thumb|300px|Soviet attacks in Ladoga Karelia

The Battle of Tolvajärvi (; , ) began on 12 December 1939 and continued for about a week and a half, between Finland and the Soviet Union. It was the first large offensive victory for the Finns in the Winter War.

The battle took place on the territory of so-called Ladoga Karelia () which today is part of the Republic of Karelia in Russia.

Background

On 2 December, the Red Army captured Suojärvi, threatening the railroad to the Karelian Isthmus and the rear of the Mannerheim Line. On 6 December, the IV Army Corps was reorganized by Mannerheim into a Group commanded by Paavo Talvela. Aaro Pajari was immediately ordered by Talvela to defend the western shore of Lake Tolvajärvi, while Per Ole Ekholm was ordered to continue the defense of Ilomantsi. On 10 December, Talvela issued counteroffensive orders to both Pajari and Ekholm for the next day.

General Belyaev was dismissed from commanding on 16 December 1939, but preserved his rank. In June 1940 after re-attestation he was granted the rank of major general.

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File:Pajari tolvajarven esikunnan edessa.jpg|Aaro Pajari in Tolvajärvi

File:Talvisota Tolvajarvi 1.PNG| Two burning Soviet T-26s

File:Tolvajärven taistelijoita.jpg|Finnish skiers of the Talvela Group

File:Neuvostopanssariauto.jpg|Destroyed Soviet armoured car is inspected by Finnish officers.

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Notes

See also

  • List of Finnish military equipment of World War II
  • List of Soviet Union military equipment of World War II

References

Sources

English

  • How did the USSR lose a battle to Finland because of a sausage? – Politics and Weapons (Как СССР проиграл битву Финляндии из-за колбасы? - Политика и Оружие). Ukrlife (YouTube video). 12 December 2017.