Finlands Winter War 1939-40

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

We are now approaching the end of this story. As we have seen above the Finns have whitstood Soviet attacks everywhere and on several occasions also have whiped out entire Soviet Divisions.

But the Fate of Finland was determined on the Karelian Isthmus.

The peacetime Finnish units and several Territorial Defence units were consentrated on the border to the Soviet Union for carrying out delaying operations.

There were four Battle groups:
1) Rautus
2) Lipola
3) Muolaa
4) Nykyrka

These "Covering Forces" were commanded by CO 2nd Army Corps. Their task was only to delay the Soviets and gain time for the Finnish Army to deploy in the main defence area.

Photo:
LtGen Harald Öhquist (sitting right) CO 2nd Army Corps and (left) COS Col K. Takkula.