[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

1. On 9th December the first units of 27th Inf Regt began arriving in Suomussalmi. Col Siilasvuo lost no time. The following day he began attacking the now burnt down village.

2. On 16th December the Finns received their first artillery. A 75 mm M/1902 Bty from Sweden.

3. The critical day was 24th December. Soviet 163rd Inf Div attacked the village and the defence south of there.

4. On 25th December the Finns received reinforcements. The first parts of 64th Inf Regt, 1st Partisan Bn, 6th Bicycle Bn and 1st Light Detachment began arriving.

5. But there were bad news. A second Soviet Div was coming from Raate. This was the elite 44th Mechanized Div.

6. On the morning of 27th December Col Siilasvuo ordered the main attack on the village. The battle lasted three days. On 30th December the Soviet defence had brooken down. The Finns captured 27 field guns, 4 AA MGs, 11 tanks, 2 ACs, 150 trucks, 250 horses and took some 500 POWs.

Picture: The Finnish attack. 163rd Soviet Inf Div in and north of Suomussalmi. 44th Mech Div advancing from the east.

Red: Soviet units. Black: Finnish attacks.