Battle of Raate-Road
Encyclopedia : B : BA : BAT : Battle of Raate-Road
| Winter War |
|---|
| Tolvajärvi – Suomussalmi – Taipale – Summa – Raate-Road – Kuhmo – Honkaniemi – Kollaa – Salla – Petsamo |
The battle of Raate-Road was fought between Soviet Union and Finland in January, 1940 as a part of the battle of Suomussalmi.
On December 7 Soviet 163th division had conquered Suomussalmi, and the Ukrainian 44th division was coming to help it. In the following battle colonel Siilasvuo's 9th division destroyed the Ukrainian 44th division on the Raate-Road compeletely.
Order of battle
At the start of the battle of Raate-Road, Siilasvuo's 9th division had already destroyed the Russian 163th division. After that, the division got orders to destroy the Ukrainian 44th division which was located in Haukila, 12 kilometers from Suomussalmi. The battle was ordered to begin on January 5, 8:30 AM.The Finnish 9th division was split in four squadrons which were named after their commanders. The battles focused to Haukila, where most of the Soviet troops were located and where squadron Mandelin and Mäkiniemi attacked. Squadron Mäkiniemi had started moving towards Haukila few days before the official attack.
On January 6 the Soviet troops began to erupt despairly towards north. They had already tried to espace to east but squadron Kari had prevented this. In the far east squadron Fagernäs couldn't keep the bridge in Finnish control.
On January 7 squadron Fagernäs captured the bridge back and in forenoon all Soviet resistance had ended.
Finland got 43 assault tanks, 71 field and anti-air guns, 29 anti-tank cannons, armored cars, armored tractors, 260 trucks, 1,170 horses, infantry weapons, ammunition and medical equipment as war booty from the Soviets.
References
- Ari Rautala (2004.). Sotiemme taistelupaikoilla.. Gummerus. ISBN 951-20-5995-9.
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