Battle of the Atlantic
Finland - Winter WarDay 16Battle of Suomussalmi. The Finns destroy the Russian 163rd (Tula) Div and the 44th (motorized) in the waist. The Russian losses are 6,000 killed, 1,800 prisoners, 54 guns, 97 tanks, 420 vehicles and 1,170 horses. The battle continues until Jan 5, 1940. In the eastern Isthmus at Taipale, a Russian division launches a tank-supported offensive that is halted at Kirvesmäki. In the central Isthmus the Finns launch a counterattack at Summa but only advance a few kilometers. On the Ladoga Karelia Col Hannu E. Hannuksela's troops of the 13th Div launch an offensive towards Ruhtinaanmäki. A key element of Soviet strategy is to cut Finland in half by striking across country to Oulu. To this end, the Soviet 44th Motorized Rifle Div advances along the Raate Road from the south; and the 163rd Rifle Div marches from Juntusranta from the north. The plan is to link up at Suomussalmi and then drive west to Oulu. Soviet strength is 48,000 men, 335 artillery pieces, 10 tanks and 11 armored cars. Finnish forces comprise the 9th Div under the command of Col Hjalmar Siilasvuo, about 11,500 men.
Siilasvuo first attacks the 163rd Div in Suomussalmi. He cuts the Soviet division's supply line (the Raate Road) and places a blocking force in position to prevent the 163rd from being relieved. The Soviet 44th Div tries such a relief on Dec 25, and the 163rd attempts a link-up as well, but Siilasvuo's force holds. On Dec 30 the depleted 163rd Div again attempts fo escape from Suomussalmi, but is cut to pieces by Siilasvuo's ski troops and Finnish aircraft. While these events are taking place, the 44th Div digs in along the Raate Road, but the Soviet troops are harassed mercilessly by Finnish snipers. Siilasvuo launches his main attack on Jan 5, and by Jan 9 the 44th has been destroyed. The Battle of Suomussalmi cost the Red Army 22,500 men killed and wounded. More importantly, it ended the Soviet threat in central Finland. [ | ]United States, Home Front
Western FrontThree British infantry bdes sent to France in Oct are formed into the 5th Div, British Expeditionary Force (BEF). This division is deployed south of Lille along a fortified line, which is extended and strengthened during the months of inactivity which Hitler allows to his troops on the Western Front, perhaps in the hope of finding a diplomatic solution. The line is reinforced with 400 new casemates and 40 miles of concreted anti-tank ditches. The BEF is only in direct contact with the enemy in the Metz sector. [ | ] |
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