December 11, 1939 · Central Finland Theater
December 11, 1939
The Battle of Suomussalmi was the most dramatic Finnish victory of the Winter War. Colonel Hjalmar Siilasvuo's 9th Division destroyed two entire Soviet divisions — the 44th and 163rd — using motti tactics: small Finnish ski units cut Soviet columns into isolated pockets in the forest, then systematically annihilated them. The 163rd Division attempting to take the town of Suomussalmi was first repulsed, then surrounded and annihilated. The 44th Division sent to relieve it was similarly cut to pieces on the Raate Road. Over 27,000 Soviets were killed and the Finns captured 43 tanks, 71 artillery pieces, and thousands of vehicles.
Commanders