä's Company, Kollaa 1939. Chaplain Rantamaa and Company Leader Aarne "the Terror of Morocco" on the left

 

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Supreme HQ's Propaganda Department, 1939

 

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Äänislinna War Hospital, 1943

 

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Battalion Commander visits stronghold Koivu, Latva village, Dec 24 1943

 

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Simo Häyhä visited the same place where he participated the Christmas service in 1939, this pic is taken in the summer of 1942. "Simuna" stands behind Chaplain Rantamaa.

 

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Rukajärvi, Tunkua sector

 

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Sentry from the Svir front, 1941

 

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Liaison patrol, Svir front, 1941

 

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Sauna at the Svir front, 1941

 

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Lotta's Christmas, Lempaala, Karelian Isthmus, 1941

 

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Lempaala, 1941

 

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Kaljalanjärvi 1941

 

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the end of December 1939, on 27th-30th, the Finnish Guerilla Battalion 1 together with the Recon Detachments 5 and 6 started the night-time assaults in the Haukila-Tyynelä- Saukko area, using one- or two-platoon sized ski patrols.
Being able to operate in a relatively large area causing men and material losses to the Soviet 44th "Blue" Division along the Raate road, Suomussalmi municipality, made the unit's HQ think them being threatened by a much stronger enemy than their recon had informed.
So the Division started to entrench instead of breaking through the thin the defense line at the western bank of the Kuomasjoki River. Those incidents sealed the Division's destiny.
Pic shows some Finnish ski patrol men from the Winter War. Too bad that it's undated and unlocated because the photographer stayed unknown.
SA-kuva (pic # 8091)
Talvisodan historia, osa 3, s. 283

 

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Continuation War, Finland.
Heavy artillery in action, firing the 150 mm Czech-Austrian , year 1915, haubits (150 H 15). Iljala 1941.07.14 (SA-kuva).

 

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Continuation War, Finland.
Knocked out enemy column, perhaps after a ambush. Pälkjärvi / Pirttipohja road. 1941.07.14 (SA-kuva)

 

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Continuation War, Finland.
Mixed pics, somewhere close to Jalonvaara village. Jalonvaara 1941.07.14 (SA-kuva)

 

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